Business north december issue

December 2013

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House of the Year Awards 20-page liftout

Solid Energy viable - Japan bank Hugh de Lacy Solid Energy’s underlying business model is as valid now as it was before the company hit the wall in February this year owing $370 million to a consortium of six banks, one of them, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, told the Auckland High Court last month.

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi is one of the state-owned collier’s two biggest creditors and the only non-Australasian one.

Both it and the Bank of New Zealand are owed about $80.1m each, Taranaki Savings Bank $68.8m, Westpac $55.6m, ASB $45.1m and ANZ $40.1m.

Tokyo is the only hold-out against the Government’s recovery plan for Solid Energy which

involves the banks swapping $75 million of their debt in exchange for redeemable preference shares whose chances of redemption at this stage look remote.

For its part, the Government will buy another $25m of preference shares and provide the company with a $130m secured credit line.

But the Bank of Tokyo told the court that Solid Energy’s crisis was a cash-flow problem rather than balance-sheet insolvency, and that it will not have a lasting impact on the company’s medium to long-term viability and profitability.

Accordingly the Government, as sole shareholder, should be funding the recovery instead of forcing the banks to take virtually worthless shares in exchange for debt.

Jim Farmer QC., acting for the bank, told the court that far from being cash-strapped and in

terminal decline as suggested by a KordaMentha report to the Government, Solid Energy’s most recent accounts showed positive equity of nearly $92m for the 12 months to June this year.

Farmer described the Government’s insistence on its proposed deal as “High Noon stuff,” and said the bank wanted the Government to return to the negotiating table.

The bank believed the Government, as sole shareholder, should fund the company’s recovery, and was confident that over time it would get back the money it has invested in it.

The Government’s proposal requires 75% support from the creditor banks, and Tokyo warns that implementing the deal will cause trade problems between New Zealand and Japan.

Solid Energy is sitting on valuable resources of scarce high-grade coking coal, an essential

ingredient in the global steel-making industry, which itself is on the cusp of expansion as the world emerges from the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

Exported coking coal comprises half of Solid Energy’s four million tonne annual production – the rest is thermal coal for domestic industries – and is presently worth about $US140/tonne compared to $US290/t before the GFC. Even at that level Solid Energy is profitable, Tokyo says, and any rise in steelmakers’ demands for coking coal will make it more so.

The bank’s argument implies that the Government has written Solid Energy off in the face of the Labour and Green Parties’ opposition to coal-mining on environmental grounds, even though the company is capable of working through its difficulties over time.

Movement in Auckland office market Chris Hutching Several large commercial property deals have been settled in Auckland over the past couple of weeks.

CBRE broker Warren Hutt has concluded the sale of 280 Queen St, Auckland to Singaporean interests for $51 million on an 8.5% yield, reflecting some underwriting by the vendor to account for a vacant floor.

The vendor of the 15-level building was Hamburg pension fund Real Estate Neuseeland Gmbh & Co Kg, which has other office investments in central Auckland. The fund bought the 1970’s building in 2007 for $51.5m after it had been refurbished. It has a new building code seismic rating of 133%.

Mr Hut says Asian buyers are emerging again after an absence of several years following the 2008 financial crash.

The deal comes hard on the heels of the recent $92m purchase by NZX-listed Goodman property Trust of the new Fonterra headquarters under construction on Fanshawe St, Auckland opposite Victoria Park. At the same time, 203 Queen St, Auckland is also under contract to Asian buyers after a marketing campaign by John Binnings of Jones Lang LaSalle.

However, the biggest deal of the year was the acquisition by NZX-listed Precinct Properties of HSBC Hse at 1 Queen St for $103m in March.

INSIDE

Showing off the strength of steel...

Exposed external steelwork is a feature of the new Manukau Insititute of Technology (MIT) tertiary campus and Transport Interchange building in Auckland. The five-storey building is scheduled for completion next year.

Designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects, the exposed steel diagrid structure is a key structural element - providing bracing to the building

Lifting the lid on Pike River PAGE 2

Celebrating the best in joinery - PAGE 3

and supporting the floors - as well as an architectural feature. Steel Construction New Zealand says the MIT building is further indication of the increasing use of new steel techniques in commercial construction.

SCNZ is is finalising plans for the establishment of an accreditation scheme for New Zealand’s structural steel fabricators. Story - page 5.

Steel scheme in the pipeline - PAGE 5

www.waterfordpress.co.nz

December 2013

www.waterfordpress.co.nz

2

NEWS »

Business North / December 2013

House of the Year Awards 20-page liftout

Solid Energy viable - Japan bank Hugh de Lacy Solid Energy’s underlying business model is as valid now as it was before the company hit the wall in February this year owing $370 million to a consortium of six banks, one of them, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, told the Auckland High Court last month.

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi is one of the state-owned collier’s two biggest creditors and the only non-Australasian one.

Both it and the Bank of New Zealand are owed about $80.1m each, Taranaki Savings Bank $68.8m, Westpac $55.6m, ASB $45.1m and ANZ $40.1m.

Tokyo is the only hold-out against the Government’s recovery plan for Solid Energy which

involves the banks swapping $75 million of their debt in exchange for redeemable preference shares whose chances of redemption at this stage look remote.

For its part, the Government will buy another $25m of preference shares and provide the company with a $130m secured credit line.

But the Bank of Tokyo told the court that Solid Energy’s crisis was a cash-flow problem rather than balance-sheet insolvency, and that it will not have a lasting impact on the company’s medium to long-term viability and profitability.

Accordingly the Government, as sole shareholder, should be funding the recovery instead of forcing the banks to take virtually worthless shares in exchange for debt.

Jim Farmer QC., acting for the bank, told the court that far from being cash-strapped and in

terminal decline as suggested by a KordaMentha report to the Government, Solid Energy’s most recent accounts showed positive equity of nearly $92m for the 12 months to June this year.

Farmer described the Government’s insistence on its proposed deal as “High Noon stuff,” and said the bank wanted the Government to return to the negotiating table.

The bank believed the Government, as sole shareholder, should fund the company’s recovery, and was confident that over time it would get back the money it has invested in it.

The Government’s proposal requires 75% support from the creditor banks, and Tokyo warns that implementing the deal will cause trade problems between New Zealand and Japan.

Solid Energy is sitting on valuable resources of scarce high-grade coking coal, an essential

ingredient in the global steel-making industry, which itself is on the cusp of expansion as the world emerges from the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

Exported coking coal comprises half of Solid Energy’s four million tonne annual production – the rest is thermal coal for domestic industries – and is presently worth about $US140/tonne compared to $US290/t before the GFC. Even at that level Solid Energy is profitable, Tokyo says, and any rise in steelmakers’ demands for coking coal will make it more so.

The bank’s argument implies that the Government has written Solid Energy off in the face of the Labour and Green Parties’ opposition to coal-mining on environmental grounds, even though the company is capable of working through its difficulties over time.

Movement in Auckland office market Chris Hutching Several large commercial property deals have been settled in Auckland over the past couple of weeks.

CBRE broker Warren Hutt has concluded the sale of 280 Queen St, Auckland to Singaporean interests for $51 million on an 8.5% yield, reflecting some underwriting by the vendor to account for a vacant floor.

The vendor of the 15-level building was Hamburg pension fund Real Estate Neuseeland Gmbh & Co Kg, which has other office investments in central Auckland. The fund bought the 1970’s building in 2007 for $51.5m after it had been refurbished. It has a new building code seismic rating of 133%.

Mr Hut says Asian buyers are emerging again after an absence of several years following the 2008 financial crash.

The deal comes hard on the heels of the recent $92m purchase by NZX-listed Goodman property Trust of the new Fonterra headquarters under construction on Fanshawe St, Auckland opposite Victoria Park. At the same time, 203 Queen St, Auckland is also under contract to Asian buyers after a marketing campaign by John Binnings of Jones Lang LaSalle.

However, the biggest deal of the year was the acquisition by NZX-listed Precinct Properties of HSBC Hse at 1 Queen St for $103m in March.

INSIDE

Showing off the strength of steel...

Exposed external steelwork is a feature of the new Manukau Insititute of Technology (MIT) tertiary campus and Transport Interchange building in Auckland. The five-storey building is scheduled for completion next year. Designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects, the exposed steel diagrid structure is a key structural element - providing bracing to the building and supporting the floors - as well as an architectural feature. Steel Construction New Zealand says the MIT building is further indication of the increasing use of new steel techniques in commercial construction. SCNZ is is finalising plans for the establishment of an accreditation scheme for New Zealand’s structural steel fabricators. Story - page 5.

Lifting the lid on Pike River PAGE 2

NZOG shareholders block payment - PAGE 2

The best in NZ joinery - PAGE 3

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Business North welcomes contributions from freelance writers & journalists. All articles published at editors discretion. Business North accepts no responsibilty for loss of photos or manuscripts.

Lifting the lid on Pike River It was hard to comprehend

Jo Bailey Award winning journalist Rebecca Macfie admits to a few nerves around the release of her book Tragedy at Pike River Mine: how and why 29 men died.

“The pool of grief is very large on the West Coast, not only for the families but all the guys who worked at the mine. I sense every time the scab is taken off the Pike story it creates a renewed round of pain and grief for these people.”

Macfie says the book, her first, is the best work of her long, successful career.

However the Christchurch writer adds that researching and writing it is one of the hardest things she’s ever done.

“It was the sort of experience you might have only once in a lifetime – interesting, moving, harrowing, and at the same time utterly enraging,” she said in a recent media release. “This was a disaster that should never have happened.”

Macfie took leave without pay from her job as senior feature writer at the New Zealand Listener to write Tragedy at Pike River Mine, in the “window” between the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the disaster, and the trial of former mine boss Peter Whittall, which will commence in early 2014.

Her involvement with Pike goes back to the days immediately following the first explosion at the mine on 19 November 2010, when she was one of the Listener journalists covering the story.

From early on, Macfie was convinced a shocking corporate failure, rather than an accident, had caused New Zealand’s worst mine disaster in over a century.

“The issue that jumped out at me in those first couple of day’s research was the company’s description of the mine having a low to moderate gas seam which made methane gas risk relatively easy to manage. When I started digging around this was obviously not the case. I refused to use the word accident in connection with Pike.”

Macfie wrote several stories about the disaster after that first “terrible week” and says by the beginning of 2011 her feelings of unease remained.

Convinced that corporate failure, combined with regulatory failure, were responsible for the disaster, and concerned about whether the imminent Royal Commission of Inquiry would go far enough, Macfie decamped to the West Coast for a week, to see what she could dig up.

“People were pretty reserved at that point as no one wanted to jeopardise the Royal Commission by speaking with me.

how a company could fail so comprehensively on so many fronts.”

Rebecca Macfie

Photo: Jane Ussher

“However I presumptuously asked some of the questions I thought the Royal Commission would cover and managed to get hold of some details about the production bonus scheme at Pike River that hadn’t come out before. It was one of those clues that I thought would be highly relevant.”

She was also told about unreliable machinery, morale issues, and power outages at Pike River, which featured in her story in The Listener in early February.

Soon after this story came out, Macfie was approached by Mary Varnham, director of Awa Press, who asked whether she would be interested in writing a book about the disaster.

“We agreed to speak on the phone at 12.30pm on 22 February 2011. I was still talking to Mary when the earthquake hit.”

Macfie’s home in St Martins was only a kilometre from the epicentre of the February quake which left it in “ruins and chaos”.

The book idea was put on hold while Macfie dealt with her own disaster zone.

In the second half of a “harrowing” 2011, her attention returned to Pike River and the Royal Commission. She sat through most of the hearings in Greymouth and provided online reports for the Listener. “I was confident my early instincts about Pike River Coal would be proved right by the Royal Commission, but couldn’t have imagined to what staggering degree.

“Some days I would think, the hearing might be a bit dry today, and we’d get another bombshell. It was hard to comprehend how a company could fail so comprehensively on so many fronts.”

Macfie felt for the shattered families who endured the “intense, tragic” hearings.

“After going through the earthquakes I definitely had a heightened sense of empathy for the Pike families.”

It wasn’t until August 2012 that Macfie finally decided to sign a contract with Awa Press to write the Pike River book.

She was determined not to push the families to talk. “I went along to a meeting of the families at the beginning of this year to explain the book project and left it open to them. I didn’t approach anyone unless they had made it clear they wanted to be involved.”

Macfie interviewed more than 100 people during her research, including miners, company management, geologists, contractors, Mines Rescue workers, and family members.

“I had fantastic support from a lot of people, particularly Gerry Morris, a West Coaster and former mining journalist who is a great advocate for the book and was my interpreter of the Coast; and former mines inspector Harry Bell, who I could ring with any dumb mining question. He also picked me up on all the tiny technical stuff for the book.

“Coal mining is a terribly technical business, and the guys who do it are smart, clever men with enormous specialist knowledge. I have a lot of admiration for them.”

However Macfie is scathing of the Pike River directors, all of whom, apart from John Dow and Stuart Nattrass, refused to talk in the wake of the disaster.

“For directors to occupy a position where ultimately their job is to manage the risks of an operation, then walk away and say nothing when disaster happens, is not okay.”

Tragedy at Pike River Mine: How and why 29 men died, by Rebecca Macfie (Awa Press) was published last month.

Airport manager on the move Aggressive rates Chris Hutching General property manager at NZX-listed Auckland International Airport, Peter Alexander, is moving to take up the chief executive role at DNZ Property.

After five years, Alexander says he is proud of helping initiate more than $280 million of developments.

Ventures he has overseen include a public park area featuring an outdoor gallery of notable local art works which opened in September; cycleways; a mountain bike trail opened this week; a children’s playground and playing fields; a second 24ha public park; development of the airport’s business centre to attract more commercial activity; expansion of the airport’s shopping centre; and a landscaping project to transform the airport’s northern gateway along George Bolt Memorial Drive.

In recent years all New Zealand airports have embraced major development initiatives and revenue from property activities and car parking has overtaken income from aeronautical activities.

