Podcast appearances and mentions of don braid

Mainfreight managing director Don Braid is backing Winston Peters' call for New Zealand to calm down, as the trade landscape shifts rapidly thanks to Donald Trump's tariffs. Braid spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

There's less optimism from Mainfreight over the impacts of global shipping changes. Two of the world's largest shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk are joining forces, a move some commentators believe will reduce freight prices and provide arrival time reliability. But Mainfreight Managing Director Don Braid told Mike Hosking he's not sure it will mean cheaper freight rates, adding it mostly operates on the East to West corridors anyway. He says it's possible for cheaper freight to result from the Red Sea opening, meaning quicker shipping. However, Braid says, the chances of this happening are low. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A key logistics company says progress on getting new Interislander ferries is frustratingly slow. Mainfreight managing director Don Braid spoke to Corin Dann.

There's little faith from some in the freight industry that new Cook Strait ferries will be delivered on time. The Government's announced its intention to buy two new ferries for the Cook Strait crossing but is being criticised for refusing to reveal the cost. The first stage of the procurement process is set to finish in March, with the vessels sailing by 2029. But Mainfreight Managing Director Don Braid told Heather du Plessis-Allan he's not sold, and expected more information. He expects the March deadline to come and go, and says delays seem typical of this government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World trade is ramping up rapidly ahead of the changeover of power to Donald Trump. The US President Elect has campaigned on an agenda of increased protectionism, with tariffs of up to 20% on all imports. He's also planning higher tariffs on Chinese goods, potentially setting the stage for another trade war. Mainfreight managing director Don Braid told Mike Hosking that if tariffs are applied, there'll be a price increase in some places. He says they are already seeing people filling their warehouses with stock-piled products before tariffs are applied. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mainfreight group managing director Don Braid says not having rail-enabled ferries will be inefficient and more costly for businesses like his. 

