Auckland Today Magazine 103

Issue 103 | December/January 2014

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Killer instincts Deadly Ponies’ creative genius Liam Bowden Creating sustainable growth The difference between prosperity and disappearing without a trace

Clearing the way for change Communication is the key for moving forward

Malicious mail How to identify and deal with spam

Business wisdom Entrepreneurs talk about turning ideas into reality

On the home front John Key on the thorny issue of home affordability

Win! for the family Turn to page 25 and go in the draw to win one cool kayak

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

Who’s the Boss?

Suing the boss for wrongful dismissal or disadvantage has become a cottage industry in recent times. Managers and business owners are on the backfoot when it comes to discipline or dismissal situations in the workplace beset by baseless and frivolous claims from disgruntled staff looking for some tax free windfall cash.

It’s sad but true that if you are in business and employing people, at some point you can expect to have employment relationship issues and often - a personal grievance. New Zealand’s track record is not good and with no shortage of ‘ambulance chasing’ employment advocates offering workers no win - no fee options, Employers – look out.

The Employer’s justification for discipline or dismissal action is not the problem - it’s the procedure they undertake. Get any part of the process wrong and the Employer comes second in court. The cost of the defence is on the Employer, and generally, losing in the

Employment Court averages at about $35,000 while even a successful defence still costs about $10,000. Either way it’s a lose-lose for the boss.

The real cost on the business - especially the small or medium enterprise can be far greater than the monetary value alone. The expression “It’s business - not personal” doesn’t seem to go very far when faced with an exemployee and their over-zealous representative asking $20,000 for disadvantage because they were made redundant after a downturn in business. It is personal, it is stressful and very distracting to the business as a whole. The boss went into business to make widgets and is very good at this. However they don’t know the complex processes required by law which must be followed to the letter.

When faced with a Personal Grievance the enlightened boss usually bites the bullet and writes the other party a cheque, saving themselves the time, stress, expense and getting back to business sooner.

At Employers Assistance we like to think most issues can be avoided prior to the receipt of the Personal Grievance in the mail. Our aim is to equip the Employer to act fairly

and within the law through education, correct process and tools which starts prior to hiring the employee.

Setting up the employment relationship with staff requires the right Employment Agreement to be correctly implemented. This helps protect the Employer in common dispute situations. Take advice from the experts at Employers Assistance – don’t be disadvantaged from the start, use us, we have the expertise.

Employers Assistance Ltd - the clue’s in the title. We look after Employers, and have done so with passion since 1995. With an extensive nationwide membership base we have been supporting New Zealand business owners allowing them to focus on what they do best. The team at EAL consists of experienced and qualified employment law experts. We provide businesses with employment law software systems and solutions to take the complication out of the common but tricky areas of employment law.

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Issue 103 December/January 2014

In this issue...

Viewpoints

Features

In Business

6 Management

13 The science of strategy

31 Property and Construction

Business consultant Kevin Vincent discusses how good leadership will get the most out of your people

6 Strategies

Auckland Today

Issue 103

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Accountable Business Progress boss Colin Clapp says when it comes to business goals, bigger is better

7 Personnel Essential HR director Mike Johnson on why treating employees as individuals is just a no-brainer

7 The PM’s desk John Key talks about tackling the thorny issue of home affordability

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Creating a game changing plan of attack

14 Need inner confidence?

Then get outward bound

15 Malicious mail How to identify and deal with spam

56 Manufacturing

18 Four decisions for sustainable growth

Viking Ironcraft, Replika Manufacturing, Master Maintenance Services, The Bolt Shop, IRL Refrigeration and Industrial Piping Specialists and Best Bars

The differences between companies who grow and those that disappear without a trace

20 Upwardly mobile

Di Barclay

8 Politics

2degrees CEO Stewart Sherriff on shaking up an industry, guerrilla tactics and playing the game

SALES MANAGER

David Shearer outlines Labour’s plan to end power pain

22 Cover story

Gary Collins

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Grant Williams

(09) 927 7632

ADMINISTRATION Kylie Palermo ADMIN MANAGER Kelly Allen Jade Haylett Shannen Johnson Penny Duns

8 HR

SALES & ADVERTISING

Malley and Co lawyer John Shingleton on how proposed employment law changes directly challenge unions

Warren Wilks Annie Scott-Williams Seth Riley Kayte John Rob Cochrane Akash Sandhu Melissa Sinclair Anthony Patrickson Clive Greenwood

MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Verne Williams Shimrit Amir Evelyn Gray Tina Aiono Beth Parton Kris Deere Steve Dando

HRINZ Auckland president Angela Atkins talks about tackling the misuse of sick leave

9 Legal

9 Branding Sarah Davies from business consultancy Purple Sherbet on How to find potential customers

NEWSROOM

10 Online

Jonathon Taylor EDITOR Melinda Collins CHIEF REPORTER Davina Richards JOURNALISTS Marie Sherry

Website specialist Suzanne Carter on generating more online sales

Phone: Fax: Email:

(03) 940 4734 0800 555 054 editor@academy.net.nz

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Reader rewards in this issue…

• Get discounted employment law software from Employers Assistance on page 3 • Be in to win one a UBfree wine purifier pack on page 12 • Save $200 off hair extension from Essential Hair Boutique on page 13

ISSN 1173-1508(Print) | ISSN 2230-6168(Online)

35,144

ABC circulation as at 30/06/13

Liam Bowden, the creative director of fashion label Deadly Ponies, on finding fame in a fickle industry

24 Pearls of business wisdom Start-up secrets from entrepreneurs about turning ideas into reality

25 Clearing the way for change Communication is the key for moving forward

26 A dilemma of the digital age The GCSB controversy might have subsided, but the issue of digital eavesdropping isn’t going anywhere, so here are a couple of opposing viewpoints on the bill and its potential implications

28 Lifestyles Everything from gadgets and gizmos to hat stands and baubles

54 Been Seen Check out the faces in all the right places

66 Business Development From GPS tracking systems to reversing sensors and vehicle security solutions, Calvotech Installations has it covered

67 Goods and Services The KP Group’s cleaning solutions, Panmure Self Storage and Stephens Plumbing

72 Hospitality Letting loose at The Zookeepers’ Son, Auckland’s best kept culinary secret might be Ribier Restaurant and The Postman’s Leg brings the hum back to Glenfield

74 Healthy Living Inside Azzuro Groves, a leading player in the olive oil business on Waiheke Island

76 Focus Health 2000 - the name behind good health, subdivision experts The Survey Company, moving on with Allied Pickfords, Just Cruising Charters, Cabins to Go, Euroglass Frameless Glass and Babbage Consultants

91 Uniforms How Davis Doherty makes style simple

92 Travel and Tourism Making every trip a good one with Bayes Coachlines

93 Boating and Marine

• Win an Ocean Kayak for the family on page 25

BEP Marine, Xpress Trailers and Johnson Outdoors Watercraft

• Get $500 off all solar heating systems from Solar Group on page 31

98 Transport and Motoring

• Buy three tough labels and get a fourth for free on page 64 Disclaimer: This publication is provided on the basis that A-Mark Publishing is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services.

A-Mark Publishing expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice. Contents Copyright 2013 by A-Mark Publishing (NZ) Ltd. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

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Viewpoints | Management/Strategies

People and performance

When it comes to business goals, bigger is better

Kevin Vincent is a director of business improvement consultants Vincent and Nugent Limited.

Visit www.vincentnugent.co.nz

Managing the sheer pace of change is at the very heart of what it is to be a leader or manager in these cost conscious and survival-minded days.

Managing change is a constant feature in our roles and has morphed into a normal way of life.

If you are grappling with leading change in your organisation, whether it’s outsourcing of products and services or lean manufacturing, the theory of constraints, self directed work teams, visions and values, strategic planning, sales mix, product or market developments or any one of a number of things - then you are not alone.

Successful leadership is making the difference between extreme success and unnecessary failure. It underlies everything that we strive to accomplish, from motivating employees to excel beyond their self imposed limits, to inspiring shareholders who seek confirmation of their confidence in skills of your company and its management.

Realists It is an important maxim that all leaders must be realists and recognise the need for action, even when that action is not so apparent or can’t be foreseen, and strive to achieve goals, some of which can only be achieved through succession and generation of new leaders.

Leaders maintain the long view, commit themselves, make tough decisions, persevere through internal and external criticism and above all, remain optimistic.

Inspired leaders know what they want and how they are going to get it. They motivate people, they can manage information and knowledge, and they know what it means to them and their business. Truly inspired leadership comes from being motivated, dedicated and honest.

We’ve all heard the saying ‘walk the talk’.

This is true and is essential. In addition, trust, respect, and a willingness to adapt a common purpose must become a self-disciplining code of everyday working life.

Coping with change is critical. Management tools, skillful methods, sound forecasting,

clever strategies, competent colleagues and brilliant leadership are some of the necessary competencies that we need to equip ourselves with to ensure we are able to effectively manage change.

Soft skills Ensuring you have employed the ‘soft skills’ of openness and trust will significantly improve your chances of effecting positive change. People will work better and change willingly if the process of change is built on the foundations of trust and truth and not too much bureaucracy.

I believe you need to communicate, involve, enable, empower and facilitate with your colleagues, right from the start, with openness and transparency.

Make sure you know why any change is necessary and articulate carefully “why it needs to happen and when it must happen”. Gain their buy-in. Assign smart tasks to selected key people. Build your organisation’s capability and competencies necessary for effecting change.

Make the change and develop a new and fresh culture where people say “this is how we do it now!”

In any change process communication is important before, during and after. Make sure that adequate advance notice is given, especially if a response is expected. Make sure that it is very clear whom people should respond to if they have any comments or concerns and be candid and transparent.

There must be a strategic imperative for organisations to manage talent.

Recruitment, retaining and developing of leaders and managers is, and will remain a critical success factor for organisations now, in the next decade and beyond.

With traditional ‘training’ many organisations fail to benefit from resources spent.

Soon after training has been completed, employees sometimes continue to cling on to the old way of doing things.

I encourage you to think about your learning needs in bringing about change. Very often the knowledge and skills required will reside outside your organisation.

Colin Clapp is the Chief Thinking Officer at Christchurch based Accountable Business Progress.

Visit www.accountable.co.nz

We all know the importance of setting goals, but what really makes the difference is setting the right goals. And in business when it comes to goal setting, it pays to think big.

Goals can be scary things. That’s why most business people set relatively low goals. The reason for this? Fear of failure.

By setting low, safe goals, you can avoid feelings of failure by creating relatively easy hurdles to jump. Goals that are easy to attain also mean you can claim success and have a great sense of achievement by easily hopping over these hurdles.

It’s like adding things to your list after you’ve completed them just so you can have the satisfaction of crossing them off.

Sound familiar?

This approach to goal setting can do wonderful things for your self-esteem, but it won’t do great things for your business.

Average goals also produce average results.

If you want exceptional results for your business then you need to set exceptional goals. To do this, you need to think big.

Oddly enough, the bolder you are, the more likely you are to meet and even exceed your expectations. And, even if you do fall short, you’re still likely to accomplish more than you would have otherwise.

One of my clients has a goal around being a role model for his children, his family and his friends - so much so that he has now set a life altering goal. Within three years, he will take the year off from his business and take the whole family on an around the world surf trip.

The beauty of this is that his entire family, friends, neighbours and workforce all know about this goal. He is motivated to show people it can be done. All we need to do now is build the support system behind him and put the planning in place. This is what will make it happen. Showing it can be done is a powerful driver for my client; everything else is just following the script.

The following five steps can help you set and achieve your big business goals:

Think big, and start with the end in mind Nothing is too unreasonable or too unrealistic.

A business goal, or even a life goal, should be seemingly out of reach, but with considerable effort - reachable. Don’t be afraid to set outrageous goals, saying them out loud or writing them down simply confirms your commitment to making them happen.

Connect your business goals to your personal happiness Look at how your business goals affect your personal happiness. You need to understand how you’ll reach your goal and what wealth it will bring you – both monetary and personally.

This way, you will be invested in achieving your goal practically and emotionally.

Create a plan detailing how you will achieve your goals While you may know exactly what it is that has be done to reach your goals, it’s still important to specify the steps and actions you are going to take to get you there.

Include timeframes to keep you on track.

This will ensure your goals never seem out of reach, but are only a matter of small steps to be conquered.

Identify roadblocks and plan alternative routes If you can figure out what’s getting in your way, then you are halfway towards removing the obstacle. More often than not, it is our own self doubt that gets in our way.

Get rid of your self doubt by referring to your plan regularly and taking small steps to keep on track.

Continually remind yourself of your goals Write them down and continually refer to them. Don’t keep your goals to yourself share them with friends, family and your team. By making your goals well known to those around you, you’re ensuring that you don’t delude or cheat yourself – and you have something to prove. You are also giving the people around you an opportunity to support you and help keep you on track.

What big goal excites you? Be courageous share it, plan for it and make it happen. The rewards will be worth it.

YOUR ADVERT HERE If you’re interested in advertising in one of our regional business magazines please contact the Advertising Manager, Di Barclay on Ph: (03) 961 5087 | di@academy.net.nz | www.magazinestoday.co.nz

6 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Viewpoints | Governance/The PM’s desk

Treating employees as individuals Mike Johnson is the director of Essential HR with significant international and local experience.

Visit www.essentialhr.co.nz

Imagine a small company where the manager is often out of the office visiting clients – whether in the same city or travelling around the South Island. In a situation like this, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the manager’s priorities weren’t on the admin employees left behind in the office, but on other, more pressing business matters.

But this manager had his finger on the pulse.

He realised one of his employees wanted a career in finance, so put the hard working employee’s desire to learn and existing skills to work in additional ways, exposing the employee to a future career path.

The employee is now working in accounts for that same company, and with his development came his desire to stay in the company, keeping a valuable employee on their payroll.

Employee retention starts with realising what each employee wants and working out the best way in which to help them get it as far as you can.

Employees are not just employees – naturally, their desires are both inside and outside of work, so when they find a company that listens and responds to them holistically, they will remain on board much longer.

This helps shape a psychological contract where commitment and loyalty are both obligations and rewards for both parties.

Listening and responding to your employees starts at a base level; acknowledging and accepting them as individuals. This means things like remembering their names, acknowledging them when they walk past you (even when they don’t have a report due), and being conscious of their personal circumstances, like childcare needs.

Why does the builder on your building site come to work each day – is it to hammer in nails to pieces of wood, or is it to be part of the team that is building your house?

The more you understand what makes your employees tick, the easier it will be to support them. You can then do things for them individually and just as their motivators will differ, to motivate them all to the same extent, you should treat them differently.

The real impact on retention however, is understanding that their motivation goes beyond their current tasks - it links to their career aspirations.

One of the most common reasons I hear given by employees for leaving companies is that it helps develop their career. But you can help them develop their career yourself, at least to a small degree, just by trying a little bit!

For example, for one part time student working for me, I allocated those tasks that would support her chosen HR career.

Practically, how can you do this? I believe the best way is through some formal planning. For example by creating individual development plans as part of your performance management process.

This way you consider their job tasks at the same time as their broader career related goals. These plans don’t need to take long to put together, nor are they complex; but you do need an understanding of your own business goals, a genuine interest in your employees and the willingness to review the goals at frequent intervals to keep them relevant.

Individual development planning helps increase retention as it gives employees something clear and positive to work towards in the short term, as well as a vision for themselves two, three or five years down the track in their current job.

Think for a moment about what motivates you to work.

They therefore do not need to seek these goals in another organisation. I would encourage you to use such plans as an essential tool in your care of key employees.

So what do you think motivates your key staff? What makes them tick? Why do they do what they do at work? What makes them perform better?

Not that this will retain all key staff on its own – so, for more ideas, revisit this page in the next issue when I will look at really being a bloody good employer.

On the home front

By Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister

Housing affordability is an issue the National-led Government is working very hard on and has been for some time.

We are committed to ensuring home ownership is attainable for as many New Zealanders as possible. We value home ownership as it provides stability for families, strength for communities and security for retirement.

We are already starting to see the results.

In early October the first batch of Special Housing Areas to be agreed under the Auckland Housing Accord was announced.

The first batch involves 11 Special Housing Areas, totalling more than 6,000 sections across the city.

The Auckland Housing Accord has a target of consenting 39,000 new homes during three years.

But we acknowledge affordability is a big issue in our largest city, as it is in other parts of the country too. So we are tackling the problem on a number of fronts.

The locations for the Special Housing Areas include Papakura, East Tamaki, Pukekohe, Hobsonville, Kumeu, West Harbour, and Orakei.

At the National Party Conference in August I announced plans to aid first home buyers through changes to KiwiSaver and Welcome Home Loans costing $64 million across four years.

These announcements show that real progress is being made on the supply side, and Housing Minister Nick Smith expects more Special Housing Areas to be approved

by Christmas.

The changes involve relaxing restrictions around KiwiSaver members accessing the extra deposit assistance of up to $5,000 that is currently available.

They also involve amending the Welcome Home Loans scheme, where the Government underwrites loans for qualifying people, to relax restrictions and make them the same as the new criteria in KiwiSaver. We are also expanding the Welcome Home Loans scheme.

The Government is also going to change the Local Government Act to rein in council development contributions, conducting an inquiry into building materials costs, and investing in relevant skills and education so the construction sector can find skilled workers.

We have a lot more to do to improve the housing supply, but people can be assured that a great deal of work is already being done and we are making progress.

This package of changes came into effect on October 1.

The Government has also been very busy looking at ways to increase the supply of housing. Increasing supply is far and away the most important thing we can do for housing affordability.

At the conference I announced a number of significant changes to the Resource Management Act, including making councils plan for a minimum of 10 years’ urban land supply.

The Government has also agreed on a Housing Accord with Auckland Council, which was ratified in September, following the passage of legislation aimed at delivering tens of thousands of new homes around the country by unblocking the planning system.

John Key was elected Prime Minister of the National led Government at the 2008 general election. He also became Minister of Tourism, Minister responsible for Ministerial Services, Minister in charge of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, and Minister responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau. He led National to a second victory in the 2011 election, achieving 47 percent of the party vote, which was the highest vote ever for a single party under the MMP system.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 7

Viewpoints | Politics/HR

Our plan to end power pain

Help! Ben’s on stress leave.

What actions can i take?

Angela Atkins is GM of Elephant Training and HR, president of the HRINZ Auckland and a bestselling author. Visit eww.elephanthr.co.nz

David Shearer is the Labour Party spokesman for energy and foreign affairs

Like me, I’m sure you have watched your power bills go up this year. Just as they have done year after year.

Household power prices increased an average of $72 nationally from August 2012 to August this year. That’s a shocking figure, when around the world prices have been dropping.

In some places it was higher: Christchurch suffered a $127 price hike -- as if it’s not hard enough trying to warm a quakedamaged house.

Demand is flat, yet prices continue to rise; last year, five times faster than inflation.

Recent figures show almost 20,000 Kiwis have had their power cut off already this year because they can’t afford to pay their electricity bills.

These aren’t just numbers - most of those 19,245 households will have suffered stress and sleepless nights, have struggled to pay their bill and then suffered the indignity of disconnection despite their best efforts.

Businesses are feeling the burden too. Rising power prices cut into profits.

While many of our competitor countries have seen their electricity prices decline, ours have continued to increase.

That makes it difficult for New Zealand’s businesspeople to compete. Yet the current government denies there’s a problem.

As the Labour Party’s spokesman for energy, I want to hold them to account. Businesses, households, we’re all being ripped off by our power companies.

I just spent some time at Vector. They recently dropped their lines changes by 10 percent.

Did those savings get passed on to Kiwi households? No - our power companies pocketed the windfall. I think that’s outrageous.

We need greater regulation and transparency of pricing so we can see who’s charging us what.

“

Most of our power comes from hydroelectric; we paid those dams off years ago. Our power prices should be some of the cheapest in the world - not the most expensive.

”

The next Labour Government will create NZ Power - an agency to buy wholesale electricity for a fair price and pass the savings on, just as Pharmac does for pharmaceuticals.

Businesses and industry will have their power costs lowered by five to seven percent.

Households by 10 percent -- that’s hundreds of dollars a year.

Independent economists BERL estimate NZ Power will boost New Zealand’s economic growth by $450 million and create 5,000 jobs.

We’ll cover the cost within the current budgeted allocations for new spending and stay on track to reach surplus by 2014/15.

Remember Labour balanced its budget nine years out of nine. Since then, the current government has been in continual deficit.

There are many countries around the world that have a system like NZ Power. Many of them have very fast-growing economies.

NZ Power will bring down your power bill, stimulate the economy and create the jobs we need.

Most of our power comes from hydroelectric; we paid those dams off years ago.

Our power prices should be some of the cheapest in the world - not the most expensive.

What happens when you have an employee who says they’re too stressed to work? Or keeps taking sick leave?

You do have a few options.

At Elephant one of the biggest issues the companies we advise have is employees saying they are stressed or taking lots of sick leave. So this month we look at a couple of cases we’ve dealt with recently and test you to see if you would know what options you have.

Let’s look at stress leave first. Have a read of the situation and decide which option you think is the most appropriate. Both feature our favourite fake employee Ben, but both are based on real cases.

Case study 1: Deadlines Ben is working in a role where he has to enter customer information each day and also enter in billing and invoicing details.

There are daily deadlines attached to this as well as end of the month deadlines that do require some extra hours. Ben emails you on a Monday morning saying that he is stressed and can’t come in to work and is taking stress leave. What can you legally do and which is the best approach?

A. Tell him that stress is a hazard under the Health and Safety Act. If he’s feeling stressed, he needs to raise it with you first so that you can take steps to address it. So when he comes back tomorrow you need details of what is stressing him.

because deadlines are unreasonable, you need to assess his workload and fix this. If it’s more about how Ben manages his time, then you might provide him with some training or coaching or some counselling to help him improve his skills.

B) is also correct, although if he really is feeling awful and has sick leave entitlement, he could use this to take the day off.

C) You will need to pay for him to see the doctor unless he’s away from work for three days, then he would need to cover the cost of seeing a doctor. And you’d hopefully do D) if he’s a good employee!

The other issue that comes up is someone taking lots of sick leave. Have a read of this situation we had recently.

Case study 2: Mondayitis Ben has worked for you for one year and eight months, so has 10 days sick leave. He’s taken nine Mondays off during that time. He calls in sick for the 10th Monday. What can you legally do about it?

A. Put him on unpaid leave as he’s clearly misusing his sick leave.

B. Ask him for a medical certificate for any more time off, and he’ll have to pay to go to the doctor.

C. Tell him he only has one paid day left and after that any leave will be unpaid.

D. Have a formal meeting with him for misusing his sick leave (which may result in a warning).

The answer? C. You could also ask for a medical certificate (which you’d need to pay for). While you can’t treat it as a disciplinary issue, you could have a meeting with him C. Ask him to go and get a doctor’s certificate to talk about how he could minimise taking if he’s too ill to work and that you won’t pay Mondays off. If he admits he is lying and isn’t sick, only then could you treat it as a him unless he provides this. disciplinary issue as he’s been lying.

D. Tell him to look after himself and you If you’re unsure do talk to your HR consultant hope he’s feeling better tomorrow and for or lawyer. Next time we look at what happens him to take as much time as he needs. if Ben is stealing.

And the answer is… actually all of them in a way!

B. Advise him that there is no such thing as stress leave and he needs to get back to work immediately.

With A) an employer does need the chance to address the issue. If Ben is stressed

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Viewpoints | Legal/Branding

Employment law changes challenge to the unions

How to find potential customers

John Shingleton is the general manager and partner responsible for employment law at Malley & Co. Visit www.malley.co.nz

In April the Government introduced a bill aimed at amending the Employment Relations Act 2000. What are some of those changes and how do they affect employers and employees?

Vulnerable employees

Changes to good faith bargaining

At present, employers must provide employees with paid rest breaks and one unpaid 30 minute meal break if their work period is between six and eight hours. The timing of rest and meal breaks is flexible and can follow any arrangement agreed between employer and employee.

Currently, if employers propose to restructure their business and make employees redundant, they must give affected employees extensive access to confidential information – unless there is good reason to keep it confidential, such as to avoid their commercial position from being unreasonably prejudiced.

The bill restricts this obligation. It exempts the employer from providing confidential information in several circumstances, such as when the information is about another employee. This means an employer can protect the privacy of other employees.

Removal of duty to conclude a collective agreement Currently, unions and employers bargaining for a collective agreement both have to conclude a collective agreement, unless there are genuine reasons why they cannot.

The bill removes this obligation and provides the right to seek a determination of the Employment Relations Authority that bargaining is concluded. If the Authority determines that bargaining is concluded then no further bargaining can take place for a further 60 days without agreement of both sides.

These provisions will reduce the power to strike or lockout.

Workplace flexibility Currently, an employee’s right to flexible work arrangements are quite prescribed.

The bill removes the restrictions and allows an employee to request flexible working arrangements at any time and the employer must respond within one month.

Currently, the act defines and provides vulnerable employees the right to continue doing their job or contract when a new party buys the business they are already employed by or contracted with.

The bill exempts companies with fewer than 20 employees.

Rest breaks

The bill states employees must be given a reasonable opportunity for rest and refreshment during work time. However, that the right to a rest break or meal break is no longer entrenched if the employer and employee agree on compensation, such as time off work or payment of money instead of the break.

Multi-employer collective agreements (MECAS) Multi-party bargaining is usually initiated by notice from a union or unions, or from an employer or employers, provided certain strict time frames are met. MECAS often bind several employers and unions to one collective agreement.

The bill will allow an employer to opt out of bargaining for a MECA, by giving written notice no later than 10 days after receiving notice from a union or unions.

The opt-out notice will have immediate effect and mean the employer is no longer bound to bargain.

It is my opinion that the combined effect of some of the legislative changes will be to reduce the power of unions in the bargaining process. Because employers will be allowed to opt out of multi-employer bargaining, the unions will lose a significant strategic industry-based bargaining tool.

I predict an interesting electoral campaign.

Sarah Davies is the managing director of Purple Sherbet, an ideas generation consultancy helping companies increase revenue and build their brand.

Visit www.purplesherbet.co.nz

There is a common misunderstanding among businesses who are trying to get more business that you need to market to everyone in your target market and spread the brush wide, to reach as many people as possible.

The trouble with this, is that it often results in a generic and expensive marketing approach that reaches everyone, but doesn’t actually resonate with anyone.

It is imperative to start by clarifying who your target market is and from there, you can segment it.

The most prosperous businesses are the ones that realise the key to success lies in satisfying the individual rather than the mass market. This notion is particularly important for small business owners, and the best way for them to compete with large organisations is by targeting a niche market.

Here are some easy to follow tips to help you identify your potential customers: Know yourself Start by asking, what is the purpose of your product or service? Is it a luxury commodity or is it a necessity? Does your business make people’s lives better in some way? What value do you offer potential customer?

Also, what are your roadblocks? What is your dollar competing with?

Don’t forget demographics It is important to get specific when you are defining your target market. Factors such as age, location, gender, ethnicity, income, and education should all be taken into consideration. This way you will have a much better chance of relating to and empathising with your audience. Break your target market down into as many segments as you can.

children and then reach them via local schools or day care centres.

A second segment in this could be women in this age group who frequent a chain of gyms that are open to working with you, or a chain of hair salons. It is much easier to market to these segments and tap into some thing that will be of value to them.

Look at who your current customers are This may sound like a given, but quite often we fail to see what is right in front of us. If your current customer likes your product or service, it’s highly likely that the people in her social networks will too. So think about what sort of person she is, where she shops, where she lives, what sort of lifestyle she leads, what make of car she drives.

Check out the competition Find out who your competitors are targeting and how they are reaching them, then look for an alternative route or demographic. This is a great way to gain a monopoly over a particular audience that may have previously been ignored.

Evaluate Once you have figured out who your target market is, it is vital that you analyse whether or not your audience has the right credentials to sustain your business. Questions such as; Are there enough people within that market?

Can they afford my product or service? Will they benefit from my product or service?

The economy of today is not easy and it is more important then ever to ensure your marketing budget and brand message are focused on the specific groups that are likely to turn into customers.

After you’ve identified your primary market you can build a marketing strategy, that is both effective and resourceful, to match their particular requirements.

You’ll be amazed at the results you get from working smarter, not harder.

The more you narrow down your demographic the easier it will be to reach them. For example, instead of targeting 30 to 45 year old women in general, you could look at 30 to 45 year old women who have young

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 9

Viewpoints | Online

News | Events Diary

Ten website strategies to get more sales Suzanne Carter is the business development manager for website design and development company Limelight Online Ltd. Visit www.limelightonline.co.nz

EVENTS DIARY

What’s happening on the business and entertainment front

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – 27 Managing your People

Am I right in thinking that you need your website to work for your business and bring in sales?

A sale can be a purchase of a product, an appointment for a haircut, a dinner reservation or a hotel booking. These sales may not be instant sales but they are activity via your website that can be converted.

In the news Media attention means credibility in the minds of most consumers. It doesn’t matter whether it’s from TV, radio, newspapers, magazines or an online media source. Have a page on your site that features videos, press releases and stories from media exposure.

Cite studies and research

Conversions are so much easier to obtain if your website demonstrates that you are a credible business offering products or services that do what you say they are going to do.

Citing studies, preferably from well known research universities, organisations or institutes is another way to add some proof to your claims. The research will help prove your case better than you trying to make the case on your own.

Here are your 10 website strategies to get more sales:

Feature Notable Clients

Testimonials Showcase several testimonials that highlight different aspects of your products or service.

It’s OK to ask customers to focus on a specific aspect of your business or service when they are writing a testimonial for you.

Also, you don’t have to use their testimonial in its entirety so feel free to use an abridged version.

If you are going to add a date to the testimonials, make sure that you regularly update them as a testimonial that is four years old is likely to do more harm than good.

Reviews Reviews come from the actual users of a product/service sharing their impressions directly on your site. If you can see that how what you are offering worked for someone else then you are more inclined to take the next step and make a purchase or send in an enquiry.

Awards If you have received any awards or special recognition for your work, then let people know about it. People love the fact that others love you.

Training If you have received specific industry training or are a member of an accredited organisation, this must be mentioned on your website. If you are a Registered Master Builder then add the logo to your site.

Having high profile clients mentioned on your site, whether it is via a testimonial or just displaying their logo is, a big deal. These companies don’t need to be nationally or internationally known brands, but could be companies that are well known in your particular industry.

Guarantee A guarantee shows that you stand behind your product/service while reducing the risk to the prospect. The stronger the guarantee, the more credibility it provides.

If you have a new product or service and don’t yet have testimonials, reviews or noteworthy clients, offering a strong guarantee to show you fully believe and stand behind your offer may be the best option for you.

Videos Sometimes the best way to show credibility isn’t with words but with the use of videos.

You can use videos to demonstrate how your software works or give people a peek inside your membership site. This makes your offering more tangible so people know exactly what they’re paying for.

For more information go to: www.businessatmanukau.co.nz

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 – 4 Business Leadership At its core, leadership means setting goals, lighting a path and persuading others to follow. Effectively communicating your message to inspire, making the most of your available time and sourcing precious resources are a few aspects of leadership.

Learn how to do this more effectively and lead others to get extraordinary things done.

10 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Learn practical techniques to produce better budgets that are aligned with your overall business strategy. Through the use of practical case studies you will be able to readily compare budgets with forecast and results, and put in place mechanisms to manage your cashflow and receive a cashflow budget template for use in your own business.

For more information, go to: www.chamber.co.nz

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 Big Day Out With world renowned artists and a brand new venue at Western Springs, Big Day Out is set to rock 2014.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26

Train the Trainer

Jimmy Carr

Effective teaching strategies are essential for sharing information with staff and customers. Know how training fits into your organisation and make sure that all staff with a responsibility for instruction enhance their teaching skills in this hands-on, one day MIT business course. Participants will learn to identify people’s different learning styles how to teach them and come away ready to run highly effective training sessions.

One of the most original and distinctive stars on television, radio and the stage in the UK, Jimmy Carr is set to tour New Zealand for the first time with his hit solo show, Gagging Order. His stand up achievements to date include a British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand Up Tour, a Loaded LAFTA Award for Best Stand-Up and a Perrier Award nomination.

For more information, go to: www.businessatmanukau.co.nz

For tickets, go to: www.eventfinder.co.nz

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 The Color Run Auckland

Product Marketing Tips

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Budgeting and Cashflow Management

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2

There is almost no point in having all the other strategies in place if the design and functionality of your website is off-putting to customers and prospects.

By including The Salvation Army in your Will you’ll help those in need; the poor, homeless and addicted. Its easy to provide this lasting legacy.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 5

For more information and to book tickets, go to: www.eventfinder.co.nz

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3

This is actually the very first strategy that you need to focus on as creating the right first impression of your business will make the difference between success and failure.

For more information, go to: www.businessatmanukau.co.nz

For more information, go to: www.minervalearning.co.nz

Design

Remember us in your Will and leave a legacy of hope For more information call:

Performance management, training management, even time management – managing people is complex. Improve your effectiveness as a people manager in this two day business course. You’ll learn some group dynamics fundamentals, identify when to manage, when to lead and how to do both, as well as explore tactics for difficult people, difficult situations and how to manage the change process.

best to research and reach your customers in this practical one day course.

From marketing planning and market research, to branding and public relations, product marketing must constantly adapt to highly competitive and constantly changing business contexts. Learn new marketing and sales planning techniques, gain insights into consumer behaviour trends, and review how

Taking place at the Pukekohe Raceway the only question is “Are you ready for the craziest, most colourful 5k of your life?” You bet you are. Race it solo or form a team of four or more members. The Color Run is a one of a kind experience that is less about speed and more about enjoying a colour crazy day with your friends and family.

For more information and to register, go to: www.thecolorrun.com

Send for FREE booklet to: Director, Wills and Bequests PO Box 27-001, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Name: Address:

Phone: ❑ I have already Included The Salvation Army in my Will.

News | Local Moves

Like wine but find it doesn’t like you?

By Kayte John

A Kiwi couple from Nelson has developed an innovative product for people who love wine, but suffer from the sulphites used to preserve it. The product, UBfree, removes these sulphites, reduces headaches and prevents allergy-like symptoms from developing.

Ninety five percent of wines contain sulphites known as (SO2) which can cause allergy-like symptoms such as rashes, headaches, nasal congestion, nausea, restricted breath and IBS. One woman who knows this all too well is Christina Clifford. Being a person who appreciates wine, Christina was disheartened at the thought of no longer being able to drink wine due to the nasty side effects these added sulphites caused.

Christina and her partner Miles were determined to find a solution. Through Miles’ connections in the scientific and wine industry the couple’s journey began. They started researching sulphites and the role they play in our bodies.

A prototype formula was soon created and tested, and the results were immediate.

Christina found she could start enjoying wine again without any reactions. In 2010 the first UBfree prototype formula was developed and, during an 18 month period, vigorously tested and refined at the world class New Zealand Cawthron Institute.

UBfree was formally established in May 2012, the product is 100 percent organic, tasteless and safe to use. It also has an instant cellaring effect on wine, improving the flavour.

There are two product varieties; one is designed for red wine and the other is for white wine. Both of these products come in a dropper bottle which is designed to treat an

Reader reward Be in to win one of four UBfree packs. Simply email info@ubfree.co.nz and quote ‘Auckland Today’ and go in the draw to win a UBfree pack. Please ensure your email contains your name, address and contact details.

“

We want to help people enjoy drinking sulphite reduced wine, without the allergy like symptoms occurring, and by helping people get their social lives back.

”

individual glass of wine, you simply add a few drops and wait for 30 seconds then enjoy.

The other product comes in a liquid sachet designed to treat a 750ml bottle of wine.

Once the sachet is emptied into the bottle of wine you simply wait for 30 seconds then enjoy.

UBfree is now selling nationwide and stocked at various wine outlets, supermarkets and specialty health stores across the country. It is also available to purchase through its website www.ubfree.co.nz. Due to popular demand UBfree is also selling around the world through its online shop, including the UK and Australia.

Photo provided courtesy of the Nelson Mail

pending’ formula in certain international markets. Our ambition is to take UBfree to the world as there are 38 billion bottles of wine consumed each year.

“Our future goal is to build and expand the business into a household healthy choice brand name. We want to help people enjoy drinking sulphite reduced wine, without the allergy like symptoms occurring, and by helping people get their social lives back.

