Managing a busy and growing region is like riding a bike for CrestClean Regional Manager Jan Lichtwark.
Over the past decade, Jan has increased the number of teams in the Tauranga Region fivefold — and now he is expanding his ‘patch’ down the coast, to Whakatane.
As the new manager for Whakatane, Jan says he is excited by the amount of growth the area is experiencing and the potential to build on both the number of teams and services offered by CrestClean in the region.
With customers already as far afield as Otamarakau, Jan says it was a natural progression to take on another slice of the Bay of Plenty.
“Whakatane is a nice fit with the Tauranga region and I’m looking forward to getting to know all the franchisees and customers.”
A keen cyclist, who spends up to 15 hours a week training, Jan applies the same energy and passion to his work.
He thrives on working closely with franchisees to help them achieve success in their businesses.
“It’s a lot about the people I work with. I really enjoy seeing people get ahead. Often they will join CrestClean with a goal in sight for themselves and their family, like buying their first home. It’s really satisfying being able to help them achieve financial independence,” says Jan.
“I deal with a lot of different sites and get to know a diverse range of people. I’ve watched businesses succeed, kids grow up and families realise their dreams. I love what I do.”
Jan is equally passionate about equipping franchisees to deliver a professional service to customers.
“CrestClean has really good systems and processes in place to ensure our cleaners are trained to the highest standard to maintain hygienic, healthy and safe working environments,” says Jan.
“In the current environment, it is more important than ever to keep up-to-date with the latest best practices in cleaning and sanitisation, to provide our customers with the reassurance they need.”
Married to Shannon, and dad to Chelan, 21, Addison, 9, and Kennedy, 6, Jan grew up in Papamoa and returned to Tauranga 15 years ago.
Previously a regional sales manager for a large food distribution company, Jan joined CrestClean in 2010, after the company moved its operations to Auckland.
Wanting to stay in the sunny Bay of Plenty, he seized the opportunity to be a sales manager for CrestClean, buying the Tauranga Master Franchise a year later. At the time there were 12 franchisees — now there are 63.
To wind down from his busy workday, Jan likes nothing better than to jump on his bike and clock up a few kilometres. He rides with a team that is winning the current series it is competing in, and last month he placed fifth in the AquaBike event at Mount Maunganui’s iconic Half Ironman.
“There’s no better place to cycle than here in the Bay and I’m looking forward to fitting in a few more rides along the Whakatane coastline now that I will be a more frequent visitor.”