In this quick bite Don Braid, Managing Director of Mainfreight shares how sustainability has been ingrained into the company's operations since its early days, from recycling initiatives, to implementing off-grid solar power and water systems in their facilities worldwide. Plus, hear more around what Mainfreight's plans are with their electric trucks, if Telsa's will become a part of their fleet, and what are the issues for Electric Vehicles (EVs) when it comes to long-haul transportation? This quick bite is from our previous episode 'Mainfreight–Where next for the blue trucks?' For more or to watch on youtube—check out http://linktr.ee/sharedlunch Appearance on Shared Lunch is not an endorsement by Sharesies of the views of the presenters, guests, or the entities they represent. Their views are their own. Shared Lunch is not financial advice. We recommend talking to a licensed financial adviser. You should review relevant product disclosure documents before deciding to invest. Investing involves risk. You might lose the money you start with. Content is current at the timeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want the real story about why residents in one of Canada's biggest cities have for weeks been under orders to ration their water usage, you won't get it from Calgary's mayor or city bureaucrats. As local veteran Postmedia journalist Don Braid tells Brian in this week's episode, the catastrophic water-main explosion is a tale of municipal mismanagement, inferior infrastructure and wilful political blindness. And, Braid says, the same factors — including a whole lot of disintegrating water pipes — are lurking in a lot of other cities, maybe even yours, and just waiting to burst open. (Recorded June 20, 2024) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Businesses are being warned supply disruptions are set to continue due to an uncertain global environment.  The Productivity Commission's final report before funding moves to the new Ministry for Regulation, warns that disruptions could impact thousands of jobs.  Modelling shows that wars, new tech, and oil price rises could see GDP go down from 1.4% to 7.5%.  Mainfreight Managing Director Don Braid told Mike Hosking that we should've tapped into India's economy years ago.  He says in around 2015, he went on a trade mission and questioned why New Zealand wasn't there already.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley announced she is stepping down as the head of Alberta's NDP. The move, expected after last spring's election defeat to Danielle Smith's UCP, sparks a leadership contest that could ultimately shape the progressive movement, not just in Alberta, but in Canada. Calgary Herald columnist Don Braid joins the show to discuss Notley's legacy, where the provincial party goes from here, and whether the former premier has ambitions beyond Alberta. Background reading: Braid: Rachel Notley announces she's leaving Alberta NDP leadership, triggering party contest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this interview, Peter Menzies, Senior Fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, former newspaper executive and past vice chair of the CRTC, discusses the state of the media in Canada. Menzies talks about how the industry is at a point where it needs to adapt or die, how it got to this point, who is to blame, the federal government online legislation, the CBC, and the growth of alternative news publications. Below is a column Menzies wrote for The Hub. By Peter Menzies, November 22, 2023 Twenty years ago, it should have been obvious to all that the jig was up for newspapers and journalism was going to need a new ride. Print had a good run—almost 600 years—but the invention by Tim Berners-Lee of the World Wide Web meant the era of massive presses and the power they bestowed on their owners was coming to an end. The only question, once Craigslist and Kijiji began boring holes in classified advertising, the economic foundation of newspapers, was whether there would even be time to save the furniture. Since the turn of the century, there have only been two alternatives for legacy news organizations: adapt or die. While there has been some evidence of success in terms of the former, public policy support has ignored new ideas in favour of propping up the ones everyone knows won't make it. The results have ranged from inconsequential to catastrophic. In Canada, as author and academic Marc Edge has detailed in his most recent book, The Postmedia Effect, the possibilities for newspapers to adapt have been severely limited by the nation's largest and dominant chain's business and ownership structures. Thousands of jobs have been cut to ensure high-interest debt payments can be made to its U.S. hedge fund owners. Easy to blame management, one supposes, but hedge funds gotta hedge and the primary fault for the mess that is Canada's news industry belongs squarely at the door of the nation's public policymakers. Sadly, outdated foreign ownership regulations restricted the supply of qualified buyers for media organizations, which depressed the cost of acquiring newspapers to a level that facilitated their acquisition en masse by Southam, then Hollinger, then Canwest, then Postmedia. With every step, competition was suppressed through increasingly consolidated ownership only to find the nation's largest newspaper chain owned by Americans. You can't make that up. Piling on, the Competition Bureau in 2015 inexplicably approved Postmedia's acquisition of Quebecor (Sun) Media's newspapers based on the “lack of close rivalry” between newspapers such as the Calgary Herald and the Calgary Sun and “the incentive for the merged entity to retain readership and maintain editorial quality in order to continue to attract advertisers.” All said with a straight face. Anyone who had actually worked in the business—I put in shifts at both the Calgary Sun and the Calgary Herald in their halcyon days—would know that this is sheer nonsense justified only by the extreme narrowness of the analysis the Bureau undertook. Today, the only distinguishable difference in content between the Herald and the Sun is that Don Braid writes a column for the Herald, and Rick Bell writes one for the Sun—a pretense of competition that appears to have allowed both to extend their careers well beyond those of thousands of their colleagues. “No solutions can be found until the issue of the CBC is dealt with.” Thirty years ago, Bell and Braid shared more than 250 newsroom colleagues covering events in a city of fewer than 800,000 people. Today, reflective of their business's demise, a couple of dozen survivors cling to the Herald/Sun lifeboat in a city approaching 1.5 million. Their presses and even their buildings have been sold to feed the hedge fund. Implementation of policies designed to sustain business models that produce results such as these in the hope of “saving journalism” is self-evidently unwise. We live at a time when innovation and entrepreneurship—virtues that are fuelled by competition and suppressed by consolidation—are desperately needed. While those are clearly lacking in the newspaper industry (laudable exceptions apply at the Globe and Mail, Le Devoir, and a plethora of digital startups) it's just as unlikely journalism can find salvation in the arms of Canada's heavily regulated broadcasting industry. For it, with exceptions acknowledged, the provision of news has always been primarily a regulatory obligation and not a core business proposition. Broadcasters are in the business of entertaining people with music, drama, chat, and related programming and have long acknowledged there is little or no money in them for news. All too often, it's just regulatory rent. For those who may believe, though, the ponderous regulatory processes in place at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) make the entrepreneurship and innovation needed to adapt in an era of massive technological change almost impossible. But all that is now as may be. Rear view mirrors may help protect from encroaching