Alexander says many commercial developments are now focused around Auckland airport employing around 12,000 people. This is because there is so much more air travel and high value goods now being moved by air freight.

Auckland airport has become more critical to the regional economy and has attracted more

infrastructure such as the second Mangere Bridge which has created more opportunities, he says.

Air travel has continued to grow in spite of 9/11, the SARS epidemic, the global financial crash, and video conferencing that were all predicted to hit air travel.

Alexander says they have all helped accelerate it, including Facebook and LinkedIn services because interactions nearly often end up in face to face meetings.

He also points to the growth of middle classes with money to spend, and one of the first things they want to do is travel.

The focus in future will be on more efficient aircraft as a response to energy concerns, he says.

He says the airport has become a place to do business with people using the Novotel and Ibis hotels as meeting destinations, as well as the open spaces for lunchtime meetings.

The company is developing new collaborative office spaces at The Quad precinct which includes a shared working space on Leonard Isitt Drive that can be used as meeting, training and executive briefing centres.

Longer term, Auckland Airport has $2.4 billion plans at the concept stage for new terminals, train terminal, and other hotel, retail and business facilities.

Alexander will move to DNZ in a couple of weeks.

rise anticipated

UBS economists are warning that the Reserve Bank may be forced to hike interest rates more aggressively.

“The New Zealand housing market is still booming, despite the introduction of property cooling measures (tighter loan to value ratios).”

House prices nationwide rose 1.9% month on month and 7.2% in the year to October .

“That’s not a good sign and, if cooling measures ultimately fail, the Reserve Bank may be forced to hike interest rates more aggressively.

UBS expects a rapid-fire round of hikes to begin in March and says it would likely be enough to weigh further on the strength of the currency vis a vis Australia”.

“But the RBNZ can afford to reserve judgement for now. After all, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand notes that it may take a few months more for the new restrictions to affect house prices.

“There are some encouraging signs elsewhere too, suggesting the measures are starting to have some impact.

“The number of houses sold in October for example is down about 4.1% on a seasonallyadjusted basis.

“Already there has been a noticeable 7% decline in mortgage approvals too.”

NEWS » 2013 NZ Master Joiners Awards

Business North / December 2013

3

A celebration of industry excellence Karen Phelps The 2013 Master Joiners Awards attracted a record number of entries and showcased the high levels of skills, knowledge and innovation the joinery trade offers, says New Zealand Joinery Manufacturers' Federation executive officer Corinne Moore.

“The competition has shown that winners can come from all sized projects, from those with an endless supply of money to those of very modest means,” she says.

The aim of the awards is to promote excellence in joinery design and craftsmanship, to encourage the use of sustainable timbers, and to showcase the finest work from the industry.

Judging criteria includes design, workmanship, innovative use of materials, complexity of project and visual appeal.

This year best regional awards went to Papakura Joinery (Auckland), Beaver Kitchens, Whakatane (Waikato / Bay Of Plenty), Rabbitte Joinery, Havelock North (Hawke’s Bay/Poverty Bay), H R Jones & Co, Feilding (Central), New Plymouth Joinery (Taranaki), Pete’s Joinery, Greytown (Wellington), Modern Age Kitchens & Joinery, Christchurch (Canterbury) and Firman Joinery, Oamaru (Waitaki).

The supreme award went to Jim Irvine from Papakura Joinery, Auckland who also won the Best Speciality, Stairs, Bar/Counter, Fitment award.

Other winners included Mark Bruce, Beaver Kitchens, Whakatane (Best Use of Imported Timber and Best Kitchen Design), Rob Pickup, Total Timba Joinery, Auckland (Best Door or Window), Carl Riley, Wackrow’s Joinery, Cambridge (Best Kitchen and Best Use of Colour), Bryce Carmichael, Hostess Kitchens, Hamilton (Best Use of Creative Lighting), Kerrie Buyn, Hostess Kitchens, Hamilton (Best Kitchen under $15,000), Adam McNeil, Designline Interiors, Whakatane (Best Kitchen $15,000 to $30,000).

Also announced were the winners in the Master Joiners Apprentice Awards competition.

This competition is open to all joinery apprentices in New Zealand who can present a project with a minimum of 80% completed entirely by the apprentice.

Joshua Ellery from Terra Firma Joinery in Opononi was a clear winner taking out the Best Timber Project 4001 – 8000 hours, Highest Judged for Workmanship and Skill and the People’s Choice 4001 – 8000 hours awards.

Other winners were Jonathon Browne from HR Jones & Co, Feilding who won the Best Fitment 4001 – 8000 hours and Peter Leith from Leith Joinery, Dunedin, who was awarded the Gordon Caulfield Memorial Trophy for the employer of the apprentice with the highest scoring points in the 4001 – 8000 Hours category, who is a member of Master Joiners.

The NZ Joinery Manufacturers’ Federation is made up of joiners living and working throughout

New product?

Our readers want to know!

CONTACT US TODAY ON 03 983 5514

The Master Joiners Awards promote excellence in joinery design and craftsmanship and encourage the use of sustainable timbers.

New Zealand. The Federation encourages competition and the pursuit of excellence between and from its members, their employees and apprentices.

Moore says the awards are just one of the benefits of being a member of the Federation.

“The interaction and sharing of information with fellow joiners is invaluable, with particular regard to customers and suppliers.

“As Master Joiners is the recognised national joinery industry body membership bestows credibility with potential customers,” she says.

Another key benefit is that membership of Master Joiners entitles the member to become an affiliated member of JMF New Zealand Limited to obtain the Compliant Timber Joinery manual and compliance tags to ensure compliance of NZS:4211.

“The demand for compliant timber joinery is growing, with architects and regulatory authorities now regularly demanding same and it will become mandatory.”

NZ Joinery Manufacturers’ Federation

AWARDS

06 844 9954

- Best Door or Window Award

2013: 2012:

www.masterjoiners.co.nz

Creating spaces people love • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Laundries • Wardrobes • Shopfittings Custom build and design kitchens and other interior fittings.

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21 Gateway drive, Whakatane www.designlineinteriors.co.nz

- Best Auckland Region Award - Best Use of Imported Timber

• External timber joinery for the renovation market • Customised entry doors & internal doors • Shutters - fixed & adjustable • Specific joinery requests

2011: - Supreme Award - Best Auckland Region Award - Best Door or Window Award - Best Use of Imported Timber

Ph 09 444 7772 Fax 09 444 4498 227 Archers Road, Glenfield | PO Box 101 153, NSMC www.totaltimba.co.nz

2010: - Best Auckland Region Award - Best Door or Window Award - Best Use of Imported Timber

Designing & Crafting Superb Wooden Joinery & Cabinetry Since 1973

WHEN QUALITY MATTERS

• Design and manufacture of custom made kitchen & bathroom cabinetry • Specialists in expertly crafted exterior timber joinery Gillies Street, Carters Flat, Cambridge Ph 07 827 5981 • Fax 07 827 9159 info@wackrows.co.nz Winners of the NZ Master Joiner Awards 2013 “Best Kitchen” & “Best Use of Colour”

www.wackrows.co.nz

4

CONSTRUCTION » Wellington Scaffolding Services

Business North / December 2013

Firm ready to cope with “perfect storm” Sue Russell “Like a perfect storm,” is the way Managing Director of Wellington Scaffolding Services Ltd, Chris Warren, describes the environment the industry is currently enjoying.

With work coming out of the Christchurch rebuild, coupled with the Auckland boom, the Wellington earthquake strengthening and the heightened health and safety standards from the Department of Labour he has come into the industry at a time which promises exponential growth. For that to be achieved a measured, structured and sustainable growth strategy is what Warren says scaffolding companies need to adopt.

“When we took over the company 18 months ago it soon became apparent there were important capacity-building matters to attend to. Improving systems and realising the vision of continual improvement was and still is the top priority in how Wellington Scaffolding operates,” says Chris.

At that time the company employed a dozen staff. He candidly points out it wasn’t long before he could discern those employees who were working responsibly and cared about the company and those who did not.

“Within weeks we lost a few. At times of change these things happen and it was a good thing because those that left were not in tune with the culture, professionalism and adherence to high standards that has become our benchmark.

“We now employ 25 great staff who all carry the aspiration to excel in quality of work done and to uphold health and safety as paramount.

“My brother Nick as our general manager, has been very passionate about developing our new organisational culture.”

Wellington Scaffolding uses top-line Layher Scaffolding systems, something Warren says is fundamental to securing the future in this competitive industry.

“Layher is obviously the Rolls Royce of scaffolding. There are much cheaper imitation systems coming out of Asia, but we believe it is important to use our capital expenditure wisely and partner with a product that has a proven track record of quality, safety and innovation.”

Getting the word “professionalism” into the way those in the industry approach their work is something Warren thinks important at an industrywide level.

“With the level of industry growth we are experiencing, people are at risk of getting too big too fast.

“Maintaining control over staff, health and safety, financial management and establishing a culture of continuous improvement is so important.”

Chris Warren says the company’s core business will always remain the high volume residential and small commercial work.

“We’re certainly not a company that only chases high-profile jobs attached to large construction projects. There’s a good mix.”

As far as he’s concerned, the quality of character and commitment to improving standards is what he’s looking for when employing new staff.

He says he would far rather have an unqualified man he can train to fit that culture than a fully qualified, unreliable employee.

The Monday morning ‘tool box’ meeting is an open forum where everyone is encouraged to talk about issues that may have popped up the previous week. Along with this, all staff are given a staff safety pack, written in plain ‘scaffolding speak’.

“We’ve gone through the health and safety pack twice in the last four months with each employee.

“We hand out written Health and Safety improvement notices when standards slip. I was the recipient of one the other day when I forgot to wear high-vis in the yard. It’s certainly not hierarchical in that sense and everyone is on board.”

All this work has been rewarded in lots of ways, including seeing some former staff return because they want to be part of a well-run, focused organisation.

“We audit ourselves constantly and we are fortunate to have had no major incident during our tenure,” he says. “This is something I’m tremendously proud of.”

Wellington Scaffolding 04 233 0593 www.wellingtonscaffolding.co.nz

Wellington Scaffolding Services works on a mix of commercial and residential projects.

Wellington Scaffolding

Services

• Internal, external, and mobile scaffolding • Covering Residential, Commercial and Industrial Projects • Stock the latest Layher scaffolding

Ph: 04 233 0593 | www.wellingtonscaffolding.co.nz Email: info@wellingtonscaffolding.co.nz | 5 Hoffs Place, Porirua 5022

Business North / December 2013

CONSTRUCTION » Steel Construction NZ

5

Scheme aims to lift bar on quality Karen Phelps Steel Construction New Zealand is finalising plans for the establishment of an accreditation scheme for New Zealand’s structural steel fabricators.

Based on the ISO system, the scheme will involve independently auditing members to prove compliance in various areas.

The scheme will include systems for materials as well as processes.

Ten companies are presently involved in a pilot scheme and one has already achieved ISO 3834 certification.

“The scheme aims to provide public and private sector procurers with certainty that the accredited fabricator meets international best-practice quality standards,” says manager of Steel Construction New Zealand Alistair Fussell.

“We’re living in a global economy and people have to have confidence when they choose materials and fabricators” Fussell says the new scheme will fit in well with the government’s recently introduced procurement principles, which came into effect from October 1.

“In the past government policy was lowest upfront cost to the tax payer.

“Now they are looking the wider implications – social, environmental and economic – of purchasing decisions. It’s about good value for the tax payer over the life of the structure.

“We’re certainly pleased about this because we believe that steel will stack up well against these new criteria.”

Fussell says the aim is to ensure that all the steel mills that supply the New Zealand market are third party certified.

At present two of the three main companies that supply hot rolled product to New Zealand have achieved this.

• To page 6

Steel Construction New Zealand is finalising plans for the establishment of an accreditation scheme for New Zealand’s structural steel fabricators.

Structural Steel Fabrication Specialists Proud to be a member and Supporter of

Steel Construction New Zealand.

P +649-2783366 F +649-2788595 www.grayson-eng.co.nz davidm@grayson-eng.co.nz

CONSTRUCTION » Steel Construction NZ

6

Business North / December 2013

Scheme aims to lift quality Concern over cheap imports • from page 5

“We are lifting the bar on quality because we think this is the difference between New Zealand and imported product,” says Fussell.

“The Christchurch earthquake has really demonstrated the importance of quality materials and workmanship.”

In order to help procurers evaluate the wholeof-life value of projects Steel Construction New Zealand, in partnership with the Heavy Engineering Research Association, commissioned economists BERL to develop a specific procurement tool for construction projects.

“Based on the new government procurement rules, the tool enables procurers to assess competing bids on a number of criteria, to which different weightings can be assigned: price, quality, whole-of-life costing, corporate responsibility and local content,” says Fussell.

He says that the industry has also been proactive on other fronts.

“Firstly, we continue to invest significantly in research, new technology and people, boosting production capability and driving down costs.

“We are more than able to meet the growing demand for structural steel nationally.

“Current industry capacity, with approximately 80 steel fabricators across New Zealand, is well in excess of 90,000 tonnes per year, still well below the peak 2008 production.”

The Christchurch earthquake has really demonstrated the importance of quality materials and workmanship.”

He says that Steel Construction New Zealand hopes the private sector will take note of the government’s shift in focus to achieving value for money over the life of its projects.

“Our most recent figures show that structural steel now has a market share in multi-level construction in Christchurch of around 60 per cent, up from virtually nil several years ago.

“While on the one hand this is positive recognition for steel as a material, particularly its recognised performance in seismic-prone areas, the growing demand from procurers for imported prefabricated steel is not good news for the New Zealand structural steel industry.

“Hopefully the government’s new focus on achieving value for money over the life of its projects will mean less imported prefabricated steel arrives on our shores.”

A rush of cheap imports into the Christchurch market will have a negative effect on the economy, especially when the New Zealand steel industry has the capacity to supply locally, believes Alistair Fussell, manager of Steel Construction New Zealand.

