Tracey Holmes – Service Supervisor – Waikato
With more than a decade at Komatsu New Zealand under her belt, Tracey Holmes’ career is a testament to growth, commitment, and a genuine love for people and process.
Before joining Komatsu, Tracey spent over 15 years in finance and admin at an open cast mining site, Rotowaro, Huntly – one of Komatsu’s long-standing customers. When the opportunity came up to step into a parts/warehouse and administrative role at Komatsu, she jumped at the chance to try something that was new but still hands on. Since then, she’s worked her way through service admin and into her current role as Service Supervisor - a position she’s held for about 18 months.
“I never imagined I’d end up in this role, but Komatsu has always supported my growth. Every time I’ve wanted to take the next step, someone from the team has been right there, encouraging me.”
That culture of support and development is something Tracey truly values. She’s currently completing a frontline management course to strengthen her leadership skills and has gained a wealth of knowledge through hands-on experience in her role.
“My approach is practical and people-first. I like to regularly check in with our technicians and branch staff to make sure I understand the day-to-day challenges they’re facing—whether that’s in the workshop or out with customers.”
“I learn something new every day. Whether it’s listening to how the team solves a problem or jumping in to help with a job I haven’t done before — it all adds value,” Tracey says.
“You’ve got to be flexible. There are always curveballs — something urgent comes up, someone needs support, a machine needs immediate attention. You just have to be the calm in the chaos and keep things moving for the team.”
In 2024, Tracey was recognised as Komatsu New Zealand’s “People Leader of the Year” — an honour nominated by her peers, acknowledging her dedication, team support, and commitment to continuous improvement. “It was a bit of a surprise,” she says. “To know they see the effort I’m putting in and chose to nominate me — it was really a special and emotional moment.”
One of Tracey’s standout achievements has been consistent daily invoicing, which has helped reduce pressure and streamline workflows at month-end. “It used to be a mad scramble, but my goal was to make sure we stayed on top of the simple things and now it’s much more manageable. It’s a small change that made a huge difference.”
Now, with the Komatsu Waikato and Rotorua branches coming together, she sees even more opportunity on the horizon.
“The relocation has meant our branch has grown — a bigger team, more customers, and greater responsibility. It’s been exciting, and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next,” Tracey says.
“That’s the great thing about working at Komatsu — there’s no limit to what you can achieve. You just have to persevere and believe in yourself,” she says. “I couldn’t have done this without the support of my peers — and most importantly, my family. Their support has been incredible, and they’ve celebrated every milestone with me along the way.”