harms but they are not at all useful in terms of actually going places. And journalism clearly needs a new car and new drivers if it is to thrive as a public good. Any doubt that societies require trustworthy and shared sources of information to maintain a peaceful social compact should have been erased by the events of the past few weeks. It is clear from the protests and virulent antisemitism that erupted in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel that large numbers of Canadians are forming their opinions based not on differing interpretations of the facts but on very incompatible understandings of current reality. In these circumstances, and in this instance at least, the common ground necessary to establish a healthy public square of ideas simply doesn't exist. Without such a venue, societies collapse into warring tribes. But before we can even begin to explore the complexity of THAT problem, there needs to be a sustainable path forward for fair, balanced, and accurate news gathering and delivery. The federal government's best efforts to make that happen have been disastrous. The Online News Act has done more harm than good, with news providers losing access to audiences through Facebook and Instagram while an even more disastrous Google news boycott hovers menacingly over the industry. The five-year-old journalism labour tax credit hasn't stopped newsrooms from continuing to shrink. And while the Local Journalism Initiative has created temporary employment opportunities in news “deserts”, it didn't stop the Alaska Highway News, as just one example, from folding last month. Worse, there is increasing evidence to suggest that the more the public becomes aware of direct government funding to journalism organizations, the less likely it is to trust those organizations and label reporters as toadies with labels such as “#JustinJournos.” Should the government change, they would no doubt be #Pierre'sPravda. None of this ends well. What Canada desperately needs instead is a multi-pronged, coordinated national strategy based on current economic and market realities that will allow journalism to flourish again. A few months ago, Konrad von Finckenstein and I tried to get the ideas rolling with our policy paper for the Macdonald Laurier Institute, “And Now, The News”. Its two flashiest recommendations called for the establishment of a truly independent journalism sustainability fund supported by contributions from web giants such as Meta, Google, and others and, vitally, the de-commercialization of the CBC. The CBC, already government-funded, would not be eligible to draw from this fund, which we proposed should be supported by reasonable levies on tech companies and would only be available to companies whose primary business is the production of news. I have some sympathy for those who would argue that such a fund would best be used to support entrepreneurship as opposed to simply propping up what commentator Jen Gerson has labelled “zombie” newspapers that refuse to either adapt or die. But our proposal would nevertheless eschew such distinctions and make the fund accessible to all industry-verified news organizations solely on a per capita/journalist basis. News providers would still be free to make deals with social media to build readership and make other commercial deals with digital platforms as both parties see fit. But that, on its own, doesn't solve the problem. In fact, no solutions can be found until the issue of the CBC is dealt with. It is one thing to have a public broadcaster. But today's CBC is not that. It has evolved into a publicly funded commercial broadcaster and online content provider. Even its radio content, while broadcast free of advertising over the air, is repurposed to build online audiences and revenue in direct competition with news startups and legacy media attempting to transition into vibrant digital platforms. No industry can survive, let alone prosper, when the government subsidizes one commercial entity—in this case with $1.2 billion annually—to the detriment of all others. There certainly can be an important role for a national, truly public news provider. But CBC must be de-commercialized everywhere it operates, its mandate sharply re-focused, and its content made available at no charge through a Creative Commons license to other domestic news organizations. The removal of the CBC's ability to sell advertising would immediately free up $400 million in revenue for which news organizations could compete. As an added benefit, Canada would get a re-focused public broadcaster, and free access to its news content would allow all journalism providers to benefit from, instead of being punished by, government funding of the CBC. Our other proposals include making subscriptions to news organizations 100 percent tax deductible—a move that would subsidize the consumption of credible news with a market-based incentive for those providing it. We also proposed that: All expenditures by Eligible News Businesses that involve investment in digital transformation technology are eligible to be claimed in their first year as capital cost allowances. Phasing out of the current labour tax credit over a period of five years, declining in value by 20 percent annually in order to wean news organizations from it gradually while they adapt to a more permanent policy framework. Phasing out of the Local Journalism Initiative over a period of five years, declining in value by $4 million per year and with adjustments that would make it available only to news organizations serving market areas of less than 100,000 people and limited to easily defined core coverage beats such as public safety, courts, school boards, and municipal councils. Phasing out of the Canada Periodical Fund, which is no longer relevant in the digital age, over the course of three years. Ensure that the CRTC is engaged in the development of national news policies so that it considers the entire scope of the news industry when contemplating conditions of license for broadcasters. To those, I would add maximizing the value of tax credits for contributions to news organizations structured as not-for-profit businesses. Neither I nor my policy paper co-author, who these days is occupied as interim federal ethics commissioner, pretended to have all the solutions. As we wrote when our paper was published, building a national news industry policy is a tricky business. What we believed was that the pattern of ad hoc subsidies, willful ignorance of the impact of a commercial CBC, fear of failure, and the ill-conceived Online News Act were nothing but trouble and that a thoughtful, multi-pronged national news industry policy was called for. It still is. When it's done—when all the ideas are out there and the best of them are implemented—news organizations will still only survive through the quality of their work. Not all companies will, or should, survive and, frankly, some need to get on with their dying and get out of the way of those building a future for journalism. Fretting over and attempting to preserve the past and its icons is emotionally tempting. But it will not give news organizations the fighting chance they need to transition from unstable business models to those capable of sustaining quality journalism in the years ahead. We are at the end of the end of an era. It's time to embrace a new genesis. Peter Menzies is a Senior Fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a former newspaper executive, and past vice chair of the CRTC. Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada's Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list About Us Canada's Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast. With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders. The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada's Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story. #business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs   #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #Media #news #Newspapers #smallbusiness