Christina says the enquiry of UBfree has been “We love what we do and are thrilled to have significant. “We are currently working towards developed a product that helps people,” either exporting or licensing our ‘patent Christina says.

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News | Business Tips

The science of strategy

By Suzi McAlpine

As with a lot of corporate vocabulary, strategy is a word which is bandied about. Yet so often it is misunderstood and poorly executed.

Like all effective tools, the concept of strategy is fundamentally very simple. I like Max McKeown’s definition of strategy when he argues that “strategy is about shaping the future” and is the human attempt to get to “desirable ends with available means”.

At its most basic, a strategy is an action plan.

However the question of what an action plan means, and whether one is even worthwhile in this day and age (particularly given the volatility, complexity and pace of change), is a pertinent subject in leadership circles.

The business world has become a more turbulent place where anyone with a new idea can put it into action before you can say “startup” – and launch widespread movements with a single tweet.

This volatile environment has left organisational leaders with a very real problem, because the trusted, traditional

approach to strategic planning is based on assumptions which no longer apply.

Despite this, I am still a strong believer in the power of strategic planning.

Implemented well, it can be galvanising for an organisation. It provides a framework for action, giving confidence to the board and employees that the organisation and leaders have a plan for success.

As Dwight Eisenhower once said, “In preparing for battle, I’ve always found that plans are useless, but planning is essential.”

So, I spoke to three leaders who are renowned for strategic agility and here are their top tips to help with developing successful strategies: 1. Creativity and full participation Build a company culture that encourages alternative thinking and opinions. And when it comes to strategic planning sessions,

consider using an external facilitator, as they will ensure all involved in the planning participate.

Often in strategy planning sessions some participants dominate the conversation, while others (despite their good ideas) stay quiet.

Skilled facilitation is an essential ingredient in an effective strategic planning session. So is divergent thinking.

2. Begin with the end in mind Start in the future when designing your strategy – not in the now. This will help people to focus on where you need to be and what success looks like, rather than what the issues are right now.

As the legendary Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) said, “Perception is strong and sight weak.

In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.”

3. Be flexible Make sure everyone knows amendments and changes are inevitable from the outset. This is as much about expectation management as it is about allaying any future concerns when inevitable strategy adjustments happen.

Strategic drift can occur when a company responds too slowly to changes in the external environment. People need to know that changing course does not mean the strategy is wrong (although in some cases it may be). It simply means adaptability is necessary to end up where we want to be.

4. Mitigate risks A good leader will consider multiple perspectives, but at the end of the day also be decisive. If the buck stops with you and you decide to take a particular road, be clear about why you have decided upon a particular course of action. At the same time, be prepared to be wrong and build in a ‘what if’ process so all potential risks (and risk mitigation strategies) are clear from the get go.

Suzi McAlpine is the owner of McAlpine Coaching, working with executives and corporate leaders facilitating professional development, helping individuals and organisations to gain clarity and overcome challenges to achieve success.

Visit www.theleadersdigest.me

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News | Motivation

Need inner confidence?

Then get outward bound

By Davina Richards

How often do you fake it? You know - when you walk into work to face a group of superiors and a mountain of challenges and have to dig deep inside your soul to find the confidence to hold your shoulders back and your head high, when everything about you is screaming ‘run and hide’?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the self confidence which is real and natural? There’s no better time to improve on personal development than the present.

And there’s nothing more rewarding than unlocking your full potential by going through experiences which tests you physically, mentally and emotionally.

Challenges are part of our every day living; they exist both inside and outside of working life. So how good are we at rising to the challenge which can present itself at any given moment? And if we’re good at something, isn’t there always room to do it better? Employees should have a need to learn and to expand on all levels of development.

It’s these experiences which help to improve overall development through review and reflection of oneself. Doing so ultimately makes you feel empowered and effective in both work and relationships.

Learning to conquer your fears and apprehensions will help you improve your physical and mental health, advance in your career and gain new experiences. It can also help to enhance others around you.

Improving your confidence, determination and engagement starts with self awareness.

To push forward with a sense of purpose, we need to learn from our own strengths, weaknesses and everything in between.

The connection between yourself and others is the second most important factor to enhance your performance. Group performance and communication is vital in all aspects: you rely on the people you work with for guidance, support and to help you to be the best that you can be. All types of business require workers to work well as both an individual as part of a team.

There’s one leading organisation in New Zealand which has been helping people to reach their full potential through challenge and adventure since 1962.

Operating in the Marlborough Sounds, Outward Bound is designed to inspire and encourage personal and social development through a choice of courses which enable individuals to take part in group activities, including sailing, kayaking, high ropes, rock climbing and other physical training.

The courses have been specifically designed to test participants physically, mentally and emotionally. Expect to be in challenging situations with real consequences to keep you on your toes.

Complete any of the eight day or 21 day courses and expect to see positive results in your self awareness, confidence, motivation, social awareness and communication skills.

At Outward Bound everyone has a place.

Your personal challenge awaits you and it’s bound to have a positive effect.

Simpson Grierson human resources director, Jo Copeland says, “We’ve been sending our emerging leaders on the Navigator course since 2008. It’s a special part of our leadership development programme.

“Our people come back invigorated and motivated to lead. The difference in their confidence levels is profound and it is moving to see such rapid change. The look on someone’s face when we tell them they’ve been selected says it all.”

Busing Russell and Co accountant Shae Rasmussen says, “The Outward Bound Navigator course was an exhilarating experience. It taught me to push myself, challenge the norm, and take a different approach to social and leadership situations.

I would thoroughly recommend the course to anyone looking to improve their leadership skills and gain a new perspective”.

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14 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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News | Tactics

Malicious mail

By Melinda Collins

We all know the basic premise behind standard computer games; defend and attack. But in real life defending and attacking are also necessary strategies to protect our computers.

you should open the attachment to read an important message, well just don’t.

Most New Zealanders will have encountered a phishing scam at some point in their online lives and it is believed more than 2,000 Kiwis are affected by cyber crime every day.

NetSafe has published the ‘New Zealand Phishing Species’ chart with illustrations

by Chris Slane, based on the fish and chip shop staple ‘New Zealand Commercial Fishing Species’ chart. It highlights many of the different ways scammers target internet users.

Netsafe recently published its third annual review of cyber incidents reported by New Zealand internet users and has found that more than $4.4m has been lost during the last 12 months to internet scams.

So what are the best weapons to defend a spam attack on our computers and how can we wage war on those behind them?

How to identify spam A quick glance at your inbox reveals which senders you recognise and those you don’t.

But since we aren’t all blessed with a photographic memory, this is by no means a fool proof plan.

And today’s spammers are cunning little rascals, so knowing the sender doesn’t guarantee safety.

Unless you speak foreign languages, senders with foreign characters in their names will likely be spam. Sender addresses with numbers should put up a red flag, as should companies who you haven’t signed up to a mailing list with.

More often than not spam is obvious from its subject line and anything which suggests

Poor spealling and bad gramer (just like that), and even unusual phrases, are signs the email may not be on the level. While some people genuinely make mistakes, no legitimate business would send out an email with a host of multiple and obvious errors.

Most importantly, no bank will ever ask for your password via email, so under no circumstances should you enter any personal information online as prompted by email.

Netsafe guidelines

NetSafe believes education and scepticism when using the internet is the best protection against common scams.

Martin Cocker warns against following shortened links or downloading unknown files. “Be careful when you receive emails requesting urgent account verification, when you’re sent unexpected attachments or see curious video or photo links posted on your newsfeed.

“Don’t respond, download files or click on links to websites you’re suspicious of and investigate any offers carefully that appear to be too good to be true.”

Phishing and social engineering tricks are one of the ‘Tight 5’ of computer security that NetSafe is focusing on during Cyber Security Awareness Week. The ‘Tight 5’ comprises: • Use strong passwords • Update everything • Use a secure wireless network • Back up your files • Think before you click.

Reporting spammers and online fraudsters The anti-spam site http://complaints. antispam.govt.nz/ makes reporting cyber crime easy and straightforward. You can make complaints about spam you have received through email or by text on your mobile phone, register your details if you anticipate making further complaints.

Commercial messages must only be sent when you have given express consent, inferred consent, or deemed consent. If you think the sender of the message may have been acting on one of these types of consent, first unsubscribe from the message (commercial messages must contain a functioning unsubscribe facility).

If you receive further messages from the sender after five working days of requesting to be unsubscribed, if there is no unsubscribe facility, or if you don’t believe the sender had any consent to contact you, please register your complaint.

How to prevent contact form spam Computer programs known as ‘spambots’ have been designed to trawl the internet automatically, sending spam messages through website contact forms. Fortunately there is a way to prevent this happening to your website.

Create has an option where you can switch on a verification code to your contact form called

a CAPTCHA. A CAPTCHA randomly generates a code which helps to determine that a human is trying to send your form, and not a robot, therefore helping keep your inbox clean and spam free. Visit www.captcha. net/ to find out how.

Prevent outgoing mail from being junked Most email systems have automatic spam filters which pick up on specific words and terms it deems suspect and puts them in the spam box. To prevent your emails from going to people’s spam boxes try to avoid popular spam phrases like “massive sale” or “great opportunity”. Be creative.

Don’t repeat the word ‘free’ too often, don’t use ALL CAPS anywhere in your email and don’t use too many different coloured fonts within the message.

Check the settings on your email to ensure your name or business name is set up as your first and last name, so the recipient knows your emails are from a trusted source.

If you need to use an exclamation mark, keep it to one at a time, seriously!!!

Also avoid sending your customers any large attachments through email.

Try to only send attachments to customers if they are expecting them, but if you must, avoid sending .exe, .swf and if possible .zip files, just stick to standard .pdf, .jpg, and .png files.

A Christmas gift that gives Businesses on the hunt for Christmas gifts with a bit of heart needn’t lose heart. For the 16th year running, Mercy Hospice Auckland is offering a tantalising assortment of Christmas cakes lovingly handmade by the Great New Zealand Christmas Cake Company.

Mercy Hospice Auckland CEO, Lynda Smith says a portion of every Christmas cake sold is used to help Mercy Hospice provide quality end-of-life care and support to a growing number of Auckland patients and their families. “Last year, for the very first time, we attended to the needs of 1,000 patients.”

Matrix Security Group Limited is a regular cake customer. “Mercy Hospice is a deserving charity and we are proud to support them,” company spokesman Sam Woolford says.

“Mercy Hospice provides an important and much needed service to our community. For Matrix Security it is important that, when possible, we make the most of opportunities to give back to our community.”

Sam says that gifting the cakes to staff members is always a well-received present, “Mainly because the whole family gets to enjoy them too”.

The cakes are also often used as fun prizes in conjunction with the company’s newsletter.

Based on a tried and tested family recipe, these delicious cakes come in a range of sizes from 500g to 2kg and are priced from just $26 plus courier charge.

To purchase your cakes and other tasty Christmas treats visit www.mercyhospice.org.nz or call (09) 361 5966. Support the care of patients and families at Mercy Hospice Auckland by placing your order today. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 15

getting confused

with all the solid wood flooring on the market?

With the growing awareness of environmental protection, solid wood flooring gradually becomes the preferred choice of floor decoration. However, with thousands of solid wood flooring products on the market, how can a regular customer choose the right ones?

What?

Solid wood flooring is milled from a single piece of timber that is kiln or air dried before sawing. Depending on the desired look of the floor, the timber can be cut in three ways: flat-sawn, quarter-sawn, and rift-sawn. The timber is cut to the desired dimensions and either packed unfinished for a site-finished installation or finished at the factory. The moisture content at time of manufacturing is carefully controlled to ensure the product doesn’t warp during transport and storage.

adjust the air humidity to the most comfortable for the human body. Scientific research indicates that life can be lengthened by 10 years living in a wood house on long term basis.

Warm in winter and cool in summer In winter, the temperature on the surface of solid wood flooring is 8°c - 10°c higher than the surface of tiles. In summer, temperature of a room with solid wood flooring is 2°c - 3°c lower than the room with tiles.

Eco-friendly Solid wood flooring is made of natural wood from primeval forest without the coating of volatile wear-resistant paint. It is totally eco-friendly from material and coating. This is the only 100 percent eco-friendly floor decorates material.

Unique

Why?

We all know that each tree has its own texture which means you can’t find two trees that look exactly alike. As a result, every piece of solid wood flooring is unique in the world. Nobody else will get the same as you do.

Sound Insulation Solid wood flooring has hard texture and compact fiber structure. It works better than concrete, tiles and steel in sound insulation.

Humidity Adjustment Solid wood flooring is a life product. When saying ‘life’ we mean this product breathes to release the internal moisture when the condition is too dry and absorbs moisture from air when it is humid. By breathing, solid wood flooring can

Durable Solid wood flooring has a thicker wear surface and can be sanded and finished more times than other types. It has the life of tens or even hundreds of years if used properly. It is not uncommon for homes in New England, Eastern Canada and Europe which are several hundred years old to have the original solid wood flooring still in use today.

How to choose the right solid wood for you: 1. Choose species There are thousands of woods species on the world. And their properties vary greatly. The most common imported species in NZ is European Oak which is also the most popular one.

hard you try, but if there are some scratch marks, you’d better think clearly when purchasing.

4. Pressure endurance

Tips: Think about your enquires on the flooring and tell the sales in store to let them give you some advice.

Normally imported woods have high pressure endurance. The wood density of 0.62g/cm³ can endure the daily use of flooring.

2. Pay attention to size

Tips: Walk on the flooring with high heels. If there are no marks left, no shrill sounds and no damage on the surface, you’ve got high quality solid wood flooring.

The standard thickness of solid wood flooring is 18mm. If the one you are looking at is thinner than this number, you should think the possibility that the strength and stability of this one are lower than the average.

3. Scrape resistance This not only depends on the species of wood but also on the coating technology the manufacturer use.

Tips: Scratch the surface of the flooring with a coin and see what happens.

The qualified products won’t have any damage on the surface no matter how

Visit Us Unit J, 3 Henry Rose Place Albany, Auckland

Mon - Fri Saturday Sunday

9am - 6pm 10am - 5pm By arrangement

5. Modulus of rupture (MOR) This is a mechanical parameter which is defined as a material’s ability to resist deformation under load.

Tips: Put one end of a plank somewhere higher than the ground and make sure the angle between the flooring and ground is about 15º. Stand on the plank with both feet. If the plank is not bent, the flooring won’t deform due to gravity.

(09) 414 6170 info@hystand.co.nz www.hystand.co.nz

HYSTAND MORE THAN FLOORING

Look great the easy way Long gone are the days of baking in the sun to achieve that healthy looking glow thanks to spray tanning.

TANNING TIPS

You can have fantastic radiant skin without leaving home. In less than just 20 minutes you can have flawless tanned skin that is indistinguishable from a natural tan and with no risks.

• Use a gentle exfoliator to exfoliate your skin.

Spray tanning is the safe alternative to sunbathing or sunbeds because it is UV free.

• Be careful what you wear - we recommend that you wear dark, loose (baggy) clothes and open shoes for after your tan. Tight fitting clothes and shoes can cause skin friction in the first couple of hours after your spray tan and this may affect the outcome of your tan

Gr8 Spraytans located in Auckland take care and pride in ensuring that your spray tan is absolutely perfect. Look stunning and be confident everyday with a natural looking glow - you can have a spray tan 365 days a year. It is a great option for special occasions such as weddings or parties when you need to look your best for an event.

PREPARE - To get the best possible results from your spray tan, make sure that you: • Wax or shave at least eight hours prior to your spray tan

• Remove any body lotion, deodorant, makeup or jewellery.

• Bring a towel to sit on when you leave your tanning session. Bare legs may cause the bronzer to rub off on your car seat • Note: Any rub-off of the bronzer should easily wash out of most fabrics.

However, we recommend that you avoid nylon or wool as these may absorb the bronzer.

Verahlea Young started Gr8 Spraytans in 2010 after she was looking to earn some extra money for her family. While in training, Verahlea says that each spray tan was a lesson in how to engage with prospective clients. “First time clients are not so ready to strip off for a spray tan, so it is really important to gain my customer’s trust and confidence in a short space of time. Clients are usually amazed at how natural looking their spray tan is and feedback is always positive. I offer a great spray tan service that’s mobile, discrete and professional.

PROTECT - To protect your tan while it develops:

Gr8 Spraytans give a friendly service while being prompt and accommodating, especially for last minute spraytans before an overseas holiday or late at night/ early morning to accommodate shift workers.

• Use a gentle, non-abrasive shower gel that will be much softer on your spray tanned skin. Avoid using any products that contain AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) as these could act as an exfoliant

Today people are more aware of the dangers of tanning under the sun so spray tanning is a much safer alternative. Gr8 Spraytans uses Cocotanz solution which is 100% made in New Zealand by the ONLY Organically Certified, ISO Approved, Cosmetic Manufacturer, located on Auckland’s North Shore.

• After showering, apply moisturiser. Hydrated skin retains the tan longer.

Avoid lotions containing AHA’s as these may cause skin exfoliation

• Avoid contact with water for the first two hours • Do NOT shower for at least six hours

• Avoid any activities that may cause skin exfoliation. No hot, luxurious bath after your tan. A short swim in the sea will not take much off your tan (as long as you use a waterproof sunscreen), however a swim in the chlorinated pool will bleach it.

HOW LONG WILL MY SPRAY TAN LAST? Depending on how well you prepare and take care of your spray tan afterwards, your spray tan will last anywhere between 5-10 days. If you tan regularly, your skin will get used to the spray, and will hold the colour longer.

Then you might need a top up every two weeks.

$20

FULL BODY spr when you cal aytan l

"Auckland Taondd q“uote ay.

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e first 20 boo kings

Gr8 Spraytans Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, Auckland Region 0600 Contact Verahlea on: 027 646 1787 to book your next spray tan. like us on facebook

News | Ideas

Four decisions to help you grow sustainably

By Leigh Paulden

Every year between 2001 and 2011, around 44,000 new Kiwi businesses were born. A few have grown into large, internationally recognised operations, some have grown to middling companies and then gone no further, and many have disappeared without a trace.

The differences between those that grow profitably and sustainably and those that disappear without a trace are usually clear.

What may not be clear are the differences between the runaway success stories and those that get stuck.

It’s not that the stuck businesses don’t want to grow – growth may be their goal, but it’s not happening. Why? Part of the answer lies in their goal.

Expansion for expansion’s sake is not sustainable. Deciding you want to grow by 14 or 20 percent a year means you’re chasing numbers, instead of chasing your core purpose. And if you’re not focusing on your core purpose, you will lose your way.

If a company grows at 15 percent pa, it will double in size every five years. A $10m company that grows at 25 percent pa for 12 years will have turnover of $144m. That’s a massively different company. To survive it needs to have a clear focus on what it’s doing, why – and how.

In growing your business you must get four decisions right or you risk leaving significant revenues, profits, and time on the table– or even getting stuck.

be consumed by personnel issues, making it difficult to focus on anything else.

Your people may be right for your company now – but will they be right for a much bigger company in two, three or five years?

Can these people operate at the level required? If not, how are you going to change this? You may need specialist skills you haven’t needed until now – how are you going to get them? Are you going to hire staff or outsource?

Do your people align with your core ideology? Does the structure around them support them to do their best? Get your people right, and then you can focus on the next three decisions.

Strategy When revenue is not growing as you would like, or is slowing, it is time to re-address your strategy.

What are you selling, who are you selling it to and where are you selling it? What is your core ideology? Why do you do what you do?

People

What is your 10 to 20 year Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)? Many organisations don’t know where they want to be in 10 to 20 years, so they don’t know if their actions are right for the long term.

Everything rests on your people. If you don’t have the right people, your business will

Are you spending money and resources being reactive, rather than doing things that move

you closer to your goal? Having a BHAG helps to give an organisation its long term direction and increases its share value to others.

Once you have set your BHAG, you can then determine what you need to do to get there. That is what will keep you sustainably moving forward.

Execution If revenue is increasing, but profit isn’t following suit, you need to look at how you’re executing your strategy.

Do your annual plan, quarterly plan and personal plans align to your BHAG? Do they help your team align to the company’s priorities?

Growth sucks cash – will you have enough cash to grow? Cash is oxygen to a company; knowing your cash conversion cycles and improving them is vital to let your company breathe and grow.

If you do not have the right people – in the right seats – it will be hard to set strategy correctly. Without good strategy, execution is unlikely to happen well or on time and this will directly affect your cash and cash cycles.

The difference between a growth business and a stuck business is not luck. The difference is the attention the growth business has paid to getting its four core decisions right, setting it up for the future it desires.

Are you executing the right things to move your company forward as a company? Are you executing them on time?

Execution drives profits and time. Good execution results in higher than industry average profits and more time for management to work on the business.

Cash It may seem obvious, but too many wouldbe growth companies don’t have the cash they need.

Leigh Paulden has 18 years’ experience in senior management in the construction and manufacturing sectors, becoming an assistant general manager at the age of 32.

He has 10 years’ directorship experience and is New Zealand’s only business coach to have reached Gazelles International Certification. You can find out more at www.advancing-businesses.co.nz

What advice would you give to your younger self?

By Stephen Lynch

Imagine you could go back in time to when you were starting out as a manager, leader or entrepreneur.

What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

That’s the question we asked our RESULTS.com LinkedIn group members. Here are some of the responses we received from our members so far: “Do less, better. Allow more time to plan and complete important tasks, rather than consistently under estimating the time required. Be ruthless in protecting yourself from time wasting people and activities.” Ann Cooper-Smith

“I’d be less afraid of making mistakes because my best lessons in life have come from the bigger mistakes I have made. I’d have built a strong group of mentors that I respect and who care about my growth a lot earlier.” Kendall Langston “Have a plan of some sort, with some extended time frame; and not just bumble along doing even what seems like a good idea at the time.” - Garry Anderson “Lighten up! Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Don’t wait until you achieve your goals, or for everything to perfect in order to be happy.

Instead, make a conscious choice to enjoy the journey every day. Your people will thank you for it, and you’ll live a happier life.”

- Stephen Lynch

“People, people, people is to business what “Firstly I would ensure that I understood location, location, location is to property. Don’t clearly in my own mind what it takes to have people around who treat people poorly be a leader and not rely on the position. or with disrespect.” - Ben Ridler Allow the various talent around me to take responsibility and function to the best of their “You will not help yourself in any work abilities in their own position, and then learn environment by saying, ‘I told you so’ when from each situation that you face on a daily something that you didn’t agree with goes basis.” - Phillip Viljoen wrong.” - Matthew Templar 18 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“Have the courage to speak the truth and confront the reality you have created.” Steve Murdoch “Make a career out of something you are truly passionate about. You can’t be great at something you don’t love and life is too short for work not to be something you enjoy. Together with this I’d say make sure you find a culture where you fit, it’s absolutely vital to performance and happiness.” - Andrew Ritchie “Look at the obstacles you come across as a test of your determination to get the outcome you want. Also be prepared to be flexible on how to get it done along the way.” - Stephen Woodroffe “People are your biggest asset or bane in your life. Look at what is going on in a potential new staff member’s personal life, because that’s what you will get from their work life.” - Robert Cormack “Take calculated risks, and learn to listen to your gut. Once you have thought it through then go for it! Then ‘follow-up’ and determine what part worked, what didn’t,

then on to the next challenge!”

- David Archibald “Life is filled with choices. A successful life is one which has been based on many good choices; choices based on good and wise counsel and thoughtful process. Everyone makes the occasional bad choice. As Einstein put it so well ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’.”

- Margie Elley-Brown “Some old people are wise. Figure out who they are and work with them.” - Steve Barnett “Work out what you don’t know (yes, your parents were right, you don’t know it all) and find those who are willing to teach you - be grateful for their time and expertise. Do the same for others.” - Wendy Schollum “Spend more time with the people you love and who love you. Don’t worry so much. Enjoy the journey and have a laugh along the way!” Christopher Miller Information kindly provided by RESULTS.com: www.results.com

Want more website visits?

Everyone knows that word of mouth has always been the most effective form of marketing. People are much more likely to believe their friends’ recommendations over company advertising.

But how do you harness word of mouth without being overly pushy? Shuttlerock is a software solution built in New Zealand and taking on the world, winning over some major brands along the way. It’s been designed to solve some major online headaches for both small and large businesses.

Here’s a quick look at some benefits:

1. Crowd marketing

We think it holds tremendous potential and are looking at new ways in which we can use the Shuttlerock system to help different parts of our digital strategy.”

- David Barton-Ginger, Digital Channels Manager - New Zealand Rugby

“Our JUCY page looks great. We love the way that the boards look, the fact that it’s easy for people to use and upload pictures, the admin time this removes from my day and that it creates constant fresh content to our website. The fact that there is the ability for us to run competitions as and when needed (for more major campaigns), get staff involved in loading photos onto boards, and to look at other ways to promote the boards only adds to the potential and benefits for JUCY.” - Amelia Humphrey, Social Media Manager, Jucy World

Shuttlerock uses crowd marketing to drive more people to your website. They come with the knowledge that one of their friends has bought something from you, so are more likely to take action. More qualified visitors and more time on your site leads to more conversions. How does it do it? By incentivising your customers to upload relevant photos direct to your website AND to share them with their friends. We use competitions and coupons as well as instant rewards.

2. Keep it fresh Do you have a photo gallery that looks the same as it did in 2005? Sorry but things have moved along since then! Shuttlerock keeps your website fresh with rich interactive user-generated photos. The layout allows for more engagement including voting, comments and social sharing. Fresh content and social engagement is a vital part of your online strategy. It looks great too! Today’s visitors want to see up to date and real content, not last year’s ‘set up’ photo shoot.

3. Build a lead database Shuttlerock allows you to build a comprehensive database of your customers and their friends, including detailed demographic information. With integration into popular third-party services, you can easily export and leverage these leads, create newsletters, and much more.

Who is using Shuttlerock?

The great thing about the platform is that it fits a whole range of different products and companies. These range from major household brands like the All Blacks, Fly Buys, Auckland Tourism, Jucy Rentals, and House of Travel through to smaller companies like Hunter Furniture, Progear and Snowplanet.

Whether you are marketing a major retail brand or small clothing label, Shuttlerock can solve your online issues.

Here are a few comments from our customers.

“The Shuttlerock system is an exciting new platform which provides the opportunity for New Zealand Rugby to connect with fans in a whole new way.

www.shuttlerock.com

Winning entry by Matt Hopkinson, All Blacks promotion 2013 Winning entry by Jody Murray, Inside Auckland photo competition 2013 Share your experience with Jucy by Maya Dagan

Results Enough talk, what about results? The great thing is that Shuttlerock not only delivers beautiful, fresh photo galleries, it also drives tangible, measurable results. Here are a few: • A client’s unique user sessions to their website increased + 49.9 percent • Another generated an incredible 115,000 page views from 33,368 unique visitors • Using Instagram another client received 894 photos in five days • Finally another client created a database of 4,050 leads in one month.

Confused?

Online marketing can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Call us today and we will talk you through how it could work for your company. If you sign on with us you will also get a dedicated account manager to help you take your online marketing to another level. Call Mike Kenworthy on 021 270 9333, email mike@shuttlerock.com or visit www.shuttlerock.com

News | Q&A

Upwardly mobile When 2degrees stepped into the telecommunications playground it was all bets off for the long standing duopoly that had ruled the cellular roost.

Stewart Sherriff

We had to build a nationwide sales channel.

We couldn’t sell anything without a retail presence, so we made the 2degrees experience available to all New Zealanders by stocking SIMs in 3,500 oil, multi-brand retailers and grocery outlets.

A lot – it actually took more than nine years of planning, government lobbying and strategic work behind the scenes before 2degrees launched. Our rapid growth (more than one million customers in just three years) since then is testament to our team who developed a different and compelling market proposition.

We also made our proposition clear and easy to understand. We halved the price of calling and text when we launched, followed by continued product development with concepts such as shared data and carryover minutes and data.

But value is only one aspect of a mobile provider. 2degrees was, and still is, about creating a uniquely kiwi customer experience from the moment our people pick up the phone. This is why we invested in our Auckland-based care team – available 24/7.

It was also important to make it easy for customers to use our online account management tools so they could fix their issues quickly. In doing so we created what has become an award winning customer service team we’re very proud of.

We built our own network from scratch. This ensured we could offer products and services on our own terms. We have always been focused on offering kiwis value - something they couldn’t expect five years ago - and we needed to control our own ability to innovate.

We also lobbied for regulation around sharing mobile phone sites with our competition so we could co-locate on their sites while keeping our equipment independent.

We also set up a roaming agreement with Vodafone, which enabled our customers to receive coverage throughout the country while we were still in the process of building our own. Now, we have 97 percent coverage.

What key things did you have to get right in order to compete against large, established competitors?

Word of mouth is also such a powerful tool so we always try to ‘surprise and delight’ our customers whenever we can so they continue to spread the word!

Nothing about that has changed – we just have more customers to keep delivering that to. Whilst the technology and the way people are using their mobiles has changed, our philosophy on how we do business hasn’t – we remain focused on continuing our ‘Fight for Fairness’.

2degrees created competition in the market today - so we welcome it. When we launched four years ago, we grabbed immediate attention as we halved the cost of calls and texts overnight. Naturally our competitors have responded and Kiwis are now getting some great mobile deals.

2degrees came along when the market was being monopolised by two big players, so how much planning went into the launch before you burst onto the scene?

Our key objective has always been to do things differently – that was the opportunity for us. By launching products and services others wouldn’t or couldn’t do, we got immediate support from the NZ public who were frustrated with high pricing, poor service and inflexibility in the NZ mobile market.

the battles fought to enter the market, so we continue to deliver ‘more from less’. We are a low cost operator delivering innovative mobile services Kiwis can afford.

How tough is it to stay competitive in this industry, with ever more demanding customers and strong competition?

With a strong plan, an almighty strategy and an attitude to match, 2degrees gave the industry a good old stir up, snatching more than one million mobile customers in just three years straight from under the big boys’ noses.

There’s only one way to take on the hierarchy and win – and that’s doing things just that little bit differently. 2degrees CEO Stewart Sherriff talks to Melinda Collins about shaking up an industry, guerrilla tactics and playing the game.

For example, our last campaign for our best value National Broadband plans was purely digital, that would have been unheard of just two years ago.

It was also important to build our social media presence early on as it helped us build a community of support for what we were doing.

Obviously our mobile network was integral to our business and whilst we were starting from scratch, we had the advantage of being able to employ the very latest technology which has a lower cost of upgrade to new technologies than the incumbents with legacy networks.

Our team is another fundamental we had to get right. We have grown very quickly but have focused on making sure we get the right people. Not only has this made it a fun place to work, but it has also helped create a very focused, collaborative culture within our organisation.

Finally – our brand. It was very important that we launched with something that was unique and different to the others but most importantly, stood for value.

Do you have to equal or exceed your competitors’ market exposure in terms of the advertising dollar, or is it just about making that advertising dollar count?

We’ve always focused on playing our own game when it comes to building our brand.

We’re a low cost operator so we have to be smart with every dollar we spend. This extends through to our marketing, as our budget is a fraction of our competitors’.

We have to be creative and constantly look at how we can get the most ‘bang for our buck’. This includes mixing traditional media (like TV and newspapers) with increasingly more digital advertising through the likes of YouTube and Facebook.

20 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Now, our focus continues to be on providing value and fairness in the market. Our ‘carryover minutes and data’ and ‘shared data’ products are a great example of this as it is all about getting people to use mobile more so the real benefits of ‘being mobile’ are unleashed.

We have always done the things the others can’t or won’t do, like our free calls and texts to Australia out of your bundle. We’re prepared to make bold changes that break convention – many of which have then been replicated by our competitors.

Technology is changing the way we do things at an exponential rate and with it comes new customer needs and expectations. I’ve always seen this as a good thing as it keeps our industry interesting.

The key to remaining competitive is staying nimble and in touch with what customers want so we can then be quick to develop new innovative products and services. Listening is key to that and I, as well as many others within the organisation, regularly take time out to listen to live customer calls so we can keep our finger on the pulse.

I love my job because every day is different – it’s exhilarating and very rewarding when you see how important mobile is becoming to people’s everyday work and personal lives.

What advice would you give small players looking to take on larger organisations who have the majority market share?

Considering the finite size of the New Zealand market, what is the future for the company when the industry has been saturated?

We have an exciting future ahead as there is still a lot of opportunity here. I have been in the industry for 30 years and have worked for mobile operators all around the world.

2degrees is already viewed by some as one of the most successful challenger brands in the world.

Kiwis have benefited significantly from our entry into the market and the competition it has created – but there is still more to do. There are a lot of Kiwis with mobiles, but usage is still relatively low as prices are still considered high in some mobile segments, especially business.

Our focus is on changing that.

We have created a strong brand and are now looking at how we can offer more of the total telecommunications mix to customers – so watch this space!

Where do you see mobile technology heading in the next five, 10 years?

The future is all about data. In the last year alone data usage on our network has almost tripled and this is the same trend worldwide.

However, apps, social media, video and online content for mobile is changing the way people work and run their personal lives, so we expect massive growth in usage to continue in these areas.

A recent international study found people now use their mobile more than their PC, TV and all other forms of media - so if you are in business, you need to make sure you have an online presence that is optimised for mobile. Otherwise you may be missing out on potential business opportunities.

As the underdog, you have everything to gain and the incumbents have everything to lose.

You need to identify a segment that is dear to their business success and develop systems, products and processes to aggressively target that segment.

Customers are rapidly turning to their mobile devices to research products and services first before making a purchase decision. It’s an exciting time for our industry and the possibilities for mobile are endless.

Care must be taken to remain focused on that segment and not be distracted by other areas which may seem attractive at the time. Once you have reached your target, you need to shore up defences to prevent a counter attack, then move on to the next area you have identified. Discipline is required to ensure you stick to that systematic plan.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Now you have established yourself as one of the main players in the industry. has your approach and philosophy to what you do changed, compared to when you were taking on the big boys?

Not at all – if anything we are more focused than ever on making sure the new people who come to work at 2degrees understand

From my grandmother actually, “Take care of the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves”. This serves as a valuable reminder that we must maintain a cost structure which is very different from the giants. It also serves to remind me that if we look after the customers, then the rest will fall into place.

What’s the best piece of advice you have given?

“Don’t be afraid to make a mistake.”

Albert Einstein once said, “Fear or stupidity has always been the basis of most human actions”.

Turning dreams into reality Quite often we dream. We dream of the perfect tool to answer all of our life’s little problems. The dreaming part is easy; it’s the transforming the image from our mind’s eye into a reality that’s the tricky bit.

It is here where IDEA steps in. The New Zealand company running under this acronym for ‘Industrial Design to Engineering to providing Answers’, was established back in 1998 with the idea of providing dreamers with a solution – transforming dreams into a finished product.

Bringing ideas to life - the process RESEARCH Throughout this stage IDEA helps direct in-depth research into the initial product and its forward path into the market, taking into consideration market trends, user research, technology and manufacturability, as well as intellectual property.

Through IDEA you can also search for a Patent Design Registration or Trademark in order to assist with the development and protection of a new intellectual property.

CONCEPT SKETCHES These sketches enable all the talk to be turned into something everyone can see. Concept sketches provide a strong visual presentation for a new product design; it combines market research, finding, product engineering, aesthetic styling direction and product features.

FORM STUDY This part of the process takes the idea forward from the 2D model to the 3D, giving something that you can hold. Visually demanding projects benefit from the development of form study models. Starting with semi-resolved engineered internals, IDEA designers creatively display product styling direction, product

The idea IDEA uses a holistic approach to the product design and manufacture. This ability to design and manufacture sets it apart from other design and engineering firms. Its method ensures a smooth, cost effective development path from the idea initiation to production supply – ensuring dreams can be turned into a profitable reality.

From fancy blenders to easy to use mowers, IDEA can provide a solution. Quite simply IDEA is the place to go to when you are looking for the complete product design, development and manufacturing package.

Its New Zealand-based team of creative designers and its office in China enables IDEA to provide profitable custom design and manufacturing supply solutions to an established client base of both local and international brand owners.

With offices in both New Zealand and Hong Kong (China), IDEA has a strategic international network of

size and proportions all in a free form model ready for customer review.

