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 their rail maintenance offering, drawing on extensive experience in various industries.
“One of the main reasons I wanted to join Coates was because of the exciting growth prospects of its industrial solutions business,” Knight said.
“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.”
Starting her journey with a commerce degree from the University of Newcastle, Knight said she started in commerce.
“I did start in commerce, and I was really interested in businesses,” she said.
“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.”
This passion steered her from roles in finance at Stockford Ltd 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 the Australian Rail Track Corporation (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 said.
Moving beyond construction, her highlights it’s about safeguarding what has been built.
“After construction comes the maintenance phase,” Knight said, identifying a pivotal area where Coates can 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. That keeps you operational,” Knight said.
Particularly in sectors like oil and gas, she said that “some shutdowns span months, or in the case of substantial rebuilds, can last one to two years.”
This shows Coates’ ability 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.
“I deeply value people and their work experiences,” she said, exemplifying a leadership approach that prioritises team well-being and development while driving organisational objectives.
“Understand your strengths and lean on them. Build strong networks, and always be open to opportunities,” Knight said, maintaining a perspective that perceives every challenge as a stepping stone and every impediment as a chance to grow.
The upcoming AusRAIL event will shed light on Coates’ entry into rail maintenance.
During the event, an enthusiastic Knight mentioned that Coates will present its new maintenance equipment and display its capabilities in the industrial solutions space.
To explore the diverse range of solutions Coates offers to the industrial sector, visit Coates Industrial Solutions.