Mount Royal University academic, Al Jazeera columnist and Al Shabaka fellow Muhannad Ayyash joins us to discuss how Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek cancelled Hanukkah. Calgary pundits lost their goddam minds over Gondek's decision to back out of at a totally apolitical menorah lighting ceremony that was billed as an opportunity to demonstrate "SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL." And according to reporting from Aryn Toombs at LiveWire Calgary, it didn't disappoint. Calgary Herald columnist Don Braid, who joined the paper as a filthy scab in 2000, went as far as to say the mayor isn't fit for office because of her disloyalty to Israel. Plugs & Recs (The Rinse)Decolonize Palestine reading listRead some of Muhannad's Al Jazeera columnsEmma Paling - CBC featured more Israelis even as Palestinian casualties rose, data showsVincent Bevins - If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing RevolutionTareq Baconi - Hamas Contained: The Rise and Pacification of Palestinian ResistanceThe Deprogram - Free Palestine (ft. Decolonize Palestine)James Clear - Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable ResultsIf you enjoyed this episode make sure to leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, and give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram. For more Big Shiny Takes, sign up to our bonus feed here.If you enjoyed this episode make sure to leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, and give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram. For more Big Shiny Takes, sign up to our bonus feed here.

Global logistics company Mainfreight has reported a significant slump in net profit and revenue. Their result shows profits declined 42 percent, to $124 million- after a successful 2022. CEO Don Braid says the company managed to have two really good years, as the company took advantage of unprecedented demand.   "We're now heading towards a more normalised trading environment, freight volumes are down dramatically from the nutty period where we had economic stimulus from Governments around the world." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global logistics company Mainfreight has reported a significant slump in net profit and revenue. Their result shows profits declined 42 percent, to $124 million- after a successful 2022. CEO Don Braid says the company managed to have two really good years, as the company took advantage of unprecedented demand.   "We're now heading towards a more normalised trading environment, freight volumes are down dramatically from the nutty period where we had economic stimulus from Governments around the world." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm Charles Adler with 3 Minutes that Matter. Since I did this on Twitter. I owe it those of you privileging me with your time on this Podcast. If you are happy about the Trudeau's separation, please unfollow me now. I want to be respectful of followers. It's impossible for me to have a grain of respect for anyone who is euphoric over the break up of a marriage. Bye. Two weeks ago in Belleville, Ontario, Justin Trudeau was called a traitor and a criminal and a pedophile. And don't tell me that doesn't strain a marriage. Don't tell me that it's something that's easy to discuss for the mother of his children with his children. Much more on Parental Anguish and separation and D I V O R C E in my Free Press column. And I do hope no mother is ever asked by a 9 year old. Why are they calling Pop a pedolphile? From the New York Times, columnist Maureen Dowd reminds us that there is a reason many Republicans don't take Trump's court cases seriously. Many Republicans see Joe Biden as illegitimate president? How many? CNN says 69% of Republicans and those who lean in that direction believe the election was stolen by the Democrats. More than half say there is evidence of that. I can tell you there isn't because I can tell if there was, there are billions of dollars in dark money available to any sleuth who could provide the truth of something that is palpably untrue. A provocative title in the Calgary Herald for a Don Braid column. UCP declares a moratorium for Alberta's reputation. This is about the Danielle Smith government putting on hold all new projects in the alternative energy space, specifically solar and wind. Hard to believe the government would try to put a roadblock in front of the billions of dollars companies want to invest in Alberta developing new energy. But old voters in those old rural ridings don't like the word new energy - feel threatened by them. And Danielle Smith feels politically vulnerable when her base, Rural Albertans raise their pitchforks. There is reputational damage to Alberta. How can there not be, when Alberta always sells itself as a place where opportunity is never met with hostility. Character Actor Mark Margolis has died. You may say the name doesn't ring bell. So I will ring two bells. Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad - Bell number one and Better Call Saul. Bell number two. He played the role of a Cartel leader, felled by a stroke, who needed a wheelchair. Margolis also had roles in Oz and Ace Ventura. It was a short illness ending in a New York City hospital, said his family. The person will always think of as Hector Salamanca, was 83. I'm Charles Adler with 3 minutes that matter.

