Rapid Group Board
JIM TAYLOR
Chairman | Floormaster – Adelaide
Jim has been a Rapid Group Board Member since 2011 and was elected Chairman in November 2015. He is a Foundation Member of the Rapid Group which was established in 1994.
Jim is a great believer in the function of the Rapid Group and during his time on the Board has overseen huge growth in the business. He has owned and managed his own store in Adelaide since 1980 and worked in the cleaning industry for over 36 years.
Jim is a qualified electrician with supplementary training in industrial electronics and management. He proudly served in the Military in Vietnam and is a member of the RSL.
GREG WILD
Director | RapidClean New England – Armidale
Greg Wild was voted onto the Board in 2005 and has been a Member of Rapid Group since 2002.
Greg has been associated with the cleaning industry since 1992 and purchased New England Chemicals in 1998. His store was the second store to change to the Rapidclean livery and turned “green” in July 2004.
Greg is a passionate Director, Member and supporter of the Rapidclean philosophy.
By trade he is an electrical Fitter Machinist, holding welding tickets in MIG, TIG, OXY and ARC welding. He also holds a Cert4 in Work place Training & Accreditation and an Electrical Test and tag certificate.
Greg supports the NSW Cancer Council by organizing and participating in the Armidale Dance for Cancer which to date has raised over 85 thousand dollars.
GRAEME GARDENER
Director | CleanX Cleaning Supplies
Graeme started CleanX Cleaning Supplies in 2008 in Brendale on the north side of Brisbane, initially as an independent reseller. Joining the Rapid Group soon after proved highly beneficial with respect to improving sales outcomes, providing valuable professional development and operating within a supportive and collegial network.
Enjoying a diverse career with 12 years in the Australian Defence Force before completing a Degree in Business (Accounting) from QUT, Graeme went on to work as an accountant and finance manager within a range of businesses segments including transport, service delivery, distribution, and software development.
He has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance, with the Australian Institute of Company Secretaries which led to appointments as Company Secretary to the Boards of two companies.
With the change in the cleaning supplies market since the GFC, and the growth in the Rapid Group, Graeme believes we will soon be in a position to compete nationally with the larger companies that have dominated the scene. He is confident his previous Company Board experience combined with I.T. knowledge and accounting background will make a valuable contribution to the Rapid Group Board in supporting its members and growing market share. Graeme joined the Rapid Group Board in 2016.
STEPHEN MAKINS
Director | RapidClean Newcastle
Stephen has been a senior executive with several multinational companies prior to owning the RapidClean Newcastle store. These roles included being employed as the Executive Director of listed $250m company Hudaco and General Manager of Nilfisk Advance in Australia and New Zealand. During his time at Nilfisk Advance he turned around the cleaning equipment operation from a loss maker to solid Group level returns. This Included the consumer appliances in hardware and electronic retail, industrial equipment and spares, and the service van division.
Stephen is now the owner of RapidClean Newcastle, which is an industrial retail business in cleaning supplies and equipment. The customer base has been rebuilt with value added to customer operations, reliable inventory and processing, and restored supplier support. Systems utilization of selling, ordering and processing has also been significantly improved to benefit the service levels experienced by their customers.
His wealth of experience with multinational companies aligned with his ability to understand the needs of SME’s makes Stephen a valuable member of the Rapid Group Board that he joined in 2016.
ADAM CAMERON
Director | Whereabout Supply – Brisbane & Sydney
Adam Cameron joined the Cleaning Supplies Industry in March 2008 when he purchased Whereabout Supply in Brisbane. Adam holds a Diploma in Business Management and is a member of CEO Institute.
Since taking over the business Adam has taken the business from 4 employees in Brisbane to staffing of over 20 in 2 locations in Brisbane and Sydney. Adam’s commitment to the Rapid Clean group has been highlighted in his top 3 placing for 4 consecutive years in the Member of the year awards.
Adam is driven by his passion for well-considered, appropriate and inspirational working environment for staff and customers. Adam aims to change the professional landscapes of the cleaning supplies sector through simple, effective and personal customer service that can often be lacking in our industry and many other business sectors in the Australian market. In 2012 Whereabout Supply became ISO9001 Quality certified, further highlighting our commitment to high level professional service.
GRAEME MAGEE
Director | Concept Cleaning Supplies – Ballarat
Graeme was elected onto the Rapid Group Board in 2015.
He has been a member of RapidClean since 2002 and has owned and managed his own business in Ballarat since 1988.
Graeme has vast experience with over 50 years service in the cleaning industry.
He has been successful in winning the RapidClean Member of the year and Hako Dealer of the year awards amongst multiple industry accolades.
Graeme works to assist Alzheimer’s Australia.
BRUCE LEES
General Manager
Bruce Lees has been the General Manager of the Rapid Group for over 6 years during which time the Group has grown from 26 to over 45 members and has more than tripled in turnover. He has overseen the implementation of a national accounts program and established international associations with INPACS in Europe. Bruce has been employed in the cleaning supply industry for over 25 years with long term senior roles with chemical manufacturing and cleaning accessory supply companies.
He is the driver of the Rapid Group’s fund raising activities for the Cancer Council and holds multiple industry qualifications including: Certificate in Sales, Food Safety Training, Walk on Wood Certificate and the BSCAA Cleaning Induction Certificate.
DONNA WILLMETTE
Office Manager
Donna has worked with the Rapid Group since 2011 and is exceptionally well-organized. She manages the administration and accounts side of the RapidClean business with her team of dedicated staff.
Donna is the facilitator of the Rapid Group’s fund raising for the Cancer Council. She also participates in the Relay for Life and is a serving Committee member for Penrith Physical Culture club.
ROBERT MUSILLI
National Account Manager
Rob has been the National Account Manager of the Rapid Group since 2012 and has been working in the supply industry for over 21 years. Rob initiated the national account program for the Rapid Group and has managed it to a position where the turnover is measured in the millions.
He holds multiple industry qualifications including: Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, Certificate in Sales, Wholesale and Customer Service, Infection Control Training, Food Safety Training.