Starting in 1996, fresh out of school, Chris joined the company in his hometown of Nalinga, filling a position that a friend had recommended.
“I was good mates with someone who worked here, and they needed someone,” Chris said.
“I thought, ‘That’ll do for a while,’ and here we are, nearly 30 years later.”
Chris began in a hands-on role, helping in the yard, but over time, his responsibilities grew.
“I never had an official title back then — ‘You’re this, now you’re this’ — it just gradually happened as Kevin took on less responsibility, and I stepped up,” he explained.
By the time Kevin fully retired in 2019, Chris was already managing most aspects of the business, from overseeing operations to handling customer relations.
“The last four or five years before Kevin actually retired, he didn’t do much anyway,” Chris joked.
“But that’s because we’ve always had good staff. The business runs itself, and Kevin had full faith in us to keep things going.”
Chris credits the company’s unique culture for its enduring success.
“Kevin’s a good boss — he doesn’t have targets or micromanages us. He just lets us get on with it,” he said.
“This trust has created a collaborative workplace where everyone pitches in.
“We all do everything anyway. I still get out in the truck when I can because I like to.
“The last thing you want to do is be stuck at a computer all day.”
Despite his managerial role, Chris remains hands-on, balancing tasks like purchasing and overseeing larger projects with time spent in the yard or on deliveries.
The company’s adaptability and commitment to service has earned it a loyal customer base.
“We’re different from the big chains — it’s a bit more personal. If someone wants something done, we just get it done. We’re not restricted by rigid schedules,” he said.
Long-term relationships are at the heart of Nalinga Steel’s operations.
Employees that have stayed for years and customers too.
“Some of our customers have also been with us for decades like a few of our staff members. We have a good relationship with them —they know they can count on us, and we always have a joke with them.”
Looking ahead, Chris acknowledges that the steel industry has slowed down after a COVID-19 boom, but said the company remains steady, with enough work to keep the team busy.
As for his own future, Chris isn’t looking too far ahead.
“People ask me where I see the business in 20 years. I honestly don’t know. Maybe I’ll be retired in six years,” he said.
“For now, we’re just ticking along nicely.”
Chris is proud of the team and the community that have made Nalinga Steel what it is today.
Under his leadership, Nalinga Steel continues to honour Kevin’s legacy of quality, reliability, and good old-fashioned service, ensuring that the company remains a cornerstone of the community for years to come.
“We’ve got great staff who just do their job and customers who keep coming back because they trust us,” Chris said.
“It’s like a big family here — workers, clients, everyone. We’re all in it together.”
