WasteCo NZ finds strength in the cloud

For most business execs fostering better operational efficiency isn’t just about cutting costs, it’s about creating capacity to grow. For the WasteCo Group (WasteCo), one of the country’s leading waste and environmental services providers, growth was precisely what prompted its finance transformation.

When CFO Nigel Franklin joined the company three years ago, WasteCo was running its $30 million business using an accounting software it had outgrown – a platform that had served it well in its early years, but one that was starting to strain under the weight of rapid expansion.

“We were really at the ceiling of a software platform designed for small businesses, and we were starting to get error messages just because of the sheer volume going through the system. We have aspirations to be a $200 to $300 million business, so needed a platform that would scale and grow,” Nigel tells NZBusiness on the sidelines of SuiteWorld 2025 in Las Vegas.

Founded in 2013, WasteCo has grown quickly through acquisition, building a strong footprint across the South Island before expanding into the North Island in 2024. The company now operates from more than 30 branches nationwide and employs over 400 staff.

As an acquisitive company with multiple branches and service lines, from general waste and recycling to hazardous and organic waste, Nigel says that WasteCo needed more than just accounting software. “We needed a scalable enterprise platform capable of handling multi-entity consolidation, branch-level reporting, and rapid onboarding of new acquisitions.

“We really liked the fact that NetSuite was cloud-based. There’s no need to worry about version upgrades or system maintenance, the updates just happen. That was a huge plus for us.”

Having previously used JD Edwards, another Oracle product, Nigel was already familiar with enterprise systems. “When you open NetSuite, it actually looks very similar. So it felt familiar, but it also ticked all the boxes, cloud-based, scalable, cost-effective.”

With implementation partner Fusion5, WasteCo made the decision to deploy NetSuite in December 2022 and went live on 1 April 2023, a remarkably fast three-month turnaround.

“It was over the Christmas period as well,” Nigel laughs.

“But we were driven to get it in for the start of our financial year. Fusion5 were great, we had two or three workshops with their team and ours, mapping everything from sales to expenditure to payroll. It went really smoothly.”

The impact was immediate. With NetSuite, WasteCo’s finance team of just 10 people supporting a nationwide operation can now close and consolidate financials within five to six days each month.

“It’s brought a lot more consistency and transparency, particularly around our branches. We do our consolidations quickly, and managers can see accurate results much faster. It’s a big improvement.”

The system has also made it easier to integrate newly acquired businesses. Since going live, WasteCo has acquired four additional companies, including its North Island operation.

“We got them onto NetSuite in three to four weeks. It was that quick. We’ve got really strong internal knowledge now, so we don’t need much external support.”

The speed and stability of the implementation also impressed WasteCo’s board.

“They were highly supportive from day one. And when they saw how fast we got it live and how cost-effective it was, they were blown away. I’d never seen a rollout like that in any other business.”

Today, Nigel says the finance team is structured for growth, and the technology allows them to scale without expanding headcount.

“We built the finance team for a $100 million business. Given where technology is going, that same structure could easily support a $300 million business. It’s been really stable.”

The transition has also reshaped the finance function’s role within the organisation. Nigel says he now splits his time between financial reporting and strategic business partnering, a shift enabled by automation and greater system visibility.

“I’ve got a group finance manager who focuses on the reporting and a finance business partner who looks at the forward view. That balance works really well now that we’ve got consistent, accurate data coming through from across the business.”

Building on the backbone

With the “spine” of the system now in place, Nigel and his team is focused on extending automation and intelligence through NetSuite’s wider ecosystem.

“When we implemented NetSuite, we didn’t fully comprehend all the SuiteApps and integrations available. That’s really the next step for us, automating more of our processes.”

WasteCo has already rolled out Infinite Cloud Payroll, configured specifically for NetSuite, and has nowimplemented ezyCollectt for automated receivables management and Bamboo for human resources.

“We’re also looking at automation in accounts payable, contract management, and leasing,” he says.

“We’ve got an HR and health and safety system going in as well. Now that we’ve got the backbone, it’s about building on it.”

The focus, he says is still on efficiency and scalability. “Yes, we can manage leases outside the system today. But if we’re want to grow further, that won’t work. We want everything in one system, fully automated. That’s the mindset we’re working toward.”

AI and the next wave of growth

Like many at SuiteWorld 2025, Nigel was energised by the announcement of NetSuite Next – the company’s new AI-driven platform.

“It’s really exciting. Especially around business intelligence and reporting, the ability to get commentary and trend analysis from AI will be huge for us.”

WasteCo is already experimenting with AI tools in its day-to-day operations.

“We’re using Copilot at a basic level. It speeds up things like reviewing emails, preparing board papers, even just tidying up language. It’s saving us time already.”

And while many businesses remain cautious about AI, WasteCo is taking a proactive stance.

“We’re really embracing it. Our CEO Roger Gower is a strong advocate for innovation. We see AI as an opportunity, not a threat. It’s about efficiency and better decision-making.”

Reflecting on WasteCo’s progress, Nigel believes the company is now ahead of the curve in its industry.

“I think we’re definitely up there or even ahead of our competitors in some areas. And if we’re not, we’re very close to it. A lot of New Zealand businesses hang onto smaller accounting systems for too long. Which is great for small businesses, but once you start growing, you need something scalable.”

He also sees the automatic upgrades of a true cloud platform as a major advantage.

“With older systems like JD Edwards, upgrades were costly and risky. You’d delay them as long as possible. With NetSuite, the upgrades just happen, no disruption. That’s a massive benefit for a business like ours.”

Perhaps the biggest endorsement comes from the finance team itself.

“They love using it. It’s intuitive, reliable, and we never get complaints. When your finance team enjoys the system, you’ve already won half the change management battle.”

For a company growing at speed, Nigel says that WasteCo’s investment in cloud technology is about more than finance, it’s about future-proofing.

“We’ve built a scalable business,” Nigel says. “Now we’ve got the systems to match. The next stage is all about automation, intelligence, and growth. And we’re ready for it.”

NZBusiness was in Las Vegas at SuiteWorld 2025 courtesy of Oracle NetSuite.