Mainfreight says its estimated profit before tax has improved nearly 66 per cent to $301.7 million after 26 weeks of trading. Estimated revenue after 26 weeks trading had improved 32.5 per cent to $3.01 billion, the international transport and logistics company said in a market update during an investor day presentation. The NZX-listed company will post its half year results on November 10. It outlined the profit estimate ahead of its 2023 half year result next month. A presentation by group managing director Don Braid and senior managers took investors through the company's global situation and outlooks, region by region. The New Zealand operation had shown good momentum in the 26 weeks, with all divisions trading ahead year-to-date. Profit before tax for the six months was up 55.2 per cent at $75m. Revenue was up 29.6 per cent at $645m. The New Zealand operation employed 2940 people in 88 branches and 28 locations. Planned capital expenditure on property and network development for New Zealand in 2023-2024 was $203m. Mainfreight's Europe operation showed an 87.6 per cent lift in profit before tax to €23.6m ($40.6m) and a revenue increase of 27.2 per cent to €331m ($570m). Employing 3353 people, the company operates 47 branches in 10 European countries. Transport volumes were consistent year-to-date, and in general each division was trading ahead of the previous period. Inflation and high energy process costs were a cloud on the horizon, with ample opportunity for growth in all countries. European transport volumes were consistent year-to-date, and the air and ocean division showed strong trading. With Asia-Europe ocean rates falling significantly, rate and contract management was important. Challenges in Europe included shortages of drivers, people, equipment and warehouses and rising costs. In Australia, where expansion was underway, profit before tax was up 42.2 per cent at A$63m ($69m) and revenue 33 per cent higher at A$698m ($772m). This operation employs 2524 people with 71 branches in 21 locations. Network expansion would increase branches to 98 in 35 locations. Warehousing would increase 36 per cent within 12 months from 233,989sqm to 318,320sqm. The current trading outlook was strong and while Australia's economy was resilient, six interest rate rises would bite, the company said. It cited emerging opportunities in mining, electronics, automotive and marine sector work. In the Americas division, profit before tax for the six months was 69 per cent up at US$59m (S103m) and revenue had lifted 27.7 per cent to US$563m ($991m). This operation employed 1770 people in 80 branches in four countries. All divisions were contributing positively to year-on-year growth. Air and ocean consolidation remained a key area of focus, with strong customer demand generally driving Mainfreight to open larger and new warehouses. The company was optimistic about growth opportunities but was not immune to air and ocean trade and rates declines. This was offset by growth in all segments and across a variety of trade lanes. New warehouse sites acquired For Asia, profit before tax was up 37.7 per cent US$16m ($28m) for the six months to date, on a 9.1 per cent fall in revenue to US$100m ($176m). The decline was due to the impact of rate reductions. This operation employed 520 people in 29 branches in 10 countries. Airfreight exporting remained challenging from Hong Kong and China due to ongoing restrictions in China, the company said. Ocean exports had also softened however this offered more value-added local service opportunities. In-country growth was notable especially in Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand. The company was intensifying its branch network within each country and warehousing solutions were underway. Five more air and ocean branches would be added in China, Thailand, Taiwan and Korea in the next financial year, and Mainfreight would add an 11th country, India, to its business by the third quarter of 2023. Four new warehouse sites had been acquired in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mainfreight says its estimated profit before tax has improved nearly 66 per cent to $301.7 million after 26 weeks of trading. Estimated revenue after 26 weeks trading had improved 32.5 per cent to $3.01 billion, the international transport and logistics company said in a market update during an investor day presentation. The NZX-listed company will post its half year results on November 10. It outlined the profit estimate ahead of its 2023 half year result next month. A presentation by group managing director Don Braid and senior managers took investors through the company's global situation and outlooks, region by region. The New Zealand operation had shown good momentum in the 26 weeks, with all divisions trading ahead year-to-date. Profit before tax for the six months was up 55.2 per cent at $75m. Revenue was up 29.6 per cent at $645m. The New Zealand operation employed 2940 people in 88 branches and 28 locations. Planned capital expenditure on property and network development for New Zealand in 2023-2024 was $203m. Mainfreight's Europe operation showed an 87.6 per cent lift in profit before tax to €23.6m ($40.6m) and a revenue increase of 27.2 per cent to €331m ($570m). Employing 3353 people, the company operates 47 branches in 10 European countries. Transport volumes were consistent year-to-date, and in general each division was trading ahead of the previous period. Inflation and high energy process costs were a cloud on the horizon, with ample opportunity for growth in all countries. European transport volumes were consistent year-to-date, and the air and ocean division showed strong trading. With Asia-Europe ocean rates falling significantly, rate and contract management was important. Challenges in Europe included shortages of drivers, people, equipment and warehouses and rising costs. In Australia, where expansion was underway, profit before tax was up 42.2 per cent at A$63m ($69m) and revenue 33 per cent higher at A$698m ($772m). This operation employs 2524 people with 71 branches in 21 locations. Network expansion would increase branches to 98 in 35 locations. Warehousing would increase 36 per cent within 12 months from 233,989sqm to 318,320sqm. The current trading outlook was strong and while Australia's economy was resilient, six interest rate rises would bite, the company said. It cited emerging opportunities in mining, electronics, automotive and marine sector work. In the Americas division, profit before tax for the six months was 69 per cent up at US$59m (S103m) and revenue had lifted 27.7 per cent to US$563m ($991m). This operation employed 1770 people in 80 branches in four countries. All divisions were contributing positively to year-on-year growth. Air and ocean consolidation remained a key area of focus, with strong customer demand generally driving Mainfreight to open larger and new warehouses. The company was optimistic about growth opportunities but was not immune to air and ocean trade and rates declines. This was offset by growth in all segments and across a variety of trade lanes. New warehouse sites acquired For Asia, profit before tax was up 37.7 per cent US$16m ($28m) for the six months to date, on a 9.1 per cent fall in revenue to US$100m ($176m). The decline was due to the impact of rate reductions. This operation employed 520 people in 29 branches in 10 countries. Airfreight exporting remained challenging from Hong Kong and China due to ongoing restrictions in China, the company said. Ocean exports had also softened however this offered more value-added local service opportunities. In-country growth was notable especially in Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand. The company was intensifying its branch network within each country and warehousing solutions were underway. Five more air and ocean branches would be added in China, Thailand, Taiwan and Korea in the next financial year, and Mainfreight would add an 11th country, India, to its business by the third quarter of 2023. Four new warehouse sites had been acquired in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Altheim, the campaign manager for UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith, talks about his candidate and what happens next if she wins. Columnists Rick Bell and Don Braid also discuss the topic.

Pollster Janet Brown and columnist Don Braid react to Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's resignation as leader of the United Conservative Party. Economists Jimmy Jean and Chris Ragan on April's inflation numbers, which hit a three-decade high. Assembly of First Nations B.C. Regional Chief Terry Teegee on calls for the Crown to apologize for its treatment of Indigenous peoples. Finland's Ambassador to Canada, Roy Eriksson, and Sweden's Ambassador to Canada, Urban Ahlin, on how fast their countries could become part of the NATO alliance.

