b'01CO-CHAIR MESSAGEDriving Change with the ToyotaSMITHFIELD (NSW)Production System In FY24, our Soft Landing Smithfield team embraced a powerful partnership with the Toyota Production System (TPS) to reimagine how we work, enhancing efficiency and safety and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Jacob Stons, Team Manager at Soft Landing Smithfield, reflects on the process: Simple changes, like adding wheels to the cutting tables, have made a massive impact. Its about looking deeper to find solutions we didnt realise were possible. For Jacob, the changessmithfieldrepresent a shift in mindset. The process has opened our minds to new ways of thinking, and its been empowering for everyone. We dont have to keep doing things the same way weve always done them. Staff are encouraged to voice their ideas for improvements, turning potential barriers into opportunities for growth. Its made a real difference, not just in numbersthough we are processing more mattresses per day than ever beforebut in how our team approaches their work, says Jacob. People are starting to see that change is possible, and thats powerful.Jacob Stons Team ManagerJosefas Journey Josefa Nawaciono is a member of Berala Fijian Uniting Church, a rugby league and union lover, and a General Hand at Soft Landing Smithfield. Originally from Fiji, Josefa moved to Australia in April 2023, seeking new opportunities to provide for his family. I worked in a call centre in Fiji for four years, earning just $2 an hour, before moving here to earn more for my family, he shares. Living away from my family was my biggest challenge, and I did face some barriers in finding work until I found Soft Landing.05He learned about Soft Landing through a friend before joining the team in July 2023. When I joined, I liked meeting different people fromSOFT LANDINGaround the world and learning new skills, he says.My main role is stripping mattresses, but Ive also worked on the foam bailing machines, steel press, off siding in the trucks and office work. For Josefa, Soft Landing has been a place where he feels supported in a new country, allowing him to thrive and support his family. The support here has been good and it feels great to be part of a team where I can build my skills, he says. Reflecting on his journey, he offers this advice to others facing barriers to employment: Keep looking and gain as many certificates and qualifications as you can. Stay positive. Theres always a way forward. 43'