ENGINEERING » Scotts Engineering
Business South / May 2013
37
Boiler specialist warns on imports Jo Bailey New Zealand companies should take care when importing cheap boilers from overseas manufacturers, says David Gibson, owner of Christchurch firm, Scotts Engineering. “The quality and safety standards of imported boilers are not always up to those produced by New Zealand manufacturers,” says Gibson. “No doubt the level will increase over time as the market demands but they are not there yet.” He says there are numerous other benefits to sticking with a New Zealand-made product. “Local manufacturers provide the appropriate back up and service; and spare parts are more readily available here. Then there is keeping New Zealanders employed which I would think is a wish for most Kiwis.” Scotts Engineering specialise in the pressure vessel market, with its core business in boiler and LPG tank manufacture plus a small amount of refrigeration vessels. It services mainly hospitals, freezing works, and companies in the textiles, tyre and food industries throughout New Zealand, says Gibson. “There are very few factories that don’t require steam these days, although with the manufacturing base moving off-shore to China there are not as many new factories being built here now.” Scott’s boilers can be manufactured from 200 kw up to 10 megawatts, for use with diesoline, natural gas, LPG, coal, light fuel oil or wood waste. The safety of its products is paramount, he says. “All boilers are designed and manufactured to rigid New Zealand and Australian boiler codes and British standard requirements and all stages of manufacture are inspected by surveyors from SGS, an independent inspection body. We also use all the latest safety features on our products.” Gibson says the company’s smaller ‘package’ boilers are a popular product. “They leave the workshop painted, wired up and ready to go.” Scotts Engineering has exported numerous boilers over the years, mainly to Australia and the South Pacific.
Scotts Engineering specialise in the pressure vessel market, with its core business in boiler and LPG tank manufacture. “We’ve already sent four boilers to Australia this year, including three for the Qantas commercial kitchen at Brisbane International Airport where passenger meals are prepared.” The company has representation in Auckland, and Fiji where it currently has some potential orders. Gibson says that the Christchurch earthquakes had neither a positive nor adverse effect on the company. “The manufacturing sector came through pretty well in Christchurch, and most of our business comes from outside the city anyway.”
There are very few factories that don’t require steam
Gibson has worked in the business for 51 years of the 63 years it has been operating. Thirty years ago he bought the business with fellow engineer Winston Senior, who remained a business partner until he passed away last year. Senior’s chair still sits on the other side of Gibson’s desk underneath a framed photograph of him. “Losing Winston was extremely sad. We had a great relationship over the years. He was more on the theoretic side and I’m more on the practical side.” At 72 years of age, Gibson says he has no plans to slow down himself. “My family has plans for me to, but I don’t. I still enjoy coming in here, talking to people on the phone and shuffling a bit of paper around.”
He says apart from some minor technological changes, the way the business has operated across its lifetime is largely unchanged. “Rightly or wrongly the product and business operation is basically the same as when I started. “We’re forged a strong niche in the pressure vessel market in New Zealand over the decades. “But perhaps it’s time a young guy came into the company like I did 50 years ago, with some ideas about diversifying into new products.”
Scotts Engineering 03 352 9015 scottace@ihug.co.nz
these days, although ... there are not as many new factories being built here now.”
173 MACES ROAD PO BOX 19726 Woolston Christchurch
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