Dr Shaun Groenink

Dr Shaun Groenink is the founder and managing director of Greenhill Laboratories, a testing and consulting laboratory based in Hilton, outside Pietermaritzburg. Greenhill Laboratories services a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, veterinary science, food manufacturing, meat importation, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The laboratory holds ISO 17025 accreditation, a Good Manufacturing Practice GMP) licence from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, employs a veterinarian registered with the South African Veterinary Council, and maintains multiple approvals from various directorates within the Department of Agriculture. While compliance is non-negotiable, Shaun is clear that regulation does not have to mean rigidity of thinking. “We work in a very regulated space, and there are certain boxes we have to work in,” he says. “But we want to work in those boxes differently to how it is being done elsewhere.” That philosophy has shaped Greenhill Laboratories from the outset and continues to guide its growth.

Two core pillars underpin the business. The first is turnaround time. Shaun describes this as an area of focus, recognising that delays in testing can have serious commercial and safety implications for clients. The second pillar is communication. “Despite the fact that we deal with businesses, we still deal with individuals,” he explains. “It is about personal relationships between our staff and the people at the companies we serve.” “We often deal with clients who do not have all the background knowledge as to what we are doing, why we are doing it, and why they have to do it,” Shaun says. “Communication is very important for us.” At the heart of this ethos is consumer protection. Much of the testing Greenhill Laboratories conducts is legislated. “Our clients need to ensure that what they put out to market is safe for consumers,” he says. “At the end of the day, this work really does save lives.

BUILDING A BUSINESS

Shaun’s academic journey laid a solid foundation for his career. He studied for eleven years at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg, completing an honours degree in biochemistry a master’s degree in animal science and a PhD in biochemistry. His first taste of professional laboratory work was in his third year of study, when he worked as an intern and laboratory assistant at a pharmaceutical laboratory. “After lectures or practice had finished, I would go up to the lab and help out with whatever needed to be done,” he recalls. Today, as managing director, Shaun sees his role as far more than overseeing operations. “My purpose for Greenhill Laboratories, and personally, is creating a company that contributes back to society,” he says. “It is also about creating opportunities for our people to give their best, to grow and to develop, and either contribute back to the company or spread their wings and go elsewhere.

HALLENGES AND SETBACKS

The best advice Shaun ever received came during his PhD. One of his supervisors told him that a doctorate is not earned because of the final thesis, but because of all the challenges and setbacks you have to get through,” Shaun says. That lesson has stayed with him. “Every setback is something to work through, learn from and grow.” This mindset has been tested repeatedly. Beyond Covid-19, outbreaks of animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease and avian influenza have posed serious continuity challenges. Through diversification and teamwork, the business has adapted. “With our team, we have managed to get through and find different industries to serve,” Shaun notes.

Keeping people motivated in a high-pressure envi ronment is not easy. Shaun is candid about this. “We work with very demanding clients, and it can be difficult to keep everyone motivated, including myself,” he says. “It is about reminding everyone why we do this testing and the importance of protecting consumers and guaranteeing product quality.” Inspiration, for Shaun, is close to home. “My wife inspires me,” he says. “She tackles anything she sets her mind to with grit and determination.” Shaun is equally inspired by his colleagues. Seeing team members take ownership, often without being asked, reinforces his belief in shared leadership. “When people want to contribute and develop themselves and the company, that makes me smile,” he says

GROUNDED IN ACTION

Looking beyond Greenhill Laboratories, Shaun’s vision for business in KwaZulu-Natal is one of self sufficiency. He believes the province has ample capacity and expertise to meet its own needs. “There is often no reason for work to be sent elsewhere,” he says. “KZN has more than enough ability to service its own industries.” Shaun lives by a simple motto. “Never complain,” he says. “If you raise an issue, come up with a solution.” This is a philosophy grounded in action rather than frustration. Underpinning it all is a shared belief within the company that their work matters. “What we do here does save lives,” Shaun concludes. “We are one of the front lines of consumer safety, and that is something we never lose sight of.”