ENGINEER This enables a basic virtual construction inside the computer. This virtual construction can be a complex and detailed process which enables product simulation and testing to be carried out, offering the client full confidence to give the go-ahead and proceed to the prototype phase. The digital simulation of moving assemblies and refinement of engineering concepts, prior to physically building a working prototype, are both time and cost productive.

PROTOTYPE This phase involves the rapid turn around of prototype models. CNC machined parts are produced directly from 3D CAD data in a variety of production materials. Direct machining ensures part accuracy without the need for expensive tooling. This method is particularly useful for pre-production testing, marketing presentations and even low volume production.

GRAPHICS This is a very important part of selling a new product.

Whether you require an innovative design to go on your cardboard packaging, digital printed samples or pre-press artwork, IDEA is able to use its creative genius to create the perfect solution. IDEA prepares

clients, manufacturers, traders, marketing companies and global brand names, providing a complete design to market infrastructure.

Meeting its Customers’ needs IDEA understands the need to stand out from the crowd marketplace, which is why it has developed its design service; tailored on a “case by case” basis to ensure it meets your individualised requirements.

It contributes specifically where and when required to utilise its pool of experienced staff to enable clients to find an innovative solution, overcome any hurdles and make their mark in this very competitive business market.

IDEA works to ensure that each and every client is able achieve the creation of their very own “stand out from the crowd” type of product.

the product idea for marketing via the use of product packaging and images. Realistic photo images can be created from 3D computer files long before the actual product is made – helping you save both time and money.

TOOLING A variety of prototype and production, tooling can be created directly from 3D computer data and CNC machined from a number of specialised materials, which are selected to meet the products needs. Whether it be advanced polymers, high tech electronics, low cost fabrication or detail assembly work that is required. IDEA utilises a highly experienced group of toolmakers and moulders from specialised local companies to a variety of Chinese manufacturers managed via its established office in mainland China.

PRODUCTION IDEA finds the best manufacturing solution.

With its team fully involved from the conception of the idea through to the reality of production, it is a company that can capture the product specificiation and seamlessly transfer it through to production with quality control checks. The final product is made and sold around the globe through IDEA via its trade show booth in Hong Kong and its network of trading partners.

Cover Story | Deadly Ponies

Killer instincts

By Kate Pierson

You might not consider yourself the easily seduced type when it comes to fashion’s universal truths.

But I’m sure if you look the following facts square in the eye, a small hint of reverence might find its way into your heart.

22 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Cover Story | Deadly Ponies

So here we go.

Its yo-yo nature reduces the fashion bourgeoisie to a state of perpetual confusion Today, the global fashion industry is valued about what’s hot and what’s not, and the at $1.5 trillion. In 2000, it was worth visual statements made each season often approximately $1.5 billion in New Zealand and aggressively contradict each other in a non by 2010, $2.2 billion – and it’s a number on sequitur fashion – no pun intended. the rise by roughly five percent every year.

To survive this as an independent designer These figures don’t have a place here with the that doesn’t drink from any of the commercial purpose of inducing some tail- between-legs kingpin cups is nothing short of a miracle. But veneration of the untamed beast because, it’s no accident Deadly Ponies has survived. quite frankly, fashion is not for everyone.

Liam not only survives, but also prevails I couldn’t sit here and tell you it hasn’t been time and time again. He’s the golden boy of deemed a fickle business - ridiculed for its New Zealand fashion, but without the silver promulgation of the seemingly unattainable. spoon in his mouth. Even more refreshingly, It has. he’s never been someone else’s pet project, protégé or whipping boy.

I also couldn’t deny that it has been bastardised by the counterfeit, adulterated Liam, is just, well, Liam, which is good enough by the pseudo-designer, and chewed up for me and judging by his cult following, is and spit out over and over again by the definitely good enough for Kiwis. Oh, and the restless, boundary smashing fashion rest of the world for that matter. aristocracy who are pulling the strings behind His work is provocative yet practical, the sartorial scene. precocious but passive too. It’s style minus That’s all true, and it’s a tough old world to the cliché bells and whistles. The bags, purses say the least. and jewellery have talismanic qualities and these results are the sum of some very smart But there’s no denying fashion is a highly processes - we’ll get to those soon. coveted commodity and the stats outlined above say it all. It should also be said that these facts are not only irrefutable, they’re pretty kickass by anyone’s measure.

What’s more, the fashion landscape is, by its very nature, unforgiving and brutal. It takes no prisoners and for those aspiring designers that think they’re going to ride on the shiny coattail of some sycophantic relationship, they can think again.

It’s home to the brave, the thick-skinned, the gamblers, the outrageous and, in all honesty, probably some of the insane too - creatively speaking of course (or maybe not).

The Deadly Ponies fan club certainly hasn’t been won over and retained through a love is blind kind of relationship. Unlike other style giants whose brands have such an intoxicating allure they can afford the occasional fall from sartorial grace, the brand is bang on, every time, all the time.

So what’s Liam’s deal? Is he malleable? Or does he fly free, staying true to his design convictions and to hell with the rest?

Well, it’s a bit of both actually. Liam operates with strong design conviction and direction, but he’s also a great listener too, which Liam Bowden, the owner and creative director matters in his line of business. He’s divorced from ego, an industry rarity, and he’s able of Deadly Ponies, is confronted by the perils of fashion every day. At 29 he’s only just over to be as close to the action as he is, without the other side of the ‘quarter life crisis’ (no, he being too close to it – if that makes sense. didn’t have one), but he’s already a bonafide In other words, Liam’s not parochial, or blind design rockstar and, quite simply, he’s a damn to the possibilities. He welcomes them with good guy. open arms.

“

It was important that we could educate people about the product – that each and every bag or purse is handmade from luxury, natural and premium products and not synthetics from China.

- OWNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF DEADLY PONIES, LIAM BOWDEN

“They wanted everything I had and then a week later, it was all sold out.”

how we do business with them – it’s an interesting process.”

The price you pay

Process is everything for Deadly Ponies – it keeps everything in check when a working week takes a turn for the crazy. “In the last week alone we’ve rolled out a guerilla store, a store within another store, worked on a new collection and looked at a possible collaboration.

Deadly Ponies lives by the philosophy – one arguably embraced by its following - you get what you pay for. The pieces are designed to be an investment. I mean, they’re not going to send your bank account to a place of no return, but they don’t come cheap either.

And with good… well, even great reason.

Every addition to the collection is style on steroids - it really, really is. Lovingly crafted from the finest New Zealand leather, every individual piece as handsome as its predecessor is proudly handmade by the crew.

Liam concedes however, that it did take some time for New Zealanders to find the price palatable, but the brand’s message has been strong and consistent – New Zealand designed, sourced and manufactured. No exceptions.

“The feedback we always get is that our customers see their bag, or purse, or jewellery as an investment. It was important that we could educate people about the product – that each and every bag or purse is handmade from luxury, natural and premium products and not synthetics from China.”

Liam is Aotearoa’s prodigal son and heads one of this country’s most hailed and heroworshipped fashion identities, which is no mean feat given the heavyweight company he keeps in an already tight market.

Given his journey – one that’s been a foot to the accelerator kind -it’s no wonder Liam is so open-minded. His brand kicked off eight years ago and that was it – Deadly Ponies was the IT Kid in all its glory from day one.

Deadly Ponies is a New Zealand institution, a pioneer of sorts, and a mighty fine one at that. It does us proud, time and time again, here, and abroad.

“I studied graphic design and completed a degree in visual communications – as part of this degree I completed an elective project, which involved printing illustrations on leather,” he says.

Speaking of which, Asia is next on the Deadly Ponies export list, with Australia and America already in the bag so to speak.

“One of the major highlights for us as a team has been bumping into people half way around the world that are wearing the brand. We’ve got PR support in both the US and Australia and now we’re looking into Asia.

“I always liked to make things and I started to make a few pieces that we sold at a market - they sold out. During that time I was also working for Superette (fashion playground for the most devout style-seekers and those with money burning a hole in their deep pocket).

“We definitely want to grow, but not so much so that we’re tearing our hair out.

We’re keen to look into Asia, but there are language and cultural barriers to some extent. We need to look carefully and closely at how we approach stores and

Love isn’t blind In the fashion world, style dogmatists reign supreme. Furthermore, the toing and froing of the fashion royalty has resulted in an industry that’s in a permanent state of creative combustion.

Mr Pirouette in tangerine, $660

Mr Molten, $880

”

Mr Fill n Zip Twist in bark, $725

Growth however, is never a given and it’s never taken for granted by Liam, particularly in light of the fashion industry’s palpable volatility and vulnerability.

“One of the biggest challenges for us is to keep growing when a lot of players in the industry are literally shutting up shop.

“We focus carefully on our internal structure and work hard to build a strong team with dedicated people, but sometimes things happen that are beyond our immediate control.

“We’ve had experiences where we are just weeks away from filling an order and then suddenly one of our primary suppliers shuts up shop overnight. In that situation, we have to move fast and find someone else with the same quality product.

“Or, a manufacturer we work with might change their production cycle to cut costs and the quality slips, so we have to find someone else; this can happen right in the middle of a production run.”

In short, it’s a relentless pace and the market can be merciless. But still, Deadly Ponies continues to not only perform, but also show off in the best possible ways.

Right now the pieces in store and online are almost too hot to handle. They’re enough to drive style lovers a little mad. I mean, they’re probably not trade grandma in for the handbag type bags, but it’d be uncomfortably close. You think I’m kidding, right? Ok, I am.

Maybe.

To get lost in Deadly Ponies’ luxuries head over to www.deadlyponies.com

Mr Porter Tote in cobalt, $520 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 23

News | Motivations

Pearls of

business wisdom

Building a business is no mean feat; it takes an idea, and the courage and perseverance to pull through the tough times, to come out the other side well placed to carry success forward, into the future.

Eight entrepreneurs from across Asia and New Zealand gathered to share their insights and advice into just what it takes to transform ideas into reality.

The event, Start-up Secrets, held at Auckland’s Gus Fisher Gallery, was a joint project between the ICEHOUSE and the AsiaNZ Foundation.

Around 100 people gathered into the cosy gallery to share nibbles, sip on refreshments and taste the inspiration offered by these successful business models.

These are their words of wisdom…

Hout Sok

Cho Thiri Maung

General manager and co-founder of KC Foods, Cambodia

Managing director of Malikha Power Engineering and of Grand Bridge Travels and Tours, Myanmar

From a poor, single parent family Hout worked hard, achieving a scholarship to study in Australia before deciding to launch into his own business. A desire to be free to do what he wants the way he wanted is what led him to forgo the traditional workforce and start his own business, alongside his sister.

For Hout an integral part of his business is the people. He says there are three types of people; those who come with their hands, those who come with their hands and their head and if you are lucky those who come with their hands, their head and their heart.

“It doesn’t matter how small it be, we need to start our own business,” is what Cho’s father said he wanted for her. With these words driving her on, Cho worked hard developing a successful career and establishing her company Malikha Power in 2011.

Her passion has carried her beyond the traditional business model towards caring for the development of her home country by helping to set up model villages in rural areas.

“

Start up is not easy, actually it is a very up and down and challenging journey, but if we do it well it is quite rewarding. Start up is living a few years the way people won’t and spend the rest of your life the way people can’t.

- CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NUTRI NEST FOODS, VIETNAM, LE DANH HOANG

It is these people who will help make a business flourish. Today KC foods has certainly flourished; it manufactures a range of meat products using some of its profits to help charitable organisations and to donate products and study materials to organisations working with orphans.

“Everybody has the potential to be at the top as long as they work to full capacity. Put your heart and soul into everything you do.

“Anyone who is scared of risks; if you can survive the risky adventures of Queenstown, you are brave enough to start a business.

Jonny Mole

“Dream big, be clear on your goal and take action – you may die tomorrow.

Chief executive officer and founder of Chilli, Wellington

“Give it a shot, what can go wrong? At least you can say I’ve done it now.”

“To succeed in business you need beautiful strategy, but at the end of the day strategy is not the solution, you need people to take care of it.”

Le Danh Hoang Chief executive officer, Nutri Nest Foods, Vietnam As founder and CEO of Nutri Nest Foods, a health and nutrition company, Le Danh knows just how hard and challenging a journey starting a business can be. He began from scratch, working hard for three years making no profit.

However, it all paid off and today Le Danh is the successful owner of an environmentally sustainable business offering bird nest food products to the Asian market. Le Danh works when he wants and how he wants, when he is not climbing mountains or diving into oceans.

“Start up is not easy, actually it is a very up and down and challenging journey, but if we do it well it is quite rewarding. Start up is living a few years the way people won’t and spend the rest of your life the way people can’t.”

“When I’m doing something, I put all my effort and energy into it and I believe that makes a difference.

When Jonny found he could no longer take pride in his work as a receptionist at a real estate company, he decided to create a role for himself that he could be proud of.

Today he finds it much easier to introduce himself with pride, as a “serial entrepreneur” and founder of Chilli. He runs the full time service, acting as a marketing partner, helping clients to full-fill their dreams too. It is Jonny who sees the big pictures and sees how all the pieces fit together.

“The difference between a good idea and a business is the business started.

“You’ll make heaps of mistakes…you learn from doing it the wrong way.”

Sachie Nomura Chef and creator of award winning cooking school, Sachie’s Kitchen, Auckland

She has even started her own cooking show of the same name, which is currently screening on Prime TV. It is Sachie’s dream to bridge the gap between Asia and New Zealand through food and fun.

Jade Tang Co-founder and director of Curative, Auckland

24 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

50 apps in six months, their work quickly translated into a rapidly growing success.

Today along with co-founder Reuben Bill, Tony runs Smudge, a company known as one of the largest app development companies in Australasia. One of the largest app development companies building for clients such as Stuff, Sky TV and Vodafone.

“What we learnt over time is to focus on quality not quantity – it is hard to say no, but taking on too many things means you can’t do any of them well.

Jade has used her passion for social change to create a creative digital media and design company with a difference. Alongside her best friend and business partner, Eddy Helm, she launched Curative.

“So we have deliberately not grown in the last few years. When we do grow we can grow in the right way.”

Some its latest projects include Oxfam Unwrapped, Global Poverty Project’s Live Below the Line and Rainbow Youth’s controversial WTF campaign. For Jade going forward with this level of success is helped by knowing who you are and where you come from.

Owner of Iazzy Bric and Amphone Authentic Lao restaurant, and owner and managing director of Gecko Wines, Laos

“It is important to know where you come from, to know where you are going in life.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself - it’s about creating yourself.”

Sachie received a rough reality check when Toby Vincent two colleagues, in their forties, died suddenly. Co-founder, Smudge, Wellington This led to a brainstorming session, which transformed into the successful business Sachie runs today; a popular Asian cooking school.

”

Together Toby, and a friend of his, decided to turn a hobby into a sustainable business; making apps for the mobile market. Having put in the hard yards at the start, building

Moukdavanh Phommachanch

It is a vibrant community, not financial profits that drives Mouk towards success.

It is this passion for bringing people together that has helped Mouk build a successful business in hospitality.

Today he runs a restaurant, is a wine importer and owns several consulting companies with interests in energy, information technology and telecommunications. His company Gecko Wines is the only company in Laos to distribute Australian and New Zealand Wines.

“I’m not there to sell alcohol to make money but to build community, to build a business environment and to get to know people.”

News | Ideas

Clearing the way for change

Three keys to management success

By Stephen Lynch

Megan King is a Senior Public Relations Consultant at Your Story Communications. A team which works nationally helping business conceptualise ideas, lead, project manage and deliver fully integrated public relations, communications and marketing solutions.

Visit www.yourstory.co.nz

Change is the only constant. And these days, even our constants are changing. In business, steering your people confidently and successfully through change takes careful planning and execution, and the role of internal communications has never been more important.

Megan King, a public relations and communications consultant at Your Story Communications, has recently returned to New Zealand and has been struck by the amount of change taking place in so many businesses.

Be it restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, growth or the sweeping change every business will experience at some point in its life cycle. “It’s amazing the amount of change people are going through in both their professional and personal lives,” she says.

“In Christchurch, it is people navigating the insurance and EQC maze. In Auckland it might be the struggle to buy a home, while at the same time they are moving offices or getting to grips with new leadership. That’s a lot for a person to deal with.”

This is why business leaders need to do their utmost to provide a work environment where their people feel confident and secure.

In business, change can come in many forms – it could be a merger or acquisition, a move to new premises, rapid business growth or a change in leadership. For the people who make up your business, these sorts of change can be threatening.

Change represents the unknown and can be the source of a range of different emotions including anxiety, nervousness and excitement. All of these emotions have the ability to cause significant disruption.

To avoid this, a carefully thought out change management plan is essential and the role of communication within that plan is paramount.

King warns that “poor internal communication can trigger negativity and resistance and give rise to an overactive rumour mill, which has the potential to destroy any ground you’ve already made”.

She also says it’s important to start with the end in mind when designing your change management plan. “The goal is for a smooth transition with little resistance and where business continues as usual without interruption.”

To achieve this requires careful planning – so here are her tips for successfully managing your internal communications through change.

Identify clear and consistent key messages These should form the foundation upon which you can build the rest of your story. These key messages should be repeated and should remain consistent. And remember, you will

need to adapt the message for different audiences. For example, what is important to your senior management team will certainly differ to the concerns your ground staff may have regarding the proposed change.

Appoint an appropriate spokesperson Contrary to conventional practice, cascading information down through the ranks is mostly ineffective, especially in large organisations. In the modern business world, there is greater emphasis on transparency, which means that senior leadership must be visible and accessible.

Thankfully, advancements in technology have made this possible. Communication coming directly from the top is both more personal and more reliable.

Choose the right channels We all know how frustrating it is to hear “sorry, I didn’t get your message”. Don’t let a poor choice of communication method be the reason your message doesn’t get through.

Think about your audiences and again, you may need to use different channels for different parts of your organisation.

Control the rumour mill, don’t let it control you Although the very nature of a rumour mill means that it is unregulated, that doesn’t mean that it is uncontrollable. There are ways to avoid it getting out of hand and actually use it to your advantage. Give staff the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. This way, they can get things off their chest and you get an opportunity to respond, or at least, listen and understand.

A survey of more than 10,000 firms in excess of 20 countries, found three key success practices associated with top performing companies that every good manager should strive to follow.

Companies that exhibit these best practices were associated with a three percent higher return on capital, 26 percent higher market valuation and 70 percent faster growth.

Unfortunately, they set their target performance thresholds for their KPIs so high that they seldom reach them. They justify that by saying, “aim for the stars and you might reach the moon”. In other words, even if you miss the really high goal, you’ll still do well.

1. Rigorous performance measurement

3. Consequences for performance

The best practice firms are very effective at collecting performance data and managing their key processes. They evaluate their key performance indicators regularly and take immediate action to address any performance problems they find.

Sadly, research shows that 92 percent of organisations do not know how to effectively measure performance.

The best firms acknowledge people who achieve the targeted level of performance with praise and recognition. Most managers do not praise their people enough.

2. Challenging targets Best practice firms set challenging short term and long term goals. Great firms have daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, and even five yearly targets. This provides employees with a visible staircase of what good performance looks like now; and what it will look like in the future as the firm grows and improves.

The biggest step towards disarming the inevitable resistance movement is by involving your people. Let them in on your decision making processes, test ideas and consult proposed changes with them.

Although it may seem like more work in the short term, it will make the adoption of change much smoother in the long run and will probably get valuable input.

Consider your timing and maintain your momentum People need time to get on board with change. Remember that often a proposed change has already been contemplated at higher levels in an organisation before it reaches everybody else. Give people time to adjust and adapt. Also, look out for potential conflicts – too much change at one time could really put the brakes on.

Under performers are rapidly identified and provided with training and support.

If efforts to improve their performance are not successful, they are quickly moved out of the firm. It is a common management trap to spend too much time trying to “fix” under performers.

Stephen Lynch is the chief operating officer of Global Operations at RESULTS.com.

Information kindly provided by RESULTS.com: www.results.com

! n i W

Also, consider the use of champions; people in your organisation who have influence over others. This doesn’t have to be someone in a senior position - in fact the office receptionist probably has a wider and more attentive audience. Involve these people in your change plans and they will influence others.

Empower your people

Here’s where I see many firms come unstuck.

Most entrepreneurs and high performing team members are optimists by nature. They like to set themselves challenging goals and targets and they’re sure that everything will turn out well.

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 25

Society | For and Against

A dilemma of the digital age

It’s been a while since a topic split New Zealand down the middle like the GCSB. People seem to be for it or against it, with very few found standing in the middle ground. This Springbok tour of 1981 for the digital age drew a line in the sand and everyone chose their side. While the heat’s evaporated from this particular case, the issue of digital eavesdropping isn’t going anywhere, so here are a couple of opposing viewpoints on the bill and its potential implications.

For

Against

By Melinda Collins

By Corazon Miller

Would you like the government to spy on you through all your electronic data?

Well of course not; nobody in their right mind would.

But that is not the question which the changes to the GCSB law have put in question, a fact which the vast majority of the country doesn’t seem to have grasped.

Let me make my position clear; I am against needless government spying. But I am for the expanding of government capability to do so when it’s in our nation’s best interest.

Quite simply, I am for the GCSB’s increased capabilities, but in the name of national security and national security alone.

I sleep better at night knowing that if someone puts the security of my country in question, the government has the means of risk discovery and prevention. I think both the families and friends of guerrilla terrorist attack victims throughout the world and those whose lives have been saved from impending attack due to electronic surveillance bringing down terrorist cells, might just agree.

Fact is - prevention is always better than the cure.

Revelations about mass surveillance by the United States’ National Security Agency in recent months have set alarm bells ringing worldwide. Public suspicion centres on whether the US is using the GCSB and similar agencies to harvest communications globally.

While the changes to our own spying laws may just be a timely coincidence, they have fuelled the apprehension and hostility aimed at the National Government and its, at least in this case, polarising head, Prime Minister John Key. New Zealand has one of the strongest procedures for allowing access to its electronic data: surveillance of Kiwis can only be carried out under warrant, obtained through just cause, signed by the prime minister and the commissioner of security warrants who is a former Judge of the High Court appointed by the Governor General, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister upon consultation with the opposition leader.

But who cares if we have the toughest rules surrounding electronic surveillance in New

Zealand when, fact is, they have illegally abused these laws in the past?

Simple, make the GCSB’s activities independently monitored so we can have the security without the invasion of privacy. Increase the transparency of the operation, with warrant data accessible through the Official Information Act and if and when an abuse of power takes place, ensure the government is held accountable.

While I appreciate that, even in a democratically run country, what the government says goes, my greatest concern is this Government’s apathetic attitude to the public’s concern.

The National Party should be concerned that the general public is so opposed to these law changes and if they truly have been made in the interest of the country, the party should be working to allay their fears, even if for the simple fact that the lack of confidence will be its parliamentary downfall.

Overall, I do believe the public is greatly uneducated about the changes, not helped by the legislative language of such matters. In saying that, I also believe the government is ignorant of the concerns of the public.

I am in favour of the diversifying of GCSB’s powers to include electronic information access, simply for the increased power this can and will afford our country. However, I am against National’s changes to the law and do not believe these have gone far enough towards ensuring the security of said information.

Like many of National’s bills, these law changes have been rushed through against significant public backlash, so who knows, perhaps there is an agenda, I don’t know. What I do know is that the GCSB can operate to ensure the country’s security while in the interest of our privacy.

We didn’t get the motor car without the pollution and we’re not going to get the marvels of electronic tools without a trade off. Electronic surveillance is a necessary evil. It’s not a perfect world, but would you rather the alternative?

26 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Spying on locals in the interests of “national security” through the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) is something, when I first returned to this land of the long, white cloud a couple of months ago, seemed to be a surreal, over the top concept.

It seemed to be something that belonged more in a spy movie than in this country that many a foreigner innocently associates with green grass, frolicking sheep and Middle Earth.

I had, I have to admit, been ignorantly unaware of the quickly unfolding GCSB saga, after many months of living overseas.

However, a rough awakening in a busy radio newsroom quickly introduced me to the quickly incoming GCSB bill.

For me it was a case of first impressions don’t last. When I first met with the idea, on its surface I thought: “sure, why not? It can’t really do any harm… ”.

from us? It’s so easy to get things wrong without the greater picture. We’ve all been guilty of it – getting angry at a text we misread or missing the point of an email… context is vital.

Can we really trust this “nothing to hide, nothing to fear” banner John Key has branded his GCSB campaign?

Sure, for now, we live in a democracy. But can we trust that this won’t change? How then will this new free access to our own personal information change our ability to fight back?

Our freedom of speech, our ability to freely communicate without fear of retribution is what has led to social change; look at Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King – communication played a key role in their fights for justice.

Maori political activist Marama Davidson makes this point clear, illustrating just how this free flow of information can be turned against the powerless.

“State spying is nothing new for Maori or indigenous peoples around the world,” she However John Key, happily smiling, waving says. “The way state spying powers have the GCSB banner, claiming if you have nothing been used to trample on innocent people to hide you have nothing to fear – did nothing around the world has always been an to reassure me. The cynic in me simply injustice… other groups often targeted by doesn’t trust someone who grins like the state surveillance include environmental Cheshire cat. groups, human rights and social justice Especially when while all this furor over activists, peace activists and those fighting the GCSB was happening his own Justice for independence from oppressive rule.

Minister, Judith Collins, refused to release a “Whether or not you even agree with stack of paperwork related to David Bain’s the stances of such groups who have compensation case; citing legal privilege. been targeted, they all have a democratic Why not, if they have nothing to hide? right to express themselves and associate Double standards… them without fear of unreasonable search and seizure”.

I am neither in support, nor in opposition to Bain, but the Government’s actions in his case illustrate a divide between “them” – government – and “us” the people. A gap, I fear, will become even wider, thanks to the freedoms granted to state spies as a result of the greater powers granted by the GCSB bill.

Some would argue; well the government will spy against such groups anyway – so let them – make it legal.

Just how will the GCSB use these “out of context” pieces of data it can now collect

freedoms, to reduce democracy and grant full power over to those already in power.

But if it were kept illegal, it would at least ensure the government would have to toe a finer line. Illegal spying would discredit it, if John Key continues to assert his beliefs that the public ever found out about its actions. this GCSB is targeted against would be threats. Legalising spying has simply turned the tide of power against the common people.

But hold up – what exactly is a threat?

Who defines what is important to hide and Sure the GCSB can protect us, but then again what isn’t? it can also be used against us, to impede

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News | Lifestyles

Lifestyles

By Davina Richards

1.

1.

Plant love

Cube planter Plants need love too and that means giving them a nice little home to flourish in. This cube planter adds colour and shape to your average pot and fits in perfectly with a thoughtfully planned geometric theme – which just happens to be all the rage right now. For a taste of awesomeness, bag one at Etsy.

RRP: $27.63 Available from: www.etsy.com

2.

2.

Ear it is

BeoPlay A8 It’s not always necessary to buy a surround system to get a great sound. Bang & Olufsen can deliver great quality and performance with the B&O Play audio system which comes in black or white with aluminium details and matching power cord. And if you ever want to colour up, you can choose from a choice of coloured fabric speaker covers.

RRP: $1,925 Available from: www.designdenmark.co.nz

3.

Functional art

Wooden kitchen trivet No one likes burn rings on their kitchen surfaces, so here’s a beautifully handmade hot pad in red oak and black walnut to protect your counter top or table from those horribly inconvenient marks and stains. Not only is it something pretty to look at while in the kitchen, but can also be hung up on the wall as art.

3.

RRP: $45 Available from: www.hooknsaw.etsy.com

4.

Nest of bowls

Borrowed Earth pottery Never mind the flashest new cook top or the swanky Smeg fridge/freezer – you can find kitchen bliss in the smaller things, such as this handmade nest of bowls from Borrowed Earth. They have a great kitchen’s finishing touch written all over them.

RRP: $58.50 Available from: www.borrowdearth.co.nz

28 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

4.

News | Lifestyles

Lifestyles 5.

5.

Sharp corners

Triangle shelf This design is all about the strong geometric shape – stunning, inspiring and thought-provoking. It can be used as a stunning floor or wall piece and can be reshaped and expanded until you achieve the desired look. Visually appealing, your eyes will be transfixed.

An inviting place is a well used place.

RRP: $840 Available from: www.j1studio.com

6.

6.

Cash on the move

Travel wallet Patting down coat pockets, searching in luggage compartments and turning your handbag inside out as you frantically search for your plane ticket at the checkin desk always raises unwanted anxiety levels.

So stay cool and collected by keeping all your important tickets and cards safe in this stylish travel wallet. From now on, enjoy your airport experience.

RRP: $79.90

7.

Available from: www.witchery.co.nz

7.

Blockbuster vintage

Sacred Hill Sauvignon Blanc Rich aroma with a medley of tropical fruit notes that interplay with citrus zest and florals. There’s a lovely depth and richness to the flavour and an aftertaste hinting of citrus zest. Or, put another way – pour it, down it and you won’t regret it!

RRP: $19.99 Available nationwide

8.

Bath and beyond

Bathtub caddy

8.

For those who love to soak away the strains of the day and have the time to actually run a bath, then soak for an hour, this is for you. The bathtub caddy will suit all your bathing needs… well OK, most of your bathing needs. Ahem. Did I mention it has a wine glass holder?

That’s probably the best thing about it, yes? Grab that book, light a candle and pop the wine bottle open.

RRP: $89.95 Available from: www.notsocks.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 29

Property & Construction | EnaSolar

The solar solution EnaSolar is revolutionising the way we live in the best possible ways. A wholly owned and operated solar division of Enatel Limited, it is changing the face of New Zealand and putting our country on the global map.

Marrying innovation and sustainability to deliver renewable energy solutions for houses all over the world is a critical part of helping the company realise its vision. Its vision is to be globally recognised as the preferred partner for energy solutions.

A global competitor Enatel Limited is the brainchild of a group that formerly owned a company with a similar innovative vein – Swichtec Power Systems.

After selling off Swichtec Power Systems, the group established Enatel in 2002 and from there, EnaSolar was born.

Enatel started out providing contract manufacturing solutions to the electronics industry in Christchurch, producing only a modest range of products to a high quality standard at competitive prices.

Today, the business’ impressive expertise and extensive experience in design and management capacity, has enabled the group to diversify its offering. It now produces a wide range of products and has become one of the key providers of standby DC power solutions to the global market.

Alok Pradhan is the account manager at EnaSolar and responsible for the New Zealand market. He speaks a language that is beyond the comprehension of many.

But, technicalities aside, the result of the technology he is integrally involved with is a product that is remarkably simple and is taking the market by storm.

Parent company Enatel’s forte is power conversion - DC-DC, DC-AC (EnaSolar) and AC-DC. “The DC-AC side of the business is about sustainability and is where renewable energy comes into the picture,” Pradhan explains. “It’s a really competitive space. Our competition are international giants turning over a billion Euros a year.”

Stiff competition, right? But that doesn’t hold EnaSolar back. In fact, it drives it harder.

“We are very unique in what we do and how we compete – we design and manufacture here in New Zealand – this is a big plus.

The heat sink is also on the front of EnaSolar’s solar products, which keeps the electronics cooler on the inside meaning they will last longer. If the electronics get too hot, then the lifetime of the product can suffer significantly.

“In other comparable products, the heat sink is at the back, which means the cooling effect is not as good and it becomes necessary for fans to be included,” Pradhan explains.

“This means there is a risk of this part failing too. The DC and AC switches are also integrated into our inverter, which is different to any other brand in the world and from the customers point of view, it is more cost efficient.” >

Why solar?

Solar offers an endless supply of clean and renewable energy for your home, workplace or even school. As well as being the fastest growing energy source in the world today, Solar is more affordable and reliable than ever before.

EnaSolar's general manager Trevor Foster showing off the NZ made technology

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EnaSolar is proudly New Zealand owned and operated with all of its solar inverters designed, developed and manufactured in Christchurch.

“Most competitors in this industry are designing in Europe or the United States and then manufacturing in China. The way we have gone about designing our product is completely different– the WIFI and monitoring is built in. This is a standard feature of the product.”

Demystifying solar energy Commercial concentrated solar power plants have existed since the 1980s, and the trend for solar energy in New Zealand is growing significantly by the day. Reducing our footprint on the planet is at the forefront of social and political consciousness.

Thanks to EnaSolar, new innovations to help mitigate our impact on the environment are hitting the market all the time.

Solar power is a free, non-polluting, renewable energy source. Solar power generation involves the conversion of sunlight into electricity either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). PV is a method of generating electrical power through the conversion of solar radiation into direct current electricity.

According to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), New Zealand has good solar radiation levels in many locations. Radiation levels in Invercargill are approximately as high as those in Germany – a country where solar panels are often utilised during build projects.

EECA says, “Many New Zealand homes are exposed annually to 20-30 times more energy from the sun than they use in electricity or gas, yet this energy source is vastly under developed.

“On average, New Zealand has about 2000 hours of bright sunshine each year. In energy terms, New Zealand’s solar energy resource is about 4kWh/m2 per day. To put that in perspective, if every New Zealand home had a 3kW photovoltaic (solar) panel array, they would collectively generate enough power in a year to satisfy over a quarter of New Zealand’s annual residential electricity needs.”

What are solar panels?

The solar panels or photovoltaic panels are made up of cells, which convert solar energy from the sun into direct current (DC) electricity via the photovoltaic effect.

Why do I need a solar inverter?

Along with the solar panels the solar inverter is the most important part of your solar system. The solar inverter is designed to change the DC electricity produced by the panels into alternating electricity (AC) electricity.

solargroup.co.nz

How is that electricity used?

The AC electricity is then transferred from the solar inverter into your home, workplace or school where it is used to power your everyday appliances.

VOUCHER $500 off all solar systems from Solar Group

This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions that we may have from time to time.

Voucher must be presented when you are provided with your quote.

Offer ends 31 March 2014

Solar is the Future Call us today for any of your photovoltaic retrofit or new build solar requirements.

0800 55 77 97

QUALITY GUARANTEED | KNOWLEDGEABLE EXPERIENCED SOLAR STAFF | PROMPT AND PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION

P. 0800 55 77 97 E. contactus@nzces.co.nz W. www.nzces.co.nz

Passionate about renewable energy www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 31

Property & Construction | EnaSolar

New innovation Business is booming for EnaSolar. It’s certainly a far cry from the intensely stressful relocation that was necessary following the earthquakes. The transition between premises even saw the team relocate to a manager’s house at one stage.

Business has since doubled for the company.

As one of the only manufacturers of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, EnaSolar works hard to punch above its weight. It has grown in terms of its production capability, its skill base, its outlook and its market.

One of the company’s most recent innovations is its entry level, pre-wired home concept – the Solar Ready Home kit.

The Canterbury earthquake was actually the catalyst for its emergence into the marketplace.

EnaSolar’s grid tied photovoltaic (PV) inverters convert the energy collected by solar panels into a format, which can be used to run home appliances, help reduce

electricity and subsequently decrease home running costs.

The Solar Ready Home kit is a unique wall mount that can house 4 different EnaSolar inverters. By pre-wiring during home construction, or at the repair stage, installation becomes more cost effective, with system size and panels able to be decided at a later date.

“Our Solar Ready Home kit allows a homeowner to prepare the house for solar at the construction phase. They can live in their new house for a period of time – determine their average monthly power usage and make a decision on what size Solar PV system they need,” Pradhan explains.

“This brings our customers much greater flexibility. The uptake of the product both commercially and residentially has been significant. Stonewood and other home building companies are using the product, as is Southern Response – it will offer the option to all its rebuild clients to save on costs and to

EnaSolar Ready Home Kit

EnaSolar NZ Made inverter

You can monitor your system's power production at your convenience

future-proof their homes. The cost of the solar ready kit is $199 + GST.”

company’s goal is to become the default inverter supplier in Australia – to do this it is doing everything in New Zealand, which puts The concept is now well known across New it in a league of its own – but not without Zealand and is also selling in Australia and the significant challenges. Typically, a high cost United Kingdom too. It joins the successful technology product like EnaSolar’s would be group of EnaSolar’s seven other solar inverter systems ranging from 1.5 to 5 kilowatts in size manufactured in Asia to keep costs down. with built in isolation switches and a wireless The company is the only manufacturer of monitor, so the homeowner can keep an eye grid tied solar inverters in New Zealand and on consumption from a personal computer or Australia. There are only about 50 serious mobile device. manufacturers worldwide.

