ERA 1: 1958-1980
Early beginnings and the Culham Engineering family 5 May, 1958. Dave Culham has completed his 5-year blacksmithing apprenticeship with Tapper Engineering, emerging with a passion for steel and a drive to succeed. Dave has then taken out a loan from his father to purchase a welding machine – which he kept in the boot of his car – and, using this welding machine, he went out looking for work under the newly minted company ‘Culham Engineering’. Dave obtained his first contract with AFFCO in Moerewa, and in the start of the 1960’s, he took on his first apprentice Reg Dickeson along with foreman Fred Walker, and the seeds of Culham Engineering were sown. Dave soon recognised the value in having good people by his side, and before too long he added a second apprentice, Donnie Banks, to his team. This was the beginning of a lifelong dedication to hiring and supporting apprentices through his business; instilling in them his unique brand of company culture and solid work ethic. Reg and Donnie were the first of hundreds, and in their time they became an integral part of the Culham’s culture themselves. In those early years, Culham Engineering grew with each project. In this way, Dave managed to edge forward slowly but surely; working within his means and making sure his apprentices always had projects to keep them busy. In these early years, Dave worked out of a shed at Port Road, giving the start-up business a place to call home. For four years, Dave and his team worked from this shed – staying safely within the business budget and keeping a close eye on any work opportunities that could help them grow. This strong respect for sustainable growth has played a large part in Dave’s business successes over the years; while fearless in business, Dave was nothing if not practical.
... in just over 20 years, Dave had grown Culham Engineering in size, scope and ability; and the projects just kept coming in. Circa 1965 fishing boat “Happy V” built at Culham Engineering
Hewlett Street and Port area 1972
Dave with Reg Dickeson 2004. Reg was Dave’s first apprentice in 1961.
Culham Engineering site 1978 showing slipway
1974 - Air New Zealand Hanger - Lifting the truss into place, half way to its final destination
During this time, Culham Engineering continued to work with AFFCO; a relationship which would provide a constant, reliable income for the fledgling company and throughout the next 15 years. In 1962, Culham Engineering were contracted to help build the original Marsden Point Oil Refinery. With competitive contracts being secured during the next few years, Dave made the decision to move into a new premises, resettling into a more suitable location across the road.
In 1967 Gay Crockett was employed to help in the office; she was to become not only Culham Engineering’s company secretary, but also Dave’s constant companion and – in 1975 – his wife. Dave took on more staff to match his increasing workload, and before too long he had saved enough to purchase the land he needed at Hewlett Street. In 1971, Dave purchased the land that would remain Culham Engineering’s home base for the next 40 years. This allowed his team to immediately begin working on their engineering projects in a significantly larger space. 1973 saw Dave’s son Shane join the family business; completing his apprenticeship in 1978.
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In 1974, when Air NZ needed space to service their DC10 fleet, a contractor was required to assist with their Auckland hangar alterations through Downer Construction. Culham Engineering had the space, the manpower, the machinery and the courage to make it happen. Constructing the mammoth 76-metre long truss in itself was a daunting task. The truss (which can be seen to this day on top of the Air NZ maintenance hangar at Auckland Airport) manufactured in the Hewlett Street yard, needed to be safely transported to Auckland Airport and lifted into place and secured. This project is reported to have been one of Dave’s most challenging, and it’s easy to see why. Constructing the truss, then barging the completed structure around North Cape and into the Manukau Harbour, transporting the structure up the runway at Auckland International Airport to the maintenance hangar. Then assembling the truss and hoisting it into position. Add to the story the fact that Dave purchased a Cherokee 6 aircraft to personally pilot his team from Whangarei to the worksite every day for 18 months, and you have a truly exciting project! His reasoning? It was cheaper than putting the workers up in Auckland. The beginning of 1980 found Culham Engineering with a total employee roll of circa 35 people: in just over 20 years, Dave had grown Culham Engineering in size, scope and ability; and the projects just kept coming in.