“The whole life of the building needs to be taken into consideration when making purchasing decisions. For example findings in 2009 from Berl concluded that every $1 million spent in domestic manufacturing activity in New Zealand (instead of imports) resulted in an additional $0.93 million in value added and 8.87 FTEs. “Over the past five years imports of fabricated steel into New Zealand have tripled – from 2008 to 2009 alone the value of imported steelwork increased by $43 million or more than 50%. The economic impact was the loss of more than 150 jobs in the steel construction sector.”

Fussell says that the New Zealand steel industry has the capacity to handle the rebuild.

Industry is currently operating at about 30% of the output it achieved at the 2008 peak.

“We believe the capacity of the industry has also increased significantly since then.

“Steel Construction New Zealand is currently surveying its members to determine the capacity of the industry.”

Fussell says another significant advantage of

Professional

local industry is that it already has the correct systems in place to ensure high quality steel is delivered that meets current New Zealand requirements.

“Certainly one of the difficulties faced by engineers using overseas products are quality issues and meeting local New Zealand certification requirements.

“Unless you have appropriate independent inspections undertaken in overseas factories by certified bodies it is very difficult to demonstrate compliance and meet New Zealand standards, which can cause delays.

“We are aware of several projects in New Zealand over recent years which used imported prefabricated steelwork that either failed to prove it meets AS/NZ standards or failed on-site testing and had to be removed and repaired or replaced altogether.

“We respect New Zealand’s overseas trade agreements but the concern with imported prefabricated steel is that it does not carry the same quality assurances as New Zealand-made steelwork.”

Fussell says that the local steel industry has invested a lot of money to be compliant and demonstrate greater visibility and traceability.

“We stand by our product and are accountable for our work.”

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8

CONSTRUCTION » Steel Construction NZ

Business North / December 2013

Survey points to increase in use of steel Karen Phelps The results of the latest Steel Construction New Zealand CBD survey show that steel accounts for around 60% by floor area of the new builds taking place in Christchurch. It’s a trend welcomed by the steel industry, which believes that steel has an important part to play in the rebuild.

“Christchurch was a concrete city due to its proximity to rivers providing plentiful aggregate but the earthquake proved a game changer,” says manager of Steel Construction New Zealand Alistair Fussell.

“Steel gives lighter more flexible structures rather than the rigid concrete constructions which Christchurch previously favoured.”

He says that steel has proven seismic performance and that most buildings in Christchurch based on steel construction came through relatively unscathed including the 12-storey HSBC Tower and the 22-storey Pacific Tower.

“HSBC came through with no requirement for structural repairs; the Pacific Towers sustained repairable damage to the seismic load resisting system and following repairs is now back in service.

“This demonstrates both the resilience and economic value of steel-framed buildings as any damaged components can simply be removed and replaced.

“This is not always possible with concrete, which, once cracked, is very difficult to repair economically.”

Steel is increasingly being used in commercial construction in New Zealand.

He says that due to Christchurch’s generally poor ground conditions steel will provide an economical alternative to concrete construction due to it being lighter weight and therefore requiring less intensive foundations to support it.

“Steel is around 30-40% lighter than concrete and has a good strength to weight ratio. Because steel is more flexible it doesn’t attract such large earthquake loads.”

He says a new generation of seismic loading systems have been developed, which can withstand major earthquakes and require no major postearthquake repair. Innovations include braces that yield under pressure and can easily be replaced and

steel frames that rock in an earthquake to dissipate energy.

Fussell says developers are now willing to invest more upfront in these types of systems. To date over $3 billion of steel building construction has been undertaken in New Zealand featuring lowdamage steel seismic load-resisting systems.

“As we have seen in Christchurch if there is an earthquake tenants can be out of buildings for months or years.

“If you invest in a better performing system upfront tenants can get back in the building quickly, which makes a huge difference to recovery and getting a return out of the asset.”

Another huge benefit of steel in the Christchurch rebuild, according to Fussell, is the fact steel arrives to site prefabricated meaning it can be made anywhere in the country.

Small rigging crews are needed to assemble it on site reducing the need for accommodation and labour, factors Christchurch will struggle with in the future, he says.

Steel Construction New Zealand 09 263 5635 www.scnz.org.nz

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standards and a test certificate for each length of steel is available. OneSteel product has complete traceability from production to site, allowing engineers and builders to have complete confidence in our entire range.

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10

TIMBER INDUSTRY » Forest Owner Marketing Services

Business North / December 2013

Firm’s forestry skills in demand In the past nine years Forest Owner Marketing Services (FOMS), a company offering harvesting and marketing services tailored to the individual needs of privately owned forestry clients has grown from strength to strength, something managing director Mike Bartells is not surprised about.

“With the range of services we provide business has grown significantly to the point where we now employ 11 full-time staff,” says Bartells.

“Last year we moved 540,000 tonnes of logs to domestic processing plants and through export ports.”

The company is highly experienced at creating log harvesting plans over challenging terrain and with the sort of experience Bartells

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Sue Russell

and his colleagues have they are in a unique position to manage all aspects of the harvesting and marketing process.

“We’re structured to take up responsibility for all parts of the operation,” says Bartells.

“From building roads, working out extraction plans, transportation, sourcing and negotiating prices with purchasers overseas and exporting logs through the ports which works well for many of our clients who don’t have these skills

and so want a reliable company to manage the harvesting on their behalf.”

FOMS is arguably New Zealand’s largest independent forestry harvesting and marketing service provider.

While the bulk of its work is focused in the central and southern North Island it’s business essentially can extend to anywhere in the country where trees are ready for felling given the extensive number of harvesting and cartage

Proud to support Forest Owners Marketing Services Ph: 06 870 6905 Mob: 027 442 3826 satheryleylogging@actrix.co.nz 315 Farndon Rd, RD2 Clive

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TIMBER INDUSTRY » Forest Owner Marketing Services

Business North / December 2013

Forest Owner Marketing Services is experienced at creating log harvesting plans over challenging terrain and can manage all aspects of the harvesting and marketing process.

contractors it uses and the skill set of the company’s staff.

Bartells says that a huge amount of work comes from referrals.

“Forest owners talk to each other and a job well done is often rewarded with more work coming our way.”

Before starting the company Bartells worked for Fletcher Challenge Forests.

When Fletchers imploded, he remembers a tough time following its decision to sell all their forests off resulting in 300 redundancies.

Along with co-founder Peter Gresham, who had been pivotal in establishing forestry syndicates covering some 2000 hectares around Wanganui at this time, the pair seized the opportunity to use their expertise and formed FOMS to work with private forest owners to maximise returns from their trees.

“Now we have about 35 logging crews working for us and 25 trucks working fulltime and 10 haulers, growth has been that significant.”

Bartells says a lot of wood coming on at this time is on steeper, more hazardous land.

Often the conversation with a prospective client begins with a walk out in the trees to gain a perspective of the nature of the work with the harvest planning and costings following on from there.

The company offers a range of marketing options so clients can make their own call on which harvesting and marketing option suits their individual needs.

Forest owners talk to each other and a job well done is often rewarded with more work coming our way.”

“With the Chinese economy growing at better than 7% per year our timber is increasingly seen as a good product; easily sawn and easily worked,” says Bartells.

FOMS exports from five ports through one export agent, The TPT Group, which is based in Tauranga and is the largest log exporter out of New Zealand.

Another boom in log production is just around the corner, some five years away when trees planted since 1993, after an earlier log price spike which saw renewed interest in planting of forests, come on stream.

Coupled with the enormous potential coming out of growth in China, due to reduced imports of logs to that country from Russia, the challenge Bartells says will be to watch and manage the process carefully.

Forest Owner Marketing Services 06 323 5621 www.foms.co.nz FOMS offers a comprehensive forestry service to its clients.

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11

12

TIMBER INDUSTRY » Juken NZ

Business North / December 2013

Japanese investment in NZ timber Sue Russell New Zealand based forestry and woodprocessing business Juken NZ Ltd has been committed to producing advanced products from wood for domestic and export consumers for more than 20 years.

Juken NZ Ltd is owned by Japanese parent company WoodOne Ltd which has invested more than $700 million into Juken NZ’s operation over the years.

This relationship has also been supported by a massive amount of product research and development.

The company has forests in Northland, on the East Coast and in Wairarapa, each with its own specialised milling operation.

All of the laminated and whole wood products the mills produce come from the stands of trees the company has planted using environmentally sustainable practices.

Juken NZ assistant manager of logistics and sales, Gordy Wilmshurst says while most of the company’s product is exported, it has also been developing markets in New Zealand.

“We have principally supplied raw products to Japan and throughout Asia,” says Wilmshurst.

“But what is exciting is that for the past three or four years we’ve been cementing relationships with major building supply company’s Bunnings NZ, Placemakers and Mitre 10.”

He says that Juken NZ’s brand awareness has increased measurably as the company has tapped into builder networking breakfasts and EXPO’s to show-case its products.

Juken NZ produces J-Frame machine stressgraded laminated veneer lumber framing, which has been independently appraised by BRANZ. The product offers an alternative to conventional sawn timber framing and by virtue

Juken NZ Ltd has forests in Northland, on the East Coast and in Wairarapa, each with its own specialised milling operation. of its engineering process, a straight and stable framing option.

“Competitive Homes uses J-Frames in its designs through its relationship with Bunnings and the product is also being used on The Block television series as well as in Skyline Garages.

“So from relatively small beginnings we are

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very pleased with how the product has come along,” Wilmshurst says.

The inherent strengths of the J-Frame system has made it an ideal product for the Christchurch rebuild where a significant number of builds are incorporating J-Frame technology.

Juken NZ Ltd is also looking at what is

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happening in North America where builders are increasingly using structured plywood for bracing.

One advantage Wilmshurst says is that buildings can be closed in much more quickly when a ply exterior is put on frames to stand them up.

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Business North / December 2013

TIMBER INDUSTRY » Juken NZ

Juken NZ produces J-Frame machine stress-graded laminated veneer lumber framing, which has been independently appraised by BRANZ. “Anything that gets a building closed in quickly proves its cost-effectiveness downstream in the building process.”

The company is always interested in hearing from potential employees keen to work with leading edge technologies in producing innovative wood products.

Wilmshurst says there is a raft of opportunities for those who are keen enough to take up the training Juken offers at a national level.

“We have 300 or so staff on the books here from moulder operators, quality assurance analysists, diesel mechanics who maintain the equipment, with 50-60% what I would call reasonably stable staff in terms of their years with the company.

“This is a key strength we have, our people and our culture of delivering top-quality consistently to the market.”

Wilmshurst says the promotion of a ‘safety culture’ is a constant focus for the company.

“The machinery we use is complex and has the ability to harm so we are constantly vigilant about the checks and balances that go into maintaining the safest possible work place.”

Juken NZ Ltd 06 370 0652 www.jnl.co.nz

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13

14

TIMBER INDUSTRY » Laminated Beams Ltd

Business North / December 2013

Commitment to quality brings results Sue Russell Grant and Leanne Paget have invested a lot of energy, attention and commitment to make their business the success it has become.

Laminated Beams had been in operation for over 21 years when the couple took it over six years ago.

Since then, their vision to produce the “highest quality, beautifully crafted” laminated beams and associated products, has seen them invest in the best plant and people to make that vision become a reality.

Leanne Paget describes Laminated Beams as “a little company that still do the big stuff”.

The couple acknowledge that their team are the backbone of the company and integral to its success. “The boys work so well as a team.

They have their eyes on the ball to product a quality end product,” she says.

Even during some pretty tough times, when a lot of competitors have arisen, the Paget’s have been stoic in their resolve to not allow standards to slip.

“We are not as automated as some others are. The boy’s are hands-on. They see the product through its processing stages and they feel an ownership in what they make.”

Laminated Beams specialises in making curved beams and its products have been used in some stunning buildings.

Projects have included the DC3 hanger at Mystery Creek and a recently completed project at the international cricket pavilion at Mt Maunganui’s Blake Park. It also produced all the exposed beams in Mt Maunganui’s Surf Clothing shop, Back Door. It also made the stunning curved poles that feature in Whakatane’s Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi.

Laminated Beams has also provided the beams for bridges for the Department of Conservation’s cycleways and walkway projects throughout the country and are just as competent in producing residential structures like pergolas, trusses and lintels.

Laminated Beams supplies both standard and made-to-order beams and other products which are sold through timber merchants nationwide.

Leanne Paget says they pride themselves on the quality of the glulam timber products, with stringent on-site testing - along with twice yearly external audits - ensuring that standards are being maintained to a high level.

“We have our own testing machine and we’re continuously assessing the strength of the glulam joints and finger jointing.

Laminated Beams specialises in making curved beams and its products have been used in some stunning buildings.

“There is a lot of testing and records kept of daily temperatures, glues used and moisture content in the timber.”

The core team along with Grant Paget and on-call tradesman form the nucleus working at the company’s Papamoa factory; supported

by Leanne in customer service and Jan in administration.

Leanne Paget says Grant is very precise and particular.

“He is always directly involved if an unusual or especially demanding order comes along.

Carrying a building background his connection with the industry spans back some 30 years in all.”

“We can produce any length beam up to 23 metres, and we work with all the native timber species.

“When we made the beams for the cricket club a special feature we enjoyed creating was an insert of Kwila into the big beams. It looked really stunning.”

It generally takes about three to five days to produce the end-product from order. In the last couple of years the Paget’s have observed a proliferation of laminated products.

Leanne puts this down to the fact that the end results are visually more pleasing from alternatives used.

“In terms of strength, a seismic quality, design of any shape, acoustic qualities, integrity and aesthetic appeal lamination offers a whole new way of approaching design.”

Something architects and designers are increasingly turning towards where quality counts.

