Grey Ormsby is buzzing because he did not listen to his father.
A quarter of a century after Waitomo Group founder Desmond Ormsby advised his son Grey to exit the fuel supply industry the company won the supreme award at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Waitomo Group at the Waikato Business Awards. Photo: Stephen Barker.
In an exclusive interview with The News current owner Jimmy Ormsby, of Kaipaki, revealed: “In around 2000 my grandfather said we would be better taking the money and getting out of the business.”
Desmond had founded the company in 1947 in King Street, Te Kūiti employing half a dozen people before moving to Carroll Street in 1953. Exxon Mobil Corporation wanted to exit its joint venture with the Waitomo Group around 2000, leaving the family with the choice to go it alone or close.
“My grandfather said to my dad, ‘I think you should take the opportunity to get out. Dad obviously didn’t listen to his father and said, ‘we’re going to go hard.’”
Today the low-cost company is based in Frankton, Hamilton, and employs nearly 100 full time equivalents and almost as many contractors.
Waitomo Group has gone hard, growing from a business-to-business fuel wholesaler to a business to customer retailer. It opened its first petrol station in 2012, aiming to be 20 cents a litre below the market rate, and its first South Island station in 2019. Waitomo Group has five stations planned for Nelson in the coming year busting the 100 fuel stops and diesel stops ceiling nationally.
Waitomo Group at the Waikato Business Awards. Photo: Stephen Barker.
As well as winning the Supreme Award the company won the Business Growth and Strategy Award and the Sustainability Award at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce event on Friday.
Waitomo Group was also a finalist in the Innovation, People and Culture, and Marketing categories of the awards.
“Dad gave me a phone call the next day,” Jimmy said. “He was buzzing.”
“My grandfather, who passed away 22 years ago in 2001, would be amazed. He would be smiling down on us, and he’d be very happy, very proud,” Jimmy said.
On Monday Jimmy took the business award trophies to his dad, who now lives north of Hamilton, to show them off.
“Fantastic, I am so proud of you.” Grey said to Jimmy. “You must be so proud of the team too.”
He is.
On the option to exit, Grey said he was confident the company would perform better under Ormsby family ownership.
Waitomo Group now considers itself a market disruptor, offering competitive prices at retail as well as bulk fuel supply via commercial mini tankers for commercial and farm trade operators.
Jimmy’s wife Ailsa serves on the board while their oldest daughter, Isla, is helping the group manager of revenue in her gap year.
Waitomo Group’s Grey Ormsby, left, and Jimmy Ormsby with the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Other award winners:
Business Growth & Strategy Award – Waitomo Group, Chief Executive of the Year – Pam Roa, Longveld, Community Contribution – Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust, Emerging Leader – Ashley Mason, Sentinel Homes, For Purpose – Wild Bamboo, Innovation – Waikato Milking Systems, Marketing – Gallagher Animal Management, Small Business – Brainchild, People and Culture – Longveld, Service – Whites Powersports, Sustainability – Waitomo Group.
