With the Covid-19 situation still evolving in New Zealand and affecting many businesses across the country, we thought it would be a great opportunity to share how Crown Workspace have adapted to the ‘new normal’ of doing business, and introducing the awesome team behind your office move!
Meet Darryl White – Crown FIL Workspace Services – Central Region
Tell us in a few words about your time with Crown to date:
I have been with the Crown group of companies for most of the last 35 years in both Household Goods and Workspace Relocations in both New Zealand and Australia , when I started as a young removalist in 1980 we still used wooden tea chests to pack up goods.
What you enjoy most about the job:
Project Work – I have a particular interest in complex library moves and relocating heritage items, also known as Tūranga.
What drives you:
I love the challenge of successfully completing the big projects and even after more than 40 years of doing it, I still get butterflies when starting a new project. I also love mentoring our Workspace Leaders group and watching the next generation of Crown Workspace professionals learn their trade.
What kind of impact has COVID-19 had on the workplace?
I believe COVID -19 will change the way we work forever, certainly how offices are configured will change and staff working from home may be part of the new norm. Other impacts on the workplace may well be the downsizing of office spaces, shared locations and agile working environments will have to adapt to the potential risks.
What are the main challenges?
As a workspace relocations business, the biggest challenge has been the need to quickly understand and interpret the new COVID-19 guidelines and protocols, adapt them for our Operational staff and train them so they can remain safe and also ensure the safety of our clients and the public.
Recently we moved into COVID-19 Level 2 – how has it been for you?
The move to Level 2 has seen a surge in activity. Setting up home offices for large companies, making preparations for restarting larger projects that were stalled during levels 4 and 3, sanitising vehicles and equipment, reconnecting with all our clients and understanding their specific COVID-19 protocols.
Something cool in our industry that our customers might not know about:
I can tell you the largest things we (Crown) have moved in Wellington Workspace is the skeleton of an adult sperm whale which was assembled in our warehouse in 2008 in preparation for moving to an exhibition venue in the USA. 11 x 40 foot containers were packed and loaded as part of the Whales Tohora exhibition. We have also moved life size replicas of the trolls that featured in the Lord of the Rings. My favourite was moving a journal written by Captain Cook’s Astronomer as part of the National Library rare book collection.
Outside of work you like to:
Follow the Crusaders, walk our dog Spuddy on Makara Beach, and the get-togethers with my wife and our great group of friends in Karori, which we have missed during the lockdown although we have enjoyed our weekly Friday night catch-ups on Zoom!
Favourite quote:
“I don’t believe in magic. I believe in hard work.” – Richie McCaw.
Thanks for sharing with us Darryl, it’s been great getting to know more about you!
Crown Workspace specialise in office moving, commercial moving, transportation, warehousing and project managed business relocations. When you work with Crown you will benefit from our unrivalled nationwide network of offices and warehouse facilities in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Hastings, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin. Whether you are moving within your current city or town, or moving longer distance from urban centre to another urban centre, or from multiple sites / to multiple sites we can assist.
To request a comprehensive obligation free office moving quotation click here.