Laminated Beams Ltd 07 542 4540 www.laminatedbeams.co.nz

Mamaku Sawmilling Co. proud to be providers of quality timber and service to Laminated Beams PO Box 346 Ngongotaha, New Zealand Fax 07 357 1028 Phone 07 357 1020

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WOOD AND SPECIALTY ADHESIVES Tel: +64 6 968 1800 Fax: +64 6 968 1873 149 Corbett Road, Private Bag 2055, Bell Block, New Plymouth 4312

Business North / December 2013

TIMBER INDUSTRY » Laminated Beams Ltd

15

Laminated Beams supplies both standard and made-to-order beams and other products which are sold through timber merchants nationwide.

New dimension in jointing Eric Paton has just released the EP6 4mm x 2.56 pitch finger joint knives, which have been specifically designed to give a stronger knife finger with little reduction in joint strength.

“The knife finger is 60% wider than a standard 1.6mm pitch knife,” says Eric Paton sales manager Gavin Davies.

“The radius ends have a push up area similar to a 1.6mm knife. Joints have been tested to meet structural strength.”

The new knives are ideal for normal jointing and especially rougher grades of timber, older finger jointer machines and horizontal finger jointers.

Davies says finger joint knives are a speciality of Eric Paton, which is the only New Zealand company manufacturing the product. The Eric Paton product gives customers the advantage of interchangeable knives – if one breaks it can simply be removed and replaced.

Finger joint knives are used by the timber industry for creating finger jointed timber. Eric Paton supplies finger joint knives to many New Zealand clients including Laminated Beams. Davies says there are many advantages for the company’s many New Zealand clients in using a local manufacturer.

“We can service product right here in New Zealand. That means if there is ever a problem we can get it sorted for our customers quickly reducing their downtime.”

Eric Paton was founded in 1947 and in addition to manufacturing its own range or woodcutters and heads also offers a precision engineering service.

Eric Paton’s engineering service is used primarily by industry in Auckland but does attract projects that demand exceptionally high levels of expertise and craftsmanship from throughout New Zealand. The company also offers a range of LPG and electric branding irons and branding heads.

Davies says that Eric Paton believes in constantly investing in new equipment.

As an example last year the company purchased an Amada Wasino Techster D3 CNC grinder, one of the latest grinders for finger joint cutters being used in New Zealand.

“It’s much more precise than the previous machine and has opened up new markets to us as we are able to complete jobs more quickly and accurately than ever before. For example to dress a new wheel used to take eight hours; now it takes 30 minutes.”

A major change in the company recently is the fact that is has been taken over by new owner Glenn Keane, who Davies says has given a new drive, particularly to push product into overseas markets.

“An engineer by trade, Keane has a sound understanding of the nuts and bolts of the business, which will make a big difference in driving the company forward into the future.”

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16

TIMBER INDUSTRY » Wainui Logging

Business North / December 2013

Howard enjoys a lifetime of logging Sue Russell “Once a logger always a logger” is the way Howard Skipps, owner/operator of Whakatanebased forestry contracting company Wainui Logging Ltd, describes his life and connection to the demanding industry he’s been proud be part of.

He started his career in forestry more than 30 years ago in Tokoroa.

Over that time Skipps has worked for five different forestry companies, Kinleith in Tokoroa, Fletchers and Core Contracting in the Bay of Plenty, Chinese-owned forestry company Huaguang working in Ruatoria and currently PF Olsens.

For the past six years his own company, Wainui Logging Ltd, has been settled in the Bay of Plenty.

The company operates a swing yarder hauler based in the Omaio Forestry block, designed to pull logs relatively short distances and through easy-going country as well as a skyline hauler, which operates in steeper, less accessible terrain in the Bay of Plenty’s Tuhoe Forestry block.

Skipps’ 22 staff are skilled at working within their own hauler crews, but some staff are more than capable of working both.

With this level of operating skill men can be mixed and matched to create the best possible outcomes for each crew. Work has been fairly steady for the last three years or so, providing a certainly he can budget on and plan around.

Skipps has come to really appreciate how important a good team culture is. Fostering it is one of the key roles he plays.

“With myself I have always enjoyed the challenge forestry has provided. I feel people that want to work in this industry need to be tough, both mentally and physically.

“Lately my experience with hiring men has seen these attributes harder to come by in young men. There’s definitely a change in that area,” Skipps says.

His two foremen he employs, both in their 20’s, might be considered relatively young to be given the responsibilities they have, Skipps says the situation is working very well.

Aaron Ashby is foreman of the Swing yarder crew while Ben Skipper looks after the Skyline crew based at Tuhoe.

He says their leadership qualities and work ethic made them obvious choices. Especially, Skipps says, because they’re thinking people who can read the play in the forest well.

“That’s what you need in a foreman in this technically challenging and demanding industry.”

For 30 odd years Skipps been ‘head down’ working in forestry and at this stage in his life,

Howard Skipps started his career in forestry more than 30 years ago in Tokoroa.

he’s come to realise the value in kicking back a little and doing a few things he hasn’t had the chance to do before, though he still maintains regular contact with the crews, catching up with them every day.

His five children, ranging in age from 22 to 35 years old, are involved in working with him one way or the other. Sons Nathan, Caleb and Wade and son-in-law Perry all work in the forest crews, while his daughter Leah manages the administration side. The family also run a couple of dry stock farms which his son-in-law Geoff manages and maintains.

Skipps has seen an increasing shift and responsibility toward high standards of health and safety in the forestry industry, something he sees as a good thing, even though it has meant a lot more paper-work required to meet audit and compliance standards.

“Getting people into the safe mind frame and working with a much more heightened awareness of safety protocols means the back

With myself I have always enjoyed the challenge forestry has provided. I feel people that want to work in this industry need to be tough, both mentally and physically.” seats of the trucks are full of paper work,” he says.

He puts great emphasis on multi-skilling of staff, not only because it means obvious gains in terms of flexibility but equally as a way to mitigate as much as possible work-place accidents.

“It is a hazard in itself if crew members get too used to doing the same thing for too long, as they become too complacent in their roles and start letting their guard down,” he says.

The company has been allocated 50,000 to 65,000 tonne of logs to extract per crew

each year, so there is plenty enough work to keep both teams busy. In both forests Wainui logging works in partnership relationships with local Iwi exist.

Skipps says this gives another positive dimension to the relationship his crews have to working there.

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Business North / December 2013

TIMBER INDUSTRY » Wainui Logging

17

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18

TIMBER / CONTRACTING » FICA / KCL Civil Construction

Business North / December 2013

Family firm mixes it up in Northland Karen Phelps

The move to harvesting machines is the “ultimate vision” for FICA and the forestry industry.

Trained workers the answer Jo Bailey The way media reports health and safety incidents in the forest industry is being questioned by the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA).

Chief executive John Stulen says a 51-yearold Southland freezing worker who died in August while assisting a friend to cut native logs on a rural property was incorrectly described as a forestry worker in media reports.

“It is tragic that a man has died while helping his mate on a farm but this accident has nothing to do with the forest industry,’ says Stulen.

“This type of media reporting is frustrating for forest industry leaders as it unfairly skews the sector’s health and safety record.”

Stulen says one of the biggest issues facing the industry is the fact there are two very different types of crew working in it.

The first are the “very professional and well resourced” forestry companies, who belong to a professional body like FICA and use only accredited trained workers.

“These companies avoid risks by having daily tailgate meetings and participating in regular health and safety meetings and workshops.”

Then there are the crews who come into forestry as a summertime activity, or people working in farm forestry, who between them contribute the highest number of accidents and fatalities, he says.

“Just because someone picks up a chainsaw or starts moving logs on their farm, it doesn’t make them a trained forestry worker.”

With the farm forestry harvest ramping up significantly in the next eight years, Stulen says a number of initiatives are being introduced to better educate people involved in this work.

“Within the next year ACC plans to launch a programme it has been working on with FICA and other industry groups that will communicate to farmers their obligations to hire professional people to carry out their farm forestry harvest and what the implications could be if they don’t and an accident, or worse a fatality, occurs on their property.”

Stulen says studies around five years ago highlighted that three felling and breaking out were the two forestry activities where an incident was most likely to occur.

Since then FICA, which represents around

60 percent of the forest harvesting industry, has worked “constantly” to improve safety in these areas through a range of initiatives.

These include regional network meetings, safety communications workshops, SafeStart breakfasts, and a programme called Growing a Safety Culture which teaches crews how to identify gaps in their own safety culture and provides resources to fill them.

FICA itself was established in 2002 to give a common voice to forestry contractors and to foster development and improvement in the industry.

It also offers members national buying discount schemes and lobbies on the industry’s behalf.

Stulen says the move to harvesting machines is the “ultimate vision” for FICA and the forestry industry, with a catchphrase of “no hand on the saw and no man on the hill” a strategy it is working on now.

An issue for the introduction of these machines to the New Zealand industry is the size of the logs being handled.

“The rest of the world cuts logs averaging around one tonne.

“However the average tree on a farm forest or our plantation forests is 2.4 tonnes given our rapid growth rates of good wood and the desire of forest owners to harvest bigger volumes.”

Stulen says the answer could be a steep slope harvester capable of handling 2.5 tonne logs that has been developed in Nelson.

“The shift away from chainsaws to tree harvesting machinery is starting to happen.

“In the last 18 months we’ve gone from one steep slope harvester felling machine for tree harvesting to four being operated in the industry which is pleasing.”

When it comes to extracting the logs, he says there is now a viable alternative to men “holing” the logs onto the yarders by hand.

“A mechanical grapple with a camera built in has been developed by at least three companies - led by a contractor in Nelson.

“This camera grapple is operated remotely which is a far safer harvesting method.

“It will take time to make the transition to machines and train people to operate them. But FICA is dedicated to help drive this change within the industry.”

It’s a family owned business that has been around for nearly two decades and is now a wellestablished part of the Northland community.

Based in Kaitaia, KCL Civil Construction has been involved in all aspects of civil construction and the earth-moving industry throughout Northland since it was formed in 1995.

The company is still owned and operated by the Garton family with company director Ken Garton overseeing the operation. Sons, Tim (operations manager) and Albert (project manager) complete the family team.

Ken has lived in Northland all his life so he has an intimate knowledge of local areas and soil types.

KCL has built a reputation for quality work by a proficient team driven by a desire to work efficiently with integrity.

The company completes a wide variety of work including road construction, subdivisions, seal repairs, lime/cement stabilisation, pile driving, house sites, tree work, slip repairs, farm work, dairy farm maintenance and capital works and long reach excavator work.

The current tightening of regulations around effluent disposal has seen KCL assisting many dairy farmers with upgrades of their effluent systems.

KCL holds design/build accreditation with DairyNZ, which ensures that New Zealand

dairy farmers have effluent systems that can achieve suitable solid separation systems and the necessary storage to make them compliant throughout the year.

Technology is at the forefront of everything that KCL does.

The company offers a wide range of late model plant and attachments which can be utilised in any project including the latest global positioning systems (GPS).

KCL use GPS in the design and build of all projects in order to give the exact cut and fill quantities and to ensure that the company can provide a precise quotation.

For example at present KCL is working on a farm development project and the GPS equipment has been utilised in the subdivision of large areas of land into numerous equal size paddocks as well as designing levels for drainage to provide optimum drainage over large areas.

Another piece of equipment that showcases the company’s commitment to providing the latest technology is a road mill, which is used for lime/ cement stabilisation.

The equipment has been used in many roading projects for Downer and Fulton Hogan as well as dairy races.

KCL Civil employs six staff and everyone brings extensive experience in the earth-moving and civil construction industry, both individually and as a team, on projects of all sizes.

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Business North / December 2013

TIMBER INDUSTRY » KCL Civil Construction

19

All staff are given continual site safety training in, safe machinery operation, general health and safety and public safety.

Respect for the environment is another key business driver.

An environmental management system is currently in place as well as being continually developed to the New Zealand standards.

KCL Civil Construction clients include farmers, developers, councils and home owners.

Some of the clients the company works for include, LandCorp, Far North District Council, Whangarei District Council and Northern Regional Council. KCL Civil Construction also subcontracts to Downer on roading projects.

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20

BUILDING » Landmark Homes - Bay of Plenty

Business North / December 2013

New showhome makes a statement Sue Russell Anna Zandstra, Landmark Homes Bay of Plenty’s manager is full of enthusiasm for the company’s latest showhome built in a tree shrouded and historically significant part of Tauranga.

The Kerehi showhome in Grace Road, near the site where the original hospital was located, is the first house to be built in the subdivision and Zandstra says it has definitely set the standard in the new subdivision.

“I am excited about this house, it’s special.

“The fabulous little loft space upstairs is a treasure and the location, nestled amongst 300plus year-old protected trees is nothing short of magic,” she says.

“Every room just seems to give. We call it the ‘house that keeps on giving’.”

During the build the company nicknamed the home ‘the tree house’ and the choice of a smoky grey colour outside tempered with crisp arctic white trims seems to suit its situation perfectly.

“Colour was always going to be really important given the location.

“We didn’t want it to stand out and detract from the environment at all.”

Kerehi, Maori for Grace seems a fitting name to call the three-bedroom plus study, two-bathroom two-storey home which has over 207sqm of living space.

“This home definitely has the wow factor. I can see how visitors react when they walk through the beautifully appointed spaces,” Zandstra says.

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The scullery kitchen has a stable door configuration at one end; a real design positive.

“It’s a point of difference and the fact that you can open the top only would work well if you have little children. This is definitely an inviting family home.”

The home exudes a relaxed yet sophisticated feel.

Living areas capture all day sun and with bifold doors leading off the lounge and dining areas there’s a real indoor/outdoor flow.

“The master suite was deliberately located on the ground floor, allowing one level living, leaving upstairs for family, visitors or children,” explains Zandstra.

Landmark Homes Bay of Plenty is the longest established Landmark Homes franchise in the country, but Zandstra says that although its history extends back some 37 years, in many ways the company feels brand new.

“It’s an exciting time to be with the company.

Owner, Dean comes from an extensive building industry background and is very proud to be

the Franchisee in the Bay of Plenty area and works alongside his team on a day to day basis overseeing the construction of our homes.”

