Northland & North Auckland Sales
Chris Skelton
Why do you work at MIMICO?
I am at MIMICO because I enjoy the industry and wanted to be able to sell a reputable range of products for a company that is prepared to listen to our customers’ demands and requirements, and then strive to achieve them.
When did you start at MIMICO?
I have been with MIMICO since late-July 2014.
Where have you worked previously?
I have been in the industry for 15 years, starting with hiring earthmoving equipment, transporting of machinery and shipping. Then I moved to running and selling the manufacturing of attachments and one-off specialized attachments.
What’s your favourite memory from your pre-MIMICO work life?
Tracking down and working with customers and design engineers to achieve an outcome on one-off attachments to carry out industry requirements. For example, converting golf carts to run on the old rail system for Forgotten Highway Adventures, Hi-Rail converted excavators and cleaning buckets for the new Auckland sewage line prior to completion.
What is the most important thing in this industry?
Building relationships with customers. It’s important to give the customer the truth from the start. If you can’t offer up an answer right away, say you can’t, but also make sure to get back to them when you have it (while knowing that your answer is sometimes not going to be the answer they want to hear).
How would you describe the atmosphere at MIMICO?
In the short time I’ve been with the company I have found everyone I deal with on a daily basis has been very friendly and accommodating to any of the questions I need answered, particularly those I need to pass onto customers. The the staff I deal with at Head Office are great.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
With my partner, Shona, I have a lifestyle block close to the Hunua Ranges and enjoy working around the farm, rearing calves in the season and carrying them through to pass on to McDonald’s for patties. When not working around the farm I go on trail rides, camping away, and two-man endurance MotoX racing when time and fitness allows. Shona has also opened my eyes to travel and I’ve been ensuring we get to see more of the world.
What is the greatest thing you’ve achieved in your life so far?
Building my house from scratch. I cut in a driveway and house site to create my own little piece of paradise on acreage. A couple of good friends helped out with the technical answers, helping me see the vision I had and getting it through to completion. I believe this has made me a better person for the experience and influences the decisions I make in life now.