The Expanz team

Nigel Ash – Managing Director
Passionate about the continued success of the EPS industry, Nigel’s acquisition of the Maleplas business in early 2007 afforded him the opportunity to embrace his passion and commitment for the plastics and machinery industry.

Nigel’s unique combination of more than 25 years in the industry as a Chemical Engineer, coupled with being a business owner himself, ensures Nigel has the perspective and understanding essential to our clients.

A Chemical Engineer, Nigel is a person with a technical interest in understanding the ‘how and why’.

Having a corporate career spanning Project management, Manufacturing, Technical development, Sales and Business Management, Nigel’s career lead to senior executive roles within American multi-nationals Monsanto and Huntsman. Nigel’s final role was GM of a division in manufacturing and import/export sales and distribution, underpinning his decision to acquire his own business.

As well as supporting the technical requirements of the business, Nigel is actively involved in sales, relationships with our customers and other stakeholders, in addition to strategic planning for the future direction of Expanz.

In July 2009 Nigel was elected as Vice President of EPSA, an industry group committed to the future success of the EPS industry.

Outside work, Nigel enjoys the occasional round of golf, socialising with friends and supporting the activities of his family, especially his school aged daughters.

Tim Shepherd – Finance Manager
Tim joined Expanz in October 2008 after 28 years working for BP in a variety of roles spanning F&A, Systems, Supply, Commercial and Project Management. The latter part of his career lead to senior executive positions for BP Marine based in the UK with global responsibilities. The combination of business, accounting and systems knowledge drew Tim to a number of process reengineering assignments resolving problems and stripping out complexity resulting in a deep-seated desire to keep things simple and robust.

Away from work Tim keeps busy maintaining his property, cycling, horse-riding and playing tennis – the absence of skill is offset with enthusiasm. Three of his children are making their own way in life now with but one to encourage through school.

Cheng Jiang – Administration Manager
Cheng commenced his Bachelor of eCommerce at the China University of Mining & Technology and completed his studies at Melbourne’s Swinburne University.  He joined Expanz in 2010 to support our back-office activities; finance and logistics.  He is from Xi’An, famous for the terracotta soldiers, and one of the oldest cities in the world.  

Cheng has worked hard learning our routines and how the systems work.  His energy, humour, and sometimes different perspective are greatly appreciated.

Peter Mill – Technical Sales
Peter joined Expanz in Feb 2010 after over 30 years at Huntsman Chemicals in various roles including manufacturing, line management, training, production planning and for the last 12 years Sales and Technical Service for Expanded Polystyrene. Prior to Huntsman Peter was a Maintenance Fitter & Machinist.

Married, three children but with only the youngest (21) at home, Peter enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and in the shed (a man's got to have a shed...) or off 4WDing, the more remote the better.