A transport company says Rapid Antigen Tests are working well for colleagues over the Tasman. Some essential workers will be able to end isolation sooner, once rapid antigen tests are available. This will cover people in the supply chain, in particular, around food.  Mainfreight chief executive Don Braid told Tim Dower his colleagues in Australia use them daily in the carpark before starting work. He acknowledges there are some questions over how good the RAT tests are. “But it's certainly giving our people some comfort and they are picking up those infections early.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frustrated businesses are urging the Government to allow them to bring in rapid Covid-19 tests to protect New Zealand work sites.A powerful group of 25 businesses across a range of sectors employing thousands of staff have formed a coalition to jointly import 370,000 rapid antigen tests to be introduced on workplaces around the country.Mainfreight's managing director Don Braid said the businesses were seeking urgent approval from the Government "to allow for the importation of rapid surveillance tests as a critical part of health and safety management in the workplace".The 25 companies requesting urgent approval to introduce the tests at critical work sites include Mainfreight, Foodstuffs North Island, Genesis, Hynds Pipe Systems, Mercury, Summerset Group, Wellington Airport, Christchurch Airport, Sky NZ, Queenstown Airport, Spark, Vodafone, The Warehouse Group, ANZ Bank, Contact Energy, Fulton Hogan, Woolworths NZ, Fletcher Building, Chorus, Carter Holt Harvey, Meridian Energy, DHL Express NZ, Air NZ and Auckland Airport.The plea is a sign of businesses increasingly frustrated with the slow rollout of rapid testing as the latest border failure hit in August when the Government's mass vaccination programme had got off to a slow start.Braid said businesses wanted to take care of their people from a health and safety perspective and to keep their sites operational.''Vaccinations and testing are key to this and it is bewildering that the rapid testing we are using in 26 locations around the world is unavailable to us at our home base in New Zealand.''Mainfreight managing director Don Braid. Photo / NZMEComment has been sought from Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. There will be an update from the Government on testing tomorrow.Last month it announced a trial at Middlemore Hospital of the tests which use swabs taken from the nose or throat for surveillance testing for Covid. In Britain the National Health Service encourages people to do them at home.Braid said: "We believe the Government shares our concern that the addition of antigen testing cannot suffer the long delays that occurred in introducing saliva testing. With the current Delta outbreak we are confident they will act decisively and work with us to make it happen."He told the Herald relevant Government ministers had been willing to consider all options but he feared the push to import the tests for use within businesses could get bogged down at the Ministry of Health.''We asked for a workplace opportunity to try these antigen testing units three or four weeks ago but it was stymied by the ministry.''There was heavy demand for the kits - priced at around $10 - around the world and he was worried this could lead to a shortage if this country didn't act quickly to import them.Testing didn't replace vaccination as the most important way of fighting Covid, said Braid but was another tool.''Business has been trying to assist the Government and the ministry and we feel we have a vital role to play.''Rapid antigen tests are used widely overseas as an additional tool to curb the spread of Covid-19, providing on-the-spot results in minutes to help identify chains of transmission, provide reassurance to employees and ensure workplace continuity.The 25 companies, which are looking to procure 370,000 tests via medical supplies wholesaler and distributor EBOS Healthcare, have written to the Government seeking emergency clearance to import the tests within the next seven days.The tests, which would not take the place of existing PCR tests for border workers or those who are experiencing symptoms, provide results in about 15 minutes, unlike PCR tests which can take days to return results.Five of the six rapid tests under consideration are approved and in use in Australia with final option currently under an approvals process, the coalition says.Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin said the company was focused on keeping its staff and cu...

The government has made it clear without more vaccinations lockdowns are here to stay. Over the weekend Covid-19 cases popped up in Waikato as Delta jumped the Auckland boundary. Mainfreight managing director Don Braid says the Covid-19 positive driver who travelled to Palmerston North is not a Mainfreight driver. He said the company is doing all it can to get full vaccination of its workforce, and he would support the government mandating vaccination. At least 82 percent of Mainfreight's drivers are vaccinated, he said.

It's been fascinating to watch the reaction to Sir John Key involving himself in the political debate around our Covid response. One of the more interesting hot takes was that John Key isn't reading the room right, which is to say he's not in step with public opinion.  Isn't he?  Feels to me like he's absolutely reading the room right when it comes to Auckland.  I gather this might be news to Wellington, but Auckland is angry. Auckland is over this lockdown.    Compliance is way down. The streets are busy. People are breaking bubbles outside cafes.  More than thirty people played a game of touch in mt roskill.  We've had reports of people having parties at their houses.  And that's just what ends up in the papers.  I really feel like the mood is changing.  John Key is only the latest high-profile kiwi to have a crack at the way the Covid response is being run.  Rob Fyfe did, Sir Ian Taylor did, Don Braid of Mainfreight did, 90% of the columnists in yesterday's papers did.  This wasn't happening six months ago.  The polls are shifting in opinion.  Remember that Herald poll showing support for elimination?  Well, only 46% of people wanted to keep endlessly eliminating.  A bigger number, 52% wanted us to drop elimination now or drop it after we got to 70% vaccination rate.  This weekend, Research NZ put out a poll showing 70% support for lockdowns.  But look closer. Two thirds of those people said they only support lockdowns until we get vaccinated.    People are getting the jab and moving on from lockdowns and elimination.    And it's making people frustrated or angry enough to have a crack at the Government.  Why?  At the heart of it, because they have no plan. They can't tell us what comes next.  They used to have a plan. The plan was keep using elimination until we get the jab rolled out.  Well, the jab is here but the plan hasn't been updated.  What comes next?  We have a vague idea that they'll reopen next year but what do we actually know?  When next year?  Could anywhere between 1 January and 31 March?  What does reopen mean?  It means doubled jabbed travellers might get shorter MIQ stays or stay at home. How short? Dunno. How many travellers? Dunno. Travellers from where? Dunno.  Do we stop using level 4 lockdowns if we get to 90% jab rate? Dunno.  Auckland's aiming for 90% by next Monday. But what happens if we do? Dunno.  Are we going to get to 90% by next Monday? No.    And what happens if we don't? Dunno.  Having no plan is not normal. Norway just dropped all covid restrictions in the third step of a four-step plan.  Australia has a four-step plan. NSW just announced more of their plan: when they get to 80% coverage they can travel to the regions.  Plans are a human need. You probably have a rough idea of what you'll be doing this time next year. What school the kids will go to, whether you want to buy a new house, what suburb that will be in, whether you want to change your job, what you might do in the school holidays.  Sir John Key's gripe was ultimately about the fact that we haven't updated the plan, which means there now is no plan.  That is frustrating everyone from Sir Ian Taylor, to closed business owners, to me.  Hasn't he read the room right? 