The company has a variety of house plans, ranging from $350,000 built but will also build to clients individual specifications.

The Kerehi design starts at $460,000.

Landmark Homes Bay of Plenty’s expert consultants Karen Broadley, Glenn Halls and Jane Spearman are onsite at the Kerehi Showhome, 62A Grace Road, Tauranga each day between 11 am and 3pm.

“We’re very proud of this house. It reflects absolutely our design and build standards to a tee and I’m sure visitors will find the spaces both welcoming and captivating.”

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BUILDING » Landmark Homes - Bay of Plenty

Business North / December 2013

Kerehi, Maori for Grace is a fitting name to call the three-bedroom plus study, two-bathroom two-storey home which has over 207sqm of living space.

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22

BUILDING » Cavalier Homes Auckland

Business North / December 2013

Cavalier lays out plans in Auckland Karen Phelps Cavalier Homes Auckland is building a new showhome in Portage Estate, Riverhead that is due to open to the public in April 2014.

Company director Colin Beaumont believes that this area of West Auckland will grow quickly as it has been identified as a growth corridor in the rapidly expanding city.

“It’s semi-rural but just 10 minutes drive from Westgate, which is set to become New Zealand’s largest shopping complex,” says Beaumont.

“With the extension of the northwestern motorway to Helensville there will be a lot of land becoming available for development.”

The new showhome is a single level three bedroom room home with a media room on an 800sqm site.

It will come complete with open-plan living, polished concrete floors, double car garaging and wrap-around deck with an alfresco dining area under an extended roof to cater to the needs of the modern Auckland family.

Over the other side of Auckland, Cavalier Homes Auckland has just completed a spec home in Orewa, which has already been sold.

Cavalier Homes Auckland plans to offer more house-and-land packages to make things easier for its clients.

Three price ranges will be offered to cater to different budgets. Customers will be given the option to upgrade various aspects of the design as desired.

The company presently has house-and-land packages available in Manly on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and will offer opportunities in Riverhead.

After the Christchurch earthquake the company has decided to offer seismic bracing by Gamma Bracing as standard in all homes.

The system is a lightweight steel frame designed to fit within the existing timber frame in new or existing homes.

Once in place it provides a strong frame able to withstand storm and earthquake damage.

Cavalier Homes Auckland’s new showhome is a single level three-bedroom room home on an 800sqm site.

Cavalier Homes Auckland is also keen on embracing green technologies including off the grid systems and recycling rainwater.

“It does cost a little more investment upfront to include these technologies but it pays off down the track. People are increasingly seeing the advantages of this and it is definitely the way of the future.”

Colin and Lorraine Beaumont purchased the Cavalier Homes North Shore and West Auckland franchise in February 2012 to help meet Auckland’s need for more new housing.

A builder by trade, Colin had owned a successful building company in East Auckland in the past.

Then for 17 years had owned a thriving kiwifruit orchard and labour supply management company to the kiwifruit industry.

The move to take on a Cavalier Homes franchise was prompted by the fact that the couple’s son, Blair, had just completed his building apprenticeship.

They chose to build their business with Cavalier Homes attracted by the large range of new home

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designs and quality of build as well as gaining access to excellent buying power meaning savings could be passed on to their customers.

Colin Beaumont is a member of the Master Builders Federation and is a Licensed Building Practitioner.

Cavalier Homes Auckland undertakes renovations and offers a design service for those wanting to do a design and build project as well as a range of standard plans for investor rentals to granny flats through to the more upmarket standard plans.

“Our motto is any size, shape, style, and budget.

We pride ourselves on attention to detail and quality of finish.

“Cavalier Homes is in a strong position to move forward nationwide and we’re hoping our new showhome will be the catalyst for a number of builds in 2014.”

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Business North / December 2013

BUILDING » Cavalier Homes Auckland

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24

BUILDING » Platinum Homes - Waikato Bay of Plenty

Business North / December 2013

Showhomes target growing region Karen Phelps Platinum Homes Waikato Bay of Plenty is opening two brand new showhomes.

“The Waikato is a growing region and we need to have bases for customers to visit in all the areas we cover,” says general manager Grant Boyles.

The new Morrinsville showhome is based on the company’s Venice plan from the Platinum range.

The 224sqm home has four bedrooms (including one master suite with walk-in his and her wardrobes) and a unique three-way bathroom.

The bathroom allows a family to use different parts - toilet, washbasin and shower/bath areas - separately if required for greater privacy and convenience.

The contemporary style home is built from clay brick with a Linea clad chimney.

The new Hamilton showhome is based on a brand new plan called The Meadows.

The 245sqm four-bedroom home comes complete with a scullery (including an additional basin and dishwasher) and an island bench kitchen, luxurious master suite with interconnecting bathroom and walk in wardrobe.

The home has been constructed from Firth concrete brick. It has an undercover outdoor entertainment area that will appeal to the Kiwi lifestyle, says Boyles.

The Meadows plan has already been ordered by a customer off the back of the new showhome.

Both showhomes include double pillar statement entrances for added impact.

Like all Platinum Homes they are constructed with solid timber framing.

Platinum Homes is a New Zealand-owned company that was started over ten years ago.

It offers a vast range of around 1300 plans.

Platinum Homes operates throughout the country and has a unique ‘best value promise’.

“Deciding on a builder can be a confusing process for people. There can be many variables that can be hard to pinpoint such as different quality materials,” says Boyles.

“At Platinum Homes we believe we offer our customers the best value home for their budget.

If a customer believes that they have been offered

Platinum Homes offers house-and-land packages with many options in both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

the same specification home as a Platinum Home at a better price from one of our competitors we offer for them to bring us the building contract before they sign so we can show them why we offer better value.”

Platinum Homes offers house-and-land packages with many options in both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

“We find vacant sections around the country and marry them to a brand new Platinum Home - designed specifically to maximise the lifestyle benefits the site has to offer. We have house and land packages available nationwide.”

Boyles says that Platinum Homes sources the best products to ensure builds are always top quality. Preferred suppliers include ITM, Fisher & Paykel Appliances, Methven tapware and Bradford Gold Insulation.

The company has partnered with Gib, DVS, NewBuild Finance and Builtin insurance and Builder’s Guarantees.

“Builtin provides the 10-year Builder’s Guarantee and our contract works insurance with our public liability insurance underwritten by NZI,” says Boyles.

“This means that our guarantee is covered by

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He says that Platinum Homes Waikato Bay of Plenty is planning on expanding its presence in the area increasing market share in the region’s growing building market.

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Business North / December 2013

BUILDING » Platinum Homes - Waikato Bay of Plenty

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The new Platinum Homes Morrinsville showhome is based on the company’s Venice plan from the Platinum range.

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26

CONTRACTING » Crane Association of NZ / King Drilling

Business North / December 2013

Simple philosophy delivers the results

The New Zealand crane industry has a very good safety record.

Industry proud of safety record Jo Bailey The Crane Association of New Zealand plays a key role in the keeping New Zealand a leader when it comes to crane safety.

“The regulators set out the minimum standards for health and safety in the workplace, but as an industry we try to exceed that,” says association executive officer, Rod Auton.

“By supporting our members in these and other operational objectives, the New Zealand crane industry has become an international benchmark of success, which is something we are extremely proud of.”

He says the crane industry’s “very good safety record” is also among the best across New Zealand’s wider construction sector.

With human error being the most frequent cause of most crane incidents, effective training in crane operation and accident prevention is vital for anyone working with cranes, he says.

“Cranes demand the respect and safety consciousness of everyone associated with the use, maintenance and operation.

“We are fortunate to have an industry full of well-trained competent, reliable and safety conscious people in New Zealand, who will continue to be the biggest influence on safe working and operating conditions.”

Training is a big focus of the Crane Association, and, in conjunction with The Skills Organisation, recently rewarded some of its top performing members who have shown excellence in training initiatives.

The awards, made at the Association’s 39th annual conference in Napier, were presented to

Brian Perry Civil, Auckland (Training Company of the Year); Malcolm McWhannell, Brian Perry Civil Auckland (Trainer of the Year); and Ethan Boyce, Titan Cranes, Wellington (Trainee of the Year).

“The conference was very successful with some great presentations to help our members, particularly around the event’s focus on health and safety,” says Auton.

“Next year is our fortieth anniversary and the Association still has members who attended its original meeting back in 1975.

“This sort of retention points to the value of the organisation,” says Auton.

The Crane Association was originally founded by crane owners to represent their interests, a role that it still does today. The membership has diversified considerably in recent times to reflect the development of the industry. Lobbying on behalf of its members (who make up around 85 percent of crane operators in New Zealand) is one of the Crane Association’s primary roles.

“We have good relationships with regulatory authorities and with our members which allows us to actively pursue their needs through regulatory submission processes.

“We basically look at all sectors of the industry and have an influence where we can to ensure best practices are followed around operations and health and safety; and that consideration of our members is included in any guidelines.”

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We only create as much

Phil Taylor, owner of Hamilton-based contracting, concreting, drilling and piling company King Group, has grown his business for the last nearly quarter century around a simple philosophy: “To offer the best service and bring about the best outcomes to clients, and have control of all the elements that go into the service you deliver”.

“I could see that the best way to deliver top quality service and to control time and therefore cost was to build up a complete infrastructure to see a whole project through,” Taylor says.

Over the years he has steadfastly added capacity to his business which began essentially as a pole driving and drilling operation.

These days, son Mark is fully involved in the business at ‘hands on’ and management level as well. Under the King Group banner three specialised divisions have emerged.

King Drilling Ltd is involved in pile driving and auger drilling.

Taylor has his own stock of piles suitable for all sorts of different foundation and retaining wall constructions. This means he can guarantee pile delivery and building time-frames to clients avoiding costly delays and equipment standing idle.

He is constantly adding or adapting equipment to meet customer demand, recently adding a 2-tonne pile driver to the fleet.

His company tackles any job, big or small, from small foundation drilling and piling through the large constructions like the UHT plant build at Waitoa Dairy Factory, where 1500 9-metre piles were driven into the ground.

A foundation project for a commercial space in Raglan recently showcased the new Fambo Pole Driver from Germany, rigged to the company’s latest 33-tonne excavator. 15 metre long poles were knocked into the ground in just a matter of days.

“Since Christchurch there has been a review of the codes around piling foundations, dealing to the risks we now understand about liquefaction. Some parts of the Waikato would be susceptible to this should an earthquake happen,” he says.

King Civil Contracting Ltd is the construction arm of the company, concentrating mainly on building retaining walls, excavation and bulk haulage jobs.

King Sitemix Ltd is the other division.

Taylor is the New Zealand importer of Reimer

concrete as is needed so there is no waste or extra cost to the client or to us.” volumetric concrete mixers and operates two of these highly specialised and advanced machines.

He says these versatile concrete processing technologies have distinct advantages over the standard production and transporting of concrete to building sites.

“All the raw materials, stone, sand, cement and even water are housed in separate purpose-built spaces on the one truck.

“When we reach the site the components are then metered and mixed into fresh concrete. We only create as much concrete as is needed so there is no waste or extra cost to the client or to us.”

The process is simple. Sand and stone are carried side by side in open topped bins. Flow control gates individually adjust at the back of each bin allowing the right amount of sand and stone to be dispensed to the mixing auger.

These controls can also be adjusted to meet specific and specialised mix designs. Each pour is computer recorded with a printout provided, so exact amounts used in each mix are known.

The cement is housed in an enclosed bin on the sitemix truck.

This is dispensed into the main mix through a double flight metering auger, guaranteeing consistent cement feed. Water is added as cement and aggregates enter the mixing auger, resulting in a final product that is always fresh and of the exact specifications required of the project.

Acknowledging his company is at the smaller end of the scale, he’s proud of the reputation it has garnered over the years. Offering a complete solution and controlling all parts of what he specialises in has been a big part of this.

King Drilling 07 856 8683 www.kingdrilling.co.nz

.

Email jimmy@atlascranes.co.nz

0800 CRANES – 0800 272-637

Sue Russell

Member of the Crane Association of NZ Member of the Heavy Haulage Association Member of the Road Transport Association NZ

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Business North / December 2013

CONTRACTING » Trenchmate

27

Buddy System ticks all the boxes Karen Phelps A new trench shield just released by Trenchmate is the first product of its type fully certified to New Zealand standards, says Trenchmate regional manager Phillip Murray.

Called the Buddy System, the product has been specifically designed to offer an easy shoring solution for small two-person digger projects with holes up to 1.5 metres deep.

“The Buddy System has been rated to a SWL 20kpa and tested to 36kpa.

“Our product has been designed specifically for New Zealand ground conditions giving our customers real peace of mind,” says Murray.

The Buddy System is modular in design meaning panels can be added or removed. This allows the system to easily be fitted in around other services on site saving considerable time and money, says Murray.

The system is also unique in that it is made almost entirely from aluminium making it the strongest and lightest shield on the market, believes Murray. The Buddy System is half the weight of the company’s popular Versa range for example.

It is fully portable and comes with its own tailormade trailer so it can easily be fitted onto a tow bar to be transported to site. It is also offered as a flat pack if preferred.

“Other such systems are designed to be thrown onto a trailer. This means people need a flat deck truck or trailer. With the Buddy System it can be towed by any vehicle with a tow bar.”

“All parts, spare parts and servicing of the system is done right here in New Zealand.”

This is an important point, says Murray, with many overseas systems taking long periods of time for parts to be shipped and repairs completed.

Trenchmate has branches in Auckland, Waihi and Christchurch.

Trenchmate is a New Zealand company started in Waihi around 10 years ago by Tom and Raewyn Porter. The company provides specialised shoring equipment, delivery options, onsite help, shield adjustment and advice.

Ranges include Trench Shields, Supa Shields and Versa Shields.

Trenchmate shields and Versa products are designed for compatibility to provide a range of solutions.

For example it is possible to use different strut widths, add extensions or additional shields to accommodate different depths. All options are available either for purchase or hire.

