6 minute read
WELLS HAS STAYING POWER - AND SO DO ITS PEOPLE
Established in 1984 as Wells Instrument and Electrical, offering electrical, instrumentation and automation installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
The company has evolved over 40 years into revenue metering and field services, with proven leadership in field service technology and innovation, gaining a huge depth of experience with contracts that range from modest to multimillion-dollar budgets.
Wells is also now known for meeting the unique and specialised needs of the energy sector, with their in-house engineering team that provide input on technology projects and developments across Wells.
Co-founder and Executive Director Graham Wells, the quiet force behind the company’s success, says the business has been involved in many significant projects over the years – more about those later.
“It’s not just about what we’ve done but how we’ve contributed to improving people’s lives and encouraging them to progress. Many have stayed, while others have found their wings and gone on to fly elsewhere”.
The focus on people, has been a dedication to Health, Safety and Wellbeing as well as customer service, which has helped set Wells apart – and that’s a theme echoed by many in the company of 420 staff and 20 apprentices nationwide along with a number of sub-contractors.
While always modest, Graham is particularly proud of the opportunities Wells provides for personal and professional growth.
One example is a story about Eli Waikawa, who joined the company after facing significant personal challenges.
With the support and encouragement of Graham and his team, Eli went on to win the Engineering Taranaki Consortium’s Apprentice of the Year award – not just for being the best electrical apprentice but as the best engineering apprentice in the region.
“Seeing people like Eli succeed is what it’s all about,” says Graham.
Steve Waite, who has been overseeing Wells’ financials for nearly 40 years, agrees.
He’s watched the company grow from a small operation into a nationwide leader, driven by values like integrity, professionalism, and a dedication to quality.
“Wells is committed to providing solutions, not just selling services,” says Steve, a chartered accountant at BDO.
“This focus on genuine customer service has attracted and retained both clients and talented employees who share the company’s values.”
Justin Peterson, the CEO of Wells, also highlights the company’s strong focus on people along with its diverse operations, covering industrial, commercial, domestic and electricity markets.
“Our people are the heartbeat of our business, you know,” says Justin, explaining the crucial role the team plays in Wells’ success.
Among these, is metering. “At the moment, it’s supporting a good portion of the business, which is especially important during times of economic downturn.”
Justin emphasises the importance of this diversification, and others, allows us to be sustainable during challenging times.
Innovative solutions are part of our ethos to support the company deliver services, always with health and safety in mind.
The most significant offering is Con-X, a mobile workflow tool that coordinates meter installations and field work for our electrical teams.
Con-X assists the team to manage site safety, scheduling, client interaction, and customer service while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
“We know, hand on heart, that we are giving our clients real time information to provide them with confidence that we are managing safety and quality to a high standard,” he says.
Justin says that while other tools exist, none match the flexibility for defining work process along with integration of regulatory standards. Wells is now exploring the market potential of Con-X, both domestically and internationally. The company is always looking for new opportunities, so it can pivot quickly in response to market needs.
That’s how and why it has entered the electric vehicle charging market.
“We don’t have a heavy governance board structure, this enables us the ability to move on things quickly where opportunities arise,” he says.
Innovation is a driving force for Leith Robertson, who has been with Wells since 1996.
As the Engineering Manager, Leith has been involved in a range of inventive and creative projects, from refurbishing Len Lye sculptures to developing underwater cameras for the South Taranaki Underwater Project.
“The rebuild of the light inside the Wind Wand was particularly rewarding,” he says.
Leith has also ventured into the world of craft distilling, where he developed the control systems for Juno Gin’s distillery.
“These creative projects keep things interesting,” he says.
“It’s having those opportunities every now and again to let your creative skills go wild that makes the difference.”
When Metering services Planning and Performance Manager Craig Simpson started at Wells he was only going to stay six months.
That was 26 years ago.
Craig says the company’s culture and the opportunities on offer inspired him to remain.
“I was looking for a short term job before joining the police force, and I saw an advert for meter reading in the paper, so I thought, yeah, that sounds good. So, I took it, and not long after that, I got promoted to team leader for the region.”
Craig quickly moved up from a meter reader to a management role, thanks to the support and recognition he received.
“Graham and the business gave me opportunities I don’t think I would have gotten elsewhere,” he says. “There’s still a lot of variety and challenges, which keeps the work interesting.”
For Mark Benson, who has been with Wells for about 20 years, the company’s openness to new ideas and technologies have inspired his long tenure.
He too started as a meter reader and worked his way up to become the National Operations Manager for Meter Reading.
Mark praises the company’s willingness to invest in its people and provide opportunities for professional development.
“It’s not always about the qualifications you have; it’s about showing initiative and doing the best you can,” says Mark. “Wells recognises that and gives people opportunities to grow.”
Wells is also a company that supports communities – in Taranaki and beyond.
Graham Wells reflects on a couple of projects that have been highlights.
One was in 1998 when the company installed the initial floodlighting at New Plymouth’s Yarrow Stadium ready for the first Super Rugby night game in the province.
That effort won Wells the Electrical contracting Association National Safepower Supreme Excellence Award for its successful completion within an incredibly tight deadline.
One of the big projects Wells has been involved in over the past couple of years is the restoration project at Pan Pac Forest Products in Napier.
During Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, the Whirinaki site of the pine products company was left submerged in flood waters, causing hundreds of millions in damage.
While Wells didn’t join the recovery operation until July that year, it played a crucial role in undertaking extensive electrical and instrumentation work to help bring the plant back to production. Initially, the company was asked to supply 15 to 20 tradespeople, but due to Wells’ effective response and adaptability, this number quickly grew to 75, making Wells the largest electrical contractor on site.
“We were just part of those projects,” says Graham, always humble.
Contact 0800 4 WELLS