As of midnight, truck drivers and others crossing the sensitive border between Auckland and the rest of the country now have to show proof of Covid-19 tests. Mainfreight managing director Don Braid spoke to Corin Dann.

A major freight firm expects all its employees crossing the alert level boundary with Auckland will comply with a requirement to have regular Covid-19 tests. From tomorrow, a new law requires essential workers who cross the level four border to show that they have tested negative for Covid-19 in the previous seven days. That's been delayed for a week to finalise arrangements for the testing, with saliva tests expected to play a major role. Mainfreight managing director Don Braid spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Truck drivers and other essential workers crossing Auckland's boundary are preparing to get weekly nasal swabs, even though saliva testing is widely used for border workers. Don Braid is the managing director of Mainfreight and joins Lisa Owen with his response.  

The managing director of Mainfrieght says he's been blindsided by a government announcement over changes to rules for drivers crossing the Auckland border. During Thursday's press conference, the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield announced that essential workers commuting across Auckland's border will be asked to get regular tests. Mainfreight 's managing director Don Braid says it doesn't sound like a workable plan.

Freight logistics company Mainfreight is ready to go with a Covid-19 vaccination plan for more than a thousand workers and their families in Auckland. They've been working out the details since last month and chief executive Don Braid told Health Correspondent Rowan Quinn they're hoping to start early next month.

Freight logistics company Mainfreight is ready to go with a Covid-19 vaccination plan for more than a thousand workers and their families in Auckland. They've been working out the details since last month and chief executive Don Braid told Health Correspondent Rowan Quinn they're hoping to start early next month.

Freight logistics firm Mainfreight will trial mass vaccinations against Covid-19 in the workplace. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that Mainfreight and Fonterra could both be involved in vaccinating employees. Mainfreight managing director Don Braid says the company is keen to help. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Freight logistics firm Mainfreight will trial mass vaccinations against Covid-19 in the workplace. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that Mainfreight and Fonterra could both be involved in vaccinating employees. Mainfreight managing director Don Braid says the company is keen to help. He spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Importers are demanding answers as to why their goods are being held up at Ports of Auckland. Some New Zealand retailers fear their shelves will be half empty as they approach the festive season. Last week, Mainfreight managing director Don Braid told Checkpoint Ports of Auckland was struggling to get slots available on its wharf for arriving vessels. Checkpoint reporter Nick Truebridge has the story.

Don Braid is the managing director of Mainfreight. He explains the difficulties of getting goods from ship to shore to shop floor.

In a rarity for business at the moment, the country's fourth largest businesses: a case of Covid-19 not being as bad as feared.Mainfreight has been pleasantly surprised at the pickup in activity it's seeing.Managing director Don Braid joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on Bosses Rebuilding to discuss the level of activity they've seen.LISTEN ABOVE

In this week's edition of Inside Alberta, Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe speak about the possibility of an Alberta Pension Plan, the state of the Alberta economy and a new anti-abortion bill being tabled.

In this week's episode of Inside Alberta, Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid speaks with city hall reporter Meghan Potkins about the new UCP budget, its effects on the city of Calgary and what mayor Naheed Neshi thinks about it all

In this week's Inside Alberta podcast, Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss the recently announced UCP provincial budget and the numerous cuts involved as well as the re-election of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau.

Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss the federal election, climate activist Greta Thunberg's visit to Alberta and the newly introduced 'Clare's Law' that will help take action against domestic violence

Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss the upcoming UCP budget and the federal election.

