Page 101 from: May 2008
May 2008 101
ing her college years, she continued to work in
her father’s yard to support herself.
As a result of changes in the market, she ended
up working more hours in her father’s com-
pany. ‘And the more I got involved, the more I
enjoyed it,’ she says. ‘Eventually, my father
asked me to come and work full time in the
company and in 1997 I said “yes”.’
Male-dominated industry
‘When Korina joined Metalcorp NZ, it
involved some careful controlling of family
relationships,’ says Trevor. ‘All of a sudden, we
had to wash our hands before eating our
sandwiches. That was something she totally
insisted upon. It was an interesting and some-
times strenuous time but we have come to
terms with each other’s differences and today
we have a very good relationship.’
Korina smiles at her father’s words but agrees.
‘I really work well with my father. I have
learned a lot from him and still do.’
It must have been hard for a woman starting
out in a male-dominated industry but Korina
found her way quite easily. ‘My mom had
paved the way for me in New Zealand, which
made my life a bit easier,’ she notes. ‘But I was
probably the only girl to work hands-on in the
yard for all those years. It was hard, but because
many of our workers have seen me grow up,
they know that I know what I am doing.’
Arguments and confrontation
But working together as father and daughter
has sometimes led to friction. ‘We have had
some arguments, but I would say those were
only minor differences,’ says Trevor. ‘In our
early years together, Korina always said I was
stubborn and that nothing she or anyone else
would say would convince otherwise. She
considered that her years as a gas cutter and
yard employee, and later assisting me in run-
ning the company, gave her the background
to make the fi nal decisions – even though her
parent owned the company.’
While Trevor is saying this, Korina frowns a
little. ‘I don’t agree that they were all minor
arguments. I think we had a lot of head-to-
head times, but in the end that was a positive
thing because it made me think differently.’
With a smile, she adds: ‘I think one of my best
qualities is that I am very much like my father.’
So what are her father’s qualities? ‘He is deter-
mined – not to say stubborn – he is very moti-
vated, he is strong-willed and he is forward-
thinking for a man of his age,’ she says. ‘I think
that has made our working relationship easi-
er, because when I come up with new ideas he
always listens to me.’
Shortcomings and adaptation
Does Trevor recognise his own characteristics
in his daughter? ‘In the early years, Korina
had a number of
shortcomings, but as
time has gone on she
has become more and
more adaptable to
the situation,’ he
observes. ‘Her ability
to leap into a room
full of strangers and
within minutes know every single fi rst name
is probably second to none in the industry.
She is also very good at remembering names,
places and dates. And I must say this, she’s
also a bit of a party animal.’
The word ‘shortcomings’ provokes a response
from Korina: ‘I must admit, when I was
younger, I was a little big-headed, obnoxious
and, in some ways, intolerant at times. But
now that I’m older and wiser, most of the
sharp edges have worn off.’
No retirement plans
So how do the Munros take all those every-
day business decisions?
‘Whenever a major decision has to be taken,
we consult people, talk it over with Korina
and, when we have reached an agreement, I
ask Anni, my wife and business partner, for
the money to do it,’ Trevor says with a smile.
Korina agrees with this outline of the com-
pany’s decision-making process. ‘I’m still at a
learning stage when it comes to the really big
decisions, but my dad involves me and hears
me out,’ she acknowledges. ‘For some smaller
things, like equipment purchases, I am now
getting to the stage where I am allowed and
able to make more decisions on my own.’
Korina’s fi rst large-scale solo project was a
new administration building and warehouse,
which the company moved into earlier this
year. And it also sparked the most recent
major argument between father and daughter
– over the design of
the storage area. In
the end, Korina gave
in and told the build-
er to do it her dad’s
way.
Both father and
daughter intend to
stay in the recycling
business for many years to come. Trevor
explains: ‘Although this industry is an inter-
esting and absorbing day-to-day occupation,
I have been able to take more time off which
my wife Anni and we now spend more time
travelling to congresses and exhibitions, and
visiting scrap yards all over the world.’
Korina says: ‘At this stage, I cannot see myself
doing something else and although you never
know what is around the corner, my intention
is to stay in the recycling business. My father
has built a great company and I have some
ideas for the future. And as far as my dad is
concerned, I hope he will stay around for an
awful long time because I still can learn a lot
from him.’
‘We suddenly had
to wash our hands
before eating.’
Trevor observes: ‘Korina is also a
bit of a party animal.’
Korina says: ‘I learned the industry
from the ground up.’
Trevor Munro and his daughter Korina
run the family business together.
RI_058_Father&Daughter.indd 3 14-05-2008 14:03:21