“All of our shields are manufactured with a

Trenchmate transport logistics manager, Lance Taupaki, with the new Buddy System trench shield. unique core and twin skins that are reinforced for durability and safety. Both internal and external surfaces are smooth so that little added material (soil) is attached to the shield,” says Murray.

“Without this feature the added weight of the soil can increase the weight significantly, as a result making them much harder to move or position.”

Trenchmate is supported by sister company, Porter Engineering Ltd. “Because we have our own engineering company this means we can also design one off shoring solutions for customers for unique projects if required,” says Murray.

Due to rapid company growth Trenchmate

has recently made a number of changes to its organisational structure with a number of branch and territory managers employed to take care of customers giving nationwide coverage.

Trenchmate employs 17 staff nationwide and there are plans to open a branch in Wellington and a second Auckland branch on the North Shore in the months ahead.

Trenchmate 0800 385 274 www.trenchmate.co.nz

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28

CONTRACTING » Auckland Stonemasons

Business North / December 2013

The traditional art of stonemasonry Karen Phelps It's a time old profession relying on craftsmanship and experience and Auckland Stonemasons is one of the oldest companies of its kind in New Zealand.

Company managing director Len Lavas says there are only a handful of traditional stonemasonry companies left in this country.

It's a dying art but one which the Lavas family is determined to see continue with the high levels of quality and professionalism the company has established its long standing reputation on.

“This trade has been passed down through generations of our family. When we build things we build them to last forever,” says Lavas.

With a lack of regulation in the industry in New Zealand or recognised qualifications, a problem for consumers is being able to recognise a substandard stonemason from a professional, he says.

“There are certainly a number of cowboy operations out there. In fact we regularly get called in to repair or replace such work.

“The main thing the consumer should look for is not price but company longevity and reputation.

“Look at the types of jobs the company has completed in the past and the types of clients that use that company regularly.”

Auckland Stonemasons has been operating since 1927 when Lavas' grandfather Ivan arrived in New Zealand from Korcula Island on the Dalmation Coast. With him he brought over 1000 years of stonemasonry experience and knowledge from the Adriatic. Now the third generation of the New Zealand family is upholding the best of the stonemason's tradition from early Europe. Lavas runs the company with his brother James (junior) and father James (senior). The company employs 25 staff, all of whom have been trained by the Lavas family.

Auckland Stonemasons undertakes a variety of work including commercial and residential bridges, retaining walls, boundary walls, houses, pillars and fireplaces – basically anything that can be built in stone. Local rock is used where possible in projects but the company can also source to demand from around the world.

The company has been involved in some important projects around New Zealand from Auckland's Tamaki Drive sea walls built in the late 1920’s to Mount Cook's Hermitage Hotel.

The long number of years that have passed since completing some of these jobs is a credit to the company and the high quality of work it produces, says Lavas.

“We build things to stand the test of time. One of the first projects the company ever worked on was the stone entranceway to Auckland Domain – and it's still standing,” he says with pride.

Auckland Stonemasons works for councils, architects, builders and home-owners.

Over 90% of the company's work is repeat, which is also testament to the high standing with which clients regard the company.

Read More Online Visit our website www.waterfordpress.co.nz for more information

Auckland Stonemasons undertakes a variety of work including bridges, retaining walls, boundary walls, houses, pillars and fireplaces.

Clients include Auckland Council, Northland Regional Council, Dunedin City Council, Fletcher Construction, Hawkins Construction and all major insurance companies.

Auckland Stonemasons has been involved with the design and construction of prominent North Island stonework, including sea walls at Point Chevalier, Devonport Beach, Beachlands' Sunkist Bay, Wattle Downs in Manurewa, Howick, Bucklands Beach and Cockle Bay. “When we submit a tender to a council it is done on a points system. Around half the points are for price and the rest for things such as methodology, experience, health and safety and references. We always win on this,” says Lavas.

“That's because with a lot of the projects we do for councils if something goes wrong, such as with a sea wall, it can be a huge disaster.

“The fact that councils and insurance companies regularly entrust their projects to us says a lot about the high quality of work we achieve.”

Auckland Stonemasons 09 530 8906 www.stonemasons.co.nz

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CONTRACTING » Panel Prop

Business North / December 2013

29

Hobby business grows into full-time venture Sue Russell The birth of Takanini-based company Panel Prop in 1998, had something to do with being in the right place at the right time for its founders, former crane operators Gary Sommers and Neil Francis.

Their boss at the time, Ian Roebuck, suggested they should go into manufacturing and supplying the props used to support concrete slabs in precast construction projects because he was frustrated at the lack of availability and quality of the props they were using at the time.

“Ian could see a market for a company producing props here in New Zealand, using top-quality locally sourced steel.

“Though for us it started out as a hobby to make some extra cash over time things just grew into what we have now. It was an opportunity to get off the cranes and into something new,” Sommers says.

Now, all those years later the company is doing well. Francis runs a hunting shop at Pukekohe but is still a director in Panel Prop. Sommers says things have picked up again following the slump.

While about 80% of Panel Prop’s market is in the commercial build sector, it has also designed and built props most suitable for the housing market.

With a trend by architects to use precast panels as a feature, Panel Prop has developed a special bracketing system allowing the slab to be supported without putting holes into the surface.

“All our props are serviced every time they come back. This is really important and guarantees the integrity of every prop that is hired from us.”

Steel used to construct the props comes from Vulcan Steel in South Auckland.

Sommers says while there are other cheaper sources of steel, he is not prepared to undermine the reputation the company has achieved over the years for producing top-line safe products.

Panel Props range of props is extensive, from telescopic lengths to 10 metre fixed options and sizes in between.

Though the company’s core business is in hiring props and associated fittings along with supplying qualified staff to fit them if required on building sites, there have been times when carrying a back-ground as a crane operator has been a huge benefit.

“My crane side still comes through. I know what cranes can reach and do so when we’re developing special fittings purpose-built for specific builds I can imagine what will work well from the crane operator’s perspective and also what is cost-effective for the client.”

It is frustrating when damaged props are returned and Sommers is quick to point out that handling them on a building site requires care.

“Cherry pickers and diggers used for moving props can cause damage. When this happens and they come back to the yard we assess the situation and either repair the prop or cut it down. This is a constant issue for us, maintaining the integrity of each and every prop is essential,” he says.

With building taking off in the Auckland area, the main catchment the company services, Sommers says 2014 is looking like a very good year for the construction industry.

“We’re seeing land that has been on the market a while selling recently and one of the things we do is keep an eye on the market, so we can assess the quantity and range of stock we need to have available.”

All props are rigorously tested and certified once built and continually examined to ensure they are as strong as the day they were made.

Panel Prop’s pre-cast erection teams are fully trained and hold Site Safe passports. They are available to assist builders if required and the company can also arrange craneage if needed.

Panel Prop Ltd 09 299 2275 Panel Prop’s range of props is extensive, from telescopic lengths to 10-metre fixed options and all sizes in between.

www.panelprop.co.nz

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30

CONTRACTING » Auckland Master Plumbers Association

Business North / December 2013

Auckland plumbers taking charge Karen Phelps Recent changes at Auckland Master Plumbers will help the association to further strengthen its commitment to its grass roots philosophy – to protect the health of the nation and raise industry standards, says association president Chris Sumich.

“We are taking charge and focusing on local initiatives for the benefit of our members,” he says.

Although Auckland Master Plumbers is part of the national organisation it operates as a separate legal entity and is largely responsible for its own local initiatives.

Auckland Master Plumbers has over 200 member companies.

The national Master Plumbers organisation has recently employed Catherine Schuster to service new members in the Auckland area as well as to grow the membership base recognising that Auckland is a significant growth area for the organisation.

Sumich says that the Auckland office will be working closely with Schuster to maximise the effect.

Another significant change is the opening up of membership classes.

“Traditionally Master Plumbers has been an employer based organisation. Now other membership classes such as employees, apprentices and industry trainers can join and have a say,” says Sumich.

“If we really want to engage with and speak for the industry and have credibility then we have to open our doors.”

The Auckland Master Plumbers Association is a plumbing, drainage, gas and roofing industry organisation.

It was started in the 1880s after the typhoid fever epidemic scare and other health issues prompted some local plumbers to create strategies and educate the sector, government and public about the need for sanitation and protection of potable drinking sources.

Times may have changed but the same aims still apply today and all members of Master Plumbers are committed to providing customers with top quality service and workmanship.

Today the responsibilities of the organisation include lobbying to create, protect or maintain the acts and regulations that protect the health of the nation, improving conditions and relationships between employer and employee, monitoring standards of training and ensuring succession and continuity of the workforce, workmanship and products.

Auckland Master Plumbers is committed to protecting public health and to raising industry standards.

Training is now a major focus and Auckland Master Plumbers are now running upskilling workshops that are free to members while non-members are required to pay a small fee to encourage increased participation and membership growth.

“We know that our membership will grow naturally from this and it will be self-funding,” he says.

Sumich says the association will continue to focus on developing strong local and national government relationships as well as teaming with supplier and educator partners to ensure the ongoing professionalism of the organisation.

He says Auckland Master Plumbers' members can feel satisfaction and pride knowing that they've made a difference and helped the industry. Other benefits include group savings, networking opportunities and the Master Plumbers guarantee to offer their clients.

“All Master Plumbers members undergo a quality assurance review to ensure their

business practices meet the demanding standards expected by the organisation. This involves providing members with current best business practices, standards, legislation, health and safety and customer service.

“This means that customers can be sure they are hiring the very best. Master Plumbers must also follow a Code of Conduct, which sets high standards of service performance.

“They must also be up to date with the latest technologies and products.

“Auckland Master Plumbers wants to be seen as leading and guiding our industry and industry partners.”

Auckland Master Plumbers Assn 09 836 8336 www.aucklandmasterplumbers.co.nz

Chris Sumich

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Business North / December 2013

CONTRACTING » Bruce Buchanan Ltd

31

Success built up on diversification Sue Russell Having an eye toward seizing opportunities for growth has led Masterton-based contracting company Bruce Buchanan Ltd on a path of substantial diversification in distinct phases during its 54-year history.

General manager Cody Buchanan, grandson of founders Bruce and Clare Buchanan, says the journey of growth and expansion into a range of contracting services had an organic feel to it based on a core set of values that haven’t changed in all that time.

“Our work ethic underpins all we do, no matter how big or small the job, we encourage our staff to take responsibility for their own actions and to work as a team by encouraging each other,” he says.

“We’re always interested in new ways of doing things and are very open to the future.”

In the early days, since founding in 1959, the company focused on farm maintenance and development work, but when Masterton experienced a period of growth in the 1970’s work turned more toward subdivision, urban sewer, water and storm water drainage.

Over time the focus again shifted to council and commercial projects and to supplying aggregate.

As more and more staff were taken on to work the company’s expanding fleet of equipment specialised divisions were formed, including concrete, demolition, transport and cabling work.

Move forward another 30 years and most recently Bruce Buchanan Ltd is part of a niche market, laying ultra-fast broadband fibre, due partly because of its long-standing working relationship with Downers and Transfield Services spanning several decades.

“Working laying the fibre has been challenging for the staff. They’ve had to learn how to deal with a whole new architecture.

“With the fibre network coming in we’re working with a different type of gear and skill-sets which has been great professionally for the team.”

Cody Buchanan says one of the strength’s the company has is that it is prepared to move with the times.

The broadband contract began with local work three years ago around Masterton and more recently the opportunity presented to get into the The Hutt area where up to 25 staff are now based.

That work is due to be completed around 2019.

The Christchurch rebuild has led to more work and a new division established in the city, led by Buchanan’s cousin Callum Buchanan involved in cabling work and Andy Hart managing the drainage section.

Bruce Buchanan Ltd offers a wide variety of services in both the North and South Island.

This growth, with over 100 employees now under the company’s wing, has caused Buchanan, his father, company managing director Wayne Buchanan and others in management to take recent steps to prepare well.

“There are some big projects coming up and we intend to be poised ready to take the work on.

“The Masterton windmill and Wellington’s transmission gully projects are just two big projects looming and the most important thing for the company in the future will be to get the management structure right to be able to cope with more work effectively,” Cody Buchanan says.

He says tapping into consultants, hiring an internal accountant along with plans to establish a board of directors is the best way forward.

“Dad’s main aim is to get out of the physical day to day work,’ says Cody.

“I will sit at the general manager level and the board will be above that.

“We have always prided ourselves on being a small family run business and we plan to maintain

that ethos when it comes to our staff and the quality of work we do no matter how large the company becomes.”

In 2012 Bruce Buchanan Ltd was named by Deloitte as New Zealand’s fastest growing mature business.

Suppliers of transport parts for trucks, cars, heavy and light trailer hardware etc.

If we don’t have it in stock, we will get it in.

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Bruce Buchanan Ltd 06 377 2181 www.buchanans.co.nz

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Specialist Vacuum Excavation Contractors since 2004

Jet Vac NZ Ltd Ph: 04 237 9635 Fx: 04 237 9638 Em: info@jetvac.co.nz 10 Raiha St, Porirua PO Box 50354 Porirua Wellington

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• Chainsaws • Brushcutters • CombiSystems • Powertools • Cordless Powertools • Blowers and Sprayers • High Pressure Cleaners • Vacuum Cleaners • Harvesters • Lawncare Phone: 06 377 5549 | Email: masterton@stihlshop.co.nz | www.stihlshop.co.nz

32

CONTRACTING » Dirtworks / Inframax

Business North / December 2013

Inframax continues to extend its reach Karen Phelps

Dirtworks has built up its business on improving land for property owners.

Improving the land for owners Karen Phelps

One man’s junk is another

Dirtworks offers to obtain consents and fill in gulleys and low or wet lying areas of land that are unusable, improving the property for the owner – free of charge.

Not surprisingly the company was ranked 48th in 2012 on the Deloitte index of the 50 fastest growing companies in New Zealand.

Dirtworks was started in 2004 by Iydden Wood who, when he was just 19, bought his first digger with a $50,000 loan to start out in earthworks contracting.

