International Women's Day inspired story - Robyn Curtis, Sales Engineer for Ash Air

As we approach International Women's Day, let’s celebrate the Ash Air team, and recognise the importance of forging for a better working world, with equal opportunities and inclusivity.

Here at Ash Air, we are proud to be opportunity employer. Infact, we have 30% female representation across the entire company. For a male dominated industry, we're very proud of this. Ash Air has representation in our National Warehouse, Branches and Head Office locations with administrators, accounts, schedulers, sales and service engineers, and managers roles throughout the country.

This International Women's Day for 2023, we chat to Robyn Curtis, our amazing Sales Engineer for Palmerston North and surrounding regions.


As you know, we have International Women's Day coming up on 8th March, so what does being a woman mean to you?

" On IWD 2023, when you say what does being a woman to me mean? It mean's being feminine, a mother,  caring & giving."


Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

"Because I personally think women are not appreciated enough for all that we do, so many work 2 jobs – one in the workplace and the other at home doing and attending to all the things that make family life and a household run smoothly. I am not into women’s rights or equality but not many men can multi task to the extent in so many areas of life that women do!  We are just built that way."

What made you want to work for Ash Air?

"The long standing established company, the product which is an essential operation to many business, the companies customer focus & the support offered to be the best possible at my role."

What advice would you give to your younger self?

"My advice is to be true to yourself, stand up for what you believe in!"

What excites you about your role?

"The interaction with customers and how important our product is to their operation."

What is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about a career in this sort of industry?

"Don’t be put off by the technical aspects, women have a lot to offer particularly in customer service & sales.  Also, relationship building, being detailed & good at following up."

 

If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

"

  1. Kate Middleton – she is the epitome of what the future king’s wife should be. 
  2. Kate Hawkesby - Love her no nonsense straight shooter comments & reporting.
  3. Alison Holst – Learnt so much from her down to earth, never fail, always delicious everyday cooking"



What are the priorities in your job as a Sales Engineer? - Tell us a typical day in the life?

"My priority is to build up the customer relations in my areas by way of site visits, letting them know I am their point of contact if there are any issues, changes, upgrades or replacements." 

What challenges have you faced as a women in your career? How did you overcome them?

" Working in the motor industry for many years was hard to gain respect initially but as my product knowledge grew so did the respect!"


How have you managed to balance your career and personal life?

"Key factors I believe are lots of forward planning, regular exercise, and early nights!"


What mentors or role models have positively impacted you in your career? What is one lesson they taught you?

"A female Sales and Marketing manager in a previous role, she was highly organized and a forward planner.   Also, I learnt a lot from her email writing style, it's all about the professionalism and the delivery of what you say to customers and what you ask them. "


About International Women's Day

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.

IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality. 

Marked annually on March 8th, International Women's Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to:

#IWD2023

What's the International Women's Day 2023 theme?

The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2023 is #EmbraceEquity. Equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA. And it's critical to understand the difference between equity and equality. IWD 2023's campaign theme aims to get the world talking about why "equal opportunities are no longer enough." Read more about this here.


What's the history of International Women's Day?

International Women's Day has occurred for well over a century with the first gathering held in 1911. Learn more about the day's timeline on the IWD website
 

What colors symbolize International Women's Day?

Purple, green and white are the colors of International Women's Day. Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept. The colors originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.
 

Who can support International Women's Day?

International Women's Day is not country, group, nor organization specific. No one government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women's network, or media hub is solely responsible for International Women's Day. The day belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights."  So make International Women's Day your day and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women.


 About us

Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!

Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!

Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.

Reliability and Efficiency

With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts on the following:


Talk to the team today:  CONTACT US CONTACT US


For many businesses, preserving energy and becoming more sustainable have become top priorities. That not only saves them money but also makes them more competitive in the future, when demand for “green” products and services will only increase. Not just because governments mandate greater sustainability but also because you, our customers expect it. Here, we talk to our experienced Sales Engineer, Romain, who has a strong background in helping our partners with energy efficient compressed air options to get the most out of their business.


