For this newsletter edition, we’ve decided to highlight a couple of employees for their notable tenure:
Our second longest running employee – Val Verrochi from Spare Parts, and one of our newest – Chris Parissis from WA Service.
Staff Profiles
INTRODUCING- CHRIS PARISSIS
Starting with Comcater in January 2025, Chris is one of our newest team members. Here, he shares his first impressions with us.
What did you do before you came to Comcater?
- I had my own company and I was doing domestic and commercial electrical works – Mainly service and maintenance on commercial buildings and domestic homes
What’s your first month with Comcater been like?
- It’s been good, I’ve enjoyed it. I have felt really welcomed by everyone, and I enjoy going out to the different restaurants and interesting sites that we work on
What attracted you to the role?
- I’ve worked on appliances in the past like laundry equipment and I liked it– So I had a bit of familiarity but wanted more exposure to commercial equipment
What’s been the most interesting/challenging for you?
- Most challenging – dealing with all the grease on the ovens – it’s pretty uncomfortable.
- Most interesting – learning about the different components of these machines and how they run.
What are the biggest differences you’re noticing between previous roles and this one? Any surprises?
- When I go to a job I fix the one thing, it’s more focused and I don’t have to run around a building fixing a million different things.
What are you most looking forward to?
- Ultimately, working towards possibly becoming a senior tech, and I look forward to mastering these machines and building my knowledge on how to fix them.
What do you think are some uniquely WA aspects of a field service technician role compared to other states?
- You get more long-distance trips and can go to jobs out in the country – which I enjoy.
RE-INTRODUCING – VAL VEROCCHI
Val has worked for Comcater for 36 years, making him our second longest serving employer, after our Managing Director, Rob Wood (41 years).
What was your first job at Comcater?
- A supervisor in the warehouse in Sackville St Collingwood, I was in that position for 12 months. The warehouse back then had equipment, accessories and spare parts, whilst the showroom/offices where in Fitzroy.
How would you sum up your 37 years at Comcater?
- Challenging every day but rewarding most of the times. The company always focused on people and customers which has made it what it is today.
3.What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in that time?
- Comcater just got bigger and better and with that we have to relocate few times to accommodate the equipment and the people, locally and interstate.
- Also the ISO accreditation, which ensures that procedures are documented so that we all follow the same processes rather than do our own thing.
What’s a favourite memory?
- There are a couple of memories one good and one bad.
- A great memory was a Christmas function when the company was still small—they took staff and spouses on a Yarra River cruise. My wife joined me, and it was unforgettable, with plenty of seafood, drinks, music, and dancing. We all made it home eventually!
- A not-so-great memory was returning after Easter to find the spares area in chaos—shelving had collapsed like a pack of cards, leaving everything on the floor. It was all hands on deck to get things back in order.
What do you find most satisfying about your job?
- Being part of a focused spares team meeting targeted KPI’s. Everyday bringing new challenges.
What are some of the most unusual problems you’ve solved in your job?
- I would say stock accuracy has always being an key issue. In the past I know stocktakes has been a crucial tool to help in getting the stock accuracy. The key to any stocktake is preparation. If you have everything in its place and correctly part numbered everything will fall into place come stocktake. As the saying goes “stocktake is 90% preparation and 10 % perspiration”.
If you could get people to do just one thing to make your job easier, what would it be?
- The more information that is given the easier and quicker will be the solution.
What is a phrase that you find yourself using most often at work?
- I can tell you 3: “What’s the model number?”, “What’s is the serial number” & “When’s the next public holiday “ (only kidding)
We’ve noticed you have become Melbourne’s resident jigsaw expert, what tips can you share for tackling puzzles?
- I’m no expert—I hadn’t done a jigsaw until I started at Port Melbourne. The best way is to start with the border, then group similar colours, especially for mystery images. Next, find pieces with common elements—like “Whiskers” on this one (not “Whisky,” that’s my puzzle at home!). More people bring fresh perspectives, working on different sections or helping out. Setting a goal of one or two pieces a day keeps progress steady—just like eating an elephant, one bite at a time!
- Lastly, you’ll need perseverance and a lot of patience!
