The diversity which comes with orchestrating quotes for a variety of tank requests through Southern Cross Water continue to fuel Kira Mintrum’s strong interest in the iconic Aussie company.
So, it’s no coincidence Kira thrives on meticulous organisation and attention to detail to ensure she helps clients over the line with their unique projects.
Based in Queensland, Kira joined the company 11 years ago when it was owned by Tyco Flow Control, followed by Pentair before it was purchased by Ahrens in 2019.
Today the business supports the delivery and installation of bolt together steel tanks that are designed and engineered to the appropriate Australian Standards. Southern Cross Water’s customer base is diverse and serves the mining, industrial, infrastructure, municipal, medical and agriculture sectors.
“I started as an Estimator, then moved into a Sales Representative position before taking on my current role as Industry Sales Representative,” she explained.
“I mostly quote on new projects, so it might be for one fire tank through to a whole group of tanks – it’s different everytime.”
Her most memorable projects include supporting the North Queensland Stadium with the delivery and installation five rainwater tanks to suit the requirements of the client and the location.
In 2023 the team assisted three remote SA townships with the delivery of potable water to dwellings, which was a first for the residents.
“My most memorable project would have to be securing five megalitre water supply for a remote community in Claremont, North Queensland. It was the largest contract that I had secured, the most rewarding and a great result for everyone involved with this project,” Kira said.
To date, she and the team assist Brisbane’s major Cross River Rail project with the delivery and installation of two small tanks, supporting the overall works which seeks to unlock a bottleneck at the core of the State’s transport network.
Kira explains when a tender comes across her desk she sets to work to create the quote in order to help the client before calling on the projects team.
“Once the tender becomes a sale it’s then very much project-orientated for our project management team who work with the production team to have it manufactured. They also coordinate logistics and installation – so it’s really one, big team environment,” she shared.
Kira is proud to be part of an enduring Australian company that makes ordinary tank projects – extraordinary!
“Each project is different; from a small fire tank quote for a warehouse to a major tender taking days, weeks and sometimes years working with a company to secure the larger contracts” she said.
“This is because we don’t always do run of the mill projects, we do outside the box and that’s what makes us the benchmark in supplying the highest quality and most reliable water storage infrastructure to Australian, New Zealand and international customers.”
More recently the team has worked on achieving a tank to hold molasses which required a roof the company doesn’t generally supply. Kira has also quoted on a job where a small tank is located inside a larger tank for aeration purposes.
“It was quite challenging work, yet it’s these projects and working alongside a great team that get me out of bed and enthused about my day,” she said.
Kira has never shied away from hard work nor a good challenge, which is reflected in her recent completion of a degree in Business Management, while juggling work and life.
“I majored in organisational psychology and people management and I believe it will be beneficial to our workplace,” she said.
Her hallmark attributes led her to be selected among the 15 Ahrens people for this year’s Ahrens Academy, a prestigious five-day, in-house learning and development residential program designed to support the company in identifying future leaders and develop a robust leadership pipeline.
“The Academy was definitely a highlight of my career, and being selected was quite a pleasant surprise,” she said.
The time spent on wellbeing, how to manage stress and how to be a better leader were extremely beneficial to Kira.
“Learning about Ahrens’ other business divisions such as Rural, Design & Construct and sheds etc., that I never fully knew was definitely an eye opener.”
Her new experience has since led her to execute a presentation for her team centred on wellbeing and how to deal with stress.
Kira says she’s honoured to be working among a dynamic and nurturing team. “I am lucky to have the support of the team including Sales Manager, Adam Smith and SXW General Manager Alistair Johnston.”
Kira remains focused on a prosperous future with Southern Cross Water.
“I’m excited about the future and the solutions that our products can provide,” she said.
“I look forward to proving water storage solutions in remote areas and communities in need, as well as expanding our market share with new and innovative products.”
Join our free mailing list and receive electronic newsletters updating you on Ahrens’ latest projects, special announcements and industry related news.