The EnaSolar inverter with quality panels and installation can yield investors an eight to nine percent return on their investment and greater power over their electricity costs.

The inverters are currently being sold in the domestic market with exports representing about 65 percent of total sales.

In 2011, the company won the Innovation in Manufacturing Award at the Bayer sponsored New Zealand Innovation Awards.

This success inspired interest from Britain and Australian customers just a day after EnaSolar won the award.

Already well known and respected here and around the world, the award winning

32 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“The vision is to be globally recognised as the preferred partner for energy solutions.

Our focus is to be innovative, demonstrate excellence in terms of our reliability and product quality and to understand customer needs to make sure we meet their requirements,” Pradhan says.

For the future, EnaSolar will be focused on meeting the forecast growth in the area of sustainable energy.

“In a couple of years’ time, houses being solar ready will be a standard practise.

Looking to the future, we plan to expand this range of products and continue to provide high quality, high efficiency renewable energy solutions,” Pradhan reveals.

Property & Construction | EnaSolar

“

The vision is to be globally recognised as the preferred partner for energy solutions. Our focus is to be innovative, demonstrate excellence in terms of our reliability and product quality - ACCOUNT MANAGER, ALOK PRADHAN

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Cathedral Grammar School building

EnaSolar in action GREEN Grid The EPICentre, of the University of Canterbury, is leading a multi-year research programme, called GREEN Grid, to investigate ways of integrating more renewable energy into the New Zealand electricity system.

Dr Allan Miller, the Electric Power Engineering Centre director at the University of Canterbury says, “The renewable energy we are investigating ranges from large wind farms, to small residential (rooftop) solar installations (known in the industry as photovoltaics).

“The project will investigate two particular aspects of renewable energy integration, and propose solutions. First its inherent variability (it only generates when the wind blows or when the sun shines), and how to manage that variability using New Zealand’s hydro resources and by managing demand.

is essential for the project. EnaSolar has been assisting the GREEN Grid project with this information and by facilitating measurement of power quality from approved EnaSolar sites.

“With the research being important to New Zealand, and our future renewable energy development the GREEN Grid project is extremely grateful to EnaSolar for their assistance and interest in the project.”

Cathedral Grammar School Bursar of Cathedral Grammar School, Geoff Cain says, “The installation of the EnaSolar PV system was a decision made easy due to the fact that not only was the return on investment reasonably short but the cost itself was lower than initially anticipated.

Our aim is to install efficient renewable energy systems at a high standard that cater to the client’s energy needs.

We use quality Mitsubishi solar panels and EnaSolar inverters as standard to ensure your system exceeds your expectations

”

“We also had all the wall linings off so installation was easy. The building itself had a very good roof structure and orientation to the sun so we could gain best results from the panels.

“We have placed the EnaSolar inverters in the science lab so the pupils can see the amount of power being produced - it is not invisible to them. We also have an import/ export meter attached so no power that is produced is wasted - it is either used or sent to the grid.

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“Overall it has been a win, win, win experience. It is educationally, environmentally and economically beneficial to the pupils, the school and the community.” AT

“Second, it will investigate the technical issues of photovoltaics in the low voltage distribution network, such as its impact on power quality, protection, and safety, as well as economics.

“Data on photovoltaics, such inverter characteristics, spatial uptake by size, and the power quality performance of the inverters,

Eco-awareness in action Right House Right House takes a whole house approach to creating comfortable healthy and energy-efficiency homes. If you’re building a house or want to make your existing home more energy-efficient and comfortable, we can help you with expert advice, products and systems specification and installation.

NZ Clean Energy Systems NZCES offers you the best priced quality solar power systems fitted specially for your home. The organisation wants to help you invest in a solar system and this is the reason it passes the savings gained from its substantial buying power on to you, the purchaser.

EnaSolar 66 Treffers Road Christchurch T (03) 364 9322 E alok.pradhan@enasolar.net www.enasolar.net

The greater the amount of solar panels we can fit on your roof, the larger the output power will be.

Every panel that we fit will generate an average of 345kWh per year so you can keep adding panels together until you achieved the desired result!

Our focus is your installation.

Perfection is our policy.

W www.solarcraft.co.nz E info@solarcraft.co.nz Ph 0508 272 389 *Auckland region subject to site inspection

— Advertising Feature

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 33

Property & Construction | CS for Doors

Opening new doors Innovation, attention to detail, research and development are essential for the production of a quality product. CS For Doors, established in 1986, has implemented all of the above to become one of Australasia’s leading providers and manufacturer of premier cavity sliding doors.

CS For Doors was founded by husband and wife team Phil and Colleen Kenny some 26 years ago after they spotted a gap in the New Zealand market for a quality, dedicated service providing the residential and commercial market with high-end cavity sliding doors.

After establishing a solid, expansive product range, CS For Doors has grown to become a market leader providing an increasingly sought after product.

Managing director Phil Kenny certainly has a door revolution in mind. “Every year we are selling more and more sliding doors. My vision for the future is that we will see sliding doors in every home and office in the country, they will overtake hinged doors.”

The beauty of the CS For Doors’ product range is the ease into which the sliding doors integrate into new home designs. With many clients requesting architects to save space in contemporary open plan layouts, cavity sliding doors are fast becoming the go-to solution for many new builds.

With four dedicated showrooms and two Home Ideas exhibitions country wide, CS For Doors has captured the attention of New Zealand’s desire for sliding doors, while also making the move across the pond to set up shop in Sydney.

The company prides itself on using quality local materials, manufacturing in New Zealand and supports the Buy New Zealand Made campaign.

As the complete ‘one stop shop’ for all sliding door necessities, CS For Doors manufacture the cavity slider, doors, handles and provide onsite consultations as part of its service.

Doors unhinged Aesthetically, a sliding cavity door can be very appealing in a home or office environment, but on a practical level there are many reasons the CS For Doors range is superior to its hinged counterparts. Space saving and space creation lie at the heart of a quality cavity slider, making them ideal for open plan living and architecturally designed homes.

Specialising in Residential Doors of the Highest Quality

The majority of the doors supplied by CS For Doors are made to order from the company’s factories based in Auckland and Christchurch.

These premises handle one-off orders as well as large production runs. CS For Doors also integrate the latest technology, such as fully automated cavity sliders (great for disabled access, high-use openings or just to give that wow factor), as well as wardrobe doors and even automatic gates.

to shutting, ideal for those with children in a home.

The innovative CS SofStop has been recognised by the Buy New Zealand Made, People’s Choice Awards, you can vote for CS for Doors by visiting www.buynz.org.nz.

The CS SofStop The CS SofStop is a cavity slider unique to CS For Doors and may well be the solution to eternal door slamming and the perfect complement to any home with soft-close kitchen cabinetry.

Like soft-close kitchen doors, the CS SofStop sliding door gradually closes itself when close

Benefits of a cavity sliding door • Aesthetically appealing • Space saving • Space creating

Great looking Cavity Sliders deserve Superior Doors that are built to last, stay straight, have high impact resistance and offer improved acoustic and thermal properties. p. 09 298 5027 e. enquire@superiordoors.co.nz www.superiordoors.co.nz

34 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

• Invites light into the home • Enhance views • Modern look • Easily integrated into a home or workspace.

Property & Construction | CS for Doors Commercial doors CS For Doors offers a wide range of hi-tech and hi-spec sliding doors ideal for the commercial market. With a free onsite consultation, CS For Doors takes the hassle out of improving the performance and layout of an office or building.

The CS For Doors team is always looking to innovate and improve. As a business, the core values expressed by all within the company will resonate with anyone who is passionate about their work.

The core values of CS For Doors • We can always do it better • We make everything locally • We are focused on improving our existing products and bringing out new products.

In terms of competitors, there are other companies providing cavity sliding doors, yet their main focus is not solely on that one product; they’re an add-on to existing services.

CS For Doors specialises in this form of door because it’s the company’s sole focus and considering it now supplies doors to New Zealand manufacturers who ship worldwide, the proof is certainly in the product.

CS For Doors has many niches within its field. Not only does CS provide cavity sliders, it also design and manufactures purpose built products for the super yacht industry, healthcare market and educational facilities which require a unique attention to detail.

The CS For Doors team welcomes challenging projects and aim to tackle the issues that

most others place firmly in the ‘no-can-do’ basket. This can-do attitude has seen the company rise to the pinnacle of its chosen industry while remaining the front runner to retain the lion share of sliding door contracts in the future.

Technology doorway Innovation and quality are hallmarks of CS For Doors and the automated doors included in the company’s arsenal have become increasingly popular in modern new-builds and commercial buildings. From automatic pivot entry doors to swipe activated security doors, CS For Doors has a wide range of desirable door solutions.

CS For Doors hold patents on many of its track systems, immediately handing the company a distinct advantage over competitors. Although other companies and homeware outlets sell cheap, imitation products, CS For Doors assures its customers that quality is always their number one priority.

“

Testimonial “Our brief to the architect was a house that maximised our view, open plan living with lots of light. Cavity slider doors have enabled us to have all of that and floor to ceiling joinery if we needed it. When they are open, the doors give us big, wide open space but we can still close them. The opaque glass still gives us a light airy feeling. We’ve got complete privacy with the doors closed and they all match, even the gates… one-stop-shop” - Lynn Tonkin, residential customer

”

In built quality The CS For Doors team is BRANZ appraised, proud members of the Buy New Zealand Made Campaign and a Certified Builder’s Association Partner.

All CS cavity sliders come with a 10 year warranty. The company website lists the extensive product lines. AT CS For Doors 5 Rakino Way Mount Wellington Auckland T (09) 276 0800 E info@csfordoors.co.nz www.csfordoors.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Papakura Joinery Ltd Phone. 09 298 7145 Email. glenn@papakurajoinery.co.nz 45-51 Tironui Rd, Papakura, Auckland www.papakurajoinery.co.nz

A belief that good joinery is an art, requires skill and care, along with sophisticated manufacturing techniques has helped maintain the company’s position as a preferred supplier to some of New Zealand’s top builders and architects.

SPECIALISTS IN TIMBER JOINERY AND TIMBER MOULDINGS. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 35

Property & Construction | Watts & Hughes Construction

Building on solid foundations The pace at which technology evolves is phenomenal – new innovations that become an indispensable part of our existence seem to appear in the blink of an eye. Their presence is critical not only to our personal progression, but also our commercial evolution.

Technology is a mainstay in our businesses, enabling us to build stronger, more productive and efficient organisations. But it doesn’t negate the need for the other fundamental factors – a strong business structure, sound principles and a dedicated team – these elements are just as important now as they have ever been.

Watts & Hughes Construction, a national firm with a commercial reach that extends across New Zealand, works conscientiously to uphold the highest standards in these areas.

It pursues and is pursued for projects that are technologically unique – design construction builds that demand not only elite innovation, but also first class workmanship.

“

The aim throughout the build was to create a building that is not only environmentally sensitive, but is able to improve productivity, efficiency and workflow

”

Watts & Hughes is governed by a strong professional philosophy that resonates far and wide saying, “We are committed to doing the job correctly first time – every time”.

With roots in Auckland for more than 30 years, and in Tauranga since 2004, the company benefited from an amalgamation in 2010 to strengthen a position in the market that was already rock solid.

A robust structure

Today, Watts & Hughes’ work can be seen, felt and experienced all throughout New Zealand from the North through to the South Island.

Watts & Hughes is a specialist in the construction and property development sectors.

The company can start its involvement in a project at any stage and specialises in multiple areas, such as: • Assisting with budget control • Offering a broad range of construction techniques • Setting efficient timelines to overcome, or offset potential construction period difficulties.

The company adopts and implements robust company policies in the areas of project methodology, quality assurance, health and safety, and environmental control. These policies exist to give clients confidence that their design build construction project will be professionally managed from start to finish.

Watts & Hughes sets its accountability bar high from the outset by employing a range of quality initiation, assessment, monitoring and completion processes all to ISO standards.

These standards govern work throughout every project on every site and are overseen by the respective contract manager.

Every construction site has a quality control manual that has been uniquely developed to meet the specific requirements of that site. A safety management plan is also put in place and an external auditor monitors all projects with regular safety audits.

Comprehensive communication underpins all elements of the construction process and accessibility and transparency are both a critical part of the business’ offering.

DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY CONCRETING SERVICES Post Tension, Fibre & Mesh Reinforced Slabs Shotcrete Services

It has been a pleasure working with such professionals as Watts & Hughes Construction.

Proud to provide the lift installation for this magnificent facility.

Full Design & Construct Packages Labour Only Placement and Finishing

09 576 0545

Email: nzes@nzes.co.nz

www.nzes.co.nz

SUNBUILD CONTRACTING LIMITED Proud to be associated with Watts & Hughes Construction on the Ceres Mt. Wellington Project Grouting & Joint Sealants Epoxy Coatings Fire Rating to Structural Steel

36 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

THE ALUMINIUM COMPOSITE CLADDING SPECIALIST

Watts & Hughes also implements a number of environmentally friendly policies around reducing waste, reuse of materials and recycling. With world awareness growing around the need to protect our environment, the company appreciates that sustainable construction and incorporating ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ guidelines is imperative.

Ph: 09 570 7077 Fax: 09 574 6910 www.symonite.co.nz

Its portfolio is all-inclusive, offering a range of construction management services including civil, industrial, recreational, retail, commercial, residential and educational. One of Watts & Hughes recent additions to its portfolio was the Ceres Mt Wellington build.

1977 Ltd Electrical Contractors and Engineers • All Classes of Installation and Repairs

Neville Kennerley Mob: 027 253 4035 Email: neville@sunbuild.co.nz

Proud to be associated with Watts & Hughes Construction - Ceres Mt. Wellington

Patrick Hu Mob: 027 253 7040 Email: patrick@sunbuild.co.nz

147 Station Road, PO Box 12253, Penrose Email: admin@tsbishop.co.nz Web: www.tsbishop.co.nz Telephone: 09-579 8376 Fax: 09-579 5135 Mobile: 021-886 337

Property & Construction | Watts & Hughes Construction

The green build Watts & Hughes’ strong reputation has earned it some significant partnerships throughout its lifetime. The business was recently engaged

by Ceres Enterprises to build a state of the art storage and office facility for its Mt Wellington branch at 82 Carbine Road.

The $8 million development is made up of a bulk storage warehouse measuring 4,500 square metres and an office area split across two levels measuring 900 square metres.

Throughout its lifetime, Ceres has maintained an unwavering commitment to its organic ethos - promoting the sustainability of the earth and the people on it.

The purpose built facility is part of Ceres’ commitment to the environment and the community it serves. It started as a concept in the form of a technical drawing and was brought to life through ingenuity and oldfashioned hard work.

The aim throughout the build was to create a building that is not only environmentally sensitive, but is able to improve productivity, efficiency and workflow, which are important considerations for the business and its customers.

Incorporating the latest in sustainable design, the new office and warehouse facility features a rainwater collection system along with low water usage fittings and a solar hot water system.

The need for mechanical air conditioning and artificial lighting has been reduced with extensive use of natural ventilation and daylight harvesting. A fully automated building management system (BMS) monitors lighting, CO2 levels, and water and energy usage.

There is also a dedicated recycling area to minimise the volume of landfill waste and from the building materials, carpet and installation, to the windows, fittings and even

Ceres Mt Wellington overview • The Ceres Mt Wellington build was completed by Watts & Hughes in less than a year • Ceres Enterprises built the state of the art facility to increase productivity and efficiency and in honor of its commitment to the community • The build was completed using a site, style and methodology that will enable the development to achieve a 5-Star Green Certification - the first for a distribution facility in New Zealand • The $8 million development is made up of a bulk storage warehouse measuring 4,500 square metres and an office area split across two levels measuring 900 square metres.

the building’s positioning, energy efficiency has been at the forefront of all considerations.

The Ceres development was an intensive process and began 11 months ago.

Watts & Hughes’ Contract manager, Jim Wylie says while the build was a win for all involved, there were a number of challenges involved that demanded lateral thinking and perseverance.

“Our clients are aiming to achieve a 5-Star Green Certification — the first for a distribution facility in New Zealand. There was an existing derelict building on the site that we had to incorporate into the new works where possible – we utilised whatever materials we could for reuse and recycling purposes.”

These practices are in keeping with the basic requirements for Green Star certification, which assesses the environmental impact of a building’s site selection, design, construction, materials and maintenance.

Green Star was developed by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) in partnership with the building industry.

Watts & Hughes itself has a number of staff members who have completed the Green Star accreditation training and two staff members who are accredited Green Star professionals.

Of the Ceres Mt Wellington build Wylie says, “We utilised some steel recycled from the building that was previously on this site.

However, this steel had been imported from England and was of a section no longer in use. We had to custom fabricate to use this metal and replace welds to ensure integrity.

“During the re-fabrication process we also had to strip off the existing lead paint to decontaminate the steel.”

The floor of the dynamic new building is post-tensioned slab meaning there will be no cracking in the floor, which enhances dirt and dust control. “The site itself was also challenging in terms of soil conditions, and we spent a lot of time and effort excavating and compacting additional hard fill,” Wylie explains.

“The time it took to complete the build, along with the budget, was inevitably pushed out somewhat when we were faced with unexpected challenges. The standards required to earn Green Star accreditation ultimately means that this type of development will be more expensive than normal contemporary builds.

“Despite some changes along the way, the build timeframe and budget were still within the forecasts of both the owner and the tenant who are very happy with the outcome.”

Watts & Hughes overview • Watts & Hughes Construction is a multi-disciplined organisation specialising in the construction and property development sectors • Its directors are owners, operators, managers and decision makers • Watts & Hughes offers a professional team of highly qualified individuals that ensure client requirements are the focus of any project and that client expectations of quality, delivery and value are exceeded • Its portfolio is all-inclusive, offering a range of construction management services including civil, industrial, recreational, retail, commercial, residential and educational • Watts & Hughes Construction has won numerous awards at the Master Builders annual ceremony, which celebrates the country’s best work.

In short, the building is quite spectacular and is revolutionary in its design and structure.

Although it has been built for specific purposes, it is flexible enough to have other uses in the future.

For further information about the Ceres Mt Wellington project go to www.ceres.co.nz AT Watts & Hughes Construction 15b Vesty Drive Mount Wellington 1060 Auckland T (09) 573 5750 E auckland@whconstruction.co.nz www.whconstruction.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Metal Design Solutions are proud to be associated with Watts & Hughes Construction Providing Architectural Sheet Metal Solutions to Roof and Wall Address: PO Box 33, Drury, 2247 Auckland P: (09) 640 0009 │ F: (09) 268 6968 │ E: info@metaldesignsolutions.co.nz

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1/10 Tait Place, Albany, Auckland Phone: 09 415 8269 or 0800 002 314 Fax: 09 415 8273 email: office@mcbplumbing.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 37

Property & Construction | Pipeline & Civil

Twenty years of being a bit different In life, many shy away from being different – preferring to blend into the crowd. But in business, difference is not only a strategic tool; it’s a critical one.

In a commercial capacity, difference can manifest in various ways – from the structure of an organisation through to the management style. The Pipeline and Civil Limited difference was established very early on.

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From left to right are: Andy Corbett, Peter Stockman, Andrew Deans and Antony Knowles

The differences within this business lie in its ingenuity, fearlessness when it comes to tackling the tough jobs and its ability to box well above its weight. These qualities are now synonymous with Pipeline and Civil and its reputation, and have instilled in the company a sense of professional pride.

In 2013, the company celebrates 20 years of competitive difference.

History In 1993, Peter Stockman had a vision. It wasn’t elaborate or overly dramatic by nature – in fact, his vision was underpinned by pragmatism and simplicity. Stockman, quite simply, wanted to build himself a nest egg for retirement.

Little did he know that his vision had potential well beyond a “nest egg” of sorts, and that the sound investments he made at the time – a truck and a digger – were the beginning of something so much bigger and better than he ever anticipated.

“I thought it would be a good occupation and having had some previous experience in laying water mains, I won a contract to lay three kilometers of 400ø steel pipe, just to get some initial cashflow going.”

He established a sense of camaraderie and a foundation of expertise very early on by securing the support of some casual staff and after delivering an exceptional result for the job; the foundations for Pipeline and Civil were laid.

“At the end of the job one of the casual labourers said ‘Hey Peter that was a really fun job. Why don’t you do some more contracts and then I can keep working with you?’”

Stockman explains.

“

We are working on further developing our environmental and health and safety systems and are striving for even higher accreditation in these areas.

- ANDREW DEANS

”

“I thought to myself, ‘Yeah - why not? I don’t want to have to rely on the government to look after me when I’m old, so I may as well get stuck in now and try to earn a little nest egg for my retirement.’”

And so he did get stuck in – in a big way.

Today Pipeline and Civil is a well established, medium sized civil construction company whose far reaching reputation for excellence and brimming portfolio well and truly belies its humble beginnings.

Based in Auckland, it currently has a head office in Henderson and a warehouse and pipe yard facilities in Swanson. A move is on the horizon with planned relocation of the head office to the Swansonsite on 1.5 hectares of land, which has been in development for the last 10 months.

“We purchased the land five years ago for future growth and our office and workspace is going to be 1,600 square metres,” Stockman reveals.

Congratulations to Pipeline and Civil for their 25 years service

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38 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Property & Construction | Pipeline & Civil Services It’s been said it’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for – and in a commercial capacity, you could argue it’s always the small ones – particularly in the case of Pipeline and Civil.

It is a company that isn’t defined by its size. With 48 staff working symbiotically to deliver projects characterised by efficiency, skill and lateral thinking, Pipeline and Civil flies in the face of the oft spoken but rarely applicable sentiment that ‘size matters’ in business.

In its own case, being a smaller organisation has its advantages – a more cohesive and positive team mentality, which is fostered by a strong management team.

One of the company’s directors, Andrew Deans, who is responsible for a lot of the hiring processes says, “When I am hiring I look closely at the attitude and personality traits of prospective candidates.

“In our industry and in this business, you of course want people with skill, but a good personality is essential – you can’t teach personality.”

Stockman couldn’t agree more. “A lot of businesses appreciate staff as their biggest asset – for us this goes without saying and we really put our money where our mouth is.”

“The co-operative nature of our ownership model is something that is reasonably unique – that model and family atmosphere is a large contributor to our success.”

Director Andy Corbett also adds, “We have very loyal, hardworking staff. A third of the

48 staff working for us have been with us for 10 years or longer – and only one person working for us has been here less than a year.

“Once we get to know our staff and they know us – we don’t generally have staff wanting to leave.”

The boys are right – team fit is everything, particularly when the environment and projects at hand are as mentally and physically demanding as they are in the civil construction sector.

The team at Pipeline and Civil lives for a challenge, tackling projects of all shapes and sizes with unique challenges always in the mix.

The majority of its contracts to date have been civil engineering projects for Territorial Local Authorities (TLAs) within the Auckland Region, and it has also completed several major hydroelectric power schemes in remote regions of the central and upper North Island.

“We have built water-mains that you can walk through, power station penstocks in remote and rugged parts of New Zealand, very deep sewers, large rising mains, pipelines along exceptionally busy roads, and massive water and sewage pump stations,” Stockman says.

“It is of course a very serious business, but it is also a ‘boys own’ dream (and girls’ too for that matter - women make up an essential dimension of our business at all levels) to play perpetually in the sand pit of life with our toys.”

It is this disclosure from Stockman, offered with sincerity, humility and a pinch of humour that demonstrates how much fun all the boys,

and the girls at Pipeline and Civil have, doing what they do best.

been competing against 20 others,” Deans says.

The team is evidently, and refreshingly, able to take its work seriously without taking themselves too seriously.

“Ninety percent of our success in winning tenders comes down to our cost – we are cost competitive and in addition to that, is our strong commitment to delivering high quality work, as well as our focus on the environment and safety.

Along with committing the highest level of professionalism to its work, the relationships the company builds and maintains with its subcontractors, are also underpinned by honesty, loyalty and integrity.

“We really have a core group of subcontractors that we work with,” Corbett confirms.

“For us it is imperative that our subcontractors meet our minimum requirements in health and safety. We are committed to those who provide a high level of service and ethics in business.”

Strong alliances in the civil industry are paramount given the competitive climate.

“There have been times when we have

“We are working on further developing our environmental and health and safety systems and are striving for even higher accreditation in these areas. This will open us up even more to the market and enable us to be even more competitive against the larger players.”

A lateral thinking attitude is at the heart of the business’ operational mandate and it is always prepared to take on the ‘brain-pain’ type of work that some of its competitors avoid. “We have successfully completed a number of unique jobs that we haven’t seen done before and the outcome has been positive for everyone involved,” Deans says. >

Proud to supply transport services to Pipeline & Civil Limited for the last 20 years and look forward to many more.

Richard. 0274 985 974

Lindsay 021 985 974 Email. malam.oratia@xtra.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 39

Property & Construction | Pipeline & Civil Overcoming challenges No business walks its professional road without challenges along the way, and Pipeline and Civil is certainly no different.

The precarious balance between too much growth and not enough is one that the business considers carefully. “Our growth is always prudently managed,” Stockman confirms.

“We believe that rapid growth can put you at risk, so we focus on growing in steps we can manage and in ways that won’t put our reputation at risk.”

in the company, which is most unlike other larger scale civil contractors,” Stockman explains.

What transpired instead was designed to ensure that the company’s innate sense of family culture remained unshakeable.

Existing managers invested in the business to become primary shareholders who would drive the business forward beyond the tenure of Stockman’s involvement.

“The deal was agreed but with a couple of conditions. Firstly we had to enshrine our company’s family culture in our constitution and our shareholder’s agreement,” Stockman says.

Stockman also concedes that contracting is often hard and sometimes frustrating work.

“But despite some ups and downs, the business has survived and slowly a team of great people - who weren’t afraid of hard work, and who liked to have fun gathered around.

• Safety (nothing is worth people getting hurt for)

“Of course time flies when you’re having fun, and in a blink of an eye the modest nest egg had materialised.”

• Quality (clients like it for sure, but mostly it just feels good going home at the end of the day having provided it)

This milestone in itself presented its own unique, but positive challenges for Stockman who needed to consider a succession strategy that would ensure the business could not only continue to fulfill its potential, but raise the bar for itself.

• Ethics (it doesn’t feel nice getting shafted so why would we want to do that to anyone else?)

“A trade sale didn’t seem like such a bright idea considering the culture that had evolved

• Profit (without that you can’t do any of the other stuff).

The distilled essence of this agreement is driven by the core value in the business, as described by the team:

• Care (for our team – they are our family after all!); and last, but certainly not least;

“Secondly we had to pay it forward.

Constitutionally, only full time employees of Pipeline and Civil can be shareholders,” Stockman says.

“So, the only way the present shareholders can realise the full value of their shareholding is to nurture the up and coming employees, groom them as future owners, and provide viable opportunities for them to similarly turn their sweat equity into real equity.”

In 2004, Stockman ‘stepped aside’ and Andrew Deans, Antony Knowles, John Tariau, Roy Winikerei, and Patrick Hansell ‘stepped up’. In 2009, Andy Corbett also became a shareholder and a director.

anywhere any time soon. He’s by no means expendable – he’s the original heart and soul of the business – but he knows he could well and truly leave with the conviction that the business is in safe hands with its shareholders.

He just chooses to stay.

“It’s simple really, I’m just having so much darn fun working every day with such a wonderful bunch of shareholders and colleagues that make up this family.

“We are exceptionally proud of all the projects we have completed and have been involved with, but most of all we are proud of being a bunch of hard working and decent people.

“In twenty years, we have never not paid a supplier in the month following; we have never made anyone redundant; we have never had red ink at the bottom of our annual accounts and we have never not kept our word. Basing our business on integrity and “On a leadership training retreat we attended, respect has paid off handsomely so far.” AT the facilitator suggested that our personality profiles show how totally incompatible we are as a team. In fact that has not proven to be our weakness - it is our strength,” Pipeline and Civil Limited Stockman says.

PO Box 70042 It’s an ironic partnership when you evaluate the personalities, but it’s an unbeatable dynamic whatever way you choose to look at it.

“We respect and salute the wildly varying attributes that each of us bring, as an incredibly disparate but resolutely unified team we have survived and prospered.”

Stockman may have been due to retire some five years ago, but he’s not planning on going

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Property & Construction | Ian Howe concrete Pumps

A total concrete pumping service Ian Howe Concrete Pumps Limited has the machinery and expertise to undertake one of the largest shotcrete concrete projects ever completed in Auckland.

The company began work on the Waterview Tunnel mid-last year and the project is expected to take five years to complete.

Ian Howe Concrete Pumps director, Harriet Wells says the company has been doing shotcrete work on a daily basis on the southern approach to the tunnel since October 2012. “We’re very well known for doing the tricky jobs and Ian is a good problem solver,” she says.

“We do the difficult jobs that others won’t touch.”

“We do boom work, bridges and columns,” Wells says. “Shotcrete is quite specialised and we mainly do that as part of our stabilising work. We have a specialist team of guys that do it and two specialist shotcrete pumps for that work.”

Ian Howe Concrete Pumps operates a large fleet of machinery, including line pumps, boom pumps, high-rise pumps, shotcrete pumps and manual delta/satellite booms.

Ian Howe Concrete Pumps offers a wide range of pumped concrete services

“Ian is very practical and he can look and see solutions where other people can’t,” Wells says “We’ve also got very experienced operators who know what they’re doing; we have a very good work unit.”

The company’s machinery is extremely well maintained, with replacement units sent out quickly if there is ever any problem with pumps onsite.

Portfolio of projects In addition to the five year Waterview Tunnel project, Ian Howe Concrete Pumps has completed many significant shotcrete projects during the years, including the walls alongside Spaghetti Junction, the Northern Busway and the Northwestern Motorway, the Hobson Tunnel and Soho Square in Ponsonby.

The company employs 16 skilled and experienced staff.

<

Ian Howe Concrete Pumps has been servicing the Auckland construction and infrastructure market for more than 30 years and today employs 16 skilled and experienced staff.

The company offers a wide range of pumped concrete services, specialising in stabilising shotcrete work, infrastructure and commercial construction work.

Much of Ian Howe Concrete Pumps’ success during the years can be attributed to the skills and experience of its director Ian Howe.

<

The tunnel makes up half of the Waterview Connection, which will deliver 5kms of six lane motorway through and beneath Auckland’s western suburbs, linking State Highways 16 and 20 to complete the city’s western ring route by 2017.

Great leadership is the key

The company’s list of commercial work includes the New Lynn Train Station, Victoria Park fly over and the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) Panmure roundabout.

Its long list of successful commercial projects includes apartments in Surrey Crescent with Bracewell Construction, Auckland International Airport, Waitakere Stadium, All of the company’s operators are Site Safe Waitakere Council buildings, Middlemore and certified and trained in-house, with up to 20 years’ experience each on many large projects Auckland Hospitals, Britomart Square and throughout Auckland.

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Ian Howe Concrete Pumps can do any involving pumped concrete, including: • Floors

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• Tunneling

• Shotcrete

• Flowable fill • High-rise buildings • Coloured concretes.

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Property & Construction | Dutton Stormwater

Handling the overflow Dutton Stormwater can take all the worry out of dealing with your drains and offers a comprehensive maintenance service for both residential and commercial customers. <

Dutton Stormwater offers a comprehensive service involving stormwater drains across Auckland

The Auckland company has extensive experience in everything to do with stormwater drains and offers a turnkey drainage maintenance service.

Director Ed Dutton says Dutton Stormwater looks at every issue when working on a drainage problem. “We give you a comprehensive maintenance programme so you don’t have to worry about your drains, from the perspective of drains blocking and resource consents,” he says.

“As a customer you can rest easy knowing the council is not going to be on your back and your drains won’t be a problem.”

A total drainage service

“The truck is the perfect size to get into awkward sites and still copes with the demands of any tank,” he says.

Dutton Stormwater specialises in the maintenance of stormwater filters, which remove environmentally harmful substances, such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals and suspended solids.

Stormwater filters get clogged over time and require cleaning. This involves entering the filter and removing the silt and contaminated sand through a vacuum pump. New sand is then laid and the filter is able to once again function effectively.

The business prides itself on the quality of its service and attention to detail and recognises the importance of ensuring only clean water enters New Zealand’s beaches, rivers and lakes.

Team leader Sonny Chan takes real pride in doing a job well. “It is great coming back to a job the next year and the sand filter is dry,

The company maintains and cleans cesspits, soak holes and enviropods, which requires regular cleaning and unblocking. Septic tanks should be ‘de-sludged’ every twothree years in order to function effectively.

Dutton Stormwater will meet all your septic tank maintenance requirements, including informing you of when a service is required.

Dutton Stormwaters’ services include:

“Our comprehensive and detailed database helps takes the worry out of stormwater maintenance and we ensure council requirements are met,” Jo Lewton, office administrator says.

• Grease traps.

“We contact clients the month before their device is due for a service and send a detailed report when the work is done.”

Grease traps are designed to intercept grease and oils before they enter the stormwater system. Maintenance of grease traps is essential as grease and oil are damaging to the environment. Dutton Stormwater vacuums the contents of grease traps and disposes of them at authorised dump sites.

The company also undertakes water quality monitoring and tests water regularly at a number of sites across Auckland.

Customers who choose Dutton Stormwater only deal with one point of contact for all their drainage issues. Dutton says if you call the business, you can talk directly to him.

“Our strength is that we offer a full service.

We tailor make a maintenance proposal for each site in a very clear and understandable proposal. Some sites need more maintenance and others need less,” he says.

• Stormwater filter maintenance • Cesspits, enviropods and soak holes • Septic tank maintenance • Water quality monitoring

“

Our strength is that we offer a full service. We tailor make a maintenance proposal for each site in a very clear and understandable proposal. Some sites need more maintenance and others need less.

- DIRECTOR, ED DUTTON

”

Dutton Stormwater director Ed Dutton makes a point of being available to talk to customers himself

Dutton Stormwater Limited PO Box 34-602 Birkenhead Auckland T 021 993 404 E info@duttonstormwater.co.nz www.duttonstormwater.co.nz — Advertising Feature

One of Dutton Stormwaters’ strengths is its confined space entry capabilities, as well as its vacuum loading work. “We’re very affordable and people are often surprised by our pricing.

It’s not that we’re cheap, but you’re getting a good deal. “ AT

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Vacuum loading is an important part of Dutton Stormwaters’ service and involves cleaning tanks efficiently and effectively.

Vacuum truck operator Mike Beeston has more than 15 years’ industry experience.

which means it is draining, and the service can be carried out efficiently.”

The Hynds Downstream Defender is an advanced Hydrodynamic Vortex Separator that is specifically designed to provide high removal efficiencies of settleable solids and floatables over a wide range of flow rates.

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 43

Property & Construction | HE Harnett Building 40th Anniversary

Making building simple Let’s face it; the ‘nice guy’ mentality in business can be a bit of a front. Sometimes it’s hard to know who really has your best interest at heart.

It’s safe to say however, there’s no doubt that HE Harnett Building’s team members are genuinely some of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet – and the growing list of clients would happily testify to that fact.

Salt of the earth, every employee at this ambitious building company works committedly and intensively to uphold a collected vision – delivering building excellence to the commercial and residential sectors across the North Island.

Tough lads Owner and operator Howard Harnett established his business in 1973 and he knew exactly what he wanted – to build up a business that was strong and savvy. He’s never lost this sense of direction or conviction and you don’t need to look too hard at his business to see that he well and truly made it happen.

Today he is a trusted and respected member of the building industry and is the president of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand in Whangarei – an organisation that represents craftsman.

It was established in 1998 to recognise and promote qualified builders.

“I really enjoy this part of my work and giving something back to the industry. When I first started the business, there were two of us,” Harnett explains.

“My business partner Gary and I worked really well together, but then he decided he wanted to go into business with his father and today he runs his own successful concrete tanking business.

“We were great partners, but I decided to carry on by myself and then it became a matter of where to move the business – I thought of taking it to Nelson or to Australia, but I stayed here in the end.”

Whangarei

“

We can take you through the entire process from beginning to end, or we can work in with your own architects and project managers if you have them. Each job is unique, so it’s a matter of finding out what you want and working with you to deliver the right result.