“There were contractors that needed to dispose of cleanfill (clay and topsoil).

“On the other hand there was a real opportunity to improve the land for landowners.”

Dirtworks handles and funds the entire project, including resource consents and earthworks including any necessary silt control measures.

The company has now carried out hundreds of earthworks projects on lifestyle blocks ranging from driveways and house cuts to filling in old ponds or extending lawns into large level usable areas.

“Most of our rural work is on lifestyle blocks.

We usually find that there are things about the land that the landowner doesn’t like but was not aware could be fixed.

“There is usually a low lying boggy area that can be elevated or a lawn that isn’t level or slopes

man’s treasure. We can shape the land into something good.”

away too quickly or an un-mowable section on the land.”

The company currently employs 13 staff and generally works in Kumeu and Dairy Flat.

Wood says Dirtworks continues to grow steadily.

“Most clients want to repeat the process.

“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. We can shape the land into something good.”

Wood says the entire business concept was founded with philanthropy in mind – he always planned to use the business to fund a Christian camp for children.

He is presently looking for land to purcahse as a stepping stone towards his larger vision.

Inframax has just opened a branch in Hawera, South Taranaki, extending the company's reach throughout the central western North Island.

The impetus for the establishment of the new branch was the direct result of the company being awarded a significant road maintenance contract for the Egmont area for South Taranaki District Council.

The new branch employs around eight local staff and Inframax quality, health and safety manager and environmental manager David Perry says the company will be actively targeting new contracts in the New Plymouth area.

As part of the contract for the council Inframax will be involved in a large re-seal programme utilising its E2 certified bitumen sprayer. The telescopic gang sprayer allows the company to spray roads up to six metres wide with computer controlled equipment that can quickly adjust the width of the spray.

Perry says it's a significant piece of equipment for a company of its size to own but says that it is an indication of the company's commitment to growth and offering its clients the latest technology.

Inframax has an ongoing purchasing and replacement programme which has resulted in a modern fleet of quality plant and machinery.

The fleet is supported by the company's own maintenance workshops and by a long-term staff training programme to develop in-house expertise, says Perry.

Based in Te Kuiti, Inframax was founded in 1999 after a merger of Te Kuiti-based Waitomo Civil Construction and New Plymouth's Northgate Construction.

Inframax offers infrastructural asset management in a number of key areas including water and drainage, roading construction and maintenance, earthworks, quarrying, vegetation control and infrastructural maintenance. The company employs in excess of 150 staff and is certified to ISO 9001:2008 by Telarc SAI. As well as the Egmont contract Inframax currently holds local authority road maintenance contracts for Otorohanga and Ruapehu district councils. Inframax has branches in Otorohanga and Taumarunui and employs up to 150 staff in total across its entire operation.

The company's main point of difference is that it also owns or leases a number of quarries enabling the completion of the entire job from start to finish in-house for clients.

“With our mobile crushing plant we can crush aggregate to specific size depending on the project. This is a big time and cost saver as after driving into a quarry an hour later our mobile plant is set up and producing aggregate.

Dirtworks 09 476 0004 www.dirtworks.co.nz Road maintenance contracts are a key part of Inframax’s regular workload.

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CONTRACTING » Inframax

Business North / December 2013

33

Inframax works in a number of areas including water and drainage, roading construction and maintenance, earthworks, quarrying, vegetation control and infrastructural maintenance.

“This not only gives us better control over quality and type of aggregate but also means we can crush where there is appropriate rock source in remote locations.”

Inframax has been involved in some significant contracts. From 2008-2010 the company was the head contractor on the Rugby Road realignment project in Taranaki.

The project involved replacing a rail bridge, underpass, three other bridges and construction of a passing lane.

Since 1999 the company has been subcontracting to Transfield Services Limited on the PSMC 001and then 006 state highway SH3 corridor contract from Hamilton, Kawhia, Pureora, SH4 and Mokau.

Inframax is presently working on council tendered contracts for Ruapehu and Taupo district councils.

“We are now looking to consolidate our position in the central North Island and look for opportunities to expand.

“The company has successfully developed competitive advantages and we continue to expand with our vision - to be the preferred provider of infrastructural services.”

Inframax 07 8788725 www.inframax.co.nz

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34

BOAT BUILDING » Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders

Business North / December 2013

Big surge in repair and refit work Karen Phelps A decade ago Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders foresaw that repair and refit work would be in demand in the future.

So when the company moved to a new purpose-built facility in 2005 company owners Lloyd and Tracey Stevenson ensured it was future-proofed to allow them to build and repair vessels up to 43 metres (140 feet).

“With our move to these premises we have been able to expand our business from new construction projects to now offer repair and refit services to owners wanting to update their current vessels,” says Tracey.

“It's becoming popular to repair and refit boats due to the cost difference compared with building an entirely new boat.

“With the completion of our new factory a long-term plan has been made possible which is to blend our new builds with refit work.

“We are in an ideal position to utilise all the features which make us successful in building new boats.”

Repair and refit work has become so much in demand the company now employs a dedicated refit manager to oversee each project, which can range from repainting a vessel to completely remodelling a boat to suit a customer's changing needs.

Tracey says it is important for boat owners to keep their vessel well maintained as this ensures the boat maintains its value over time.

The company employs staff with a diverse range of boatbuilding skills to draw from, traditional timber to carbon composite engineers, boat builders, painters and cabinetmakers, meaning most work can be completed in-house giving excellent quality control.

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders was started when Stevenson was building his own family boat, after completing his apprenticeship, when it was snapped up by a US-based sail loft seeking a fast cruising yacht to showcase its

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders has handcrafted a diverse portfolio of high value sailing and motor yachts since the mid 1980’s.

product. He immediately began building another yacht for his family and when it hit the water he received another order.

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders specialise in the construction, repair and maintenance of custom built composite and timber vessels.

The company has now handcrafted a diverse portfolio of high value sailing and motor yachts for clients since the mid 1980's.

Most of the company's work has resulted

from word of mouth referrals by satisfied clients.

“The process of building a boat is very personal. Our philosophy is to partner together with owners and designers.

“We have an uncompromising attitude to first class after sales service and enjoy strong lasting relationships with both the vessels we build, and their owners, many of whom return to work with us on subsequent projects.”

As just one example of the company's dedication to excellence two Lloyd Stevenson built F620 yacht tenders received the prestigious tender design award at the 2013 ShowBoats Design Awards.

Designed by Fontaine Design Group of Rhode Island, US, these tenders add to Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders impressive portfolio which includes tenders for S.Y Vertigo in 2011 (which was a finalist in the 2012 ShowBoats Design Awards) and M.Y Garcon in 2012 (also a finalist this year).

“It's very prestigious as these awards are the only ones to recognise tenders – the small boats which support yachts,” says Tracey.

The Stevensons are heavily involved in the marine industry with Lloyd one of the current vice-chairs of the New Zealand Marine Industry and chair of the Industry Training Organisation.

For more than two decades the company has been involved in a wide range of projects from the early 40-foot Davidson Yachts, to the more recent highly sophisticated motor launches, race yachts and yacht tenders including commercial projects such as the powered passenger craft for one of the worlds leading theme park operators.

While the company regularly tenders for international projects, Tracey says there continues to be a strong focus on the New Zealand market.

“We see the local market as being a big part of our future development.”

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders Ltd 09 274 7680 www.lloydstevensonyachts.co.nz

124 Sunnybrae Road, Glenfield, Auckland, NZ Ph: 64 9 444 9031 Fax: 64 9 442 4019 simon@chatfieldmarine.co.nz www.chatfieldmarine.co.nz

• Blue Water Shaft Seals for commercial and recreational vessels • Elite Rudder Seal Systems, tillers and rudders • Machined Vesconite prop shaft & rudder bearings manufactured to your requirements.

• Elite game fishing chairs, outrigger brackets and poles • Deck hardware, strut bolts and lag screws • Shaft repairs, machining and straightening • Replacement bearings and stern tubes, seal refurbishment • ZF propellers

HUGE RANGE, GREAT SERVICE SERVICE • • • • •

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www.generalmarine.co.nz

09 309 6317

sales@generalmarine.co.nz 196 Pakenham St. West, Westhaven, Auckland

Proud to be the supplier of drive line, rudder gear, game and deck hardware to Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders new ‘Ocean Elite”

BOAT BUILDING » Scott Lane Boatbuilders

Business North / December 2013

35

Hands-on approach works for Scott Karen Phelps Scott Lane says his company has built a reputation for clients seeking a more “hands-on” approach to boat building.

Scott Lane Boatbuilders works closely with owners and designers to ensure that the finished results are exactly as the customer envisaged, he says.

“Workmanship is the trademark of our company and we have built a reputation of producing handcrafted high quality boats.

“We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and high standards of workmanship,” he says.

Boating is not just a vocation for Lane and his team – it is a passion.

Scott grew up in a boating family and holidays at the family bach on Waiheke Island encouraged his love for the water.

He built his first ski boat, a Pelin Bullet, at the age of 16. Lane completed his apprenticeship with Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders in 1996 prior to starting his company in 1999 after returning from his OE. Lane is proud to be the owner of a small company focusing on craftsmanship and he is still on the tools personally overseeing each project.

It's a labour of love and from his solo beginning his company has continued to grow.

Scott Lane Boat Builders is operated from a facility on his own home property.

“We do everything ourselves here. Boats are built entirely from scratch – no moulds. Only the upholstery, electrics and stainless steel work are outsourced and we do everything else,” he says.

Lane employs three full-time staff and describes the process as true old fashioned craftsmanship.

“We all get in and do everything together so my staff must be good all-rounders,” he says.

The staff have a wide variety of skills but also specialty areas with one hailing from a background as a spray painter and another a qualified cabinetmaker.

Scott Lane Boat Builders doesn't take on projects smaller than 40 foot and so far the largest boat built has been 60 foot.

The company has completed a variety of projects including high performance water ski boats, custom pleasure launches and even a replica of a classic 1960’s ocean racing boat.

The latest boat the company has launched was a 15.5 metre mid pilot house/sports fishing boat for a New Zealand client.

The boat took 18 months to build and has several unique features including a flybridge with an aft helm for fishing visibility.

It also included tuna tubes, dive compressor, large refrigeration system and a water maker capable of turning salt water to 140 litres of fresh water per hour.

The boat can carry 3200 litres of diesel meaning it is capable of sailing from New Zealand to Tonga without refueling.

New product?

Our readers want to know!

CONTACT US TODAY ON 03 983 5514

Scott Lane Boatbuilders has completed a variety of projects including high performance water ski boats and custom pleasure launches.

But although the big jobs may be particularly satisfying Scott Lane Boat Builders also takes on smaller jobs such as boat maintenance, refits and adjustments. The company is a member of New Zealand Marine Industry Association.

Today passion for boats and boating still runs strong in Lane’s life. When he is not creating his latest project in his workshop he enjoys nothing more than spending time on the water with his wife and three children.

MARINE DIRECT LTD

Scott Lane Boatbuilders

SPECIALIST MARINE IMPORTERS & DISTRIBUTORS

09 2928177

www.marinedirect.co.nz

www.slboats.co.nz

Technical Equipment Supplies

marine, joinery and kitchen hardware specialists

Solving Hardware problems since 1991

Proud to be associated with Scott Lane Boat Builders

We have moved to new premises 3 Cherry Lane (off Porana Road), Glenfield

09 444 9914 www.technicalequipment.co.nz

Ph 0800 2739 180, Fax 9 2739185, Email danny@marinedirect.co.nz

Proud supplier to Scott Lane Boat Builders

Proud to Support Scott Lane Boat Builders Coastal Marine Upholstery has been providing expert upholstery services mainly to the marine industry since 1986 when it was founded by Dave McMullen and Collin Knight.

2F Manga Rd Silverdale Auckland 0932 Office Phone: 09 426 6817 Dave McMullen: 027 495 2540 Colin Night: 027 495 2541 Email: cmu@xtra.co.nz

www.coastalmarineupholsterers.co.nz

36

MANUFACTURING » Howard Wright Ltd

Business North / December 2013

State-of-the-art bed ready for market Sue Russell When New Plymouth-based medical bed manufacturing company Howard Wright Ltd began developing their latest state-of-the-art M9 Paediatric Bed, they started by observing how children, clinicians and parents interacted with the hospital ward environment.

Design engineer Teresa Joe says it was a good place to start.

Along with the team of research and development staff at the Bell Block headquarters, Joe has carried the project from its inception more than a year ago through all the design and development phases.

“It is very satisfying to see it through to this point where the first order of 236 beds is about to roll out of production destined for the Womens’ and Children’s Hospital in South Australia,” she says.

Howard Wright Ltd is New Zealand’s only company specialising in manufacturing medical beds and stretchers.

The company is committed to producing the safest, most stylish and ergonomically savvy products, which must also comply with a raft of international health and safety standards.

Joe says that governing the design of the M9 Paediatric Bed throughout was an aspiration to not only meet but to better all the standards set for each individual component of the bed.

“This was no easy feat when there is no one standard for paediatric bed design existing.”

The company employs just over 40 staff, split between the office and the factory.

Joe says having all staff - from the design, research and development team right through to those on the factory floor building the beds working at the same site, means that everyone feels a connection to the products they produce.

• to page 38

Howard Wright Ltd has spent over a year developing their latest state-of-the-art M9 Paediatric Bed.

World Class Plastics Solutions When injection moulding company Talbot Plastics (est. 1972) amalgamated with technical thermoformers Airform International (est. 1995) in 2009, the result was a world class integrated plastics solutions manufacturer, Talbot Technologies.

The Christchurch-based business manufacture a vast range of highly specialised plastic components and assemblies, primarily from injection moulding and thermoforming processes.

Talbot Technologies also offers a comprehensive in-house tool room facility, allowing for timely servicing of existing tools as well as design and fabrication of new tools.

Talbot’s integrated assembly team completes the service, providing customers with turnkey assembly or sub-assembly solutions for their product.