Business leaders say the Government's failure to execute its key policies in a timely manner and inability to stoke business confidence is fueling an overall loss of confidence in the New Zealand economy.Two years into its term 157 business leaders have rated the performance of the Coalition Government as part of an annual Mood of the Boardroom stocktake and found it wanting.While Prime minister Jacinda Ardern was lauded for her handling of the Christchurch massacre chief executives have not been impressed by her Government's performance in the promised "year of delivery".Chief executives were not impressed with the way the Government has addressed housing unaffordability issues, transport constraints or with transforming the economy.Paul Glass, chairman of Devon Funds Management said in the report: "Overall the Government has been hopeless at meeting its own targets."Mainfreight chief executive Don Braid said too much time in opposition had dulled the ability to deliver policy and called for more action and less talk.Ardern was ranked fifth best performer in her cabinet with a rating of 2.93 out of five, only slightly ahead of her deputy Winston Peters on 2.92.The Prime Minister, who is in New York this week to meet US President Donald Trump and deliver the keynote speech at the UN Secretary-General's Climate Action Summit, is seen as a great global cheerleader but largely ineffectual on the home front.Deloitte chief executive Thomas Pippos said Ardern was a genuine individual whose key strengths were her ability to connect, project empathy and communicate to the masses.But he said she was reliant on others to drive the development and implementation of policy and was severely limited in certain areas because of New Zealand First.Cabinet newbie and commerce minister Kris Faafoi was seen as the most impressive, ranking ahead of finance minister Grant Robertson and justice minister Andrew Little.Faafoi is seen as a safe pair of hands and an engaging politician who consults and listens to business.Greg Lowe, Beca Group chief executive, said some ministers had got the bit between their teeth and were making real progress."Ron Mark is having a very positive impact in Defence and Defence Industry, Kris Faafoi shows real understanding, energy and integrity, Megan Woods is pushing us to a better hydrogen future."Greg Lowe, Beca Group chief executive. File picFormer housing minister Phil Twyford tumbled from seventh in last year's Cabinet survey to bottom of the pack this year ranking just 1.61 out of five in the wake of the Kiwibuild fiasco.A little over half of those survey felt Robertson was delivering credible economic fiscal management but 26 per cent were unsure and 17 per cent disagreed.Most of those commenting on the record had a positive view about Robertson's stewardship but Mainfreight's Braid said a slowing economy may test the current fiscal management."He must find the courage to use the tools at his disposal to maintain our momentum."Chief executives say Robertson should loosen the purse strings when it comes to spending on infrastructure and take advantage of the low interest rates to borrow and invest.Mark Cairns, Port of Tauranga chief executive said: "We desperately need more infrastructure capital. New Zealand has the balance sheet to do so."Overall chief executives were feeling less optimistic than this time last year and were particularly gloomy about the global economy with 92 per cent less optimistic.Mark Cairns, CEO of Port of Tauranga. Photo/George NovakOn the local economy a quarter said they were much less optimistic and 58 per cent slightly less optimistic. While 62 per cent were less optimistic about the general business situation in their industry.Foodstuffs North Island chief Chris Quin said talent and skills shortages and a lack of clarity and progress on vocational training as well as an unclear future for training and immigration settings were harming the possibil...

Calgary Herald columnist Don Braid is joined by city hall reporter Meghan Potkins to discuss the approval of a new arena in Calgary

In this weel's Inside Alberta podcast, Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss the recent Trans Mountain pipeline approval, the passing of Bills C48 & 69, and the Senate.

Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell delivered her speech from the throne Wednesday, which kicks off the United Conservative Party’s first session as government and, as expected, we heard plans to move aggressively to stimulate the provincial economy. In this week's Inside Alberta Podcast, Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss what these plans may look like.

It's been a little more than 24 hours since Jason Kenney and his UCP government were sworn in but he's already proclaimed legislation to restrict oil supplies to the B.C., appeared at Senate hearings to oppose Trudeau’s oil tanker ban and is now off to Ottawa to talk Bill C-69. In this week's edition of the Inside Alberta podcast, Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss the latest happenings in Alberta politics.

Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss the landslide victory won by Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party in the 2019 provincial election.

Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss the 2019 provincial election and ask the question, What has been the defining moment?

Don Braid and Braid and Chris Varcoe break down the Alberta election leaders debate.

There have been a lot of cash promises announced by all parties since the start of the campaign, hear what Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe have to say about the 2019 provincial election.

Calgary Herald columnists Chris Varcoe and Don Braid discuss the first days on the campaign trail of the recently called 2019 Provincial election.

Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss UCP leader Jason Kenney's plan to shelve oil by rail, U.S. based Devon Energy leaving the oilsands and health care wait times.

REFORM PARTY 2.0? With Angus Reid, Rick Bell, and Don Braid all talking about a "Western Canadian Party," we ask for some historical perspective from Professor Nelson Wiseman. Is this the Reform Party 2.0? RUSSIA RISING Jeff Semple, former Europe Bureau Chief has a new podcast out called Russia Rising. Jeff joins the show to talk about the podcast that discusses the intricacies of Russian troll operations. FRANCHISE CANADA SHOW With the economy changing in Alberta, some are looking towards franchises instead of oil and gas. The Franchise Canada Show is in Calgary and we talk to franchisee Tayyub Rasool. ARKELLS The Canadian rock band Arkells is in Calgary and we caught up with them.

Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss Bill C-69, protest parties and getting back to a free market

Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe tackle early election speculation, a weird result of oil cuts (prices too high!?), Kenney’s plan for Calgary mortgages, and more.

Inside Alberta: Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss Jason Kenney, Rachel Notley and the provincial election that will be called this year

The Calgary Herald’s Don Braid and Chris Varcoe have lots to talk about on today’s Inside Alberta podcast. They discuss the fallout from oil price curtailment, Premier Rachel Notley is in Montreal saying that she can’t get to the table, New Brunswick wants the Energy East pipeline. But perhaps the biggest story—Premier Rachel Notley announced Sunday that Alberta would slash oil production temporarily by 8.7 per cent starting in January, amounting to about 325,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Calgary Herald columnists Don Braid and Chris Varcoe discuss the crash of Calgary's 2026 Olympic bid as well as calls for the Notley government to temporarily cut down oil output in Alberta as a way to stop crude oil prices from falling.

Mainfreight chief executive Don Braid on raising directors' fees and the company' problem areas. Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/mainfreight-seeks-33-increase-directors-fees-jr-p-203616

Mainfreight chief executive Don Braid on the company's outlook and global reach. Read more ($): https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/mainfreight-forecasts-another-profit-rise-year-jr-p-203577