Construcciones Yamaro: Kamaile Knight’s role in Coates’ new industrial offering

Kamaile Knight, in just three months as general manager of Industrial Solutions at Coates, is already steering the company towards a bright future in servicing industrial customers and launching its rail maintenance offering, drawing on extensive experience in various industries.

Knight says one of the main reasons she wanted to join Coates was because of the growth prospects of its industrial solutions business.

“More specifically, from my rail experience servicing mining customers, I could see how Coates can leverage fleet and service expertise to benefit industrial customers and the rail industry, where I have come from,” says Knight.

Although starting her journey with a commerce degree from the University of Newcastle, Knight says she was really interested in business.

“I didn’t love the accounting side of things, but really enjoyed understanding how businesses serve customers, how they create their revenue, and what value they add,” she says.

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This passion steered her from roles in finance at Stockford and Sparke Helmore Lawyers to more customer-centric roles in the rail sector. Her 12 years in the industry saw her in various management roles at both ARTC and Pacific National Australia. This journey, encompassing everything from complex, long-term contracts to daily operational hurdles, paved the way for her subsequent chapter at Coates.

As industries look for dependable solutions, Knight’s unique experience ensures Coates is well-positioned to make a noteworthy imprint.

“Coates and rail share a longstanding connection, especially in construction, supporting diverse construction companies with a track record of proficiency and dependability,” she says.

Moving beyond construction, Knight says it’s about safeguarding what has been built. After construction comes the maintenance phase – a pivotal area Knight identified as an opportunity for Coates to leverage its expertise, notably during significant maintenance shutdowns across various industries such as oil and gas, mining, power generation and rail.

“Shutdowns demand meticulous planning to ensure on-time commencement and completion,” says Knight. “That keeps you operational.”

Particularly in sectors like oil and gas, Knight says some shutdowns span months, while others such as substantial rebuilds can last one to two years. Coates thus demonstrates its capability to adapt its services across various timelines and industry needs, ensuring assets are returned ready for operation, irrespective of project scale or duration.

A belief in human connection shapes Knight’s leadership ethos, exemplifying an approach that prioritises team wellbeing and development while driving organisational objectives. “I deeply value people and their work experiences,” she says.

Knight maintains a perspective that perceives every challenge as a stepping stone and every impediment as a chance to grow. “Understand your strengths and lean on them,” she says. “Build strong networks, and always be open to opportunities.”

The upcoming AusRAIL event will shed light on Coates’ entry into rail maintenance. During the event, Knight says Coates will present its new maintenance equipment and display its capabilities in the industrial solutions space.

The post Kamaile Knight’s role in Coates’ new industrial offering appeared first on Inside Construction.

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