Business North
February 2015
CONTRACTING » Tasman Design and Civil / Mulch Man
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Cambridge company spreads its net wide Sue Russell Tasman Design & Civil Ltd is a Cambridge based major infrastructure civil construction company which has experienced extensive growth in the past few years. The company’s general manager Lester Foxall says this growth has come with challenges attached but the company now is at a capacity to operate effectively in the industries it serves. “Most of the challenges are logistical and generally based around location, complexity of the projects and resources,” Foxall says. “With multiple projects on the go at any one time throughout the country, there is a high degree of planning involved,” he says. “We have a core base of highly skilled staff on the wage roll and depending on the number and nature of projects on our books at any one time, we are supported with a pool of competent subcontractors used to working throughout the country on these specialised projects.” The construction industry has become highly regulated over the past few years particularly working in live switchyard environments. The energy infrastructure area is one of several core disciplines the company has evolved into becoming highly skilled at. The company is often working in live switchyards building purpose built structures,
fire walls and foundation pads to support large electrical equipment. When Foxall joined the company nine years ago the main aim then was to secure more projects in energy infrastructure. He says it was very much a case of the company serving its time and proving its worth. “It’s a high pressure industry and you are judged on how you perform on every project and it has taken many years to get where we are.” Key to the company’s success has been a constant focus on a ‘no compromise’ attitude towards safety. Working inside live switch yards is a high risk business and Tasman Design and Civil’s track-record on safety speaks for itself. Foxall says that consistency of quality and reliability are key factors influencing the success of company’s working in the infrastructure industry. Helping to maintain this is a core of regular staff who over time have become known within the industry for producing top quality work. “We also have to be very proactive on staff training ensuring all staff working in these hazardous environments have undergone CPR, site and supervisory competency courses.” A project Foxall says he’s especially enjoyed being involved with recently is the building of a new water reservoir and associated pump buildings at Akaroa near Christchurch; dealing with a combination of precast and insitu construction in a geographically demanding location.
Tasman Design and Civil built this new water reservoir and associated pump buildings at Akaroa.
Mulch Man services over 150 schools in the greater Auckland area with playground mulch.
Busy times for Mulch Man Sue Russell Auckland company Mulch Man is now known as Mulch Man North Island Ltd following its purchase by Gary Edwards. Mulch Man operations manager Simon Green, says with a fleet of five mulch blowing trucks, and a staff of 10, the company is as busy as ever, servicing over 150 schools in the greater Auckland area with certified approved playground mulch. Mulch Man also provides a range of products and services for councils, roading infrastructure companies, commercial construction companies and home-owners. “When it comes to supplying mulch, bark, woodchips, playground mulch and soil/compost blends we do it all,” says Green. “No job is too big or small. Our specialty is blowing these products through a hose system directly from our truck and into place.” Of late the company has been busy spreading mulch along new roads and highways being constructed in Tauranga, Cambridge and Auckland’s north western motorway. The demand for the products and services the company supplies is high so one of Green’s key responsibilities is to ensure the fleet of trucks and equipment is operating in top order. “The equipment we use is so expensive with millions of dollars tied up in trucks, utes and machinery. We plan to buy one more 8 wheeler to add to our fleet but we are really operating at a good size and capacity these days for what we do and the area we cover,” he says.
The start of the year is always a full-on time with 150 schools to top-up with playground approved bark along with parks and domains around Auckland requiring routine attention. When the cooler months come around Mulch Man is still busy supplying soil and composts for the region’s busy planting season. Free on-site appraisals are part of the service the company provides to prospective customers. Green says there are many good reasons why Mulch Man has become the preferred supplier of bulk mulching products. “We purchase our products in large volumes which means we can pass on the savings benefits directly to clients. With the mulch-blowing technology our trucks have its easily the most effective way of applying products specifically to the right spot.” Arbor mulch is a popular product for gardeners and with landscapers because it gives very good weed suppression performance as well as controls erosion, coupled with the fact that over time it breaks down to feed the plants while giving superior moisture retention. “It’s a totally natural product that looks great. We also stock a range of natural vegetable dyed colour mulch in black, brown or red. It gives that WOW factor and really lifts the look of gardens,” says Green. Mulch Man also stocks an extensive range of soil and compost blends, including premium lawn soil made for New Zealand’s demanding conditions. Each blower truck can carry up 60 cubic metres of product with hoses capable of extending to 100 metres distance.
We can lay a wide range of products including bark, mulch, woodchips, safe fall and soils. From residential properties to large commercial and industrial areas we can blow products in an effective, efficient area saving you time and money.
Proud to be Tasman Design and Civil Ltd’s preferred screw pile and precast contractor.
Let the team at Mulch Man take care of all your mulch needs with our unique, NZ built blowing system.
1018 Manchester Street, Hastings Phone 06 879 8364 admin@latteycivil.co.nz
0800 MULCHMAN • WWW.MULCHMAN.CO.NZ
“Committed to providing excellence and success for our clients”
We supply to these markets:
• Electricity Industry
ARATIATIA HYDRO INTAKE SCREENS 2010
• Structural Steel
• Wind Turbine Maintenance • CNC Profile Cutting • General Engineering
Ph: 06 326 8040
• Export products worldwide
Manufacturers of premium eco-friendly wood-chip products from recycled timber
www.aec1989.co.nz WAIKANAE FOOTBRIDGE 2009
P: 09 299 3999
www.reharvest.co.nz
- Preschools - Playgrounds - Coloured Mulch - Animal Bedding
- Horse Arena Surfacing - Filter Socks - Garden Mulches - Landscaping Mulches