Recently, the Waitākere College School of Business unit visited Cambrian Plastics, a leading New Zealand manufacturer and supplier of acrylic and plastic solutions. With over 50 years in West Auckland, Cambrian Plastics has become a local icon. 

Mark welcomed us and introduced the team, whose friendliness and hospitality immediately stood out. He guided us through an insightful tour of the factory, explaining the roles of different machines and how each part of the business contributes to smooth operations. Mark consistently praised his diverse staff, emphasising teamwork, communication, and a harmonious workplace. Notably, despite the presence of potentially dangerous machinery, there had only been one workplace-related issue in the past year. 

During the tour, we were encouraged to apply our classroom knowledge by answering questions about various processes and were invited to ask our own questions, deepening our understanding of the plastic industry, business operations, and the broader economic context. This experience proved especially valuable for those of us running our own businesses, as it provided practical insights into importing materials and exporting products.

Our day at Cambrian Plastics was engaging, in-depth, and helpful for our futures. A big thank you to Mark and the rest of the team at Cambrian Plastics for inviting us and taking care of us, and also for the complimentary key chains we were gifted at the end.