”

- HOWARD HARNETT, OWNER AND OPERATOR

Phone: 09 437 9420 | Fax: 09 430 3418 Email: sales@whangareiitm.co.nz | www.itm.co.nz/whangarei Proud Supplier to HE Harnett Building • TIMBER • BUILDING MATERIALS • HARDWARE • KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY

‘Here’ is Whangarei – the city that Harnett and his business have remained committed to for the past four decades. Harnett Building works from Auckland northwards, concentrating on the Whangarei, Waipu/ Langs Beach, Tutukaka coast and Bay of Islands areas.

“A lot of our guys are rugby orientated,” Harnett says with an unmistakable hint of pride and patriotism for the sport. “It was probably about 20 years ago that the business was really starting to grow and I needed to bring more and more staff on board when bigger houses started coming our way.”

In 2013 Harnett Building is not only celebrating 40 years in business, but also 40 years of raising some of the finest builders in the industry.

This is the part of the story, which is perhaps the most inspiring – many of the young apprentices trained up and employed by Harnett, still work for him today.

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Property & Construction | HE Harnett Building 40th Anniversary

“I was always planning for growth and in this industry you either keep going or you die. Many of our apprentices worked their way up and a few of them have become our top foremen.

“We like looking out for the young ones and when we’re looking to bring new guys into the business, we’ll always interview them with the other seniors who were themselves young apprentices once upon a time.

“We look for guys with spark that want to create a future for themselves. It’s great for the young guys to learn team work and discipline early in life, and to be around our older and experienced guys who are strong role models for them.”

Harnett is clearly proud of the ‘young ones’ and for those that stay on with the business and have their own families while working there, he says they become “like grandchildren to him”.

Manager Andrew Herbert was a young apprentice himself when he first started out.

“I started with Howard back when I was a school kid and worked for him during the school holidays.

“Then I went off to university to study, but because you get that many holidays during the university year, I was able to come back every holidays to work with Howard.

“There might be 30 or 40 apprentices that Howard has brought up through the ranks over the years and we try to keep an open door for them when they come back from their travels.

“We know and appreciate that a lot of the younger guys don’t just want to do their apprenticeship and start working immediately. A lot of them like to travel and we find work to get them going again on their return.”

The work on offer at Harnett Building is all encompassing, consistent and diverse.

“I’ve been in my current position for six years and in that time, I haven’t been able to keep count of how many large scale projects I’ve looked after,” Herbert says of the scope of work involved.

“The great part about this job and the culture of this company is that you become quite good friends with a lot of your clients after you have been working with them for a while.” >

“

Testimonial “Having not built before my wife and I were very keen to engage a builder who could offer all the services from start to finish. Harnett Building definitely delivered on this.

“From our first meeting with the project manager and leading foreman, ‘til the end, we found them to be extremely professional, efficient and obliging, with a wealth of knowledge always at our disposal.

“We certainly couldn’t have asked for more with the finished product! We would definitely recommend them to any prospective homebuilders and are more than happy to discuss with any potential clients.”

- Neil & Di Brabant

”

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Property & Construction | HE Harnett Building 40th Anniversary

“

There is a huge amount of trust involved in what we do – at the end of the day we know we are only as good as our last job and as the guys that we have out in the field.

jobs is really about our reputation. I think our clients see us as one big team that works well together,” Herbert explains.

“There is a huge amount of trust involved in what we do – at the end of the day we know we are only as good as our last job and as the guys that we have out in the field.”

Flexibility is key It’s no wonder Herbert finds it hard to keep count of the projects undertaken because the business has experience here, there and everywhere.

The company focuses on new residential builds and premium top end housing. It also undertakes renovations and alterations to both residential and commercial property.

“Weather-tight remediation work has also become a large part of the business and we have become very experienced in this area as well,” Harnett says.

With all that said there’s certainly no such thing as professional snobbery in the mix at Harnett Building. Flexibility is at its very core, as is tackling work that comes its way with vigour and integrity.

“We will tackle anything – alterations, smaller more basic type builds – we don’t restrict ourselves to the high end builds. We’re very flexible and will take on everything right down to building sheds - our team is committed to making things happen for our clients,” Herbert says.

Thanks to referral work, Harnett Building’s profile is continually on the rise. “Getting new

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Working at the coalface of a very competitive industry means establishing robust and resilient relationships – something the company does with a personalised effort.

“It has become very competitive,” Herbert confirms. “But we sell ourselves and get face to face with our clients - we like to get in front of our clients and lay out all the costings and where the expenses in that particular project come.

“They look at the bottom figure and it is all very transparent – everything is itemised and that way they end up with an enjoyable building process.

“Sometimes the client will take the cheaper price with another company, but end up with a hell of a headache a lot of the time.

We make sure we are transparent from the outset.”

This transparency clearly pays dividends with the company’s work reaching far and wide.

“One of the most memorable builds for me was when we built a childcare centre – kind of Teletubbies type style – in Kawakawa township,” Herbert says.

“Most recently was a holiday home built for some international clients that have only had two trips over throughout the build. I really enjoy meeting new people like this

”

and the different challenges associated with each build.”

Harnett adds, “We really enjoy everything that we do from hanging grandma’s toilet door right through to light commercial and multi-million dollar projects.

“One of my personal favourites was in Ngunguru – a 23,000 square foot house. That build was seven or eight years ago at least now, but it was an $8 million job.

“It was for an English guy who owned the Cobra car factory in England. He bought it from Ford and then sold it back to them years later. So he brought his money out here to New Zealand and invested it in 75 acres to build a property.

“He rung me and said ‘I want you to be the one that builds it’, and I was flabbergasted.

We went to size up the job and I said to a former foreman of ours, ‘How the hell are we going to do this?’”

But they did do it – and it took two full years of hard slog.

The international market is on Harnett Building’s radar as it is aware of more and more high profile internationals that like to escape from the prying public eye in their native country and find some sanctuary in the peace and quiet of New Zealand.

“A lot of internationals do see New Zealand as being a very safe place to have an escape,” Herbert confirms. So ideally that is a part of the market we really hope to see increasing over the next few years and we think there is a good chance of that happening, especially up this way.”

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Property & Construction | HE Harnett Building 40th Anniversary Extensive project base Kawakawa A state of the art childcare centre based in the centre of Kawakawa township.

This building has won international architectural awards for both its design and Green Star ratings. The basic structure is concrete, which is then waterproofed, insulated, waterproofed again, and then covered in earth and grass, providing huge insulation values.

Russell Set in the heart of Russell, this property consists of one main house and one guesthouse in keeping with the colonial theme of the community. A lot of the work cannot be seen in this project as the supporting engineering and earth retaining is underneath the building to cope with the extremely steep site.

Wellingtons Bay Constructed entirely out of a product called YTONG (also known as aerated concrete), this home has huge insulation value.

Double glazed windows by UNICCO, and underfloor heating throughout provide a very warm and durable house to withstand the exposed environment.

Northland This private home really does incorporate indoor outdoor living with a two-storey conservatory housing some mature natives. Large hardwood timbers and unique artistic designs give the house a real point of difference.

Matapouri Architecturally designed, this house has been finished to a very high standard of workmanship. A lot of thought has been put into maximising the stunning views and creating something that will blend in with the natural surroundings. Due to the amount of time and effort throughout the construction of this build, Harnett Building ended up with some very happy clients, and helped achieve their dream home.

Ngunguru This very large high quality home has been constructed out of massive timber beams,

schist stone, energy efficient windows and Italian slate roof.

Custom building techniques were used in the construction of this house, which boasts a central lift system between three floors, as well as 1,100 square metres of floor area and a huge canterlever entry way.

Langs Beach With its panoramic views over Bream Bay, this architecturally designed house has trendy, modern looking lines. This opens up the whole front with large windows to absorb the view.

Once again this is a very sturdy house using heavy gauge structural steel, uni-span floors, and thickened glass for sound and warmth insulation.

Long Beach

“

Testimonial “We built a home last year with Harnett Building and have continued to deal with them whilst landscaping our pool. We were very impressed with the builders and subcontractors used and are very much enjoying our new home.

“We had never built before and found Howard and Andrew excellent to deal with. They were always available and very good at dealing with any issues in a timely and efficient way. We would be happy to personally recommend this company.“ - Chris and Barbara Seeley

”

HE Harnett Building PO Box 10167 Te Mai Whangarei 0143 T (09) 438 3467 E andrew@harnettbuilders.co.nz www.harnettbuilders.co.nz — Advertising Feature

This very unusual eco-home is literally a living house. Huge 500mm x 500mm internal beams supports a roof structure full of soil and growing native plants.

The house is constructed primarily of large dense timbers and comes complete with solar panels and a central heating system.

The hand crafted internal joinery and linings are also hard timbers leading to a panoramic view over the beautiful Bay of Islands.

Mellons Bay A combination of materials including large hardwood timber beams, hebal blocks, stained glass and solar panels set this architecturally designed house outside the square.

Situated in Mellons Bay, Howick, this hand crafted home was constructed with a huge amount of attention to detail. The clients are delighted with the result and love living in the home.

Johnson This existing beach house was modernised with a face lift and extensions. A new dwelling, double garage and boat shed was constructed alongside and vertical shiplap, and band sawn cedar set this project’s look apart. The shade sails provide not only a feature, but also a practicality in the Northland summers. AT

Proudly associated with HE Harnett Building.

We congratulate them on 40 years in business.

PH 09 430 0151 47 Norfolk St, Whangarei Fax: 09 430 0151 Mobile: 021 057 0707 PO Box 300, Whangarei www.main4.co.nz

B

A R C H

A N Z I A

Proud to be associated with H.E. Harnett. Congratulations for 40 years in business.

• Domestic • Commercial • Competitive Prices • 24/7 • Quality Workmanship • Showers • Mirrors • Pet Doors • Balustrades • Glass & Glazing • Splashbacks • Pool Fences 09 430 7576 • 87 Port Road, Whangarei • whangareiglass@vodafone.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 47

Property & Construction | Superior Kitchens

Style and personality Sometimes looks are a trade off for personality, or vice versa. But not with Superior Kitchens – because this company’s dedication to delivering excellence means clients can have both.

Almost three decades ago Superior Kitchens entered the market and the company has been taking kitchen design and manufacturing to a new level ever since. Its services are characterised by ingenuity, innovation and meticulous attention to detail.

Looks, personality and practicality The business was established 28 years ago and was taken over by Murray and Michelle Sunckell eight years ago who saw an opportunity to launch their business in a market yearning for a stylish kitchen manufacturer.

Today the Sunckells are the directors of the business and work closely with manager Gavin Caddy who has been with Superior Kitchens for four years. The overriding objective of the business is to take stress out of the equation for clients.

Superior Kitchens stands by its finished products with a full workmanship guarantee. It offers a free, no obligation design and quote service.

Superior Kitchens manufactures: • Kitchens • Laundry units • Vanities • Entertainment units • Shelving and storage units

“

We know that business lifestyles can be stressful, but a well-planned kitchen combining looks and practicality goes a long way to helping people deal with daily routines

”

- MANAGER, GAVIN CADDY

• Counters • Desks.

“We know that business lifestyles can be stressful, but a well planned kitchen combining looks and practicality goes a long way to helping people deal with daily routines,” Gavin confirms.

“Our custom made kitchens and cabinets are designed to fit any space and can incorporate any of the appliances required by our clients.”

Gavin and his team are very much in sync with the market and appreciate the importance of staying in tune with both the subtle and dramatic changes that continually influence the market.

The specialist design team is made up of style seekers constantly scanning the market and identifying the latest design trends. “Our staff can advise on all the latest materials, finishes and accessories available,” Gavin says.

For those wanting a sneak peak, a showroom with display kitchens and examples of the wide range of options available through Superior Kitchens is open to clients so they

can indulge their imagination. The showroom also highlights bathroom fit-out options too.

Alongside kitchens and bathrooms, the business also manufactures: • Laundry units • Vanities • Entertainment units • Shelving and storage units • Counters.

“We utilise the latest technology,” Gavin says of the business’ commitment to forward thinking and innovation.

“We offer a full computer design service with 3D layouts so clients can visualise the end results and get a tangible sense of what they are investing in. Price comparisons can be provided on different finishes and products. Our modern production facilities also feature some of the latest machine based technology.”

Phone: 09 274 8900 | www.superiorkitchens.co.nz Factory & Showroom, Unit J, 4 Lady Ruby Dr, East Tamaki.

Mon-Fri......7.30am-5pm; Sat......9am-1pm.

Design | Manufacture | Installation 48 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Property & Construction | Superior Kitchens

Overcoming challenges Gavin doesn’t deny it has been competitive during the last four years. The ‘take no prisoners’ nature of the commercial landscape has resulted in the collapse of a number of key players and the global recession saw a decline of sales across the board “We have sustained the business by maintaining our client relationships and really looking after our clients. This has really worked for us,” he says.

Approximately 40 percent of Superior Kitchens’ customer base is made up of retail clients, with the lion’s share of 60 percent made up of commercial clients including major players like Fletcher Living and Jalcon Homes.

“Fletcher Living and Jalcon Homes are significant clients for us and we have a really good relationship with them. It is important to us to respect and nurture these relationships. For us, good business isn’t about taking over the world, or stretching ourselves too much.

“Our primary concentration is keeping clients happy by delivering on what we promise. When our clients are happy, we are doing our job as we should be and in turn this yields even more referrals, which constitutes a big part of our business.”

Accountability is also an important part of the business’ operation. “I think we demonstrate accountability in every element of our process.

“From design through to the manufacturing and install – we offer the whole package and we never walk away from a job until it is been completed to the highest standard.

We always ensure our works meets our client’s expectations.

“That is the main thing with us – nothing is half finished or half done and if something needs fixing – we fix it.”

With the housing bubble in New Zealand showing no signing of bursting any time

The stone benchtop specialist

www.solidtops.co.nz SILESTONE

CAESARSTONE

UNIQUARTZ

100% NATURAL GRANITE P: 09 274 0286

F: 09 274 0386

What’s on offer • Superior kitchens does it all – designing, manufacturing and installing quality joinery for kitchens and bathrooms. Whether you are a tradesperson or a homeowner, the company has the experience and enthusiasm to help complete any project big or small.

• It prides itself on excellence service delivery and can meet tight timeframes and deadlines.

The team will project manage a job from concept right through to completion to take the hassle out of dealing with multiple contractors.

• Superior Kitchen’s repeat customers are true testament to the quality of its products and its people.

soon, the business continues to meet the growing demand for its services while looking to constantly improve.

“We’re hard on ourselves and with good reason – we strive to be better and implement better systems. Our staff of 12 employees works collaboratively to uphold the high standards we are recognised for.

“Our staff turnover is very low and I think that is a strong point for us – it ensures continuity in our work and manufacturing processes. It’s not our dream to be the biggest, but we want a business we can continue to be proud of.” AT

Superior Kitchens Unit J, 4 Lady Ruby Drive East Tamaki Greenmount Auckland T (09) 274 8900 E info@superiorkitchen.co.nz www.superiorkitchens.co.nz — Advertising Feature

COMMITTED TO DELIVERING 100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. Our range of thermoformed kitchen doors is extensive and varied. It caters for all tastes and all interior styles from early colonial to ultra modern and minimalist.

E: andrea@solidtops.co.nz

14 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki.Auckland

P 09 272 4120, 0800 333 350 E sales@dezignatek.co.nz 35 Stonedon Drive, East Tamaki, PO Box 258-035, Botany, Manukau 2163 www.dezignatek.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 49

Property & Construction | Celcrete Building Solutions

The Celcrete block building system We all want to live in a home that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Well Celcrete Building Solutions can make that happen in your next home.

The Celcrete block system is a solid loadbearing wall construction system comprising 150mm-300mm thick autoclaved aerated concrete blocks reinforced at intervals by vertical steel rods anchored into the foundation of the building.

Wylens says the block system has huge potential for growth in New Zealand. “It’s great for earthquakes as it has reinforced rods and is lightweight. We can do any type of finish internally; we can plaster it directly or do a lime-based plaster finish that can be painted or have colouration in it already.”

The Celcrete block building systems’ properties include:

The system is extensively used in Europe and creates a quiet, warm, dry home, superior in every way. “Our block building system is a fantastic material. It’s like walking into a cave; it’s a whole different environment,” Wylens says.

• The blocks are solid AAC and are typically 600mm x 200mm x 200mm

“It keeps the heat out when it’s hot and keeps the cold out when it’s cold. People who live in these houses find the insulating benefits remarkable.”

• Constructed with rods and thin bed adhesive mortar.

• Thermal resistivity, R: 1.6 m2 K/W • Sound transmission class (STC): 43 • Fire resistance: four hours

Celcrete panel veneer system Celcrete’s 50mm Celclad panel veneer system offers customers the latest cladding look in contemporary homes and can be combined with other products to create your own unique environment.

Celcrete is used extensively in Europe, where its many benefits are well recognised

<

Celcrete Building Solutions director, Terry Wylens says customers who choose the Celcreteblock building system are amazed by its insulation properties.

Celcrete offers homeowners exceptional insulation in both summer and winter

<

Celcrete’s autoclaved aerated concrete is a solid, inert, genuine masonry building material that has been used in Europe for more than 80 years. It is available in block or cladding systems.

Great visual interest is created by changing textures, light surfaces and paint or colour finishes.

Wylens says the panel system is better than brick and other claddings, as the insulation is on the outside. “The insulation should be kept on the outside, so your batts aren’t working so hard to keep the hot or cold out,” he says.

“Our system was the first aerated concrete system in New Zealand. It was built for New Zealand and wasn’t adapted from anything else. We don’t use any polystyrene with our system; we use timber and aerated concrete. It’s not a polystyrene system that’s been converted to aerated concrete.”

since 1998 and we’ve stood the test of time,” Wylens says.

“We have a very good team of subcontractors that we have put together over the years.

These are strong partnerships that we’ve developed. We’ve also received great support from suppliers such as Celcrete International and Pukepine Sawmills.”

Celcrete Building Solutions offers a 15 year system guarantee and a five year workmanship guarantee on all projects.

Your Celcrete home will be: • Beautiful

Celclad panels have a standard 40mm cavity, which gives greater air flow than 20mm cavities used in other building systems.

• Quiet

Quality is key

• Fire proof - Celcrete does not catch fire

Celcrete Building Solutions prides itself on the high quality of finish it achieves on every home it builds. “We’ve been around

Celcrete Building Solutions

AT

• Warm in winter and cool in summer • Durable - won’t rot, decay or warp

• Environmentally friendly - non-toxic and non-allergenic • Have first rate resale value

Beautiful Durable Dry Warm

• Outstanding structural integrity - imminently suitable for New Zealand’s high risk of earthquakes

Look no further for a house with these characteristics

• Built from a genuine masonry building product • Built with innovative componentry exclusive to the Celcrete system.

Celcrete Building Solutions provide a total project solution: · Supply, installation, plastering & painting of AAC panel & block systems · Gib-fixing, stopping & internal paint finishes · Fencing

Tel: 09 626 5564 Mob: 021 656 376 Email: terry@cladding.co.nz

www.purepine.co.nz Producing high quality New Zealand radiata pine products from a renewable resource.

Located close to the major Port of Tauranga, we mill, kiln dry (NZ DRI approved) and machine for domestic and export markets.

Servicing the greater Auckland region!

Phone. (07) 573 9161 Email. sales@pukepine.co.nz

Celcrete Building Solutions Limited 432 Richardson Road Mt Roskill Auckland T (09) 626 5564 E terry@cladding.co.nz www.cladding.co.nz — Advertising Feature

The Celcrete 50mm Panel System has fast become a hugely popular alternative to a variety of cladding systems currently available and many New Zealanders are starting to discover that it’s possible to build a genuine masonry clad home at ‘emulated masonry’ prices.

• AAC BUILDING SYSTEMS • LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE CLADDING SPECIALISTS • BUILDING SYSTEMS

0508 CELCRETE www.celcrete.net

For more information contact the head office: Ph: 07 579 5277 Fax: 07 579 5299 Email: celcrete@xtra.co.nz

50 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

CELCRETE

Property & Construction | South Pacific Scaffolding

The height specialists About 100 New Zealanders die in workplace accidents every year, an annual death toll of about four in every 100,000 workers.

That’s twice the rate as in Australia, three times the rate of Britain, and worse than all six other developed countries examined by The Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety earlier this year.

There’s no doubting the higher the working height, the higher the risk, making scaffolding an essential part of the construction sector in New Zealand.

South Pacific Scaffolding Limited (SPSL) has spent two decades ensuring the height safety of a wide range of commercial and residential projects in the greater Auckland area.

All SPSL staff hold current Site Safe passports and regularly attend safety meetings, ensuring the reputation for erecting top quality scaffolding.

A member of SARNZ, SRITZ and Site Safe, SPSL covers a complete cross section of scaffolding and related projects. A specialty has been marine work on the Royal New Zealand Navy vessels, as well as for a wide range of privately owned launches and yachts since establishment. SPSL has compiled 200,000 hours of marine work.

Since those early days in the 90s, SPSL has developed into a leader in the scaffolding industry, based on integrity and high standards in safety requirements. A specialist in scaffolding that is “outside the norm,” the company thrives on undertaking projects that are complex and challenging.

“

Since those early days in the 90s, SPSL has developed into a leader in the scaffolding industry, based on integrity and high standards in safety requirements

”

Don’t let weather delay your next project.

A key factor in building a progressive company are its financers. SPSL was the first scaffolding company in New Zealand to be financed by Marac (now Heartland) and has had a fruitful relationship with both them and ANZ bank throughout the years.

Contact South Pacific Scaffolding for yourself and find out how they can meet your scaffolding needs and height safety requirements. AT

But the true gauge of one’s credibility is in one’s portfolio and its relationship with its clients. SPSL has worked alongside most of the leading commercial contractors and its list of residential clients continues to grow.

Some of the commercial clients such as Apsec Construction, Babcock NZ Ltd and APS have been there from the beginning.

South Pacific Scaffolding PO Box 35498 Browns Bay Auckland 0753 T (09) 489 1615 E info@southpacificscaffolding.co.nz www.southpacificscaffolding.co.nz — Advertising Feature

027 654 6635

The first New Zealand company to use the German engineered Layher scaffold systems, SPSL can also provide a wide range of specialist scaffolding components, including large span Keder protective roof systems, access stairs, rubbish chutes, as well as standard scaffold systems.

A quality shrink wrapping service is available through a separate company which has undertaken the shrink wrapping operations on a number of projects.

www.shrinkwrapencapsulations.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 51

Property & Construction | Colourcrete

Think concrete…

think colour

Concrete, why so grey? Well, Colourcrete doesn’t think it has to be that way, from cranberry coloured concrete to pumpkin, the range of colours is almost mouth watering.

Colourcrete as a company has been in operation for more than 10 years, yet a change in ownership in April 2012 has set the decorative concrete company on a new path to success.

Office manager and joint owner, Darnelle Penu says concrete is in the company’s blood.

“Our family took over this business and brought our industry know-how and concrete experience to the company.”

Specialising in coloured concrete, imprinted concrete and re-surfacing, Colourcrete offers the construction industry the ideal products to put the finishing touches on quality projects.

With a range of tools, sealants and colour products, the East Tamaki-based team is the one stop shop for professional and personal concreting needs.

The newly laid concrete in the showroom is ideal for customers to see first hand the quality of finish and indeed the aesthetic value of Colourcrete’s range.

PROUD TO BE A KEY SUPPLIER TO

COLORCRETE LTD

Who can use Colourcrete?

Basically - anyone. Pay a visit to the Blackburn Road showroom and see how the team of experts at Colourcrete can assist your concreting needs. Whether it’s re-sealing your existing concrete or a brand new pool surround, Colourcrete has just the range of products to suit almost any project.

The store can also provide a list of contract installers to help lay the products they stock.

The Colourcrete website, www.colourcrete.co.nz, lists the five steps to follow to get your concrete project moving: • Select colour • Select texture • Select finished look • Request samples • Where to buy.

Colourcrete appreciates the working relationships of the installers and is always looking for enthusiastic, experienced installation experts to further spread the reputation of Colourcrete products.

Architects be aware

residential application, the range of colours can be used as a stand out feature or to complement existing architecture.

The range of Colourcrete products is ideal for creating unique, eye catching exteriors or interiors to suit the architecturally designed market. Whether used for commercial or

“We enjoy being involved with architects from the beginning; we can then offer advice and expertise to suit the design from an early stage.”

Colourcrete also offers a free, onsite quotation for interested parties.

Landscaping with colour in mind Landscaping can add serious value to a property, if executed well. Home buyers look for attractive outdoor areas that are easily maintained – think no further than Colourcrete’s range.

Concrete is durable, easy to maintain and aesthetically pleasing, especially when livened up with a dash of vibrant colour.

BE AMAZED AT HOW LITTLE IT TOOK TO GET SUCH A FABULOUS LOOK! PREMIUM IS OUR STANDARD www.holer.co.nz

Armourtech Concrete Sealer Solutions for Domestic, Commercial and Industrial use.

From a Sky Tower to a Driveway from a Tunnel to a Polished Floor.

Ph. 021 509 115 E. info@nzisl.co.nz www.concretesealers.co.nz

52 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Colourcrete’s range of colours, texture and imprints allows choice to be restored in concrete areas – gone are the days where grey or natural are the only choices, a whole spectrum of options are open to suit the rest of the property.

At A Glance | Won-Door NZ Ltd

Property & Construction | Colourcrete

An open and shut case There’s a good reason why buildings such as The Pentagon, the Guggenheim Museum, Macy’s and Caesars Palace, as well as hospitals, universities, hotels and airports around the world, have stayed loyal to Won-Door.

It offers cost effective solutions for people, whether it relates to making better use of space or fire protection.

to protect concrete against potentially damaging moisture, gas, oil, water and salts, while eliminating the issue of algae/ As with any concrete product, getting it right mould growth and makes the concrete first time is paramount and Colourcrete knows easier to maintain. all too well how important this is.

“The final finish is essential, you only get one The one stop shot when you’re working with concrete concrete shop hence we pride ourselves on fully informing Once you’ve pillaged the information the customer before they undertake a project. from the knowledgeable staff and stocked We’re big on customer service and even up on the supplies of decorative Colourcrete bigger on customer satisfaction.” products, you’ll need tools to lay your Unlike many coloured products on the new found products… well you’re in the concrete market, Colourcrete has had right place. absolutely no reports of fading with Colorcrete stocks a full range of peripheral its products. products to assist even the every day layer, including tools and machinery.

Cost effective

Concrete is a cost effective means of achieving the desired look without having to break the bank. Imprinting and texturising gives the look of the expensive alternatives, at a portion of the price.

Colourcrete’s products are ideal for improving the exterior of your home, or if you are in the building/architectural industry, the range of options gives a wider choice to the eventual end user.

Following the nation’s infatuation with The Block NZ, a renovation craze will undoubtedly sweep through the city. Colourcrete can help the amateur renovators who feel inspired to transform their property on a budget with friendly and knowledgeable advice.

Colourcrete sealers All Colourcrete sealers come with the company’s very own seal of approval. The range includes the solvent based acrylic – a clear coating ideal for sealing concrete patterns, including stamped, stencilled, textured toppings, exposure aggregate and terracotta tiles etc. Creteseal 4500 waterbased acrylics are sealants resistant to yellowing and come ready to use.

The Armourtech DPS 101 deep penetration concrete sealer reduces moisture permeability

“We give sound advice, we have a concreting background and we stand behind all of our products. The products bear our name so they perform to our standards, as do our extensive/reliable contracting database. We also stock the tools and machinery that any customer will require.”

Colourcrete also appreciates supplier relations, especially Business Like NZ accountants who helped the team maintain its standards throughout the recent change of ownership. Colourcrete would also like to thank Holer New Zealand, Infrastructure Solutions and Atlas Concrete for their continued support.

Colourcrete’s father, son and daughter team eagerly anticipate the future as their tenure of the company begins. After only one year, the company is already making leaps and bounds, so if you ‘like’ what Colourcrete do, why not tell AT them with a big blue Facebook thumbs-up.

About 90 percent of the room dividing doors are acoustically rated (STC43) for sound proofing. The doors in this category can be made up to six metres high and width to 20 metres with manual operation and much wider with a motorised option.

Won-Door’s DuraSound acoustic partitions feature a patented overhead twin-track system with no floor track or internal parts to be damaged and the air space between the two walls creates an effective cushion for even the most severe blows.

Each panel of the folding partition is manufactured from aluminium, v-grooved for extra strength and powder coated then lined with two layers of continuous sound proofing material. It can also be manufactured with curved doors as well as straight.

A Won-Door FireGuard door sits in a concealed pocket and stays out of sight until a fire alarm or smoke detector activates it. No floor track is required and it can reach up to 8.4 metres in height with an unlimited width. A microprocessor control self-tests the system and delivers total reliability. It’s tested and certified by Underwriters Laboratory and assessed by BRANZ. With many thousands of

FireGuard doors at Lion’s new offices, Olympic Park, Sydney

installations around the world there has never been a report of a failure to close by a WonDoor FireGuard door in a fire situation.

“We offer unique products that offer real benefits for our customers, with the added advantage of long life and great reliability,” managing director Ray Pickles says.

“The big door sizes that we can supply and the ability to offer curves to close off areas make us stand out. This applies to both the area separation and fire sections of the business.

“The latest product from us is a Cross Corridor Fire Door that provides a realistic alternative to conventional swinging fire doors that you see in hospitals and schools.”

Historically, Won-Door has supplied to commercial markets, but as of this year is introducing a range of colours and finishes for the residential market. And not only this, plans to introduce Won-Door to a broader group of architects, builders and building owners/mangers who can benefit from the uniqueness of Won-Door. AT Won-Door NZ Limited Unit 1 29B Alfred Street PO Box 13-381 Onehunga Auckland T 09 634 2242 E info@won-door.co.nz www.won-door.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Colourcrete 11 Blackburn Road East Tamaki Manakau T (09) 274 7007 www.colourcrete.co.nz

Atlas Concrete are proud to have worked along side Colourcrete! www.atlasconcrete.co.nz

Won-Door was established in the USA in the 1960s and came to New Zealand in 1987.

Acoustic and non-acoustic doors are used for dividing up space and are most commonly used in schools, large halls, meeting rooms, sports clubrooms etc, to allow one large space to be broken down into a number of smaller spaces. Some 99 percent of DuraSound doors installed in the last 30 years are still in use.

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Customer service and satisfaction

The firm manufactures and installs DuraSound and FireGuard doors. You can expect to get a three year warranty, including a complete service from made to measure doors, supplying, installing and follow up customer support.

— Advertising Feature

Ruakaka Branch Marsden Pt Rd, Opp McEwan Rd Ph: 09 432 5030

Maungaturoto Branch Atlas Quarries Ltd State Highway 1, Brynderwyn Ph: 09 431 8303

Takapuna Branch 11 Wairau Road Ph: 09 486 3333

Kumeu Branch 292 Main Rd Ph: 09 412 9456

Panmure Branch 25 Morrin Road Ph: 09 570 8550

Silverdale Branch 10 Titan Place, Ph: 09 426 9551

Wiri Branch 101 Roscommon Rd Ph: 09 277 7197

AtlasTilt Slab Ltd 14 Titan Place, Ph: 09 426 9497

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 53

been seen The people, their faces and all the right places - Auckland

Festival Italiano in New Market 1.

Martin

2. Karl, Adel, Gotz 3. Danny and Alice 4. Andrea 5. Gavin, Max and Yana

2

3

6. Sam and Ollie 7.

Leone, Judith, Elene, Mauru

8. Alexandea and Lucca 9.

Melanie, Gullihana, Chiara, Lilana

10. Jane and Ruthanne

1

4

5

7

8

6

9

People’s Choice Awards function at SKYCITY Convention Centre

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54 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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11. People’s Choice Awards 12. Trina and Scott on stage 13. Media Works team 14. Buy NZ Made presented Taranaki inventor Ayla Hutchinson with their “Rising Star” Award, in recognition of the fantastic progress the Taranaki 14 year old has made with her Kindling Cracker product 15. Whittaker’s Chocolate won the remaining four People’s Choice Awards. Whittaker’s (the brand) won “Most Loved NZ Product” and “Most Iconic NZ Product”. L&P Chocolate was the overall winner for the “Best New NZ Product” 16. EasiYo’s Yoghurt Sachets won the overall Award in the “Best NZ Product on the World Stage (Export)” category and “Most Innovative NZ Product” categories 17. Table settings

17

Ray White City Apartments

Ray Whiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No.1 New Zealand Office 2011 & 2012

2 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD | 09 308 5555 | City Realty Ltd (REAA 2008)

Manufacturing | Viking Ironcraft 1978

Do you need to clear the air?

During the years, we as individuals become (hopefully) wiser with age, the same can be said of a business and after 35 years in the manufacturing game, Viking 1978 Ltd is coming of age at just the right time.

Viking’s core expertise remains in air pollution control systems, specialising in the provision of systems for dust extraction, spray booths, modular ducting and welding fume extraction.

Ross Metcalf of Viking explains the company ethos: “We provide solutions to problems.

Customers can tell us their issues, we then design it, build it, install it and maintain it.

From start to finish we work towards solving intricate issues involving the extraction and filtration of dust and fumes associated to industry.”

Many industries experience issues with dust and fumes, especially in processing plants. Viking provides tailor made solutions to assist with the reduction of air pollution within the work place to allow for a safer, more efficient environment.

Hands on experience Viking operates in a way its clients appreciate; it has hands-on practical experience so when a salesperson visits to scope a project, that salesperson will have been well versed in providing practical advice due to a trade background. Honest, knowledgeable

Proud to be associated with the team at VIKING--- good products, awesome staff.

Contact: Joe Downie Work (09)2731509 Mobile (021)359189 Email joe@aesl.net.nz Unit K, 30 Springs Road, East Tamaki, Auckland

Insulated cyclone being assembled out side Viking

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Initially founded by Gavin and Molly Smith, the business has remained a family affair with son Lester Smith taking over in 1990.

After completing his design and engineering internship in the European air pollution control industry, Lester returned to take the helm of Viking and even deployed a marine branch called VK Marine.

Design, Manufacture, Program and Servicing Your One Stop Shop for, Design, Programming and Manufacture of Control Systems to your Industrial Application

advice is often derived from experience, something a traditional salesman may not fully comprehend.

“I joined the company 20 years ago as a time served fitter and turner working in the heavy engineering sector through to maintenance engineering and then into sales within the industry,” Metcalf says.

“When it came to giving advice, I had the industry knowledge and years of experience to call upon. We don’t design and sell our products from brochures; we design and sell from experience.”

‘Hands-on’ is an ethos Viking looks to promote throughout its 12 strong staff, most of whom have been with the company for more than 10 years. Hierarchy is almost obsolete within the company as Metcalf explains, “We’re a solid, old fashioned Kiwi company, we don’t need titles within our work place - we operate seamlessly as a well oiled machine”.

Kiwi and proud, Viking use only New Zealand made materials with the exclusion of a few imported components from Denmark and Italy. The New Zealand manufacturing industry has long since been reeling from the influx of average to poor quality imports from abroad, hence Viking attempt to choose Kiwi made above the cheaper alternative.

“Viking is a true example of Kiwi manufacturing at its best. Combining New

“

Viking is a true example of Kiwi manufacturing at its best. Combining New Zealand made materials with a skilled staff and occasionally using the best of imported equipment to deliver a well-balanced result for our clients.

”

Zealand made materials with a skilled staff and occasionally using the best of imported equipment to deliver a well-balanced result for our clients.

“We believe by being just an importer, a company risks the lack of backup and design depth, but by refining the design and performance of a system with New Zealand manufacturing and local industry knowledge, we have managed to achieve a sustained level of success for Viking.”

Supplier of insulated panel to Viking.

Manufactures a wide range of flat and profiled panel solutions for a variety of temperature controlled building applications.

139 Roscommon Road, Manukau, Auckland P: 09 277-8844 Extn: 1 E: peter.z@metpanels.co.nz

56 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Manufacturing | Viking Ironcraft 1978 Ltd

Spray painting a 60m yacht spar

Ducting systems Viking’s very own ducting range consists of an extensive array of modular ducting components ideal for off the shelf ducting solutions. Ranging from 100mm to 500mm, traditionally, but Viking stresses that any size ducting can be made to suit a client’s needs.

Filters Viking’s extensive range of filtering options work with its different cleaning systems to extract hazardous dust from a work area.

