Real Steel: Leading Growth Through Transformation
Client: Real Steel | Industry: Manufacturing | Size: 115+ employees
"Moving an entire manufacturing operation while continuing to deliver for customers is incredibly complex. Humankind became an extension of our team, helping us redesign the organisation, lead our people through change, and make sure every decision was thoughtful, practical, and people-centred."
- Luke Mathieson, Managing Director
The Company
Real Steel is one of New Zealand's leading steel manufacturers. As the business continued to grow, it made the strategic decision to relocate its manufacturing operation from Upper Hutt to a purpose-built facility in Hautapu. The move created capacity for future growth, brought the business closer to customers, and provided an opportunity to redesign the organisation for its next chapter.
The Challenge
Relocating a manufacturing operation wasn't simply a logistics project. It meant redesigning the organisation, introducing new leadership structures, supporting employees through significant change, and maintaining business continuity while preparing an entirely new site.
Rather than simply replicating the existing organisation, Real Steel wanted to use the move as an opportunity to build a stronger business. At the same time, leaders were committed to supporting employees with care and respect throughout a process that would affect individuals and families in very different ways.
Our Approach
Humankind initially partnered with Real Steel on organisational design before becoming its embedded Performance Partner.
Working alongside the leadership team, we redesigned the organisational structure, introducing clearer leadership layers, role accountabilities, and reporting lines to support future growth.
We then designed and led the end-to-end change programme, supporting consultation, communication planning, leader coaching, change messaging, and workshops that equipped leaders to confidently lead through uncertainty.
Recognising that not everyone would relocate, we also designed practical support to help employees land well in their next chapter. This included relocation packages, retention incentives, CV, job application and interview workshops and take-home materials, outplacement support, and an onsite careers event that connected employees directly with other manufacturing employers with vacancies. Throughout the engagement, our role was to help Real Steel balance business continuity with genuine care for its people.
The Outcome
Real Steel successfully navigated a huge transformation while building stronger foundations for future growth.
- A future-ready organisational structure, with clearer leadership layers and accountabilities
- Business continuity maintained, while transitioning an entire manufacturing operation
- Leaders equipped to confidently lead through uncertainty, with practical coaching and communication
- Employees were supported to land well in their next chapter, through relocation support, career workshops, and an onsite careers event
- An ongoing Performance Partnership, providing strategic People & Culture support throughout the transformation
Why This Partnership Matters to Humankind
Growth often creates moments that fundamentally reshape an organisation. Real Steel demonstrates that with thoughtful organisational design, strong leadership, and genuine care for people, businesses can navigate significant change while building stronger foundations for the future.