78 Wigram Road, Christchurch 8042 PO Box 9148, Christchurch 8149, New Zealand E. enquiry@talbot.co.nz T. 0800 825 268 talbottechnologies.co.nz

“Talbot Technologies work as a design, development and production partner for customers across a wide range of industries, from gaming and entertainment to medical devices,” says managing director, Darryn Ross.

“We like to work with customers from the very early stages of a project,

where we can assist with materials selection, design for manufacture and assembly.”

“Our customers, no matter how big or small, know they will receive our complete commitment and it is satisfying to see how effective our plastic solutions systems are, in achieving quality outcomes and exceeding customer expectations.”

As well as conventional horizontal injection moulding and thermoforming, Talbot has a number of specialised processes including Vertical Injection Moulding, In-Mould-Decoration (IMD), Gas Assisted Injection, Co-Moulding, Insert Moulding, Distortional Print Thermoforming and Thick and Twin Sheet Thermoforming.

Talbot Technologies applies a comprehensive product development process to the manufacture of all new products.

Firstly the project is scoped to identify customer needs, product requirements and time-lines. Once this has been completed the design, manufacture and logistics aspects are worked through. When all these boxes have been ticked tool design, manufacture and tool validation trials follow.

MANUFACTURING » Howard Wright Ltd

Business North / December 2013

Quality leads the way

stainlessdesign.co.nz

Since 1995 Taranaki business Devon Plastics Ltd has been a key supplier to hospital bed manufacturer Howard Wright Ltd. The company these days supplies hundreds of different products to Howard Wright.

Operations manager Alastair Hancock says the relationship has grown over the years because Devon Plastics has a proven track record of delivering consistently high quality componentry.

Devon Plastics supplies products to companies involved in engineering, plumbing, electrical and electronics, along with the medical and health sectors and work often comes about because those working in these industries have a vision to improve hardware they work with day in and day out.

When an Auckland orthopaedic doctor could not get the products he wanted he engaged Devon Plastics to assist in the design and component production of braces used in orthopaedic care.

So successful was the technology that these products are now distributed to surgeries in New Zealand and the United States.

As much as 80% of the products the company manufactures are exported directly or indirectly as components.

“We make breast protectors which are exported to the European market carrying certificated European rating,” Hancock says.

The wide range of plant and equipment Devon Plastics has means the company can easily produce a variety of products at the same time.

Recently it manufactured a cunningly simple device, designed by a group of New Plymouth High School students which resulted in winning a regional production award.

The UV sensitive wrist strap is designed to show by colour change when sunscreen, applied to a special insert, is no longer effective.

“It’s a pretty cool product. A unique and clever way to raise awareness of how UV lights affects the sunscreen’s ability to protects and we’re

thrilled the girls innovative thinking was justly rewarded.”

While Devon Plastics is geared for mass production, Hancock points out it is just as capable of working to smaller orders, siting the UV wrist-band as a good example.

“We’ve just completed the production run of 5000. Enough for the girls to see whether the product will take off.”

These days Hancock’s father Basil has taken on a more background technical advising role in the company, leaving the day to day in the hands of his son and Tom Hina, the company’s Production Manager.

Hancock carries an environmental science background and there is a strong thread of ‘green thinking’ permeating the production systems the company works with.

“We use recycled cardboard in our packaging where possible and we’re always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and lessen the impact on our immediate surrounding.’

Hancock says the company will stay pretty much doing what they are already doing so well and have done for years – developing with the needs of changing markets.

“We cater for niche markets, we can never compete with the likes of China for mass production, but when businesses need a high quality product and development in a timely manner with a proper price they come to us.

More and more businesses are doing so.”

The company specialises in producing low cost tooling that helps in producing good quality products with low volume production.

With a team carrying more than 50 years’ experience in the plastics moulding industry all committed to designing, testing and fitting to perfection a wide range of plastic products, the company is in an enviable position to embrace future challenges in this competitive and highly specialised industry.

DEVON PLASTICS LTD Ph (06) 755 2817 www.devonplastics.co.nz 17 Swans Rd Bell Block New Plymouth

CONGRATULATIONS HOWARD WRIGHT

We are proud to be associated with an organisation who is prepared to innovate.

We wish you every success with your new M9 medical bed.

37

38

MANUFACTURNG » Howard Wright Ltd

Business North / December 2013

Latest bed all ready to go • From page 36 “Those of us involved in design, research and development helped the production staff with the first build of the M9 Paediatric Bed,” says Joe. “We have been working as a team to meet the customer’s delivery schedule.”

The M9 Paediatric Bed is the result of a strong partnership the company maintains with healthcare professionals with the goal set to produce a lightweight, easily manoeuvrable, efficient structure that worked from the patient’s point of view.

“The bed has an outstanding low height of 350mm making patient entry and exit safer and easier for children.

“From a safety point of view, where falls from beds happen, given patients can at times be disorientated or have mobility issues, a priority for us in the design was to mitigate those risks as much as possible,” says Joe. Another feature of the bed is the size and spacing of its side rails designed to prevent entrapment.

“It’s a real issue we are aware of. If spaces are too small or too big there is a risk of entrapment and when you consider the bed is tailored to younger patients from 30 months of age and up it was a really dynamic problem to work through.”

Howard Wright Ltd, named after its founder, began life in the 1950’s as a small engineering company making products out of wrought iron.

When Wright was approached by a nurse from the local hospital, who had seen images of modern hospital beds used in overseas hospitals, to see if he could produce something as good,

his business took a turn in the direction it has specialised in ever since.

By the 1970’s the company was making and selling most of the hospital beds in New Zealand.

When Wright came up with the idea of using a hydraulic foot pumping system to raise and lower the M4 bed it claimed a place with the best of leading-edge manufacturers internationally.

The M9 Paediatric Bed design has built in sophisticated electric systems designed to allow the bed to adjust easily to a range of configurations, while maximising patient comfort.

“The fact the bed can accommodate an adult easily and comfortably with a safe working load up to 250kg makes it so unique.

“That feature was the result of observing how beds are used in the practical clinical environment.

“We think this feature will create a really attractive point of difference from a marketing perspective.”

The M9 Paediatric Bed comes with a bed extension, dual controls and under bed lighting as standard. Now it is in production and about to be delivered to its first customer, Joe and the team of designers will be interested to discover how well it performs.

Given the company has a policy of continuous product improvement the relationship Joe and the team of designers has with the M9 Paediatric Bed is far from over.

Howard Wright Ltd 06 755 0976 www.howardwrightcares.com

The M9 Paediatric Bed is designed to be lightweight and easily manoeuvrable.

Telephone 64-9-274 0869 Facsimile 64-9-274 1216 Freephone 0800 LEISTER www.carrgroup.co.nz

Demand CARRFLEX™ Polyurethane coated textiles - most specified by hospitals and aged care facilities for covering mattresses, seating and therapeutic devices.

We also supply: • PU and PVC coated textiles for protective wet weather garments • Banner and sign media • Components for the stationery industry • Eyelet machines and eyelets • Plastic welding equipment, extruders and heat sources Proud to be associated with Howard Wright Limited Precision Team - Precision Technology - Precision Components

Precision Machining and Manufacturing

Turning • Milling • CNC Turning • Cad Drawings - Solidworks mobile 027 600 0412 ph/fax 06 754 4297 email turntalk@hotmail.co.nz address 140 Otaraoa Road, RD 43 Waitara, Taranaki

Abecca Healthcare is committed to the Medical Mattress solutions throughout New Zealand and Australia. Over time we have developed a reputation for quality service and integrity.

Abecca Healthcare has many unique features built into the product range we offer to our medical customers. These features include: • World class manufacturing systems along with quality service.

• Choice of superior European fabrics incorporating a range of medical additives.

• All seams high frequency welded significantly increasing the sterile parameters.

• Zipping is fluid resistant and welded to the fabric further protecting the mattress inner.

• All covers are simply removed and can be commercially laundered at up to 95C. • Abecca Healthcare provides an in-house screen printing service. hamish@abeccahealthcare.com | Ph: (06) 358 9642 | www.abeccahealthcare.com

Toll Global Forwarding (TGF) provides a comprehensive suite of international freight forwarding and advanced supply chain management services. Our service offering ranges from complex supply chain solutions through to port to port freight forwarding movements.

Toll Global Forwarding’s core services include: • Air Freight • Ocean Freight • Customs Clearance • Supply Chain Services • Sea - Air • Project Services

0800 865 569 www.tollgroup.com

OUTDOOR LIVING » Executive Poolshop

Business North / December 2013

39

Enjoying the fine art of pool building The East Auckland based father-and-son team of John and Anthony Honore have the pool building business down to a fine art after having clocked up more than 35 years in the trade.

John Honore, founder of the Executive Poolshop, has been designing, building and servicing high quality concrete pools since 1980, and is still operating out of the same premises he started from, at 118 Pakuranga Road, Pakuranga.

15 years or so ago, Anthony, who is a qualified chemical and materials engineer, joined his father in the pool construction business.

He is a specialist not only in the construction process, but also in all aspects of pool servicing, equipment and technology as well as all manner of refurbishment work.

The Honores are supported by a team of friendly and professional office staff and valet technicians and pride themselves on offering a highly personal service to all of their clients, many who have come back over the years as customer satisfaction is always guaranteed.

“We have built pools for clients’ children or several pools for one client as they have moved houses during their life,” says John.

Both John and Anthony actively supervise all construction and site works, and work alongside a professional dedicated team of contractors, including excavators, concrete layers, tillers and have the trusted services of Leuschke Kahn Architects and Paysage Landscaping.

This means Executive Poolshop is able to offer clients a complete package when it comes to pool building, including the initial design ideas and submission of building permits to council, right through to paving and landscaping details.

It can also use the client’s own design and work alongside them to ensure they get everything they want just the way they want it.

Executive Poolshop is a member of the New Zealand Master Pool Builders Build which gives customers the security of knowing their pool is being constructed by a professional, and also ensures that the company finds out about any new technology coming onto the market quickly for the benefit of its customers.

Executive Poolshop is able to offer clients a complete package when it comes to pool building.

Executive Poolshop 09 576-4413 www.executiveconcretepools.co.nz

Swimming Pool Heating Specialists New Zealand manufacturer of high performance heat pumps for swimming pool heating.

Hot Water Heat Pumps Ltd are proud to support Executive Pool Shop.

Contact Executive Pool Shop on 09 576 4413 for a free quote. www.waterheating.co.nz

Fire Safety Design Solutions throughout New Zealand Enlightened Solutions Ltd staff have over 70 years experience in fire engineering : Established since 1981, Waterco is an international company involved in the wholesale, export and manufacture of equipment and accessories in the swimming pool, spa and water treatment industries; packing and distribution of swimming pool and spa chemicals.

www.waterco.com

• Fire designs for building consent • Acceptable Solutions fire design • Verification Method Fire Design • Specialist fire solutions • Fire investigations • Fire peer review • Design, specification and construction review We have provided fire designs for a range of buildings: commercial, accommodation, large warehouse, retail, heritage, healthcare, resthomes, food proccessing, educational

PO Box 8709 • Christchurch • Phone 03 377 4160 • Fax 03 377 4162 carol@enlightenedsolutions.co.nz • www.enlightenedsolutions.co.nz

40

RETAIL » David Elman Shoes

Business North / December 2013

Iconic shoe store now selling online Karen Phelps David Elman has recently launched a brand new ecommerce platform which has enabled the boutique New Zealand shoe company to have reach in all of New Zealand, says company head of marketing Rachel Monks.

“The new online platform really enables us to sell product anywhere in the country even if we do not have a physical presence there. “ People’s attitude to buying fashion and footwear online is growing and we’ve had a very positive response,” says Monks.

She acknowledges that one potential stumbling block to selling footwear online is the fact that many people still prefer to try shoes on before buying.

David Elman has sought to overcome this concern by offering free shipping anywhere in New Zealand as well as a comprehensive returns policy and size guidelines on the website.

David Elman is a family run business that was started by Monks’ grandfather Raymond over 70 years ago. The iconic brand began initially as a manufacturing entity in a small factory in Newton in 1941, eventually expanding and moving into the retailing sector with its own stores.

Monks, who has recently returned from the UK where she worked as a marketing manager for The Walt Disney Company, is the third generation to work in the business.

Her father Brooke Monks is company managing director and Brooke’s wife Susanne is manager of the company’s Newmarket and Ponsonby stores. The company also operates a third store in Hamilton.

All David Elman shoes are top European fashion labels predominantly from Italy and Spain.

The focus is on quality craftsmanship and classic silhouettes as well as fashion forward design with a twist.

“In order to compete with cheaper product coming from Asia our offering has to be unique and of superior quality,” says Monks.

“Our designs are not something you’re going to see knocked off down the road. They are distinctive and individual.”

To back up its ecommerce platform the company has launched a new facebook page and email marketing campaign to keep customers informed of the latest products as well as trends to come out of Europe. Monks says they are currently seeking brand collaborations and has completed a couple of campaigns with Clinique.

David Elman is seeking to break into new growth markets and is looking at how it could expand its physical presence around New Zealand.

There are also plans to extend shipping to Australia enabling customers across the Tasman to make purchases online.

“Europe is the fashion capital of the world and European shoes are renowned for their quality. “ We need to work hard to maintain our point of difference and ensure customers understand the value they’re buying.

“We get stories of people telling us that they are still wearing shoes they bought from us ten years ago. We stand by our product and its ability to stand the test of time.”

David Elman Shoes 09 828 8313 www.davidelman.co.nz

All David Elman shoes are top European fashion labels predominantly from Italy and Spain.

H

Heritage Printing Systems Ltd PROUD TO PROVIDE ACCOUNTING, TAX AND BUSINESS ADVICE TO: DAVID ELMAN LTD

www.hwi.co.nz

for all your printing needs

northants@vodafone.co.nz Ph 021 107 1411 5/47 Edmonds Road, Henderson, Auckaland 0612