To make shopping easier, Ash Air ow offers the Afterpay payment option, so you can Shop Now, Wear Now and Pay Later, Interest Free. Afterpay offers interest free payment plans for both your online & instore purchases.
You buy what you want today and pay it off in four equal and affordable, interest free fortnightly installments. 


On May 17th, we united to promote kindness, inclusion, and the global vision of eliminating bullying. Through mindfulness activities and awareness sessions, we stood together to make a difference. Discover how Ash Air is contributing to a more compassionate world. 💗 #PinkShirtDay #StopBullying


We've created a new section on our website showcasing our case studies. Stay tuned, as we will add more regularly! Discover how Ash Air has partnered with various businesses across diverse industries in New Zealand, delivering top-notch compressed air, vacuum pump, and nitrogen solutions to a wide array of customers. Explore our compelling case studies below.


We are pleased to announce that we have relocated our Palmerston North Service Centre to 667 Tremaine Avenue. Although our address has changed, we continue to offer the same excellent service to our customers.


Water for All is our main community engagement initiative. Through the dedicated and passionate work of volunteering employees, Water for All funds projects which empower people through access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Since 1984 we have reached millions of people all over the world and there are local Water for All organizations in more than 50 countries. Ash Air recently fundraised internally - here's how it went.


 Last week some of our Field Service Engineers delved into the world of e-controllers and optimisers at Ash Air Head Office. It was a dynamic blend of hands-on experiences and theoretical insights, ensuring we stay at the cutting edge of Connectivity and Optimisation for your compressed air systems.


The safety and well-being of our team remain our top priority. On April 28, 2024, we commemorated Safety, Health, and Wellbeing Day at Ash Air. This occasion provided us with an opportunity to contemplate the importance of safety, health, and wellbeing in our daily routines. Our celebration at Ash Air is in sync with organizations globally, aligning with the UN's World Day for Safety and Health at Work.


In dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace culture that values and celebrates every individual, we joyously commemorate International Women's Month throughout March.


Celebrate International Women's Day with the Ash Air team on March 8th, where we recognise the importance of contributing to forging a better working world - a more inclusive, gender equal world. Ash Air is an equal opportunity employer and has female representation across the entire company. Ash Air has representation in our National Warehouse, Branches and Head Office locations with administrators, accounts, schedulers, sales and service engineers, and managers roles throughout the country. Here we talk to Maryam, our new Sales Engineer for Bay of Plenty region!


Discover the #PowerofRed with our Red Hot Deals on Chicago Pneumatic Portables for a limited time only!



Designed for demanding job sites, our Chicago Pneumatic mobile air compressors for sale in NZ allow operators to run multiple hand tools and hammers at the same time for maximum efficiency. They’re also ideal for sandblasting, irrigation blow-outs and general construction applications.We have a limited number of CP portable diesel compressors for sale at massively disconted prices to the New Zealand market. 


Here Jess, an Ash Air Service Engineer, kindly spoke to us about navigating the industry as a women amongst men, and how to get more young women choosing Engineering fields as their career. At Ash Air we break the stereotypes, and firmly trust the power of our women, gender diversity and equality. We have a 30% female workforce in effect, with representation in all areas of our operations: warehousing, administrators, finance, logistics and planning, management, as well as sales and service engineers. 


🎄✨ To give thanks to the incredible Ash Air team for their dedication and hard work through the year, we recognise this throughout the country with Christmas get-togethers. This year was one for the books! It was the first time we brought together as many of the Ash Air family as possible, for an unforgettable Christmas in the Park Family Event! 🎉


And just like that, 2023 is coming to a close. And what a year it has been!  We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support throughout 2023. We look forward to continuing to supply you with our industry-leading products and trusted services now and in the future. Wishing you and your team a safe and happy holiday season.


