COMBINING his skills in professional services with a background in geology has proved to be a good career move for 2010 40under40 winner Grant Ribbink.
About 18 months ago Mr Ribbink joined TZ Minerals International, a consulting and publishing company with little profile in the wider business community but a strong position globally in its specialist niche.
Previously at Wrays, an intellectual property and branding firm that grew significantly during his three years there, Mr Ribbink said his move to TZMI developed as a result of ongoing discussions with the company’s directors, who wanted to grow the business.
Established in Perth in 1994, TZMI services the global titanium and zircon industries.
A feature of these industries is the lack of an established, transparent trading exchange. That has created a big opportunity for TZMI, which provides valuable market intelligence for producers and customers.
That is particularly the case at the moment, with supply tight and prices running hot.
The only insight most investors get into the sector is the performance of Perth-based mineral sands miner Iluka Resources, which has enjoyed strong gains in both its profits and share price this year.
Mr Ribbink said the buoyant market conditions made it an exciting time to be at TZMI, whose directors were looking to accelerate the firm’s growth.
As chief operating officer at TZMI, one of his goals is to introduce management systems and processes that will support continued growth of the business, which currently has 45 specialist staff in five offices around the world.
Mr Ribbink is also evaluating new business opportunities to build on the firm’s established base.
Since he joined TZMI, the business has invested significantly in two key pillars – knowledge management and professional staff.
“Our product is knowledge and increased skill equates to increased value in our business, so it is critical that we invest in developing our team,” Mr Ribbink told WA Business News.
Specific initiatives include a focus on client service, flexible working arrangements for staff, investment in technical, and soft skills development mentoring programs.
This personal development focus extends to Mr Ribbink, who is nearing completion of a master of business leadership degree at the Curtin Graduate School of Business.
Staff recruitment is a challenge for the business, particularly given the specialist nature of its staffing needs, as is the global nature of TZMI’s operations.
“Aside from the obvious difficulties of time and distance, you lose the tacit and intangible interpersonal elements of workplace interaction, so you have to be disciplined, proactive and thoughtful in virtual teaming,” Mr Ribbink said.
“Social and cultural ‘intelligence’ is critical in our interaction with both our international team and our clients, so we actively work to increase these emotional intelligences and cultural awareness of the nations we operate in.”
TZMI continually explores new strategic business and growth opportunities.
It recently made the decision to invest in China, where it has established a wholly owned subsidiary.
Mr Ribbink said the company previously had a representative office in China and the new arrangement allowed TZMI to have greater control over its China strategy.
Future options include moving beyond the zircon and titanium industries into different markets, commodities or other parts of the mining value chain.
“We aspire to grow and become a more diverse organisation, which is why TZMI is investing so heavily at this stage in both our people and intellectual capital,” Mr Ribbink said.
To nominate for the 2012 awards, go to www.40under40.com.au.
