Meet Erik Zimmerman, the visionary CEO of Sitetech Solutions, a renowned leader in site hire, fencing, and safety services. With a remarkable presence on more than 2,850 building sites in Victoria and a strong partnership with over 40 major builders, Sitetech’s equipment is highly sought after in the industry. Notably, Sitetech holds the exclusive distribution rights for the innovative E Bracket and Fence-Lok technology in Australia. The business has also recently taken out a global innovation patent for next generation temporary fencing.
Apart from his exceptional success in the site hire industry, Erik is a dynamic entrepreneur with diverse interests. He is the mastermind behind Alcazar, an edtech startup making waves in the education sector. Additionally, Erik has a history of being a foundation investor in various thriving investment businesses. Prior to Sitetech and more recent ventures Erik successfully created and sold two renewable energy businesses to major Australian energy businesses (AGL and Energy Australia). Both were amongst the top 4 renewable energy businesses in their sector prior to sale.
Erik’s unique background played a significant role in shaping his entrepreneurial spirit. Growing up with a psychologist mother and a futurist father, he developed a deep fascination for understanding both people and groundbreaking business ideas. Over a span of thirty years, Erik has gained extensive experience in multiple facets of business, having worked with large corporations as well as small entrepreneurial ventures.
One pivotal moment in Erik’s career was sparked by a life-changing experience at the Melbourne Film Festival in 2006, where he watched “A Crude Awakening.” This thought-provoking film about the world’s energy challenges ignited his passion for renewable energy. Driven by his vision to make a difference, he founded Rezeko Pty Ltd., a renewable energy company that caught the attention of AGL and was acquired by them in 2011.
Continuing his pursuit of innovation and sustainability, Erik invested in Echo Group Corporation Pty Ltd., an Energy Solutions business focused on energy efficiency and solar technologies. Energy Australia recognized the value of this venture and acquired it in 2019.
Throughout his career, Erik has been a globetrotter, making significant contributions to businesses and industries across various countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, the U.K., Germany, the U.S., and India. His extensive international experience has undoubtedly played a crucial role in his success as a dynamic entrepreneur and business leader.
Below are highlights of the interview:
Can you please provide a brief overview of your professional background and experience in the industry?
Sitetech was created in 2010 and Erik joined in 2015.
Tell us about SiteTech Solutions and its mission. What inspired you to join this company?
Sitetech protects and promotes thousands of worksite. The Sitetech mission is to provide technology solutions to improve worksites. Our aim is to improve the working conditions on sites, the safety for all who access the sites and the visibility of the companies using the sites. Ultimately it’s about happier workers that can return safely to their families each day.
At Sitetech we believe that great businesses are built around people and ideas. We will establish better customer outcomes by focusing on our culture and investing in both our people and innovation.
What strategies do you employ to ensure that SiteTech Solutions remains competitive in the market?
- We are also constantly exploring systems to improve productivity and the customer experience.
- We have exclusive Australian distribution rights for several patented (and highly unique) technologies (E Bracket,
- Fence-Lok https://fb.watch/m1nY-FD0SS/
- Sitetech Sync https://www.facebook.com/reel/932467087958165
- Kingfence: kingfence.com.au
- We focus on leadership and culture.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and adaptability within your organization, considering the rapidly changing landscape of the business industry?
- We have a function dedicated to innovation in the market.
- We actively participate in brainstorming sessions (for example, Burning Mind) that look at future trends.
- We involve partners and staff in the innovation process.
How do you prioritize customer satisfaction and ensure that the company provides exceptional service to its clients?
- We measure customer satisfaction consistently through DIFOT (delivered in full on time) reporting. It is a permanent Board Meeting item.
- We treat our customers as partners and meet with them regularly for feedback.
What steps do you take to attract and retain top talent in the industry, and how do you encourage professional growth and development within your organization?
Culture is critical to success, and we focus on maintaining a really positive working environment. See podcast: https://player.fm/series/real-leaders-podcast/ep-308-erik-zimmerman-ceo-of-sitetech-solutions
We embrace the principles of FLOW, and our aim is to get all employees into the FLOW state, where results are exponential. All our people and culture processes are built around the FLOW principles and managing for momentum.
How do you address the increasing importance of digitalization and technology in the sector, and how does it influence the company’s operations and customer experience?
We have involved our core suppliers in a workshop we called ‘the worksite of the future’ and brought in subject matter experts to guide us on the likely future technologies to embrace today.
I am an avid reader of books and these cover the core growth trends. We embrace risk and ensure that people who take risks and fail do not suffer adversely.
As CEO of SiteTech Solutions, what is your overall vision for the company’s future, and how do you plan to achieve it?
Sitetech will move from a hiring business to a technology company. We will live our purpose to ensure workers come home safely to their families each day, but it will evolve into a highly integrated set of unique technologies that allow construction companies to manage a fleet of construction sites with confidence.
We will create a unique culture of high-performance individuals that collectively deliver extraordinary results and a great working environment.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders or individuals looking to join the industry?
Construction is a critical industry. We provide homes and workplaces to grow the economy and give people a place to live. It’s very meaningful, so get involved.
- If you are ambitious then here are my ten success habits:
- If you do something, do it properly, or don’t do it at all.
- Awesome careers combine something you are passionate about, something you are brilliant at, and something that is in demand (most people get one or maybe two).
- When running your own business, use the test it, prove it, and roll it out philosophy. You can fail at small bets, but big ones can take you out.
- Business is about people and ideas. Invest in them both.
- Leadership is an overused word and does not come with a title. It’s about followership, so understand why people follow you.
- Never stop learning. The world is full of people beautifully equipped for a world that no longer exists.
- Keep your word. Always.
- Business is about competitive advantage. It creates the opportunity to make money and grow at the same time. 8. Get a mentor. Mine is 91 years old.
- Business is about momentum. Gaining it, keeping it, so always know if you are gaining or losing momentum and adjust accordingly.
- Be prepared to do the things that others aren’t prepared to do.
Please visit: https://sitetechsolutions.com.au/
