Recession? What recession? Try telling the folk at Tuapeka Gold Print that the economy is in trouble.
In a time when companies everywhere seem to be laying off workers and tightening their belts, Lawrence's biggest employer has just announced plans it believes will eventually double its production levels, secure each and every job and one day, maybe, see its successful business model replicated around the globe.
Company founder Jim Robertson and his business partner, Brad Houghton, who bought a 50-50 share last year, have an infectious enthusiasm and self-belief that what they are doing is right, that their staff are their most valuable asset and that the doomsayers who preach negativity should be shipped off to some far-off place.
These men believe Lawrence is an economic powerhouse. It is a place with the right attitude and their company is merely benefiting from that kind of outlook on life.
And its outlook is bright.
So bright that the bosses sat down their staff this week and outlined the first steps towards doubling production with the same staff.
They want to protect those jobs and make the Lawrence venture a prototype for success that could be introduced in other parts of the world.
Mr Robertson handles the marketing side of the business and has developed extensive business relationships with companies worldwide over the past two decades while Mr Houghton brings his business expertise into the operational side.
They bounce off each other well and share a passion for doing business in a fun but innovative way.
A recent month-long trip by the pair through Europe and parts of the United States, scouting prospective new business, was considered an outstanding success.
Already, inroads have been made into Australia.
Details are being kept under wraps, but expect a concerted effort to take the business across the Tasman in coming months.
China, which already has links with the Lawrence business, is another major market in the company's sights.
And while the country's media seems to be obsessed with talking about downturns, recessions and tough economic times, the pair calmly say they just do not buy it.
"We can't be bothered with all that rubbish.
"People will believe what they will believe but we believe Lawrence is a great town, we have a great company here, we do things well and we can and we will do things better," Mr Houghton said.
His recent trip abroad made him realise how good Tuapeka Gold Print is, but also how much better it can become.
Earlier this week, staff were sat down and told their jobs were safe.
Staff told their bosses they were very happy in their jobs, perhaps wanting more pay, in time.
The company has responded by vowing to upskill each worker in their specialist area.
Investing in each staff member through education, training and professional development to make them even more productive and valuable was the key, Mr Houghton said.
New Zealand, as a nation, is about 30% less productive than Australia, he believes, and that needs to change.
It starts in Lawrence, he said.
Already, staff have been encouraged to look at ways efficiencies can be made in their departments.
The storage factory crew totally reorganised the layout of the massive floor space to increase room.
Mr Robertson said this gave staff "ownership", but it also made sense to allow them to have a constructive say in how the business was run.
Other improvements planned in the coming months include a $500,000 computer system upgrade that Mr Houghton believes will revolutionise they way the company does business.
The introduction of some automated machinery is planned and a there will also be a big focus on customer service - improving the relationship between the business and its clients.
For Mr Robertson, there has sometimes been the temptation to build up the business, sell and move away.
But, there are no regrets he has never done so and it is the town of Lawrence that has kept him there and will continue to keep him in the south.
"Doing business in a small town can have some disadvantages but, gee, there are some great advantages.
"I think too many businesses are missing an opportunity when they don't look at small towns to base themselves."
Lawrence was a "can do" town and no-one there seemed to be buying into talk of a recession.
The growth and introduction of new businesses - one just opened yesterday, a successful rugby club that runs itself like a business, the golf club which went out and built a new $500,000 clubhouse and all the other groups and individuals that "just get things done".
"It's that positive attitude; it just rubs off everyone."
- Tuapeka Gold Print
• Lawrence businessman Jim Robertson founded Tuapeka Gold Print when he began making personalised business cards on his kitchen table in 1987.
• From a staff of one, the company now boasts 70 employees and is the largest manufacturer of personalised pens in the country.
• Its Lawrence operations dominate the town's business landscape with a processing factory on one side of the main street, its head office on the other and a massive storage factory on the outskirts of the town.
• It boasts lucrative and long-standing deals with companies in Europe, China, New Caledonia and even has a steady and successful arrangement with companies in the likes of Fiji and the Cook Islands.
• It won the Clutha district's top business award in 2006 and last year, Mr Robertson sold half the business to an Auckland entrepreneur in a deal both believe will secure the company's long-term presence in Lawrence and, in time, double the company's size.
• The pair, who share the title of director, said at the time they hoped the move would eventually more than double the 2006 turnover of $9 million.