If your company foresees an expansion in the future, the ‘reverse flow’ filters are ideal as they can be added in a modular fashion.

However, the cartridge filters offers a superior filtration performance coupled with a reduced area to volume footprint. Viking works with Camil Farr and represent the company’s products, including the impressive ‘gold series technology’ integrated in their range of cartridge filters.

Spray booths

VK Marine In Viking’s 1200sqm fabrication facility, among the manufacturing of dust extraction and spray booths, lies an operation born out of Lester Smith’s (managing director) passion for the marine industry – VK Marine.

The marine fabrication and modifications/ repairs are carried out on a wide range of vessels from small trailer boats to super yachts.

German engineering meets Kiwi ingenuity

“

We’re a company proud of our New Zealand roots, we use as much Kiwi product as possible to support our economy and we encourage our staff to apply the good old Kiwi tradition of innovating in the work place.

”

Two reputations that are genuinely recognised and appreciated are the Germans’ flair for engineering and the Kiwis’ number eight wire ingenuity. Combine the two together for a recipe made in manufacturing heaven.

German made Keller (a world leader in dust extraction) machinery is manufactured

by Viking with a delightful twist of Kiwi ingenuity, ensuring the best product is available for the New Zealand market.

“We’re a company proud of our New Zealand roots, we use as much Kiwi product as possible to support our economy and we encourage our staff to apply the good old Kiwi tradition of innovating in the workplace.”

Roger Hill 11.2m Aluminium Power Cat

The future Viking’s diversity is undoubtedly the key component in the company’s longevity. After 35 years the team is still innovative, practical and growing ever more knowledgeable as the decades tick by.

If your business needs the dust eradicated, the experts go by the name Viking. AT

Viking Ironcraft 1978 Ltd 151b McLeod Road Edmonton Te Atatu South Auckland T (09) 835 4090 www.vikingltd.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Dust extraction system installed in NZ board plant

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VK Marine work with yacht designers to produce aluminium boats alongside the rest of the company’s operations. VK Marine is the product of passion and accompanied with the industry/aluminium knowledge of the

Viking staff, the future looks buoyant for the diverse metal workers.

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Viking is the largest manufacturer of spray painting booths in New Zealand. All sizes, temperatures and shapes can be made to order from the market leaders or the Viking kit sets can be purchased off the shelf. The kit sets range from 1m wide to 4m wide and can be freighted nationwide and easily installed. Viking also supplies a range of ‘multi-cure booths’ with spray and bake temperatures ideal for every industry.

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Southern spars 70m spray & bake booth

The world’s 3rd largest manufacturer of medium voltage electric motors and the local supplier of a full range of hazardous area motors, variable frequency drives and electronic soft starts.

Proud to supply electric motors to Viking Ironcraft (1978) Ltd.

E. sales@teco.co.nz www.teco.co.nz

www.vikingfilters.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 57

Manufacturing | Replika Manufacturing

Components and tools made to measure In the competitive manufacturing industry standing out is paramount, but even with the name ‘Replika’, the products and services on offer from the Penrosebased company would be hard to replicate.

Replika service a wide range of industries, supplying components of sheet metal to a wealth of different manufacturers.

John Laurent Helping improve business performance Training & development coach to REPLIKA

ACTION LEARNING LTD

Replika manager Clive Tucker explains further.

“We like to refer to ourselves as a contract job shop. Our clients come to us with a request and we use the latest technology and staff expertise to provide the right solution at the right price.”

Established standards Established in the 70s Replika has built a reputation in the manufacturing sector based primarily on their ability to set the technology bar high.

“We pride ourselves on investing in technology to keep our selves ahead of the game. Therein lies the task to upskill our employees to operate our new machinery, optimising our production levels in a reduced time-frame, saving time and money for our clients.”

Ph 0274 505505 Email john.laurent@action-learning.co.nz www.action-learning.co.nz Organisation development* increasing employee engagement * leadership development * team improvement* culture change*

Working with Action Learning during the last 12 months has helped Replika to engage and empower employees to become more actively involved in decision making, ultimately allowing for more dynamic business to be completed.

Supplier relations are as important as customer relations for Replika and the company especially appreciates support from TATA Steel and Stainless NZ.

Proud to be associated with Replika P 07 542 0070 M 0220706896 E neil@stainlessnz.co.nz

Latest technology Replika uses mainly Trumpf machinery including punching machines, folding machines and laser cutting machines - the latest being a L5030 incorporating fibre laser technology. By utilising the latest in industry specific technology, Replika gains a competitive advantage allowing for accelerated production at a higher volume – ideal for satisfying the customers’ demands.

In a fast changing environment, Replika recognises the importance of keeping up to speed in all facets of business, including the internet. The company’s newly revamped website replaced a rather ‘industrious’ previous site and contains information on the company services, location and more about the company in general.

The diversity on offer from Replika is certainly wide ranging, supplying quality components and assemblies to a wealth of different industries including: manufacturing, heating, ventilation, electronics, lighting, hospitality, racking/storage, food and beverage, construction and more.

“We don’t specialise in providing into one specific industry, we supply to a whole range of industries,” Tucker says.

The Penrose premises is the heartbeat of Replika, packed with Trumpf German engineered machinery and a motivated, empowered workforce, making it an environment ripe for top quality production.

More than 20 staff work at the facility providing turn-key solutions so unique, there must be a slight dose of irony considering the company name is Replika!

The future for Replika involves maintaining the high standards the company is built upon.

“We set the bar high, not only for ourselves, but for the competition. We always aim to be at least one step ahead of the game.”

Customers looking for unique, made to order sheet metal services should think about visiting the team in Penrose Replika Manufacturing. AT Replika Manufacturing NZ Ltd 15 Maurice Road Penrose Auckland T (09) 636 0155 E sales@replika.co.nz www.replika.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Office 1325 Papamoa Beach Road, Papamoa, Tauranga Warehouse Unit 6, 5 Reynolds Place, Papamoa, Tauranga

REPLIKA MANUFACTURING NZ LIMITED

DESIGN

LASER

WELD

PUNCH

FOLD

FINISH

Suppliers of quality sheetmetal components and assemblies to the manufacturing industry 15 Maurice Rd, Penrose | Ph: 636 0155 | Fax: 636 0154 | Email: sales@replika.co.nz | www.replika.co.nz 58 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Manufacturing | Master Maintenance Service & Equipment

The problem solvers The team at Master Maintenance Services Ltd and Master Equipment Ltd do not sell products; they supply solutions.

The Auckland company works with clients to solve their problems, helping them achieve reduced costs and improved productivity through unique, specifically designed solutions.

“At Master Equipment, we specialise in design and build, from one-off products to large production runs, including prototype work,” he says.

“We don’t just make equipment, we specialise in supplying a solution to customers’ challenges; whatever their challenge is. We offer solutions that work for them in their unique environment. We ask the questions, identify the issue and offer solutions that work.”

O’Brien’s job is to sit down and talk with customers about the issues facing their businesses and help them find ways to solve them.

“All I care about is what the customer’s challenges are and how it affects their business. Our business is very much about having a personal discussion. We don’t sell

EQUIPMENT

Stillages, made to order by Master Equipment and certified for use throughout New Zealand, meeting the new earthquake building requirements

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Business development manager, Emmett O’Brien says the two companies, Master Maintenance and Master Equipment, can offer a total solution. Master Equipment undertakes the design and build work, while Master Maintenance Services maintains and repairs equipment; in-house or fully mobile where they come to you.

A collapsible freight and storage container, made to order by Master Equipment

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Master Equipment offers customised design and build solutions for the transport, logistics, freight, warehousing and manufacturing sectors. It also designs and manufactures material handling and shopping trolleys, customised racking, order picking, freight and stillage solutions.

products; we supply solutions. We make what you need.”

drawings and ensure product features are manufactured to exact specifications.

Design and manufacture

Its manufacturing facility in Auckland is fully equipped with specialised wire and tube manufacturing machinery, allowing the company to manufacture high quality cost competitive products to the client’s specific requirements.

Master Maintenance Services and Master Equipment’s core customer base includes large companies such as New Zealand Post, Lion Breweries, New Zealand Couriers, Staples and more. Working with major industries, they have designed innovative storage solutions suitable for new fit-outs, rebuilds, new builds, or just getting better results from the same space.

One of its new storage solution designs is certified to comply with the new earthquake standards, suitable for most locations throughout New Zealand.

“In one situation, we’ve provided our customer with a storage solution that increased their storage capacity by more than 30 percent within the same footprint.

I work to maximise their output, minimise their cost and utilise their space more efficiently. It’s not about selling stuff; it’s about finding out what they need, how it can be applied and supplying a solution.”

Master Equipment’s experienced industrial designers use state of the art modelling CAD systems to generate detailed production

Master Equipment also has an exclusive partnership with a large European manufacturing company, which enhances its ability to manufacture complex products in large quantities.

The company provides solutions to customers throughout New Zealand and is working hard to further develop its service depots in Wellington, Palmerston North, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch.

Maintenance and repairs Master Maintenance Services Limited helps customers maximise time and minimise costs. The company provides a range of professional services to the freight, logistics, manufacturing and retail industries.

It is also an expert at servicing supermarket trolleys, trolley bays, checkout counters, display stands and online shopping trolleys.

Master Equipment limited pride themselves in delivering a total Design, Manufacturing and Servicing solution to the freight, retail and hospitality industries.

Making solutions for you Master Equipment Limited can design and manufacture the perfect solution to your industry and business problems, including: • Freight: Roll cages, dairy cages, containers and stillages • Retail: Trolleys, display stands and material handling equipment • Warehousing: material handling, roll cages and access platforms • Custom built products to fit your specific requirement.

Master Maintenance Services Limited maintains and repairs freight containers, roll cages, stock handling trolleys and stillages. AT Master Maintenance Services Limited Master Equipment Limited PO Box 82 021 Highland Park Auckland T (09) 274 5883 E info@mastermaintenance.co.nz www.mastermaintenance.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Phone: 09 274 5883 26 Birmingham Rd, East Tamaki, Auckland www.mastermaintenance.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 59

Manufacturing | The Bolt Shop

The nuts and bolts of good business Expansion is always a good, healthy sign in business, so when The Bolt Shop opened a new store in Wiri to complement its Glenfield branch, fasteners will be easier purchased both north and south of the city centre.

The Bolt Shop was founded in 2000 at the original premises on Archers Road in Glenfield, but due to demand, the team decided another branch was needed in Wiri’s Ash Road. The new store is strategically situated in the industrial nucleus that is Ash road, with many surrounding businesses providing custom for the newly located fastening store.

John Storr, The Bolt Shop director says “The peripheral work from around the industrial area is great to get us started in a new place.

We did however have customers who were based in and around this area who used to have to travel north to our Glenfield store, so we’ve made their journey a lot shorter.”

John explains the idea behind the layout saying “Most fastening shops consist of a desk, a brochure and an assistant - all the products you actually want to touch and feel are located behind the assistant manning the desk.

“We know how many tradespeople are kinaesthetic, they like to get to grips, literally, with the fasteners they want to use. It’s also an important routine to size things up, compare and be liberated from the pages of a catalogue.”

The concept has obviously been intricately thought through by John and Geoff, with two branches now set out in this manner, it’s obviously a layout their customers appreciate.

“We may not be the biggest fastener supplier in the region but we offer our customers’ an experience they value. It’s not just about the products, although we do have a vast stockline of more than 17,000 and is climbing.”

Stocking every kind of fastener imaginable, The Bolt Shop is exactly what you might expect from its descriptive name. It also stocks a wide range of quality products from tools including the King Tony brand to water based rust inhibiting paint from Metalfix.

“We obviously stock plenty of fasteners but we also have a varied range of collateral products that complement our main stocked items.”

Company directors John Storr and Geoff Smith expanded their business on the strong foundations of their combined industry knowledge. With a wealth of experience in the engineering field, their knowledge, in their view, is better shared.

The Bolt Shop often runs special offers on certain products including tool sets, so pay the team a visit at the new store in Wiri, or the place where it all began, Glenfield.

The shelves are also stocked with brands, including Kibbys, YFS, Brighton Best, Bremick, Fabory, Maxi, Bossard, Nord-Lock, Bordo, Sutton, Evacut, Ozar, Blu-Mol, Komelon and Wera.

“We all have industry backgrounds here, we’ve been onsite for years and recognise the issues people face when it comes to fasteners, that’s how we have grown The Bolt Shop, or Bolt Shops, plural now,” John says.

An engineer can also take advantage of the associated products, including abrasives, lubricant, tapes, loctite, aerosol paint and acrylic steel primers - not to mention the stud cutting and machining service.

The Bolt Shop is designed to allow the customer to browse in a supermarket style manner. The open plan aisles allow customers to get a feel for a product before the all important purchase.

The Bolt Shop on wheels

History

For local, large quantity fastening supplies required at the drop of a hat, The Bolt Shop has an impressive fleet of branded vehicles

60 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

on the Auckland roads servicing those in need of a fastening fix.

“The Bolt Shop offers a delivery service to our clients’ around the Auckland region who may be in need of a same day delivery to site. Obviously we have minimum orders for this service, we can’t be driving across town to drop off a single washer, as much as we’d like to!

“It’s a more personal service than just receiving a parcel but we do use couriers as well. Our customers’ are from all regions of the country.”

Supplies available at The Bolt Shop • High tensile, mild steel and stainless steel bolts, nuts and washers • Metric coarse and fine threads • UNC, UNF, BSW and BSF • Threaded rod and coach screws/bolts • Socket head screws • Roofing screws • Chipboard screws • Various rivets, nuts and screws.

Manufacturing | The Bolt Shop

Reputable reps

Tactile environment

One of the key deciphering factors between the success of The Bolt Shop and the competition is the knowledge and experience of the company’s personal. Many of the staff employed by The Bolt Shop have an in-depth knowledge of the associated fastening industry.

Shopping for most purchases requires the touch-test and why should the fastener industry be different? The specs are all available for purchase from The Bolt Shop, but nothing compares to that tactile experience the store layout offers its customers . Much like we check egg boxes and squeeze bread in the supermarket, customers at The Bolt Shop can get up close and personal with their desired product before making a purchase.

“We’re hands on people, we know the industry and our staff aren’t just salespeople - they’ve been in the shoes of the customer.

We don’t claim to know it all but if we do get stumped, we’ll go off and research it to enhance our knowledge base.”

The staff of seven is consistently dedicated to improving the company’s service and even the office-based staff have over a decade’s worth of experience in the industry.

“

Testimonial “Great service, willing to go the extra mile to find a solution… Thanks for your help guys, keep up the good work.”

– Vincent, 4 Reels Ltd

”

“Expansion is always on our minds but we’ll, see how the first two years in Wiri goes and then we’ll re-evaluate.”

Next time you’re in the vicinity of either the Wiri or Glenfield Bolt Shop, walk in and browse the aisles, touch the products and chat to the friendly, knowledgeable staff – you’ll be fasten-ated! AT

More stock you can find at The Bolt Shop:

The future

• Turnbuckles

Geoff Smith and John Storr accept the fast moving industry they supply to is evolving at a never seen before pace. Taking advancements in their stride, the joint directors of The Bolt Shop won’t be making another bolt across town just yet.

• Lynchpins • Grease nipples

“

It’s a more personal service than just receiving a parcel but we do use couriers as well. Our customers are from all regions of the country.

• Compression springs

“In the future, we may look at opening further stores but for now, we’ll settle into our new premises and establish another satisfied customer base here before setting up shop elsewhere,” John says.

The first shop founded 13 years ago cemented a reputation in the local area and the new shop faces the same task before the pair can think about third and fourth outlets.

”

- THE BOLT SHOP DIRECTOR, JOHN STORR

• U-bolts • Multiple drill-bits including masonry and high speed • Hole saw blades • Screwdriver bits • Hex die nuts • And more.

The Bolt Shop 191b Archers Road Glenfield North Shore City T (09) 411 9425 23 Ash Road Wiri Auckland City T (09) 262 2944 E info@boltshop.co.nz www.boltshop.co.nz — Advertising Feature

www.gibsonanchoring.co.nz

Congratulations to THE BOLT SHOP on your further expansion to WIRI. KIBBYS are the manufacturers and suppliers of washers stocked by THE BOLT SHOP.

METAL PRESSING LTD

We are proud to support Geoff, John & their team and wish them every success for the future. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 61

Manufacturing | IRL Refrigeration & Industrial Piping Specialists

The industrial piping specialists Twenty years in business has seen IRL Refrigeration and Industrial Piping Specialists Limited grow into a niche provider of industrial gas piping.

The company was formed in 1993 by Gary Halton, who today leads a highly skilled team focused on manufacturing, installing and maintaining industrial piping. “We’ve gone away from our previous core business, which was refrigeration,” he says.

“The market changed and we changed with it. We’ve been focusing on industrial gas piping for the past four or five years and we’re becoming well recognised in this field. We want to continue to grow in this line rather than in general piping services.

We want to be a bit more specialised.”

The company will install and maintain pipe work for a range of applications, with piping including stainless steel, mild steel, plastic and copper. It operates a high-tech workshop in Onehunga capable of turning out quality projects on time and to budget.

While based in Auckland, IRL services the entire country, with projects successfully completed in Australia, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Pago Pago and as far away as Papua New Guinea.

It provides a complete installation and maintenance service focussing on engineered and mechanical systems.

The team at IRL can take care of all your stainless steel and food-grade pipe work specifications.

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IRL completed this chiller replacement for Genesis Energy Huntly

Congratulations to IRL on reaching their 20th anniversary. Air Liquide has worked with IRL for almost 20 years and looks forward to continuing this relationship.

Maintenance • Kwik Freeze • Halbrac Systems • Manufacturing • Installation • Contracting

The company is also a specialist in the manufacturing of structural steel and brackets for pipe support. IRL uses the Halbrac System for pipe connections.

These include a range of heavy duty twopiece pipe clamps which can be used for pipe support in any environment. Pipe clamps can be manufactured in galvanised steel, black mild steel, or S5. The off the shelf Halbrac System caters for pipes with external diameters from 0.5 to 12 inches, while IRL can manufacture to order for pipes up to 18 inches.

The team at IRL focus on quality outputs for all clients. A robust project management framework ensures projects are delivered on time and within budget. The company has recently launched a radio advertising campaign on Radiosport and has a new website being constructed by Isatrin.

“

We’ve been focusing on industrial gas piping for the past four or five years and we’re becoming well recognised in this field.

We want to continue to grow in this line rather than in general piping services. We want to be a bit more specialised.

- GARY HALTON

Backing up its work

”

IRL guarantees its work and will put it right if its clients are not satisfied.

“We stand by what we do; we’re more personal than a lot of other companies,” Halton says. “I have a hands-on role with clients and if there’s a problem they ask for me.”

Phone 09 634 2358 • Fax 09 634 2357 • Mobile 021 920 841 Email info@irlpipe.co.nz • 29b Alfred St, Onehunga, Auckland

EXPERTS IN INSTALLING INDUSTRIAL PIPING

62 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Manufacturing | IRL Refrigeration & Industrial Piping Specialists

Mission statement “Our commitment to you is to finish the project on time and within budget.

Customer satisfaction is our priority.”

At A Glance| Active Roofing

Heads up Improving your home can be daunting and confusing when it comes to complex projects such as deciding whether or not to re-roof or repair.

But what is certain is that it’s important to get the right people involved, ensuring you get the best advice to make the right decisions for you.

These decisions mean you get the right product at the right price - minimising costs and risk - both in the short and long term.

Based on the North Shore and covering the Auckland region, Active Roofing completes all projects from new roof installation, reroofing, metal cladding, repairing leaks, roof assessments, as well as installing a range of gutters and spouting from Marley PVC to Colour Steel options.

Before

These guys know their stuff and guarantee quality service and workmanship for all your roofing needs.

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IRL has enjoyed a long standing working relationship with Fonterra Brands Tip Top for more than 30 years. He has provided a reliable, professional service covering all aspects of pipe installation through to general fabrication work

IRL Refrigeration and Industrial Piping Specialists service a wide range of customers and are helping to develop Auckland’s tertiary campuses.

What is the state of your existing roof?

Halton says the company is currently doing a number of projects at Auckland University.

“Last year we completed an undergraduate’s lab at the university, which involved a lot of industrial gases and lab gases.

If your house is more than 30 years old or more than 20 years old if you are situated in a more exposed coastal area of Auckland you may be experiencing the following problems: An IRL service van for industrial gases

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“We’re starting the University of Auckland’s New Market campus next year, doing the lab gases. We’ve also just finished an Air New Zealand simulator; we put in some cooling water, as well as compressed air and nitrogen.

Those are typical projects for us.” AT

If you think a replacement roof is the right option for your existing home, call for a free quote. If you are building a new home just send Active Roofing a copy of your future building plans for a complete supply and installation price. And if you want to upgrade your existing roof underlay with a new synthetic fire-retardant underlay and/or add insulation while the roof is off, Active Roofing can complete the job with no hassles.

• Corroded and rusting roof sheets and flashings • Dented and sagging roof sheets with ineffective laps • Loose or corroded nails • Cracked and broken concrete tiles (Active Roofing can replace your old concrete tile roof with longrun metal roofing).

Sandvik New Zealand congratulate Gary and his team at IRL Refrigeration & Industrial Piping Specialists on their 20th Anniversary and wish them all the best for the next 20 years IRL Refrigeration and Industrial Piping Specialists Limited 29B Alfred Street Onehunga Auckland T (09) 634 2358 M 021 920 841 E info@irlpipe.co.nz www.irlpipe.co.nz

These early roofing problems can lead to bigger problems if left unchecked or unattended. They can lead to your house suffering from: • Damp, mouldy ceilings which potentially cause health problems for occupants • Rotten timber framing destabilising the structure of the roof

After

experienced Active Roofing roofer will offer you their expert advice on the best solution for your situation.

Active Roofing has a close alliance with associated trades, such as builders, electricians and HVAC specialists (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), so you can guarantee your project will run smoothly and on time.

All projects are supervised by an Active Roofing LPB (Licenced Building Practitioner) and a high level of care is maintained throughout the course of the project to avoid any damage to your property. All new or replacement roofs, which meet manufacturers criteria will be accompanied by a three year warranty.

Don’t fret about roofing waste either; all rubbish will be taken care of by Active Roofing so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy your beautiful weather-tight roof.

The experienced team at Active Roofing will do any job presented to them, so no matter what your requirements are, the team will help you every step of the way to complete a job until you’re happy with it.

Give Active Roofing a call today to get a free, no obligation quote to help you determine what the next step is on improving your home.

Once you see the results, you won’t want to go anywhere else. AT

• Cracked or broken ceilings • Drips or leaks

Active Roofing PO Box 161 Silverdale Auckland 0944 T 0800 33 55 32 The best option is to have an onsite evaluation E service@activeroofing.co.nz www.activeroofing.co.nz to check the extent of your problem and an

• Damp, clumping insulation from water seepage leading to heat loss and higher heating bills.

www.smt.sandvik.com/nz

— Advertising Feature

— Advertising Feature

GREAT PEOPLE DESERVE

g n fi GREAT ROOFS o Ro es i r t s Indu Proud to support IRL Refrigeration & Industrial Piping Specialists 2/6 Keith Hay Dr, Manukau, Auckland 2104 | PO Box 88 134 Clendon, Auckland 2242, NZ [P] 09-2635657 | [E] office.pil@xtra.co.nz | [W] www.pacificinsulationltd.co.nz

THE ROOFING SPECIALISTS YOU CAN TRUST Manufacturers & Suppliers of Longrun Metal Roofing, Cladding, Flashings & Accessories

.nz o c . f roo

EMAIL: office@roof.co.nz PHONE: 09 414 4585 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 63

Manufacturing | Best Bars

Total towing solutions Agrarian work practices in the western world may have been given the boot to a great extent postindustrial revolution, but there’s no denying the work involved behind the scenes with many manufacturing businesses is still intense.

Technology has inspired a quantum shift in how we do business, but innovation in the commercial environment still demands the brainpower and ingenuity it always has.

Today Best Bars is made up of a number of divisions – sales and marketing, operations, Best Bars in Auckland is the brains, power and logistics, product development and finance and administration. ingenuity behind first-class towing solutions and accessories for New Zealand’s automotive “For the first half of its life, the company was industry. An award winning domestic supplier, best characterised as a domestic tow bar its exporting arm is stronger than ever and focused business and manufacturer. In the the business shows no sign of breaking pace. second half of its life to date, both its product

History

range and the markets that it operates in have diversified.”

Best Bars was established in 1982 and employs more than 70 full time staff who work co-operatively to achieve aesthetically pleasing, functional and innovative designs.

This diversification has manifested in the form of other automotive accessories including aesthetic and load carrying accessories.

Its extensive range of products includes: • Tow bars • Towing accessories • Nudge bars • Sports bars • Running boards • Ladder racks • Cab protectors • Tonneau covers • Side pipes • Cargo barriers • Bull bars (front and rear) • UTE decks (steel and alloy) • EziGrip cycle racks.

The business is privately owned and has had the same owner since it was founded 30 years ago, ensuring that consistent and stable ownership underpins the organisation at all times.

The chemical treatment of metal surfaces is our core competence.

Our products are developed for cleaning, giving corrosion protection, sealing, improving paint adhesion, and facilitating the forming and treatment of metals.

Chemetall (New Zealand) Limited. 664 Rosebank Road, 1026 Avondale T. 09 820 3888 F. 09 820 3979 E. nzadmin@chemetall.com

64 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

strategy, which formalised the company’s structure and disciplines.”

Sales and marketing general manager, John Frear has been with the business for two years and works closely with the chief executive. Frear has an intimate and fundamental knowledge of what motivates the business and what makes it tick.

There is also a range of cycle racks manufactured under the popular New Zealand brand EziGrip. “We have been producing and supplying these to the New Zealand cycle market for the last 25 years – these are complementary products as well.

“Tow bars still represent the bulk of what we do and are at the core of the business, but these other areas are also a critical part of what we do.”

Diversification on the market front has seen Best Bars become a competitive exporter with 50 percent of its sales now attributed to exports.

“Obviously as the business has grown and looked for growth opportunities, we have expanded our sales and our markets in general, primarily by focusing on Australia.”

With a New Zealand market that is capped to a certain degree, the natural opportunity has been for the business to look at its options offshore.

“The bulk of our export revenue is generated out of the Australian market and we are working progressively towards winning more export business with customers in other parts of the world.”

“We have a relatively new management team at Best Bars, which owes to a reorganisation about three or four years ago. At this time the company embarked on a five-year strategy.

Best Bars considers its export success to be a milestone throughout its history and rightly so. A more recent milestone, necessitated by the strong growth it is experiencing, was a move to a brand new, state of the art factory.

“This strategy planned for further investment in plant, people and processes. A new management team was created out of this

“The site is also home to our head office, which means that all of our operations are able to be housed under one roof,” Frear says.

Manufacturing | Best Bars

Services Best Bars’ core business is as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) working closely with brand giants including Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Holden to develop and manufacture products for new vehicles.

“We have an aftermarket offering, under the Advantage brand, which is targeted at selected products. However, we only work in areas where our OEM clients are not,” Frear says.

Best Bars is fortunate in that it has a very strong share position in New Zealand for towing solutions – a position that has been earned thanks to the company’s continuity and efficiency. “We are privileged to work with and have the support of approximately 80 percent of new vehicle distributors.”

This position is one that is definitely not taken for granted by the company, as it remains committed to identifying new opportunities for growth and improvement.

“The way we’ve tried to introduce growth and difference into our business comes down to a number of things,” Frear reveals.

The first is continual investment in new technology and equipment - Best Bars prioritises research and development (R&D).

“We invest a lot of money into our product development area.

“We look closely at how we are designing our products and where there is room for improvement. This includes computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA).”

FEA is a computer tool that enables the validation of a conceptual design of a product.

“It tests the stresses and strains on the product to give an indication of whether it will pass subsequent physical tests. This is a very sophisticated way to prequalify a design before you invest in it,” Frear explains.

Similarly, the company’s actual testing and validation of its products, which is required by its customers and legislation, involves a range of different tests. “We invest significantly in monitoring equipment, which is able to determine whether our products can withstand various stresses and strains.”

Another major manufacturing point of difference for Best Bars that sets it apart from many competitors is the robotic welding programme it has implemented.

“We really sought to move forward in this area and we have a large programme that was rolled out a few years ago now. We use robotic welding during production, whereas traditionally people had to manually weld products – in fact, many still do.”

A manual welding approach brings with it significant challenges and potential pitfalls.

“Having robotic welding facilities allows us to ensure reliability and consistency with our manufacturing. Unlike people, robots don’t get tired or need sick days,” Frear quips.

“Unlike a number of our competitors who seek to decrease their costs by manufacturing off-shore, we can’t compete on cheap labour, so we need to find other ways to become competitive. This approach is a way for us to be competitive.

“The other way we seek to differentiate ourselves is through our coating technology, so we offer different types and levels of coating for our product, which best suits the end use.”

Award winning Best Bars is not the type of company to sing its own praises, but it doesn’t need to – its clients and award winning reputation do that.

In 2013, the company collected two different awards for its innovation and strong sales achievements. “We were invited to participate in the Air New Zealand Cargo Export Awards, which involves a number of different categories.

“The one that fitted with us was the sales under $25 million category and we successfully walked away with the trophy.

The feedback the judges gave us on the night recognised the sustained export growth we have achieved over the last five or so years.

and within the business that ensure everyone takes accountability and responsibility.

“The awards were really an opportunity to provide some recognition to the team for all its hard work. Because the export growth has been very strong, the business has changed in terms of market and customer requirements meaning staff have had to approach their roles differently and take on new responsibilities.”

The relocation to the new facility - an 18 month process - also saw significant discretionary effort from the staff to ensure the move could be made as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Recently accredited as a supply partner for a global automotive accessories sourcing division, Best Bars shows absolutely no sign of breaking pace.

“This opportunity will allow us to bid for more work on the global stage and we have plans for further development in the Australian “This growth demonstrates that we sell on the market,” Frear says. basis of strong relationships with our clients.” “There are great growth opportunities there and elsewhere around the world. We always Best Bars also participated in the South want to make sure we are appropriately Auckland Business Awards and was diversifying for other markets and looking for nominated for four categories – excellence in new opportunities to extend our reach.” AT export, excellence in customer engagement, excellence in leadership, and best medium to large business.

“We recently attended the awards night and picked up the trophy for excellence in leadership.

“This was in recognition of our leadership and the organisational structures we have across

Best Bars 2 Bolderwood Place Wiri Auckland 2104 T (09) 250 1553 E johnf@bestbars.co.nz www.bestbars.co.nz — Advertising Feature

VULCAN STEEL IS PROUD TO SUPPORT BEST BARS & CONGRATULATE THEM ON THEIR RECENT SUCCESSES

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 65

Bussiness Devlopment | Calvotech Installations

Vehicle technologies at work While you will almost certainly be aware of how many company cars use Auckland’s roads each day, you might be surprised to learn how much aftermarket technology goes under the hood of business fleets, sole trader and commercial vehicles today.

The ability to augment a vehicle can provide incredible benefits to business owners – providing you have the right tools, team and products at your disposal.

For super city companies large or small, the place to get this done is North Shore-based business Calvotech.

A one stop shop Established in 2002, Calvotech Installations is owned by experienced automotive technician Nitesh Kishor and is well equipped to meet any business vehicle technology need.

From GPS tracking systems to reversing sensors and vehicle security solutions, Calvotech has it covered. In 2012, the business acquired Cellular Specialists (www.cellularspecialists.co.nz), providing the company with specialist capability in hands-free kits and a nationwide installation network.

At your service The passionate and knowledgeable team offers free advice on a range of products and installations and promises top quality products and high quality workmanship.

Being a small, yet dedicated team ensures that clients receive a personalised approach and top notch care. Clients are left feeling satisfied by their experience at Calvotech through the team’s professional, friendly and competent ability that enables fast and effective solutions.

efficiency or just know the location of your vehicle in real time should it get stolen, Calvotech can help.

ArmadaGPS tracking is the fleet management solution that allows you to track your fleet in real time. With ArmadaGPS you can increase your fleet’s time efficiency, reduce fleet operating costs, and ensure your staff are taking the best possible routes between jobs. Added benefits include the ability to see what time your staff start and finish work, see how long they are on site and ensure customer queries are dealt with accurately and promptly. This adds up to a business solution that increases chargeable time, and reduces staff down time and running costs.

SnitchGPS allows you to know the location of your vehicle in real time and recover it quickly if it is stolen. The product is also great for keeping an eye on learner drivers and allows you to run reports on driving speed and locations your vehicle has visited.

You can also receive text alerts if your alarm is activated, your car is speeding or is in a crash.

Hands-free kits To stay safe and on the right side of the law, a hands-free car kit is now a must have for the modern driver. Calvotech’s car kit installations are carried out by fully trained technicians either in the dedicated workshop or, for extra convenience, at your premises.

GPS tracking

The Parrot CK3000 Evolution hands-free car kit offers the convenience of voice recognition and outstanding sound quality by using your car’s sound system as a receiver.

Calvotech provide GPS tracking solutions for both fleets and individual vehicles. Whether you want to improve your fleet’s time

The Parrot MKi9000 is a Bluetooth screenless hands-free system that blends in seamlessly inside any vehicle.

Popular products

A wireless remote control can be positioned on the steering wheel or dashboard and allows the driver to control all the functions of the MKi9000.

Alarms One of the most important things you can do for peace of mind and protection is install an advanced car alarm system. A good system is one that not only prevents a vehicle theft, but also protects expensive goods being carried either in the cabin (the smash and grab) or rear of the vehicle (think trade tools in the back of utes and vans).

The Autowatch 695 CAN-BUS Car Alarm is fully compatible with modern controller-area network (CAN or CAN-BUS) technology found in modern vehicles. The 695 is Thatcham CAT 2 to 1 certified - the highest standard of vehicle security certification.

The Autowatch 446RLi Premium Car Alarm is the small alarm that’s big on protecting your vehicle. With an alarm module far smaller than others in the market, hiding the unit during installation is much easier, making it less accessible to thieves. The 446RLi also has an attack proof security housing that safely protects the immobiliser connections.

The Autowatch 446 RiSG Car Alarm offers remote control immobiliser, standard siren, glass break sensor and keyless entry. Builtin amplifiers filter and amplify the noises inside the cabin of vehicle. When the high frequencies associated with breaking glass are detected, a trigger signal is sent to the alarm system.

For even more peace of mind, all Autowatch car alarms come with a unique three year anti-theft warranty. These alarms are so good that if your car is stolen within 36 months due to failure of the product, Autowatch NZ will pay the first $1,500 of your insurance excess and provide a rental vehicle for up to 30 days!

Safety range Manoeuvre your car or commercial vehicle safely and easily with the aid of parking sensors or cameras and monitors and be visible with daytime running lights.

A camera and monitor is the most effective way of improving safety around your vehicle.

Cameras are most commonly used to cover the reversing blindspot so that when you put the car in reverse the camera looks at what is behind the car.

Parking sensors are an affordable and effective way to improve safety around your vehicle. Whether you are going backwards or forwards there are many hazards which can cause damage to either your car or someone else’s property. And most importantly parking sensors can help detect a person or animal around the vehicle that you may not have seen. AT Calvotech Installations 5/118B Sunnybrae Road Hillcrest Auckland T (09) 415 0454 0800 862 862 E info@calvotech.co.nz www.calvotech.co.nz — Advertising Feature

GPS Tracking4u Ltd

GPS-201 Specification Special Offer $399.00 incl installation* *There may be extra charges associated with some installations

(No Monthly Fees-Google Map Locate)

Phone: 021 1446 177 Email: info@gpstracking4u.co.nz Ask us -SOS- Mandown Devices 66 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Goods & Services | KP Group

Giving your place a clean sweep

“

KP Group is the largest privately owned ‘ride-on’ industrial cleaning company in New Zealand. It provides an extensive range of industrial cleaning solutions, all catered to handle every aspect of industrial cleaning.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the industrial sweeping sector, KP Group has quality systems implemented to achieve all levels of applications. There is a large variety of different machine types and sizes to cover sites from 50 square metres to more than 50,000 square metres.