Discover the transformative journey of Ash Air, a trailblazer in compressed air excellence since 1979. With over four decades of commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability, and tailored solutions, Ash Air stands as a reliable partner for industries across New Zealand. As we celebrate our legacy, explore how our nationwide sales and service network continues to empower businesses, providing cutting-edge solutions and ongoing support


In the world of pneumatic power, Chicago Pneumatic stands as a beacon of reliability and innovation. For those seeking to elevate their projects with top-tier air compressors and tools, the exciting news is that the benefits don't stop at the exceptional quality of Chicago Pneumatic products. Now, celebrate the added perk of free shipping when you shop CP air compressors and air tools from our Online Shop!


In Q4 Ash Air rolled out a nationwide Circles training program, led by our General Manager, Pompilio. It was an opportunity to educate and encourage the team to learn more about our vision and purpose.


Here at Ash Air we work together to create a place where everyone can thrive. Here, you can unlock your potential, drive innovation, and stay relevant in our rapidly changing world. We strongly believe that the key to unlocking potential, driving innovation and a sustainable future for all, is lifelong learning.


This month, the Ash Air team, throughout the country (Auckland North and South, Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Christchurch and Dunedin) celebrated the launch of Water For All in New Zealand! 💧🎉


What is Water for All? Water for All is Atlas Copco Group's main community engagement initiative. Through the dedicated and passionate work of volunteering employees, Water for All funds projects which empower people through access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Since 1984 the Group have reached millions of people all over the world and there are local Water for All organizations in more than 50 countries.


This year, ALUP is celebrating its 100th anniversary. That means

  • 100 years of excellence
  • 100 years of innovation
  • 100 years of satisfied customers
  • 100 years of service
  • 100 years of quality


Most of the products that you see in daily life are using vacuum, and like compressed air, most businesses both world-wide and locally rely on it throughout their day-to-day functions. Our customers want a reliable process that creates lasting results in a way that is economically, environmentally, and socially responsible. At Ash Air, our Vacuum team bring forward a portfolio of extensive knowledge, coupled with a passion for new challenges that focus on productivity, energy efficiency and safety. Here we talk to Jonathan, about all things Vacuum, as well as learning more about our focus on sustainable productivity!


Even when designing a system for supplying production with compressed air or vacuum, oxygen, nitrogen or other gases, one thing is clear: it will not work without maintenance. Compressed air filters and compressor lubricants have to be changed regularly, wear parts have to be replaced so that the system runs reliably and safely for many years. Between 5 and 10 percent of the total investment amount has to be calculated for the maintenance costs each year. Here we discuss the advantages of service agreements with Sunil, our Service specialised Sales Engineer for Ash Air.


We have a workplace culture that considers and supports our employees’ mental and physical well-being and positively encourages employees to actively improve their health and well-being! Recently...


In our connected and changing world it’s essential to keep learning and upskilling ourselves. We have a culture that actively promotes continuous learning, for the good of everyone's professional and personal development. 


The health and well-being of our people are vital to us, which is why we set very ambitious standards for workplace safety. We promote a healthy and active lifestyle and encourage a healthy work-life balance. Coming into winter, its more important than ever to make sure our team are feeling well! 



At Ash Air, we are committed to being part of the solution for a better tomorrow with our compressed air solutions. An integrated sustainability strategy, backed by ambitious goals, helps us deliver greater value to all stakeholders in a way that is economically, environmentally, and socially responsible. Learn more about our sustainability framework!


Safety, Health, and Wellbeing Day is a day that reminds us to prioritize safety and health not only in the workplace, but also for our customers. It’s day for us to reflect on our commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for everyone... Read more about how Ash Air implements safety in the workplace here.


Here at Ash Air, we are proud to be opportunity employer. Infact, we have 30% female representation across the entire company. For a male dominated industry, we're very proud of this. Ash Air has representation in our National Warehouse, Branches and Head Office locations with administrators, accounts, schedulers, sales and service engineers, and managers roles throughout the country.

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