Aidan Knox Celebrates 20 Years at Apollo Projects
For two decades, Aidan has been at the heart of Apollo Projects’ growth, team, and success. From his early days in property management to leading some of our most complex builds, his journey reflects the evolution of both the business and the people who shape it. We recently sat down with Aidan to reflect on his career path, his proudest moments, and what’s kept him at Apollo for 20 years.
Q. Tell us a bit about yourself.
A. Before getting into the workforce, I completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Valuation and Property Management. At first, I thought I’d become a valuer, but after about a month in practice I realised it wasn’t for me.
From there, I moved islands and into a commercial property management position in Hamilton. My next step was to become involved in property development. After that, I joined Agristeel (construction company) in Hamilton, which set the stage for my move to Apollo.
When Paul and Craig bought Agristeel and Spantech in Hamilton, I was already working at Agristeel. So when Apollo acquired the business, I effectively joined the team by default – and I’ve been here ever since.
That was around 2006, so it’s been 20 years now. Apollo was already reasonably well established at the time, but the acquisition was a big step into the North Island market. It was a great opportunity to be part of that journey.
Q. What was the first project you worked on at Apollo?
A. The New Zealand Couriers/Post Haste Distribution Depot in Hamilton. It was a reasonably large warehouse and office building. A fascinating first project as there were so many design considerations to work through.
Q.What has kept you at Apollo for the last 20 years?
A. The environment, for sure. We get to work on interesting and varied projects. Every new build brings challenges, and there’s something rewarding about seeing the finished project and in particular the way some of our projects contribute to the community.
On top of that, the support throughout the business is incredible. Things don’t always go perfectly, but the way people rally together makes a huge difference. The people have been phenomenal over the last 20 years.
Q. What is your proudest moment over the last 20 years?
A. Definitely the Fonterra Whareroa P3/P4 project. The project involved recladding two powder dryers and interior upgrades – right in the middle of the COVID-19 period. There were so many discoverable and constant design changes as a result, but our team delivered on time and to a very high standard.
We had a crew of about 12 or 13 people working on site at one point, and the constantly changing COVID protocols made things extremely challenging. But everyone pulled together and got it done, which is something I’ll never forget.
Q. Key learning about yourself over the last 20 years.
A. I’ve learned how important flexibility is. Plans change all the time, and you have to be willing to adapt and try new things.
I’ve also learned that sometimes you have to make tough business decisions that can impact personal relationships. That’s one of the hardest parts – learning to separate the business from friendships when you need to.
Q. List some highlights about working at Apollo.
A. Watching the business evolve. We’re doing larger, more complex projects than ever before, and our systems and processes have come a long way since the early days.
We’ve expanded into Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, and Tauranga, and the growth in staff numbers has been huge. New staff bring experience and knowledge with them and that just adds to the overall positive vibe of the company.
But even with all that change, the culture of the company has stayed strong. Christmas functions, office laughs, and the relationships you build has meant I’m still here after 20 years and still loving it.
