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Carl Longstaff leads the Metal Art team with enthusiasm, a strong sense of purpose and commitment to providing the customer with the solution that’s needed. When he joined the family business in 1996 after a period working in a busy corporate environment , Carl brought with him the skill set needed to guide the company’s future development and growth.
A Lower Hutt boy born and raised, Carl spent some of his high school years in Australia. On his return to New Zealand he studied accountancy at Massey University in Palmerston North, gaining his Bachelor of Business Studies in 1994. Carl’s other academic qualifications include the NZIM Certificate in Management and National Certificate in Business Studies from Wellington Institute of Technology.
Carl’s working life started in the Wellington office of an international insurance company, followed by appointment to the position of national accountant for a major New Zealand carpet retailer. But he was never far from the business his father George owned and operated, even when the days of school holiday jobs working on the factory floor were over. So it wasn’t long before attention turned to the prospect of a career at Metal Art.
Carl’s early days at Metal Art were spent learning all aspects of the business, a process that was to last five years. George demanded a hands-on approach from all members of staff, even the accountant. This grounding stood Carl in good stead as he learned the metalworking craft and what was needed for a small but growing New Zealand manufacturing company to be successful in an ever-globalising business environment.
Carl is married to Tracy and has three growing sons. Outside of work he likes nothing more than to take the boys camping, or enjoy his passion for water sports – fishing, diving, or braving the Wellington winds crewing on a competitive keel yacht. Active in the local community, Carl is a member of Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Hutt Valley (president 2010/11) and secretary of the Seaview Gracefield Working Group. He is also a Scouting New Zealand leader active with the Belmont Kea and Scout Group.
Today Carl is busy guiding the affairs of Metal Art Ltd, a managing director keeping himself very much in touch with day to day matters in a way that inspires confidence in his staff, who know that the boss cares about them and what they do. At the same time, Carl’s vision for the company’s future means strategic issues are constantly exercising his mind. Metal Art’s strong position in the marketplace is testament to the way he operates, and the message he conveys to his staff - that we should always apply ourselves diligently, honestly and equitably, and be willing to stand by all we do.
A Lower Hutt boy born and raised, Carl spent some of his high school years in Australia. On his return to New Zealand he studied accountancy at Massey University in Palmerston North, gaining his Bachelor of Business Studies in 1994. Carl’s other academic qualifications include the NZIM Certificate in Management and National Certificate in Business Studies from Wellington Institute of Technology.
Carl’s working life started in the Wellington office of an international insurance company, followed by appointment to the position of national accountant for a major New Zealand carpet retailer. But he was never far from the business his father George owned and operated, even when the days of school holiday jobs working on the factory floor were over. So it wasn’t long before attention turned to the prospect of a career at Metal Art.
Carl’s early days at Metal Art were spent learning all aspects of the business, a process that was to last five years. George demanded a hands-on approach from all members of staff, even the accountant. This grounding stood Carl in good stead as he learned the metalworking craft and what was needed for a small but growing New Zealand manufacturing company to be successful in an ever-globalising business environment.
Carl is married to Tracy and has three growing sons. Outside of work he likes nothing more than to take the boys camping, or enjoy his passion for water sports – fishing, diving, or braving the Wellington winds crewing on a competitive keel yacht. Active in the local community, Carl is a member of Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Hutt Valley (president 2010/11) and secretary of the Seaview Gracefield Working Group. He is also a Scouting New Zealand leader active with the Belmont Kea and Scout Group.
Today Carl is busy guiding the affairs of Metal Art Ltd, a managing director keeping himself very much in touch with day to day matters in a way that inspires confidence in his staff, who know that the boss cares about them and what they do. At the same time, Carl’s vision for the company’s future means strategic issues are constantly exercising his mind. Metal Art’s strong position in the marketplace is testament to the way he operates, and the message he conveys to his staff - that we should always apply ourselves diligently, honestly and equitably, and be willing to stand by all we do.