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[ We Can ]
People
[ Overview ]
Our Team
One concept we understand better than most is that quality teams make machines run efficiently.
So when it comes to recruiting the individuals who make up our team, we look for:
- Talented individuals who can add value to the company.
- People who thrive in a varied work environment where they may be doing two or three different jobs each day.
- Team players who can handle tough jobs, on time and to specification.
- People who want to showcase their talent.
- Bright, motivated people who want to work at the leading edge of precision engineering.
Because we take the safety of our staff seriously, our Health and Safety processes have been certified to both New Zealand & International British Standard.
Our Culture
We want a culture where great people can be passionate about the great work they do. We believe in the We Can attitude where integrity, teamwork and accountability mean we can get stuff done in a fast-paced environment, while still valuing and respecting each other. Our culture is one of continuously learning and developing new skills to make ourselves, our team and our customers successful.
[ We Can ]
The Team
Jason Price
General Manager
New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (Power & Plant)
With an extensive history of experience in engineering and manufacturing through Engineering and Site Management roles with some of We Can’s most loyal and long-term customers, Jason has lead a variety of change management and engineering improvement projects throughout his career.
As our General Manager, he can now continue building on our strong customer partnerships, while still championing our focus on quality, processes, and new technology.
He’s also very passionate about his hobbies of Gliding, Motor Racing and Classic Cars!
Phone: +64 6 879 7561
Mobile: +64 21 977 240
Email: jason.price@we-can.co.nz
Keith Mclean
Operations Manager
Keith has worked in the engineering industry since 1976. He joined We Can in 1981, developing his expertise at simplifying complex problems for our customers.
Keith is often the first face you will see at We Can, and with forty years of making our customer’s lives easy, there are few maintenance or engineering managers in the industries we service, that don’t value his huge knowledge of their machines. His extensive machining experience and range of engineering skills makes him perfect for leading the team and developing our apprentices.
Please contact Keith for an update on current jobs.
Phone: +64 6 879 7561
Email: keith@we-can.co.nz
Shae Clarke
Job Shop Team Captain
New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade Machining Level 4)
Shae started at We Can in his school holidays back in 2019, where we identified quickly that he had the right attitude and skillset to go straight into an apprenticeship. Like all apprentices here, he spent a bit over a year under the expert eye of Keith Mclean in the job shop, followed by two years on our CNC turning machines before graduating with his apprenticeship. He became one of our highly skilled Multis operators over that time, adding huge value to our CNC team.
Now he’s taken the next step in his leadership journey and is taking over from his soon to be retired mentor, Keith, heading up our Job Shop, and being the new face of We Can as you enter our doors with your job in hand. Highly skilled, customer and supplier focussed and with a true We Can attitude, it’s exciting to see him develop into this role.
Outside of work he likes spending time working on automotive projects and travelling the country 4wdriving and hunting.
Phone: +64 6 879 7561
Email: shae@we-can.co.nz
Gary Beattie
Shift Team Captain
Toolmaker
Gary started life in Scotland before a move to South Africa as a young lad, completing his toolmaking apprenticeship with an aviation company in1988.
He quickly realised CNC held the future and worked for many years running a variety of CNC machines. After 14 years manufacturing turbine blades, 5 of them as foreman, he made the final move, bringing his family to New Zealand in 2009.
Gary started at We Can 8 years ago and brings his invaluable CNC experience to our team, overseeing our Multis machines and offering insightful input to the trickiest of jobs while also heading up our Shift Team.
A proud grandfather, he’s just taken up golf again and enjoys a game of snooker and pool.
While he wouldn’t say gardening is a hobby of his, like many in Hawke’s Bay, he seems to do quite a bit of it!
Phone: +64 6 879 7561
Email: gary@we-can.co.nz
Liam Hancox
CNC Team Captain
National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Machining Level 4)
Liam began with We Can while working his Y12 holidays, and was offered an apprenticeship in 2012. This began with 18 months in the Job Shop, before moving to our CNC Turning area where he developed his skills in operating our large variety of lathes and a range of our programming software.
Completing his apprenticeship in 2015 he continued to move through the CNC department growing his skills. With a proven knowledge and understanding of our CNC business he then started on his leadership journey, becoming a member of the Quality and Leadership Team, while also taking on Team Captain roles while working on the floor.
Now, as CNC Team Captain, Liam manages the day-to-day operations of our CNC Team using his extensive knowledge of our machines, materials, programming and planning software to the benefit of all our CNC customers. He has also assumed an account management role with our largest customer to grow their relationship to the benefit of us both. Seeing another one of our apprentices grow into a leader within We Can is testament to his attitude and desire to keep learning.
Phone: +64 6 879 7561
Email: liam@we-can.co.nz
Lesley Thomas
Administration Manager
Though not always visible to our customers, Lesley supports the Leadership Team while carrying out the day-to-day functions of We Can’s office procedures.
Lesley also processes all our branding iron enquiries, working closely with customers to create our range of LPG and electric branding iron heads for permanent branding of their artwork on timber and plastics over a range of industries, from beekeepers to timber yards.
Contact Lesley for any accounts or branding iron enquiries.
Phone: +64 6 879 7561
Email: admin@we-can.co.nz
[ Apprenticeships ]
We put a lot of effort into our apprenticeship program.Our apprentices consistently place at the top of national training courses.
[ Capabilities ]
Specialist Services
Machinery
For the manufacture of complex parts involving a combination of turning, milling, hobbing and three dimensional profiling, we use multitasking and five-axis machines.
Software
Our Solidworks based Cam system significantly reduces time from design to production, eliminates errors, and is more repeatable and accurate than traditional practices.
Processes
We Can’s continuing investment in M1, our ERP software, allows us to manage and track every aspect of a job from the first enquiry to the final invoice.
People
Our team comprise of experts in their field - all with decades of experience in delivering high quality componentry.