During the years the business has evolved with the needs of its customers. Owners Neil and Jill Pemberton owned Eagle Automotive in Manukau City when an opportunity arose in 1992 to buy a sweeping machine. Neil says that it was this opportunity that led the business to grow.

“With one machine, trailer and vehicle on the road people saw what the machine could do and the phone starting ringing. We found our customers were requiring more services, like water blasting and garden maintenance.

“So we decided to buy more equipment, employ more staff and put in systems to cope with the growing demands. Every job is quoted with a site visit, a site plan and full description of the job to be done.”

As Neil is the head of KP Group he knows how the whole company works and has devised the systems, bought the machinery, maintains it and also operates it.

“Our point of difference is that our main aim is to help the customer. We never sell anyone anything they don’t require and we look after their needs and solve all their property maintenance problems.

Testimonials “I have been dealing with KP for around four years now and the level of service just keeps getting better and better like a good old bottle of wine. KP might not be the cheapest option out there, but your outfit sure as hell make up for with service delivery, job knowledge and long serving team members who understand customers’ needs. Keep up the good work, much appreciated.”

“We offer a wide range of extra services related to the industrial cleaning business.

We also fit all of our trucks with GPS tracking devices, so we can tell you when they arrive and leave your premises.”

- Tegel Henderson, Warehouse Manager

KP Group source the world for the best equipment, such as the Hako 1200 battery sweeper from Germany, the Tennant S20 sweeper and the T20 LPG Scrubber from the USA, to ensure that the best possible job will be done.

The smallest walk-behind machine has a 600mm wide sweeping path, making it suitable for tight areas and corners such as walkways. The smallest ride-on has a cleaning path of 1,230mm that the larger road sweeping machines can not possibly get into.

All machines also have a powerful vacuum fan which collects the dust created by the main sweeping brush; this air is then filtered before being expelled from the machine. A powerful stiff side brush will make short work of dirt, stones, nails, sawdust, which have been left - making the site look untidy, dirty and unsafe.

“We give our operators complete training in all aspects of the operation of the equipment they use, which guarantees great results every time.” KP Group can serve your every need, and is affordable for everyone. The company is based in Manukau City, but covers all areas from Albany to Tauranga.

“We are the only industrial cleaning company that offers multiple services that

“Thanks very much for the great job your guys did yesterday; they are friendly, easy to deal with and professional, doing great quality work.

We will recommend your company to anyone we know looking for your line of work. Thanks very much.”

”

- Lilian Kyle, Cloud Manufacturing

we co-ordinate, so the customer has the least interruptions to their core business.

“We realise there’s huge potential in Auckland to expand our customer base and to provide more services to existing and new customers.

We have the vision that we will become nationwide as we grow and look after multinational customers – which we are slowly doing at present,” Neil says. AT

KP Group Ltd 18 Ryan Place Manukau City T (09) 263 5433 www.kpgroup.co.nz

All Electrical Wiring Industrial Tool Repair Test & Tag To ASNZS3760 Full Workshop or on-site 16 Tironui Road, Takanini Our electricians are well experienced in Industrial, Commercial and Residential work including swimming and spa pool repairs.

Andrew Young P: 09 298 8532 M: 027 734 0500 E: andrew.young@daviselectrics.co.nz — Advertising Feature

The exclusive Distributors for Hako Sweepers, Powerboss Sweepers & Scrubber-Driers.

KP operate over a dozen of our Hako Brand.

E. aureguy@nznet.gen.nz

P. 09 4183761

M. 0274 906 578

W. www.hako.com

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 67

Goods & Services | Econergy

Hot water out of thin air In the business world we are familiar with the terms ROI, performance and efficiency. It makes a lot of sense to apply these concepts to our household running costs, which these days are a lot higher.

Heating hot water accounts for approximately 40 percent of the average family household energy bill – but with an Econergy® Heat Pump Water heater, energy bills can be slashed dramatically.

Why should I choose Econergy®?

With energy prices rising around seven percent per year heating hot water, using gas or electric water heaters, has become An Econergy® heat pump water heater can be a costly necessity. Econergy® is the ideal installed into an existing hot water cylinder or hedge against the incremental cost of incorporated into a new build (residential or heating hot water. Retrofit today and the commercial) and immediately start reducing system will have paid for itself within four your power bill by 25 to 30 percent. years on average - a timely investment for any property.

So how does it work?

The savvy home owner recognises the cost The Econergy® Heat Pump Water Heater of running a home is directly related to the draws heat from the ambient air and uses it to energy efficiency of a number of variables; heat water in your hot water cylinder, giving insulation, double glazing, solar panels and instant access to hot water. of course, hot water heating.

Using an Econergy® system saves The New Zealand Green Building Council’s approximately 70 percent of the annual Homestar rating is the benchmark for running costs for a hot water cylinder and is efficient homes and the recent merger about 40 percent cheaper to run than natural between the New Zealand Hot Water gas. Normally the Econergy® runs off mains electricity however, it also fits in with the new Association (NZHWA), chaired by Econergy’s generation of solar electricity panels. Running managing director, David Senn and the the Econergy® during the day off solar panels NZGBC, is indicative of the importance can eliminate your hot water bill all together. reducing the costs of heating hot water.

Econergy saves money • Heating with Econergy can save up to 75 percent on your water heating bill • The Econergy water heater is an efficient heat pump that heats your water cylinder instead of heating your home • The Econergy water heater was designed and developed in New Zealand for New Zealand conditions • The Econergy will connect to any standard electric hot water cylinder, saving you money compared with installing a heat pump hot water cylinder • The Econergy® HP4000LT has been rated by Consumer as the most efficient heat pump water heater.

Get your free Econergy appraisal Econergy offers Auckland-wide free appraisals to assess your current hot water system’s energy efficiency.

The company will provide a quotation for installing an Econergy heat pump water system.

Don’t tolerate another inflated power bill – call us now 0800 326 637 to take the first step to economical hot water.

“

Testimonial An Econergy® installation can help a household reap the benefits of reduced hot water related power costs and instil a peace of mind as energy prices continue to rise year-on-year. We spoke to Doug Edgar of Hobsonville about his experience since investing in the Econergy® system…

“We had an Econergy® system fitted around 18 months ago and the savings have been phenomenal. Considering we’re a two person household, we have experienced savings of 75 percent on our hot water heating bill.

“We were regularly receiving power bills of $360+ per month, but after the Econergy® system was installed, we reduced that to around $180 per month and that’s for only two people in a home; I can only imagine the savings a family of four or more would make.

“The entire experience of dealing with Econergy® was fantastic. The guys were here at 8am and we even had ‘the boss’ David Senn ensuring everything went as planned. By 4pm we had hot water.

They don’t muck around these guys, I was really impressed.

“The Econergy® system was all part of our bigger picture. We’ve since installed 3KW PV panels to further reduce our power bills – the two systems complement each other perfectly and it means we don’t shell out unnecessary money on spiralling power bills.

“Power is not going to come down and if the individual doesn’t make a change, they’re going to be stuck paying extortionate amounts over the next few years, while folk who invest in Econergy® systems and the like - they’ll be saving the money from the day of installation.”

Doug Edgar Solar/Econergy installation

- Doug Edgar, Hobsonville

”

It was clear after talking with Doug, he valued not only the service and the product provided by Econergy®, but also the benefit it would have on his future as a home owner.

Reduced power bills equal more disposable income, not to mention the value such systems will add to a property.

Find out how much you could save by contacting the Econergy® team today.

Heat pump ready cylinder

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Ecoenergy outdoor unit

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3kw Solar Panels

The future of water heating has arrived • Guaranteed 66% savings on electric hot water bills • Fast-Top down heating • Finance available Visit www.econergy.co.nz or call us on 0800 326 637 68 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Visit www.econergy.co.nz or call us on 0800 326 637

Goods & Services | Econergy

Connects to solar panels

The Figures

The Econergy draws such a small amount of power it runs easily off a 3kw solar panel installation. This means that your hot water can be supplied at zero running cost; when coupled with the latest solar power technology.

Number crunching time… the typical cost of an Econergy® installation is about $5k, annual savings can amount to 25 to 30 percent off a power bill, resulting in the investment usually being recouped within a four year period, if not quicker. That’s a wise investment for a property with a high energy bill or, if building a new home, practically essential kit to install!

“

The savvy home owner recognises the cost of running a home is directly related to the energy efficiency of a number of variables; insulation, double glazing, solar panels and of course, hot water heating.

”

The Econergy water heater is an efficient heat pump that heats your water cylinder instead of heating your home

“We have guys who are actually on track to recoup their investment within 18 months,” David says.

If this unit is purchased under our 0% interest deal; effectively the savings pay for the unit cost.

Installing an Econergy® system will also add value to a property. Even the rental market with inclusive power bills is beginning to see the value proposition of reducing hot water bills and charging a higher rental.

The commercial market is also taking notice of the attractive savings figures as businesses look to reduce their operational costs and improve the all important bottom line. AT Econergy PO Box 12-645 Penrose Auckland T 0800 ECONERGY (326 637) www.econergy.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Clarkson Air conditioning

75%

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CAN BE RETROFITTED TO MOST HOT WATER SYSTEMS NOW THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN ENJOY HOT WATER WITHOUT STRESSING OVER THE POWER BILL.

CONTACT US ON 09 9120 553 ADMIN@CLARKSONAIRCON.CO.NZ – AUCKLAND WIDE SERVICE

• Supply and install Panasonic, Mitsubishi and Fujitsu heat pumps/ ducted units • Supply and install Smart Vent Positive Pressure Home Ventilation Systems • Give free advice/in home consultations and quotes • Provide service and maintenance checks for your heat pump • Provide heat pump repairs • Fujitsu Accredited installers • Members of the Climate Control Companies Association • IQP Registered

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 69

Goods & Services | Panmure Self Storage

Shipping and storing made easy Chris Culley runs his business from the “cloud” using the benefits of the virtual world to forgo getting bogged down in the logistics side of the business and instead spend time fostering client contacts.

Yet running his food manufacturing business, Culleys, from the digital cloud would not be possible without a middleman, to ensure the practical side of the company’s logistics are catered for.

For Chris this middleman is Panmure Self Storage Limited. Located in St John’s, Panmure it is a storage company with a difference.

It is more than just your typical warehouse storage facility – but a place where business owners can rest assured all their needs will be met.

Culley’s owner Chris says this ability, to ensure his time is better spent on the parts of his business that matter, is what has drawn him towards Panmure Self Storage.

“When an order comes in, it is Panmure Self Storage who pack the products and arrange to have them couriered to my customers. I can get out and sell my product - I can go out and meet and greet my customers and use my time more effectively,” Chris says.

Solution providers

Panmure Self Storage owner Jeff Gordon says he and his knowledgeable team specialise in offering businesses such as Culleys, the full service; receiving stock, warehousing plus retrieving, packing and shipping.

With 20,000 square feet of storage space, all stock is kept in small individual units, rather than the larger warehouse-style storage facility, ensuring clients can have faith that their goods are kept safe.

“Third party logistics is an important aspect of our business,” he says. Jeff points out the benefits of this particular side of his business takes the effort out of management. “We work on the logistics side of things, while you can focus on the heart of the business.”

“Client units are only opened on receiving and releasing orders – they are very secure,” Jeff says.

Clients can rest assured there will be a space on site for them to have their goods shipped

to and stored until they are ready to receive them or to have them sent off to clients.

“The Storage facility allows us to increase or reduce the space we use, and the costs we incur, as our business needs more or less space for stock.

Chris says it’s a cost effective model that works well for his food manufacturing business. “Gone are the traditional rates, water charges, power bills, forkhoist and staff charges associated with running my own warehouse - Panmure Self Storage’s regular fixed fees ensure I know the monthly costs.”

It also has a recently acquired lot, across the road from its main site, where clients can even store their boats, cars, caravans, shipping containers and trucks as needed.

MCL Security

Perimeter fencing, including security lighting and camera surveillance throughout the complex, as well as an electronic gate and personal code entry system further boost the security.

PROUD TO SUPPLY LOCKS, SECURITY SEALS AND STICKERS TO PANMURE SELF STORAGE 0508 LOCKED (That’s 0508 562 533) E. info@lockdistributors.co.nz www.lockdistributors.co.nz

Expert team

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70 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

No man stands alone Running a company well is often part of a wider effort with key business partners.

Here are just two that help the Panmure Self Storage company do its job so well.

Panmure Self Storage understands that security is a priority for many of its clients.

Therefore it has, for its clients’ benefit, bought state of the art software to monitor all activity onsite and ensure all units remain secure.

We stock a range of padlocks and seals for a variety of household and commercial uses.

The team won’t just watch, while you struggle to cram your stuff into a hole – instead it offers friendly advice, some muscle if needed and provide a range of additional services to help store things quickly and effectively. AT

For less than three dollars per day Panmure Self Storage can offer a range of different sized units to house anything from your precious shop stock to an entire house-load of your precious personal items.

Prioritising security

Lock distributors NZ is a wholesale supplier of Able locks and locking systems.

counterparts. “With some of the other companies you just become another number, whereas with Panmure Self Storage it’s more personal.”

The team at Panmure Self Storage promises an experience unlike the usual tedious affair that comes with organising goods. Its friendly and skilled staff ensures all clients, both commercial and private, leave the site happy.

Jeff says his company is not about offering services to the masses, but is about creating a boutique premium service for its clients. Culleys Chris says it is this boutique service that made Panmure Self Storage more attractive compared its big player

This company has during the years grown to become one of the leading security firms operating in the South and East Auckland areas. Some two decades later this company continues to serve its original clients and new clients with top-quality security service.

Lock Distributors NZ Lock Distributors provide a range of padlocks and seals for a variety of needs.

It specialises with locks specifically designed and produced for the self storage industry. Its dedication to providing self storage specific locks and its knowledge of the industry ensures the company is able to provide any clients at Panmure Self Storage with the peace of mind to know their lock is trusty.

Panmure Self Storage 41 Morrin Road Cnr Morrin and Tainui Roads T (09) 570 5759 E manager@panmureselfstorage.co.nz www.panmureselfstorage.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Goods & Services | Stephens Plumbing

Pipe dreams It wouldn’t be described as the most glamorous of trades, but it represents one of the most critical and indispensable industries – plumbing.

It’s true it’s not the prettiest of professions, but it’s one that demands skill and ability you don’t just stumble across. The industry is highly competitive and the best businesses ruling the commercial roost are those built on experience, efficiency and reliability.

Stephens Plumbing encompasses all of these qualities and more. The business is a specialist in all aspects of plumbing, including maintenance, roofing, gutters and spouting, blocked drains, hot water, bathroom and kitchen renovations, and property maintenance and inspections.

Brains and brawn Stephens Plumbing was formed in November 1981 and 2013 marks 32 years in business working predominantly within Auckland’s eastern suburbs.

Ken Stephens, who runs the business, has a fighting spirit and doesn’t make room for ego in his operation. “I’m the owner, operator and chief bottle washer,” he quips.

Ken is a fully qualified craftsman, certified plumber and certified drainlayer. He has been a member of the Masters Plumbers since 1983.

“I am a backflow inspector and installer, which means I know how to tackle a lot of commercial buildings like dentists and hairdressers. It’s not necessarily backbreaking work, because you are using your brain rather than your brawn.”

Ken describes joining the business owners club – a move that ultimately makes or breaks a person - as “a bit of a gamble”, but with his strong background and can-do attitude, it was only ever a calculated risk. That’s not to say it wasn’t without its challenges.

“One thing I have always been proud of is that I started with just $97 in my business bank account – I didn’t know where my next pay packet was coming from.”

He may not have known what work was coming his way, but Ken had one thing you absolutely cannot function without in business – customer loyalty. “I had so much support from the people who knew me when I was a manager.

“I still have some of those clients today – they may be in Zimmer frames, but I am incredibly grateful for their loyalty,” he says with sincerity.

Stephens Plumbing had humble origins – run from a private residence for the better part of its life. In March 2010 growth necessitated a move and Ken leased a site to operate from.

“All our office staff work here – I am very lucky to have lovely and loyal staff. My office manager Fiona has been with me three years now and my foreman, Dave, started with me as an apprentice eight years ago. I also have another tradesman, Tony, who has worked with us for two years and a senior apprentice, Tom. “I value my staff because they place a lot of emphasis on their work ethic. It is important in our industry to be trustworthy and tidy in appearance. We have uniforms for all our staff that I provide and our four vans are very well sign-written as well.”

Thirtytwo years in business has certainly made the business a recognisable part of the business community and it is something Ken is understandably proud of.

“To start from scratch and then come out with a business and certified apprentices is

“

I value my staff because they place a lot of emphasis on their work ethic. It is important in our industry to be trustworthy and tidy in appearance. We have uniforms for all our staff that I provide and our four vans are very well sign-written as well.

- KEN STEPHENS

”

The focus now is to bring on board more staff as the business continues to go from strength to strength.

“As I start to think about retirement and potentially a successor at some stage, I am

Stephens Plumbing Unit 6, 1/11 Paton Way St Johns Auckland 2025 T (09) 527 4227 E info@stephensplumbing.co.nz www.stephensplumbing.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Proudly supporting Stephens Plumbing We are the most experienced, specialising and applying the latest equipment to potentially pin point the underground location of your water leak very quickly

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Ken did the hardest of yards – working seven days a week to buy his first van, which he had sign-written with the company name.

“I remember the very first day I started the business – November 5, 1981.

Postal: PO Box 25-114, ST HELIERS, AUCKLAND

“I’ll often go fishing over the weekend and when I come back to work I will give the staff smoked fish or cook them fresh snapper on toast. The staff always have their birthday off because it’s an important day of the year for them and an opportunity for us to say thank you to them for all their hard work.” AT

the biggest milestone to any boss because you know you have done your job and you’re restocking the trade.”

“I was the manager of a local business at the time and I recognised that I had the skills, knowledge and ability to do my own thing if I wanted to. It took time - 12 months actually – but I built my business up progressively.

“I had two young children at the time – my youngest was just six months old and the interest on my mortgage was 20 percent interest rates were high in those days.”

focusing on spending a little bit of time away from the business and one of my passions is fishing – I can only do this because the staff are so willing to step up.

www.waterleakdetection.co.nz

P: 09 527 4227

E: info@stephensplumbing.co.nz

www.stephensplumbing.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 71

Hospitality | The Zoo Keeper’s Son

Hospitality | Ribier Restaurant

Go on! Let loose

Auckland’s best kept

There’s something alluring about The Zookeeper’s Son in Auckland.

It could be the interesting name, the smell of succulent slow cooked steaks, or the extensive beverage list which make your taste buds ache with desire. Whatever it is that beckons you in, you can let loose at the bar in Royal Oak!

culinary secret

Eugene Sokolovski has been working in the restaurant industry his whole life. It’s taken him throughout Europe and now through Ribier Restaurant, New Zealand can experience a little of what this acclaimed chef has to offer.

Nestled comfortably in Auckland’s northwest, Ribier Restaurant has become renowned for creating exquisite marriages between texture and flavour.

The name “The Zookeeper’s Son” is a reminder that sometimes you need to be let loose, and owner Dave Catchpole wants to catch those folks who need a break.

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, to quench your thirst with a cold beer, or celebrate together with friends and loved ones on that special occasion, the staff will ensure you won’t be without a drink in your hand and food on your plate.

The menu offers a huge range of choices in a smart, contemporary and relaxed pub environment. Dig into great daily specials, such as the 300g Angus steak for $15.50 on Wednesday nights, or sensational Buffalo wings served with blue cheese sauce and

celery sticks. Or how about $7 cocktails on Friday and Saturday nights, live music, $12.50 burgers and quiz night.

“We have recently brought a sous vide, which enables us to accurately slow cook cuts of meat for up to and more than 12 hours, giving us an incredibly tender product. All of our steaks are cooked for 12 hours in this way, we can still serve them rare or medium rare as the customer desires,” says owner and manager, Dave Catchpole who loves working in and on the business, as well as being involved in the community and getting to know locals.

The Zookeeper’s Son offers a private function room called Tree Tops. Or you can hire out the open plan mezzanine level which will create the perfect environment to pop the wine, sing happy birthday, cheer and clap, engage in conversations and laugh until your belly aches. The staff will ensure every occasion is celebrated in style and your requirements are met with haste.

“The Zookeeper’s son is an extension our customers’ lounges; they spend quality time here with their friends and family celebrating important milestones in their lives. It harks back to a forgotten era of the traditional old pubs where everybody knows the publican and your ‘local’ is a community meeting point,” Dave says.

Specialising in game, Ribier’s menu includes a rich and diverse range of stunning dishes from venison, duck, lamb, beef and pork, through to market fish, pasta and chicken, with vegetarian and gluten free dishes also available.

Featuring a mix of European and international cuisine, with a key fusion of French, Italian and Mediterranean flavours, Ribier is West Auckland’s best kept secret a restaurant full of warmth, relaxed charm and friendly service.

If accolades are any measure of success, there’s no doubting Ribier is just that.

Eugene has twice taken out the top prize in New Zealand’s oldest running food competition, the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge.

A 16 year old tradition where New Zealand bars and restaurants take a stab at creating the ultimate wild food dish matched with a Monteith’s beer or cider, Ribier’s restaurant won the culinary challenge for 2013 Auckland’s only ever winner.

A popular local bistro for a night out, Ribier is all about cutting edge, world class food served without pretence or superfluous flashness. It’s a family owned restaurant made with families in mind, Eugene explains. “Our strongest feature is the quality of our food. We work really hard to source only the best local ingredients and we change the menu about three times a year to keep things fresh.

Come on down to The Zookeeper’s Son where you’ll be greeted by a smile from the friendly staff and look after you from the minute you walk through the door. AT

Available at The Zookeeper’s Son

— Advertising Feature

0800 - 36 77 35

A popular addition to the Ribier experience is themed nights, ranging from American, Spanish and Indian, through to ‘loud food’ night, ‘three dozen’ night and ‘whisky tasting’ night, which have proven a fun way to get punters involved.

Ribier has the facilities to cater for private events or functions and accommodation is available through a sister company. The true gauge of a restaurant’s worth is to hear it straight from the diners themselves and a wide range of exemplary reviews are available online.

Dave was impressed with the menu. “Wow, the chef is a creative artist/genius. The flavours, textures and combinations of food are simply outstanding.”

Michael has become a regular. “The food is, in a word, astonishing. We’ve now visited a few times, and the menu seems to change regularly, each time; a slightly mad, palatebending and utterly delicious symphony of flavours and textures. The owners/hosts should be very proud of the work they’re doing – delivering top-notch food and service with obvious care and enthusiasm.” AT

The Zookeeper’s Son 715 Mt Albert Road Royal Oak Auckland T (09) 625 7550 www.zookeepersson.co.nz

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Ribier Restaurant 329 Main Rd Huapai Auckland T (09) 412 2001 E info@ribier.co.nz www.ribier.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Hospitality | The Postman’s Leg

Bringing the hum back to Glenfield It’s a hospitality oasis in an otherwise sparsely catered for suburban area of Glenfield; this new gastro pub, The Postman’s Leg, is bringing a much needed vibrancy back to the neighbourhood. It’s a welcome newcomer to the area – situated on the spot where there was once the old Glenfield Tavern.

A wealth of experience The pub is not quite a year old, but it has already started to scratch the collective itch With his own background as a chef and of locals with its modern décor, convenient hospitality owner throughout New Zealand, location and great indoor and outdoor facilities. Australia and the UK, he today remains the man behind the scenes, running the show without getting his hands in the pots From here to there – but his experience and knowledge of the This gastro pub was born out of a unique industry continues to drive the place. partnership between Barworks Hospitality Group and the owner/operator, Scott Cleghorn. Surrounded by music, family and friends, With more than 30 years’ hard work and The Postman’s Leg has quickly become a experience in the industry, it’s no wonder the favourite amongst young and old alike, and team behind The Postman’s Leg created such a Scott is pleased his vision for the place is positive space within the community. coming to light.

The old Glenfield Tavern was a little bit worse A place to hang out for wear, so Barworks decided this was the perfect spot to give locals a more upbeat place Scott says what makes The Postman’s to meet. They transformed the space into the Leg such a great spot is its idyllic outdoor setting with a rolling green embankment clean and relaxed place it is today. and a huge span of covered decking “It’s completely different from what it once space frequently snapped up as soon as the was,” Scott says. “The whole offering has sun’s out. been rejuvenated – the décor, food, service With picnic tables just like you’d find in your and values; we now have a growing family orientated clientele. It’s just like Glenfield was own backyard and the feature sandpit for kids to play in, this is a safe environment 30 years ago when it used to hum,” he says.

“We’re bringing it back to the good old days.” that keeps everyone happy.

Inside the vibe is just as welcoming, serving as a ‘home away from home’, with an upmarket yet casual touch to the interior décor. This is an ideal place to sit back, relax and enjoy a drink and a plateful of scrumptious goodness.

It helps that not only the customers get to enjoy this new community hub, but the staff too. They are equally appreciative, taking pride in coming to work each day and offering service the “Kiwi way”.

In the kitchen The man in the kitchen, Paul Duncan, originally hails from Hokitika. “He’s a fantastic chef who revels in sharing his food with the Glenfield community,” Scott says.

The kitchen remains open plan, so customers can see where the magic happens. The food remains true to the classic Kiwi gastro style, but offers a few twists and flavours with a difference.

Some of the favourites include melt-in-yourmouth pork belly, a scrumptious duck dish, everyone’s all time favourite fish and chips, and of course the chef’s own signature dish - a delicately braised lamb shoulder.

To top it off, The Postman’s Leg offers a range of beverages, including premium beers, ciders, craft beer and a range of top wines.

Functions Looking for somewhere to host your next function? The Postman’s Leg can host up to 400 people inside and up to 200 outside, but if you’re after something a little more private, they have a private function room too. Aptly named The Leg Room, this spot is perfect for anything from business presentations to Christmas functions. It comes complete with an in-built sound system, LCD screen, modern bar, free onsite car parking and it’s conveniently joined to a private outdoor courtyard to create a more dynamic entertainment area.

Game on The Postman’s Leg also has a place to play darts, a pool table, outdoor cider shed, petanque pit outside, and more 50” TV screens than you can shake a wooden leg at. There’s also a gaming and TAB area to match.

The story behind the name Long before the dog and bone, news spread as far as the postman could roam. Legend tells of a Glenfield hero, a postie who left his mark. An amputee by virtue of a saw milling accident, he refused to let this put him on the back foot.

Fashioning a DIY harness for his horse, he simply changed careers. For 16 years, come rain, hail or canine, he provided a lifeline to the locals. So charge your glass as we salute a man with an iron will and a leg of wood.

Scott says it’s this story and character in The Postman’s Leg DNA that allows everyone to be part of something more – a culture.

“People love to be part of a story – a legend, and our story is part of the wider story of Glenfield,” he says. AT Stamps of approval • Part of Barworks Hospitality Group and The New Zealand Pub Co • Top three finalist in the 2013 HANZ Awards for Best Redeveloped Restaurant in New Zealand • Recently starred in the Export 33 advertisement as seen on TV. The Postman’s Leg Corner Downing Street and Glenfield Road Open 7 days, 11 am till late.

T (09) 444 7325 E hello@postmansleg.co.nz www.postmansleg.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Healthy Living | Azzuro Groves

Waiheke’s olive oasis In the heart of Auckland’s sparkling Hauraki Gulf sits Waiheke Island, a picturesque blend of farmland, forest, beaches, vineyards, olive groves and restaurants – a great destination to leave the city behind.

Firth of Thames, looking south. When we look out from our home we see blue sea, blue sky and decided that we would call our olive venture Azzuro Groves (Italian for blue),” Kerry says.

Nestled among all this is Azzuro Groves, a leading player in the olive oil business on Waiheke Island.

“We travelled to Italy and visited four olive mill manufacturers starting with Alfa Laval in Tuscany and ending up near Anacona on the Adriatic coast. We chose Alfa Laval because of their quality and presence in New Zealand.”

Established in 2000 by Kerry and Berni Hart, the couple planted their first 300 olive trees in eight groves across the farm. The following year they added another 200 olive trees.

Kerry explains that before the original cultivars (varieties of olives) were chosen, he researched the options and took into consideration the varieties that had already been planted on Waiheke. As a result the couple chose Tuscan varietals Frantoio, Leccino, and their polinator, Pendolino.

Another two further cultivars were then added, Picual (Spanish) and Koroneiki (Greek) in the second planting.

“Azzuro Groves is right on the coast - we have the most amazing views across the Tamaki Strait towards Auckland and also towards the

In 2007 the olive trees started to fruit well enough to produce reasonable quantities of oil. Kerry and Berni decided that they needed to think seriously about how they were going to sell an increasing quantity of olive oil.

“We started to get let down by the local olive mill and had doubts about their quality and processes. We decided to buy our own olive mill and build a facility to house it, which would also provide us with a retail outlet for our products.

On their return from Italy the couple set about designing the olive mill and shop building and then constructed it in time for the arrival of their Alfa Laval olive mill.

“

“The following year Alfa Laval sent out an expert who showed us a few tweaks and we won two gold medals that year in the Olives New Zealand Awards. We started to get to grips with the operation of the mill and attracted a lot of other growers who had been experiencing the same problems with the other mill.”

The business now processes for about 30 other olive growers on the Island and has earned a reputation for producing high quality extra virgin olive oil. Last

Our vision for Azzuro Groves is to move our brand into a wider range of retail outlets and restaurants, and to become the premier olive establishment on Waiheke Island

”

year the business won not only gold for its Azzurro Blend, but Best in Class at the Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, the world’s most prestigious competition.

This put the oil in the top 30 extra virgin olive oils in the world and was followed up with a further gold this year, as well as two silvers for its Tuscan Blend and Koroneiki.

Kerry and Berni are passionate about extra virgin olive oil; its qualities make a huge difference during cooking and eating, its health benefits and the opportunities for New Zealand and this industry.

Azzuro Groves ship its products all around the world. The brand has received recognition and through its awards, as well as the experience of visiting the store and tasting not only the olive oils, but also the rubs, chutneys, honey, Waiheke cheese and the dishes that are also prepared for tasting.

“Our success as a retailer is attributed to our store presence and its ambience, but mostly the way that Berni handles the customer experience. On the weekends I help out and enjoy the interactions with our customers who come from all over the world.

“Since our real passion is about food, we decided this year to create a foodie tour, which we call Azzuro Tastes. We have partnered with one of the tour operators on the island and deliver an exclusive tasting tour to each tour group.

“This includes education about extra virgin olive oil, as well as tasting the various products that we showcase and the dishes specially prepared for each tour.”

Azzuro Groves has also recently expanded its gift box range after receiving a large order for Christmas boxes for an Auckland

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Sustainability | Green Buildings

Healthy Living | Azzuro Groves

Green building worth the investment Green buildings are delivering a clear financial return to owners, developers and tenants – with ‘brown discounts’ starting to emerge in some cities.

Speaking in Auckland recently, World Green Building Council chief executive, Jane Henley says as business tenants see the financial opportunity and start viewing ‘space’ as a service rather than an expense, they’ll start demanding green leases - which will drive improvement in New Zealand construction.

For the design and construction industry, this will mean working in closer partnerships, earlier, to deliver higherperforming buildings. corporate. “This has added a large amount of revenue to the business. We can deliver our products all across the country – they make great gifts.

“Our vision for Azzuro Groves is to move our brand into a wider range of retail outlets and restaurants, and to become the premier olive establishment on Waiheke Island. Our whole reputation is founded on integrity, high quality, and a passion about Waiheke extra virgin olive oil.” AT

Azzuro Groves Waiheke Island PO Box 40 Oneroa Waiheke Island T (09) 372 2700 E kerry.hart@azzurogroves.com (for enquiries about olive growing, harvesting, grove management or processing in the mill) E berni.hart@azzurogroves.com (for shop enquiries) — Advertising Feature

She says global evidence clearly proves green construction doesn’t need to cost more. Where there is a cost premium, energy and other savings typically more than make up for that within a reasonable payback period.

Jane was presenting The Business Case for Green Building, a comprehensive report from the World Green Building Council. Her presentation coincides with the release of New Zealand research looking at the costs of 17 green buildings around the country – showing that they don’t systematically cost more to construct than conventional buildings, with some costing as much as a third less.

Henley says the key findings of the WGBC business case include: • There is a big gap between actual and perceived cost of green buildings. The cost premium for most certified green buildings is zero to four percent - but they’re perceived by industry to be up to 29 percent more expensive to build • Building green often costs less than conventional buildings, particularly when cost and environmental factors are considered at the beginning of the process • Sustainable buildings cost less to run – including energy, water use and maintenance. This generally makes up for any cost premiums during design and construction • Green buildings have a marked effect on productivity. Improved lighting, ventilation and views of the outdoors have been proven to boost employee productivity by 11 percent to 23 percent - benefiting business performance and profitability • Green buildings deliver better returns.

Research shows higher sales prices, higher occupancy, and in markets where green building is mainstream, there are emerging ‘brown discounts’ for non-green buildings.

She says the costs of green building are trending downwards as the industry matures.

Jane Henley

“

Sustainable buildings make business sense.

Our business case synthesises all the credible global evidence into one collective resource - and the evidence is clear.

”

occupants, the business case will continue to evolve as markets mature. We’re seeing momentum grow; green buildings have become the status quo in many cities.”

A study by two New Zealand researchers has also been published in the international journal Building Research and Information.

Authors Michael Rehm from the University of Auckland School of Business and Economics, and Rochelle Ade from Ade Consultants, compared the construction costs of 17 Green Star office buildings with the cost of conventional buildings.

They found that seven of the group cost less than a conventional build; and that overall there was no systematic difference in capital cost.

New Zealand Green Building Council chief executive, Alex Cutler says it was immensely useful to have New Zealand research that backs up international findings.

“Our sustainable building industry has matured. New Zealand has skilled practitioners who are delivering healthier, more efficient buildings for no more than a conventional build.

“Cost is frequently cited as the biggest barrier to green building – but that will shift as businesses understand there are firm financial gains to be made, alongside the health and environmental benefits.”

About the World Green Building Council

“Sustainable buildings make business sense. Our business case synthesises all the credible global evidence into one collective resource - and the evidence is clear.

“From risk mitigation across a building portfolio and city-wide economic benefits, to the improved health and wellbeing of

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is a network of 98 national Green Building Councils (GBCs), making it the largest international organisation influencing the green building marketplace.

GBCs partner with industry and government to transform their building industries through the adoption of green building practices.

Visit: www.worldgbc.org AT

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 75

Focus | Health 2000

The name behind

good health

“1993 was a very big year in New Zealand. The Government was the National Party, led by Prime Minister Jim Bolger, and New Zealanders voted to change the voting system to MMP. An up and coming young director called Peter Jackson wrote and directed the movie Brain Dead, while Whitney Houston’s ‘I will always love you’ and UB40’s ‘I can’t help falling in love with you’ each shared 10 weeks as No.1 on the music charts.

“Philip Tataurangi was the sportsman of the year and the team and supreme award winners were the Eisenhower Trophy team (golf). On the business front, Toyota Thames Assembly Plant, Clear Communications and Interlok Industries all won awards from the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation.

“More importantly, a new business was born that would go on to become New Zealand’s largest and best natural health retail chain – Health 2000.”

congratulates Health 2000 on their 20th anniversary and thanks them for their ongoing support. www.gohealthynz.co.nz

“Even fruit and vegetables from the supermarket don’t contain the nutritional benefits that you would expect, so a certain level of supplementation is important.

Celebrating 20 years, Health 2000 is New Zealand’s trusted supplier of natural health products – be it supplements, herbal and homoeopathic treatments, natural skincare, superfoods and sports nutrition, they can all be found in Health 2000 stores or online.

“Skincare is also an interesting area. A lot of the perfumes and skincare products purchased from pharmacies and department stores contain real nasties that penetrate the skin and are absorbed deep into the body. We have a new skincare product called theCream, which is 100 percent natural and is colostrum based. It is a brilliant product that really looks after your skin.”

Situated across the country there are 82 stores full of great health products that will enable you and your family to feel better, look better and live healthier.

Health 2000 was initially created with seven shops, some investor shareholders and a small group of preferred suppliers. Today the business has a group of 82 stores, 38

- Alan Morpeth, managing director, Health 2000

GO HEALTHY

Alan Morpeth says that today we are exposed to so many toxins and chemicals in our everyday environment and a lot of the foods we consume contain added flavours, preservatives, and essentially chemicals that cause all sorts of issues.

