| | Our staff are absolutely crucial to Forbes Packaging! Most of whom have been here a multitude of years, in fact there are a handful who have been here beyond twenty years! We are extremely proud of this, and collectively, we reckon we can offer you the most extensive knowledge base in the industry. Managing Director
| Martin Farrand (Owner)
Martin started his career at the Herald as an apprentice lithographer (offset printer), completing his apprentice in 1973, he left that year to start an OE around the pacific. The sailing saw him meeting the previous owner of Forbes, when delivering Colin Forbes yacht 'Rainbird' from Fort Lauderdale to New Zealand. Following this Martin became a sales Rep for Colin in 1977. Martin Bought the company in 1987 and has developed it to where it is today. Martin is still a passionate sailor, however he also enjoys flying light aircraft among other leisure activities.
| Sales Team 
Contact Info Robert@forbespack.co.nz 021 635 482 DDI: 09 414 9451 | Robert Lye (Sales Manager) Auckland and Bay of Plenty.
Robert started his career as a paper merchant starting out in a customer service role before moving into a sales role. After seven years, he joined a small packaging company before joining up with Forbes Enterprises in 1989. The challenge back then was to diversify the companies customer base from mainly cosmetic industry packaging, to clients from all industries looking to use cardboard packaging.
Growing the customer base of Forbes Packaging has meant bringing clients on board for the long haul, which is reflected in the majority of our clients who have been with us for a number of years.
"The enjoyment of working with the clients from concept to finally seeing the product in the market place is what gives you the satisfaction of a job well done."
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Contact Info sue@forbespack.co.nz 021 363 988 DDI: 09 414 9455
| Sue Stephens (account manager) Auckland, Hamilton and Northland.
Sue joined Forbes in 2001 to undertake a customer services and estimating role. Forbes saw Sue's potential with existing clients and within 18months Sue was slipped into the role as Account Manager servicing the Auckland area. In 2003 she went on maternity leave for 12 months. On her return Sue has taken over the Hamilton and Northland area serving existing business and gaining new business. Sue says she enjoys the interaction with clients and their graphic designers and maintaining longstanding working relationships.
“Each job is unique in its own way, which brings a challenge to my role as an Account Manager.
Outside of work, Sue is sure to be found spending time with her beautiful daughters, on the netball court or at boxing training. She looks forward each summer to a camping trip or two with friends and family!
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Contact Info Vanessa@forbespack.co.nz 021 755 224
DDI: 09 4149456
| Vanessa Painting (account manager) Auckland Lower North Island and the South Island.
Vanessa left school following her older sibling’s footsteps and began her working career in the print trade working for a large commercial printer. She enjoyed various roles gaining experience in all aspects of label and print production. At 28, Vanessa moved to London and worked for a global telecommunications company managing their print procurement. It was here she was on the ‘other side of the fence’ experiencing the importance of meeting a delivery date and how important it is to have a great reliable supplier. Upon returning to NZ, she continued developing her sales skills, focusing on logistics and E-Procurement & print management system solutions, piggy backing onto her skills learned overseas. Her son Max was born in 2002 and Vanessa continued in the print & pharmaceutical trade until joining Forbes in 2006. “My biggest enjoyment would have to be seeing the delight our customer experience upon delivery of their new packaging”
"Creating a printed carton doesn’t have to be a daunting one – we know the process inside out and most importantly we approach it as a team effort."
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Office Staff
| Kim Blignaut (Accountant and Office Manager)
Kim emigrated from Zimbabwe in 2000 and joined the Forbes team in 2005. While she describes herself as a ‘jack of all, master of none’ around here we all know that she is highly competent in her roles as admin or office manager, which is largely accounts based, also with a focus on human resources. This is Kim’s first job in the packaging industry and she loves it.
“Every day is different and I love dealing with the wide range of personalities which keeps my job fun and interesting.” Kim professes to live for the summer, not only for sunshine but also because it means rugby is finished and ‘real’ sport starts. Cricket! She follows the Black Caps loyally and is an avid supporter of the Northern Knights in domestic cricket. She is also passionate about theater and tries to see as many shows as she can | 
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| Alan Hewitt (Business Strategy)
Alan has a background in banking and finance. Since 1991 he has held senior management roles at major banks and a start-up boutique finance company. Most recently as a business consultant he has undertaken a special project with an insurance company, and other SME’s.
While undertaking these roles, to build on his knowledge and update his skills, mid-career, Alan undertook an executive MBA program at the University of Waikato.
Alan brings to Forbes Packaging Limited significant experience with expertise in general management including sales development, business governance, human resource management, finance, and business strategy.
As a banker and financier he has successfully worked with many and varied business’s helping them to grow and make the right decisions for their futures; he now brings that experience to Forbes to work with its clients.
Alan has an interest in corporate social responsibility, and is actively involved with a small charitable trust that has its focus on New Zealand’s marine environment; he has been significantly involved with Rotary. His other interests include traveling and exploring world destinations, and he is keen to integrate his new passion of motorcycling with his travels.
Alan believes “Being in business should add more life to your years, not more years to your life”… and at Forbes Packaging he is focused on doing just that. | 
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| Tracey Williams (accounts Receivable)
After 14 years working for a rubber components manufacturing company in Penrose, Tracey was allured to Forbes Packing initially by the promise of a shorter commute, that was back in 2003 and ever since Tracey has become an indispensable part of the accounts team. Aside from the convenient location, Tracey reckons she enjoys her job at Forbes because "no day is ever the same, and we have some lovely clients I get to chat with!". Tracey was born and bred in Tauranga, moving to Auckland in her late twenties. She enjoys playing Tennis, has recently learned to enjoy gym and enjoys watch her daughter play basketball and son on the soccer field.
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Production 
| John Crothers (Production Manager)
John is a trade qualified offset printer. He has worked in the printing industry his entire working life- bar a two year stint managing motels. John has ten years of production management experience under his belt, and can also boast 14 years experience in the packaging industry. He has also owned and operated his own printing company for twelve years. His earliest introduction to Forbes Packaging saw John working for the original Colin Forbes in the 1980’s.
"I have found the changes in technology have helped us at Forbes to keep up with the high
demand for quality and delivery expected by our customers" |  | John Good (Assistant Production manger)
John Good is a qualified printer, who has been the 2IC of the production team for the past two years. He reckons he enjoys the day to day running of the factory and working with our staff and clients. Outside of Work John Good likes to play touch rugby, 'slowly' he adds. |  | Tom Hall
Tom was with a small packaging company for seven years before it was sold to Forbes in 2007. Prior to that he was with one of the largest packaging companies operating in New Zealand for four years.
He has held many roles in the printing industry from Production to Sales to Purchasing. His current role sees him as the 'knife guru'. That is, he is responsible for ensuring cutting forms purchased on behalf of clients are correct and maintained to the standard that Forbes requires.
Tom also still maintains a small portfolio of clients that he manages.
Tom reckons he is as passionate about packaging as he is about golf, of which he plays twice a week!
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Pre Press
| Steve Albon (Pre-Press Manager)
Steve is a qualified photo lithographer and has worked in pre-press for most of his working life. Steve has found the phasing out of film and replacement with computers and new technology has made the pre-press industry a challenging but exciting environment to work. Having the up to date equipment that Forbes now possesses means the pre-press team at Forbes are able to meet the complex demands of today’s packaging industry quickly and confidently. . | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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