Making workshop experience count

Trojan — the company said to be New Zealand’s leading supplier in all things to do with trailers and towing — has moved to a new 600-square- metre warehouse facility in Christchurch, which will distribute its comprehensive range of quality trailer and caravan components and spare parts across the South Island. This follows on the heels of the Auckland warehouse also moving in late 2021 to a bigger, modern warehouse and axle manufacturing facility. The new South Island warehouse is designed to handle projected growth. The home market for caravans and trailers is expected to continue growing as in recent years more Kiwis have seen the potential for holidaying locally. In addition, Trojan expects growth from new developments in its business to continue over the coming year. In July last year specialist Australian suspension retrofit and trailer coupling business Cruisemaster joined Trojan’s parent company, the AutoPacific group. Besides the Trojan trailer parts products, AutoPacific is best known for its Hayman-Reese and X-Bar towbars, and Rola roofracks. Cruisemaster’s third generation general manager Andrew Goddard said joining with AutoPacific was a natural fit for the business, as Cruisemaster had relied on Hayman Reese towbars in its remote area testing programme for off-road hitch designs.

“If not for them we probably wouldn’t be where we are with outer DA35 and DA45 [all-terrain trailer coupling] products,” he said. Andrew said Cruisemaster had been in the business for 44 years and, like his company, AutoPacific had been involved in the design and manufacture of products in Australia since 1951, and had been involved in the caravan and trailer industry ever since. “It means we are going to be able to combine our resources to ensure we can innovate and design and develop the next level of products for the caravan industry,” he said.

Trojan expects to see growth from the burgeoning Cruisemaster range for heavy and off-road towing and the new warehouse will also stock a range of Hayman Reese products for South Island customers.

“We have really upped our service levels in terms of warehouse, dispatch, and stock holding across the country,” says Darryl Maslin, New Zealand aftermarket sales and marketing manager.

“With Trojan and Hayman Reese being distributed in the South Island from the same warehouse, we can really support accessories and trailering needs from tip to tail.

“We have a really loyal customer base in the South Island, and we wanted to improve our service offering to them, and new customers that may come along. We are pleased to say Cameron Young and his team are now fully supported and set to service their requirements.”

The new Christchurch Trojan warehouse is located at 19 Tanya Street, Bromley, Christchurch.

For more than 35 years Trojan has specialised in delivering all things trailering to both DIY and commercial clients. It offers a one-stop shop for all of the components needed to build a quality trailer, including axles and suspensions, braking and couplings, lighting and electrical, towing hitches and towing aids. The new warehouse will cater for all the South Island customer base, with improved stock levels.

Darryl says the changes mean buying from Trojan has never been easier for both DIY or trade customers. Trojan has resellers around the country, with technical support available from the company’s offices.

“Whether it’s a curly new build for specialist application or an older Duratorque axle needing a re-rubber, Trojan has you covered,” says Darryl.

For more information see trojan.co.nz.

Some batteries may not have lasted the winter, in which case the comprehensive range of marine batteries from ACDelco make a suitable replacement. ACDelco marine batteries are specifically designed to deliver reliable starting power and performance while withstanding the harsh effects of vibration.

The ACDelco M-Series range has recently expanded to include three new and improved marine starting batteries. Developed specifically for marine starting applications, the new range offers increased durability and power even during the toughest conditions.

The ACDelco M31SMF1000 battery is a high-capacity marine starting battery which offers increased output for the most demanding marine applications with a rating of 1000CCA. The ACDelco M24SMF680 battery is another high-performance marine starting battery with increased output compared to the current ACDelco M24SMF600 battery. The third addition to the ACDelco range is the M27SMF780, a more powerful version of the M27SMF750 battery.

In addition to increased cold cranking amps, enhanced durability, and vibration resistance, all batteries in the M-Series range come with a variety of other features. They have large intercell connectors which increase reliability and cranking performance, increased capacity and dual terminals, with stainless steel studs and SAE posts. These batteries are maintenance-free which means topping up with water is not required for the lifetime of the battery. The integrated handle allows for comfortable handing and easy portability.

ACDelco HCM Series batteries are designed for use in demanding marine applications as well as other recreational applications such as RVs and SUVs. The comprehensive range powers satellite navigation devices, fridges, communication devices, and other accessories on board that place continuous strain on marine batteries. They are built with lead calcium positive and negative grids, which increase durability, and are braced internally to cope with high vibration environments. The HCM grids are thicker and contain more active paste material than starting batteries to handle additional cycling requirements. One of the key features of the ACDelco HCM marine battery is its hybrid characteristic which enables it to serve as a dual-purpose battery where both starting and cycling are needed.

ACDelco has a proven track record for performance over the past 100 years. ACDelco batteries are known globally for quality, reliability, and performance. They are laboratory tested, field proven, and backed by automotive giant General Motors.

ACDelco batteries are exclusively distributed by R&J Batteries in New Zealand. R&J Batteries is one of the fastest growing battery distributors in the Australasian region with branches in Wiri, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Albany in New Zealand, as well as 23 branches in Australia. Visit your local R&J Batteries branch to find the complete range of ACDelco marine batteries. For more information on ACDelco marine batteries, visit rjbatt.co.nz, or call 0800 546 000.

9 Maintenance Free Design 9 Durable expanded lead calcium alloy positive and negative grids 9 Lock bonded cells for high vibration resistance 9 Heavy Duty Deep Cycle range also available

Emco’s main business is supplying top-quality fluid handling systems and equipment, however the proven efficiency from the modern practice of installing piped supplies to each work bay has focused Emco’s attention on planning for those services from the outset.

Emco managing director James Driscoll says that even an experienced workshop owner working with an architect can overlook some aspects of providing for fluid or air services in a new workshop.

James says that can lead to having to install an additional bank of reels costing thousands of dollars, an expense that could have been avoided easily by getting the right input at the planning stage.

James has seen hoists installed and then moved because there was no room left for services, or too little provision for head room, and he has seen the layout of even new workshops changed to make proper provision for oil, coolant, water, and air lines.

“It really pays to get in early with the planner to look through the ergonomics of how workshops work. It can save a lot of money downstream,” says James. “We are in the fortunate position of having seen hundreds of workshops up and down the country and overseas, and that experience counts.”

Environmental factors can also play a part. He cited the example of a workshop that planned to run pipework on the outside of a building in a location that might have proved tempting to thieves. Another wanted to locate a compressor outside until James mentioned the level of soundproofing required to get compliance with residential housing nearby.

He has also seen plans for a neatly tucked away bulk storage tank — however it did not have proper access or turning room for the large tanker vehicles that would supply it. Another set of plans had specified pipework that didn’t have the necessary pressure rating.

Ideally, as is usually the case with the installations he is most proud of, James, or members of the Emco team, will go over the plans with the owner or architect, or do a walk around the site. The earlier in the process the better, says James.

“Some architects are great but some might be doing this for the first time,” he says. “Even the chance to have a cup of coffee with the architect could be all it takes to avoid problems later.”

To discuss all your fluid handling needs — and especially to discuss the proposed layout of a new or upgraded workshop — contact Emco on 07 850 5240.

EMCO offers an extensive range of premium reticulation products with the highest levels of functionality and design, from quality manufacturers across the globe.

Our team of determined problem-solvers are passionate about quality, service and doing what’s right for you. EMCO products and installations solve even the most technical of reticulation challenges.