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76 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Focus | Health 2000 shareholders, 25 preferred suppliers, three second tier suppliers and a group turnover in excess of $37m.

“The ownership structure was originally 50 percent investor shareholders and 50 percent retail members. The investor shareholders consisted of six shareholders which eventually became two, then one. In March 2009 we did a share buyback, buying the 50 percent owned by the investor shareholder so that our shareholders were just retailers.

“In September 2009 we then changed the legal structure from a public company to a co-operative. This has been one of our greatest successes as it has created a solid foundation and positions us well for future growth,” Morpeth says.

HealthZone products contain mineral transporters deliver nutrients not only to specific organs, and specific cells in those organs, but to the specific parts of those cells that need nutrients the most.

HealthZone Launched in June 2012, HealthZone is a brand of 26 nutritional supplements exclusive to Health 2000 and New Zealand.

This high end, well researched range is similar to practitioner-only supplements and has two unique mechanisms of action.

Other HealthZone products contain nucleic acids – they repair molecules that allow DNA to duplicate correctly, rather than mutate, which addresses both cell and organ dysfunction.

The range offers complete support for people who, rather than deal with the domino effects of a sick body by default; seek to embark on a wellness programme.

Health 2000 prides itself on providing a value proposition, being best quality, best range and best advice.

“It’s the customer service that makes Health 2000 special. The products that we sell are sourced pretty easily, but our competitors don’t have the same passion for the product. They are focused on sales and profit, whereas we are very much focused on quality products, quality advice and quality people so we are able to deliver a complete solution to customers. We are a business and need to make sales and profit like our competitors but customer welfare means so much more to us.

HealthZone launched May 31, 2012

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“I think it is the passion that our people have for natural health. We are in a retail business but first and foremost we are in the health care industry. We are very fortunate to be in a business in which we improve people’s health and it is something we don’t take for granted.”

Morpeth further explains that a passion for health is a prerequisite. “This passion and excitement for natural health often results in our great customer service. This service has resulted in long term relationships and friendships between many of our members and their customers.”

During the years the Health 2000 brand has become stronger and more widely recognised. “The brand is something we hold very dear and work tirelessly to strengthen its value on a daily basis.

mango, raspberry ketone, green coffee bean and Garcinia cambogia.

Manufactured in New Zealand, the brand’s high standards comply with New Zealand regulations and laws, such as those required

by The Natural Products Bill due to come into effect mid-2014.

Lighthouse The Lighthouse brand was launched in October 2013. To date, it encompasses the most popular international weight management supplements based on African

“Our brand is strengthened through the combination of a national marketing campaign, customer education, Health 2000 branding and special promotions made available to customers.

Lighthouse manufacturing facilities hold a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) Pharmaceuticals licence issued by Medsafe NZ, plus a GMP TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) licence issued in Australia.

“Health 2000 is currently implementing a new point of sale system across its group.

This is a massive project. It includes a new loyalty system as well as other customer centric features,” Morpeth says.

“There has been a lot of change over the past 20 years. Health 2000 has had an interesting journey and some colourful characters have left their footprints in our group’s history.

“We are a diverse group with different views, beliefs and personalities, but we share a common theme - we have good hearts and we are in the business because we want to make a difference.” >

Lighthouse launched October 1, 2013

<

The business has received a number of achievements since opening its doors but the greatest is the formation of the co-operative three years ago. “It is still not quite understood just how significant this achievement is, but in years to come it will be recognised as the foundation for turning Health 2000 from a good company into a great company.

CONGRATULATIONS

ON YOUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY $34.90

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 77

Focus | Health 2000

Focus | Gianni Dental Surgery

Happy fangs There is evidence of dentistry being practised as far back as 7,000 BC, when tooth related disorders were cured using bow drills and the first filling was made of beeswax. Although believed to be reliable and effective methods, the dentistry profession has thankfully come a long way.

Health 2000 magazine Health 2000 Call toll free - 0508 69 4325 Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 5pm Hamilton Support Office 11 Hardley Street PO Box 1348 Hamilton 3240 www.health2000.co.nz Like us on facebook — Advertising Feature

Every two months about 694,000 magazines are distributed from 82 Health 2000 stores, inserted into 27 newspapers nationwide and delivered to 140,104 letterboxes in 23 different letterbox drops around the country.

This publication has an educational focus and includes professional advice, so readers can learn why we get sick, how to prevent it, what supplements can assist, and how they work. The aim is to empower people to make wise health choices. AT

Nestled comfortably in Newton, Gianni Dental Surgery is based on good old fashioned customer service, with all the technology and techniques of the modern day.

Philippe Gianni is the man behind the dental mirror. His father purchased the practice in 1966 and, after “falling” into the profession; Philippe graduated from Otago in 1983 and joined his father in the family business.

“We carry out a wide range of general dentistry work, dentures, root canal therapy, crowns and bridges, implant dentistry and periodontics gum therapy… I like to think I’m a good generalist,” Philippe laughs.

“We operate a good, honest practice. Our aim is to be straight up and honest with our patients and try to find treatment that suits their circumstances, we find people appreciate that and keep coming back.”

A patient came to him recently and recalled their previous conversation from years ago.

She said she wanted all of her teeth removed as they were so bad, then she spoke to Philippe. He told her quite emphatically that was the stupidest thing he had ever heard.

“I told her that we could repair three teeth, get her gums sorted and if she did this, changed her diet and followed cleaning instructions, there was no reason to lose her teeth and, in 20 years she would still have her own teeth.”

That was 18 years ago and she still does!

Philippe was raised with the traditional principles of business; that is to put the customers’ interests ahead of his own. It goes somewhat against the modern methods of our capitalist society, but then so too does the fact that if Gianni Dental Surgery can do something simpler and cheaper, that’s the approach they will take.

“I’ve been doing this for many years now,” he explains. “Along the way you pick up new skills and new methods.

“A professional should be like a good wine improving with age,” he laughs.

For the health of our teeth, he says we should stick to a good diet, good oral hygiene, rinse with an antiseptic mouth wash, floss, brush and get a regular clean.

“Avoid all the processed crap in the world, stay away from energy drinks, fruit juices, high sugar snacks which are often marketed as good products. We carry out a diet analysis on clients when they come to us.

“Unless you get diet and hygiene right, dental work is a waste of money and time.” AT Gianni Dental Surgery 106 Karangahape Road Auckland T (09) 373 3517 E giannidental@gmail.com — Advertising Feature

Proudly supporting Gianni Dental Surgery

78 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Focus | The Surveying Company

The Subdivision experts The Surveying Company promises: • To maximise land value • We consult with you and other agencies to apply a range of professional expertise to develop and implement designs for your land development • Act with honesty and integrity in our dealings with you and all other parties • Maintain the highest professional ethics, act in your best interest, keep it real and reliably do what we say

Land subdivision can be a lengthy, stressful and time consuming process, burdened with its fair share of additional problems, resource consents and tiresome legal paperwork – unless you have the right experts on the job.

John says as a company it is their purpose to “maximise value by efficiently transforming landscapes, to create and deliver valuable places for people to live, work and play”.

The company’s brand promise is “To maximise land value”.

He says central to this vision is the company’s ability to be honest, to maintain high professional ethics, to act in the client’s best interest, to be reliable and to maintain a positive attitude even in the face of a challenge.

The proof that this method works is highlighted in the fact that the average increase in property value after a Surveying Company subdivision is 62 percent, showing this is the company to use if you want to ensure your investment is made well worth This is where The Surveying Company steps in. its while.

Its managing director John Gasson promises to take the hassle out of subdivision for any “We don’t settle for less,” John says. client. “We promise to make things easy, to The company has grown considerably communicate well and to get the job done in during the last 10 years and now has many good time,” he says. surveyors, civil engineers and planners. This As one of New Zealand’s leading land has ensured the company has a good team of development specialists, The Surveying people who can cover most situations within Company offers a great value service for the complex subdivision process. The resource all of its clients, through its well-developed consent process has also become more systems and processes, which are fine-tuned complex over time. to ensuring the process of subdivision goes smoothly.

Subdivision made easy It ensures that throughout the entire process, clients are well informed of their obligations, ensure conditions are completed in the correct order and within council time frames, all the while ensuring the clients interests are kept at the forefront of the process.

“This saves time, money and frustrations,” John says.

The Surveying Company can act as the project manager to ensure all wrinkles are ironed out smoothly in order to meet all land subdivision requirements.

Its proven record in the industry and many years of experience has given it the ability to identify the who, what, where, when and how of what needs to be done.

“We don’t make promises we can’t keep,” John says. “We have a policy of not taking on a job unless the client can realise a substantial benefit from the subdivision.”

• Present all work to the highest possible standard, using the latest technologies and present your applications in a professional manner • Think outside the box, come up with innovative solutions to give you the best possible results.

Advice from those who know best The following information will help clarify what processes you need to go through to ensure you make the best option when it comes to land subdivision.

1. Choose a surveyor The most important step in subdividing your land is to get the right professionals to work with you. Before you choose your surveyor, consider their reputation, their price, their experience, what guarantees they can offer and their ability to make relationships.

2. Apply for consent This stage involves checking the plan register, zoning and any designations; obtaining survey plans, checking land titles, site inspections and measuring; aerial photographs as required; resource consents and a report and submission to the council.

- from building a driveway, to managing a whole property development, roads, sewerage etc. The advantage of having your surveyor co-ordinating or supervising this is they can ensure everything is done according to the plans and to the standard required by council.

5. Actual surveying During this stage your property will be surveyed, including pegging out lot boundaries, survey computations, preparing survey plans, council consents and the lodging of plans with Land Information New Zealand.

6. Final check This ensures that all council consent conditions have been met and all permits obtained.

7. The legal process The completion certificate is then forwarded to a solicitor with all other relevant documentation. The solicitor will then deposit the plan and obtain the new titles. AT

3. Council approval with consent conditions To ensure you can obtain the required consent, you may need to undertake steps such as constructing entrances to council standards, payment of financial contributions, completing sanitary systems and storm water The Surveying Company systems to council requirements, fencing Appraisal House bush lots.

13B Hall Street Pukekohe 4. Engineering design and construction T (09) 238 9991 or 0800 86 78 78 requirements E info@subdivision.co.nz A good surveyor or civil engineer should www.subdivision.co.nz be able to arrange any construction or engineering that needs to be carried out

— Advertising Feature

e julian@rmalawyer.co.nz m 0274 200 223 p 09 437 2325 PO Box 531, Whangarei 0140 39 Parkland Cresent, Whangarei 0112

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 79

Focus | Allied Pickfords

The big name in the moving game There’s an old saying that the stress of moving house is second only to a death in the family. But as far as Allied Pickfords New Zealand is concerned, there’s no reason the process shouldn’t run smoothly, provided you select a reputable moving carrier.

As the world’s largest removals company with more than 600 locations across the globe, the team at Allied Pickfords is well versed in assisting customers with their next journey in life.

With a proud history dating back to 1666 in the UK, Allied Pickfords has been providing a wide range of local and international moving services to corporate, government and retail customers. Services include packing and wrapping of household furniture items, and preparing these for door to door transportation across the street or across the planet.

Allied Pickfords also has purpose built warehouses to store furniture items, as well as its own commercial moving division which specialises in office moving, hotel fit-outs, library relocation and project management services.

Allied Pickfords New Zealand is the market leader when it comes to operational expertise, resources and local knowledge, and has been a part of New Zealand’s moving landscape for more than 80 years, with 10 locations across the country.

Allied Pickfords believe the combination of comprehensive staff training, utilising the right techniques and equipment, and providing customers with a reliable and comprehensive service is the key to a successful move.

As testament to the strength of its services, Allied Pickfords was recently awarded AsiaPacific International Moving Company of the Year at the 2013 Expatriate Management and Mobility Awards.

Helping the Christchurch rebuild move forward Allied Pickfords has recently seen a substantial increase in activity in the Christchurch region with the rebuilding program now fully underway. The company also marked the official opening of its brand new Christchurch facility with the Right Honourable Prime Minister, John Key. The new state of the art facility has contributed strongly to the Christchurch community and assisted in creating new jobs for local residents in the region.

“

Testimonial “I have nothing but praise for my whole experience with the Allied Pickford staff that assisted us during what could have been a pretty stressful time. In spite of what must be an incredibly busy time in Christchurch, the email responses to my questions from Leisa in the office were always amazingly fast, courteous and helpful, and the move team were simply outstanding too. Always going out of their way to assist and also extremely courteous and friendly, even when I was not as organised as I should have been!

They made our move as pleasant as it could possibly be. AP will always have my full recommendation as I talk about our experience with others.”

– Richard Coulbeck, Christchurch

SOLUTIONS PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT PROBLEM SOLVER New Zealand

80 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Penrose - Avondale - Albany - Hamilton - Wellington - Tauranga - Hastings - Wellington - Christchurch Australia Sydney - Melbourne - Perth - Queensland Ph: 096368140 Fax: 09 636 8143 www.solutionspersonnel.co.nz

”

Focus | Allied Pickfords

“

Testimonial “This is to let you know that my personal effects that I sent from Auckland, NZ has been delivered to my home in Albany, Western Australia. I would like to say that I found my experience dealing with your company satisfying from the start to the end.

“I was kept well informed, received the necessary correspondence in a timely fashion to enable responses, and was assisted by a team of people who I can say were polite and professional during the course of their work. My goods were in perfect condition upon unpacking and nothing was lost in transit.

“Thank you for assisting me and arranging for the shipping of my personal effects.

I will be recommending to friends and family they should use Allied Pickfords ‘The Careful Movers’ in the future should they be moving home.”

– Keith Olsen, Albany, Western Australia

”

Allied Pickfords is the largest provider of local, domestic and international moving services, with more than 10 facilities across the country and more than 600 locations around the world. Allied Pickfords is part of the worldwide moving and relocation services group, SIRVA. Allied Pickfords has been synonymous with professional moving services since the 17th century. Such longevity in the industry is testament to the uncompromising standards of service, professionalism and consistently meeting client’s expectations Allied Pickfords

is renowned for. The Pickfords company can be traced back to the 1600s in the UK and has been established in New Zealand since the early 1980s.

In New Zealand, Allied Pickfords is represented in every region, a fleet in excess of 100 vehicles and a committed team of more than 300 people.

Being part of the world’s largest global moving network and having the most extensive New Zealand system ensures your service delivery is owned by one company from door to door, with people on the ground at both origin and destination.

Advanced tracking Advanced information systems allow Allied Pickfords to track international moves at every stage and support clear communication through the process to both domestic consumers and corporate clients.

Allied Pickfords use only the highest grade packing materials to ensure personal effects are provided with the appropriate level of protection they require. Allied Pickfords

is also committed to recycling materials wherever possible and the protection of the environment in the process.

As a global moving business, the Pickfords’ network executes more than 800,000 domestic moves and greater than 75,000 international moves annually. This provides a strong platform to further develop and share best practice globally in the movement of personal effects. >

Allied Pickfords’ global and New Zealand networks ensures competitive pricing through buying power while being able to control the standard of service delivered.

CONLINXX are proud to be associated with Allied Pickfords in supplying Container Transport Solutions Container logistics business CONLINXX is committed to improving the efficiencies of New Zealand’s supply chains.

CONLINXX has well established relationships with importers and exporters, but also has strong relationships with freight forwarding businesses, 3PLs and other transport companies.

Utilising a dedicated train, a dedicated fleet of modern container trucks and a secure intermodal freight hub in the heart of Auckland’s major industrial and manufacturing area, means the Wiri Freight Hub is well on the way to achieving one of its original business goals of saving more than 100,000 truck movements pa to and from the sea port – going a long way to creating significant improvements for the environment and community.

CONLINXX service brings one of the country’s largest container port to your door step to enhance the efficiency of your supply chain.

Key CONLINXX benefits: • Avoid peak traffic congestion •

Reduce carbon emissions

•

Stage and manage the container flow efficiently

•

Take advantage of flexible Storage options

•

Eliminate demurrage

•

Importers can collect containers directly from the Wiri Freight Hub

•

Exporters can deliver containers to the Wiri Freight hub at the same cut off as the sea port - CONLINXX will manage the shuttle to the port in time for the vessel

•

Create a robust, secure supply chain

•

Remove waste in empty running and empty container equipment positioning.

P 09 926 8600 F 09 926 8601 E custserve@conlinxx.co.nz

www.conlinxx.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 81

Focus | Allied Pickfords

“

Allied Pickfords is also committed to recycling materials wherever possible and the protection of the environment in the process.

The Allied Pickfords Commercial moving team is well versed in moving many businesses from a variety of industries. The team is highly experienced and understands what it takes to move a business efficiently, within the city or around the country. AT

“

Allied Pickfords can assist businesses with: • Space planning and move management • Installation of new furniture and shelving • Computer and server moving • Kitchen, boardroom and library packing

Testimonial “Just a quick note to thank you both for your outstanding service during the importation, storage and delivery of our personal effects to Bahrain via Dunedin.

We opened the last of our boxes at the weekend with not one single breakage.

Delivery was on time and all used packaging was picked up as promised, yesterday afternoon.

“The crews that delivered our gear and picked up the boxes were polite, efficient and are a credit to your organisation.

All in all we have experienced a stress free move and in no small way this accountable to the two of you and other Allied Pickfords staff we have dealt with around the globe.”

– A&J Trevis, Dunedin

”

• Document culling • Safe and fire proof cabinet moving • Destruction of confidential records • Offsite furniture and records storage • Specialised cleaning requirements • Disposal of unwanted furniture and electrical equipment • Full IT installation service.

Allied Pickfords T 0800 255 433 www.alliedpickfords.co.nz

”

— Advertising Feature

Your satisfaction is our success...

MCL is New Zealand’s largest specialist crate building company involved in the packaging of anything from fine art, personal effects to 747 plane loads of cattle.

During recent years MCL has had a particular focus on the removals and personal effects market, from producing one off cases to home pack storage units (featured in the picture).

MCL is now the preferred supplier to many of the industry players, including Allied Pickfords, with its home pack units.

Since 1999 when MCL started as a one man band operating from a van, it has grown to have nine full time staff and during busy seasons this can double with casuals, all based at the modern 2,000 sqm building in the airport area.

Some of the more interesting projects MCL has been involved in include crating a giraffe, a flight simulator, super yacht masts and packaging items from the Dotcom mansion.

MCL home pack units are structurally rated to stack four high, up to 3,000kg each, in New Zealand’s highest EQ zone and comes with a five MCL continues to grow with a “can do” attitude year workmanship warrantee. The MCL home packs have fast become the industry standard. reinforced by continuous improvement.

82 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Focus | Just Crusing Charters

Taking to the harbour Just Cruising Charters has the perfect charter vessel for an Auckland Harbour cruise. The well appointed vessel, named Osprey, is ideal for group tours and special functions. It is available for all of your chartering needs including scenic cruises, special occasions and corporate hosting.

Situated on the beautiful Auckland Harbour and Gulf the business was established in 1993 as a joint venture between Mike Clothier and a prominent transport company in Auckland.

Just Cruising Charters began with the sole purpose of providing a low cost transport and charter service for the public.

Twenty years later Just Cruising Charters has a wealth of experience; Mike has operated charters on the harbour since 1984.

Being a skipper and marine engineer Mike originally owned one of the classic ferries of Auckland named Kewpie.

“Today we aim to deliver cruises that delight our clients and are remembered for a long time. Delivering on our promises and having happy clients is part of our culture. The team are here to help and our friendly staff will go the extra mile for you to ensure your cruise is exactly what you have in mind,” Mike says.

Osprey is a 22 metre catamaran surveyed for 180 passengers. On charters the maximum number of guests is 150, with 90 percent of deck space under cover. Mike explains that

Just Cruising Charters has lasted by being small and cost effective service. “We run a ferry service 16 hours a day, five days a week with charters on top of that for late evenings and weekends.”

The charters range from a short two hour harbour cruise to a four hour inner harbour cruise, going under the harbour bridge and up to Greenhithe and Herald Island. For the more ambitious day long cruise, the vessel can motor to Kawau or Pakatoa Island.

Osprey has two levels with the top deck being available for a dance floor and DJ. This leaves the downstairs free for socialising in a quieter atmosphere and a fully stocked bar if needed.

“We provide a superb catering service that will allow finger food through to wedding banquets. Being a charter service, we also take safety very seriously and Osprey is a surveyed vessel in SSM (Safe Ship Management). We are also a member of the Marine Transport Association and the coastguard service.”

“

Just Cruising Charters offers:

Testimonial “My time in New Zealand has been fairly short, but there are a few things that will really shape my memory of the place and one of those is the Osprey, the lovely smiley faces that greet me every morning and the amazing patience that you have shown in putting up with me running for the ferry nearly every day.

You have been very kind and I will miss such friendliness – the bus drivers don’t wait in London”

Corporate product launches, awards, presentations Just Cruising Charters provides a great venue and location for your product launch, awards ceremony or presentation.

Your event cannot help but be enhanced by the background of Auckland Harbour.

Christmas parties Just Cruising Charters vessel Osprey is a relaxing and unique venue for your annual Christmas party. The internal layout of Osprey caters for both those that want to dance and party and those that want to talk in a quieter environment.

– Sophy, working tourist

”

Weddings and engagement parties A charter on Auckland Harbour is a romantic and unique choice for your special day. Osprey is a stable, spacious vessel and is easy to board and to move around in. Your elderly relatives will find it easy to move around on board. The team can help you organise your entire wedding on board or you may prefer to have your ceremony on land and then have your reception on board.

Milestone birthdays When you are passing a milestone, be it your 21st or 60th, you may want it to be fun and unique – so what better way to celebrate than with a charter on the Auckland Harbour.

Ferry trips to a Gulf Island You can charter Osprey to take you and your guests to one of the Gulf Islands in the Auckland area. Just Cruising Charters can drop you off and pick you up again at an arranged time. AT

WHICH COMPANY IS 74 YEARS OLD, IS UNIQUE IN NEW ZEALAND, AND SUPPLIED UNIFORMS FOR THE GOVERNOR GENERAL? Keith & Black Ltd was founded in 1939 but started life under different owners and a different name 101 years ago. It is unique in New Zealand, being the only company which supplies ships officer’s uniforms.

The company supplies cruise ships, port companies, super yachts and the tourism industry with khakis, dress uniforms, caps, badges, epaulettes and braid.

This has led to the related specialty of aviation uniforms, which are similar.

Keith & Black is one of the three Uniform Brokers companies. The companies supply all types of business uniforms from front office corporate to workwear and safety.

We are proud of our association with Just Cruising and have supplied their uniforms for many years.

Experience the range, the service tradition, and the can do attitude that makes Keith & Black unique.

Just Cruising Charters Ltd T (09) 444 6691 E info@justcruising.co.nz www.justcruising.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Keith & Black Ltd Phone (09) 836 4300 Email info@uniformbrokers.co.nz Website www.uniformbrokers.co.nz Showroom 176 Lincoln Rd Henderson The showroom is open from 9.00-5.00 Monday-Friday. For out of Auckland customers our number is 0800 99 33 00.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 83

Focus | Cabins to Go

Cool cabins The constant metamorphosis of the state of housing owes much to the innovative technology that makes the seemingly impossible, possible. From caves, to generic bricks and mortar, through to mobile homes – the living environment of humankind has been revolutionised time and time again.

The housing renaissance of late has seen portable cabins steal the limelight. There is one company involved in this niche industry that is setting a precedent for its high standard products that are characterised by flexibility and made with you in mind.

New Zealand owned and operated, Cabins to Go has married simplicity with affordability to deliver accommodation solutions from granny flats and tourist cabins, right through to lunchrooms and home offices.

Home sweet home Cabins to Go and its innovative range have flipped the traditional and conservative concept of an immobile home with four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms on its head.

After celebrating 10 years of successful operation in 2010, it continues to go from strength to strength.

The business started small and humble, but has grown carefully and considerately during the years. It has never lost its humble streak however, with its owners always remembering the hard road they had to take to get there.

“My wife and I own and operate Cabins to Go,” Marcel Bakker says. “She’s like the big boss and I’m the little one,” he chuckles.

For a sample of Cabins to Go cabins, which will give you an idea of the range of cabins available, go to www.cabinstogo.co.nz Each cabin can be customised with specific features to your requirements and budget. Discuss your requirements with the team and try the free quote and design service.

“My background is in the building and construction industry and we moved into the cabin industry back in 2000. In the same year, we saw a real demand from the rental side of things and so we made our business selling and renting them.”

After starting out in the backyard of another business, Cabins to Go pulled enough of an investment together to build its own factory.

Today the business, a licensed building practitioner through the Department of Building and Housing (DBH), has license agreements in place so it can operate the business with as much geographical reach as possible. “We are based in Auckland, but we also sell from Manawatu and the Bay of Plenty too,” Bakker says.

WHANGAPARAOA 26 Karepiro Drive, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa

09 428 2477 PROUD TO SUPPORT CABINS TO GO LTD

DIY, IT’S IN OUR DNA.

SEE US FIRST FOR ALL YOUR ALUMINIUM JOINERY NEEDS Rylock Auckland proud suppliers to Cabins to Go www.rylock.co.nz 84 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Phone (09) 9164695 or visit our showroom at 72 Apollo Dr, Albany

Focus | Cabins to Go

A flexible offering The portable cabins are made to withstand New Zealand’s temperamental climate and the harshest conditions Mother Nature can throw our way. Built with precision and to exact standards by qualified tradespeople who utilise only top quality materials, the cabins are designed to ensure the highest levels of structural integrity.

All cabins come with a two year warranty, which covers all materials and workmanship. Every cabin comes with the following features: • Treated timber floor and sub-floor that can’t rust and will not rot (ideal for coastal New Zealand) • Palliside, shadowclad or corrugated exterior cladding - natural good looks that last • Curved, stylish, corrugated Zincalume roofing • Full BATTS insulation to meet residential standards - warm in winter, cool in summer • Low maintenance aluminum windows and a door available in a range of colours and sizes with a choice of cladding - palliside, shadclad, corrugated baby iron in a range of colours or a wood grain look.

Cabins to Go also sells configurable caravans in two sizes – four and five metres. The shell is ready for fit-out as a touring, camping, food stall, or coffee van and is priced from $22,000. Self contained models are available from $26,000.

A range of caravan sizes are available in 4, 6, 8 or 10 metre lengths and can be fitted with various different options including: • Oven • Cooktop • Shower • Toilet • Beds • Bunks • Tables • Hot water califonts • Power connectors • WOF/COF/registration as required.

The demand for this wide range of options is high, particularly in light of house prices creeping up. “This has bolstered our rental side of the business. Our business today is divided evenly between sales and rentals – roughly 50 percent each,” Bakker says.

Cabins to Go’s strong capital and commendable reputation earned the business recognition at the 2010 and 2011 Westpac Auckland Business Awards. “We are with Westpac and we entered the business awards in 2010 and were finalists that year and then again in 2011.

“The upshot of this is that we got to meet a lot of people and we became involved with business coaching company Results.com, whose mandate is strategic business planning and execution.

“Our business execution specialist Ben Bernstone really helped us in this regard, because sometimes in business you can get too close to your operation to evaluate your options and identify new possibilities. You’re not seeing the opportunities directly in front of you that are crying out.

“Bernstone could really see our potential for growth and supported us in our pursuit of funding.”

It was at this point the business upped its game even more and through the Kaizen Institute adopted lean manufacturing procedures for its factory manufacturing processes.

“We have changed our focus and have seen significant changes in the operational side of the business as a direct result of the lean manufacturing principles.

“Our major focus now is still growing our rental fleet and looking at a nationwide sales programme through licensing opportunities.”

Watch this space.

AT

Cabins to Go Ltd 16 Arklow Lane Stanmore Bay Whangaparaoa T (09) 428 8300 E marcel@cabinstogo.co.nz www.cabinstogo.co.nz — Advertising Feature

hps

Hardware & Panel Supplies

No detail is overlooked - all cabins are wired to housing standard and come with interior and exterior lighting, plenty of power points and a 10 metre electrical lead.

Quality fixtures and fittings are used throughout, including (where applicable) continuous gas hot water heating, laminate bench tops, stainless sinks, moulded fiberglass showers, mixer taps and chemical or dual flush toilets. All cabins can also be transported by trailer, making relocation easy.

“Nothing is too much trouble” Very reasonable rates 33a Bruce Mclaren Road Henderson, Auckland Phone: 09 836 6773 hardpan@paradise.net.nz

Cabin accessories are also available including LPG gas bottles and regulators, ovens, spare wheels, a stove/oven/grill, and a tow hitch.

Introducing

g n fi o Ro es i r t s Indu Your Complete Bathroom and Kitchen Solution

AUCKLAND | TAKANINI | NORTH SHORE | HAMILTON | WELLINGTON | CHRISTCHURCH

0800 MILLEN | info@millen.co.nz | www.millen.co.nz

o.nz c . f o ro

Freephone 0800 844 822 E office@roof.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 85

Focus | Euroglass Frameless Glass

A business built on transparency There is a business in Auckland that is in a league of its own when it comes to the design, manufacture and installation of glass systems.

Its name is Euroglass.

The word’s been out for a quite a while now about just how good this dynamic business is at what it does, but Euroglass will never rest on its laurels.

It’s the name on the lips of anyone and everyone looking for a world class glass system or product and it fully intends to remain in the professional limelight - now and in the future.

Synonymous with quality

As a leader in the field of frameless glass, Euroglass is synonymous with quality and expertise. It is a strong standard setter not just by name, but also by nature.

Euroglass was born out of strong strategic foresight in 1986. At the time, it was a niche business operating in a niche field, and remained so for some time until fierce competition invaded the marketplace.

The business achieves excellence through its production of the highest-grade safety glass and hardware, which is manufactured in the company’s own factory.

Euroglass is unshakeable though – not even a global economic recession that brought many in the commercial landscape to their knees has been able to knock this rock solid business off its professional perch.

All products are fully engineered and tested to ensure they meet the New Zealand Building Code and perform to the highest standards in New Zealand’s unique and sometimes unpredictable climate.

Likewise, every project undertaken by Euroglass’ extensively experienced sales, technical, manufacturing and installation team, is custom designed to achieve a complete look and perfect solution that is specific to a client’s needs.

Euroglass’ commercial sales manager, Andrew Hamilton says, “Our advantages lie in the fact that we not only design and manufacture world class glass systems, but are also highly visible and highly trusted in our field of work.

The company supplies:

“We deliver what we say we are going to deliver – on time and to budget. We have worked hard to increase our visibility over the years and we meet our lead times – if you can’t meet lead times in this environment, you don’t survive.”

• Glass showers • Glass balustrades • Glass pool fences • Splashbacks • Glass doors • Windbreaks and partitions • Mirrors • Commercial assemblies • Residential and commercial glazing

• Accessory products.

Euroglass supplies its products nationwide and internationally and is currently exporting to the United Kingdom, Australia, America, India, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island and the Cook Islands.

Euroglass’ iconic and highly sought after frameless glass shower is admired for its simplicity and elegant design. The durability and safety of 10mm safety glass with minimal framing and seals enables the ultimate shower enclosure with timeless styling. Every shower screen is made exclusively for a specific bathroom.

Beyond its ready-made stock, Euroglass is dedicated to making client concepts, realities. It welcomes orders according to samples and drawings and with close to 30 years of experience in the installation of glass showers, balustrades, pool fencing and doors, the business is in a unique position to be able to manufacture custom product.

• Euroguard protection • Handle products • Glass blocks

86 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Lead and turn around time is generally only two weeks from receipt of the final order and the business is flexible regarding the size of an order, with consignments able to be arranged for any timeframe.

Focus | Euroglass Frameless Glass

Registered Master Builders’ House of the Year Euroglass was contracted to complete a number of glass-based features for a beautiful and unique property that went on to win the Registered Master Builders’ House of the Year Award.

The boutique luxury lodge is perched on a ridge providing breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

It was a Gold Award winner of the category New Homes over $1 million, as well as the category winner of Sustainable Homes over $1 million.

The property is a charming showcase of Euroglass’ quality glass installations including shower enclosures, cavity slider doors, internal balustrading featuring timber handrail detail, and a seamless balcony balustrade using concealed fixings.

A focal point is a glass floor, consisting of double layers of 15mm toughened glass that allows a view and natural light into the impressive wine cellar below.

The overall effect is relaxed with a fastidious finish.

Offering a first class consultancy service where its product development team can work with clients to conceptualise their design requirements before manufacturing their product, Euroglass is providing a highly costeffective option.

Joining forces Today Euroglass also benefits from a joint venture with Viridian Glass. The two companies have joined commercial forces in a synergistic partnership that means both can do what they already do so well on an even bigger and better scale.

The venture provides Euroglass with access to high performance glass products and the best resources associated with glass processing in New Zealand.

“We were one of the first glass businesses on the scene, but this joint venture has been great for both our businesses; our own portfolio has diversified, meaning we have a stronger competitive angle,” Hamilton says.

“We have been able to retain the strength of our brand by keeping our name – we didn’t want all the hard work and time invested in this brand to be lost.”

The businesses both bring a number of compatible skills, qualities and principles to the venture, as well as continuing to specialise in their respective areas of expertise.

“Our focus has predominantly been on the residential market. Viridian itself has good Australian scope and a greater capacity of manufacturing sites in New Zealand, as well as a bigger commercial focus.”

Euroglass values the venture, which is underpinned by integrity and a crosspollination of skills and knowledge. The business’ partnerships with its suppliers are treated with respect and are highly valued too.

“We are proud of the fact that we are a leader in the commercial glass and glazing market.

For the future we want to maintain and grow this reputation and our market share in the high-end residential market. We have a large business and a large labour force with 50 loyal and talented staff,” Hamilton says.

“To accommodate this workforce and fulfill our potential, we ultimately have to grow. This growth will be strategic and in areas where there is margin in the glass industry.

“We have undertaken an extensive R&D phase and have introduced a range of innovative decorative glass products. The Euroglass Freestyle range is a laminated glass with a decorative insert. This insert ranges from a coloured graphic film, metal mesh, or fabric of your choice.”

Euroglass also offers a printing option direct to glass with the support of its supplier

“

We deliver what we say we are going to deliver – on time and to budget. We have worked hard to increase our visibility over the years and we meet our lead times – if you can’t meet lead times in this environment, you don’t survive.

Colourworx. As an industry leader in large format printing, the team at Colourworx was the first to introduce Future Glass technology into New Zealand.

”

“This involves printing directly to glass and means there are endless possibilities for creating artistic, compelling and feature based designs.” AT

Euroglass Frameless Glass PO Box 27337 Mt Roskill Auckland T (09) 623 4871 E gwalden@euroglass.co.nz www.euroglass.co.nz — Advertising Feature

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 87

Focus | Babbage Consultants

The design specialists The frequently coined expression, ‘A list as long as your arm’ must have been devised in response to Babbage Consultants and its monumental offering.

As a highly respected consultancy based firm, Babbage is recognised as one of this country’s most successful design practice organisations and has been New Zealand’s partner in excellence for more than 75 years.

History

What has also stood the test of time is the business’ high level of accountability when it comes to delivering excellence in every job – a commitment that has never faltered or been lost along the way.

It was in 1965 that Babbage diversified to become the multi-disciplinary organisation it is today. Since inception, the business has It works extensively with Foodstuffs on worked with some of the largest and most supermarket work and is a specialist in land notable names in New Zealand, building client development creating new subdivisions within relationships that are characterised by trust, the private sector. The most significant part of authenticity and transparency.

Babbage’s business involves being a leader in project management in the dairy sector, with Babbage is a big time creative thanks to the lateral minds that make up the organisation; at least three large-scale projects currently underway totaling approximately half a billion it has the ability to draw knowledge and expertise from a phenomenal pool of talent dollars in development costs. to provide effective solutions to clients Babbage was founded in 1936 by Alister throughout Australasia.

Babbage and Lionel Faram, and established a General manager Philip Gormack says, “As a strong identity for itself as a specialist in civil infrastructure including roading and bridging. medium sized company, Babbage has the size and strength to tackle big projects.

Its metamorphosis throughout the following “We’re a multi-disciplined company owned 75 years owed to rapid urban growth by the people in the business. We work following World War II and the progressive primarily in the private sector, as well as onset of globalisation and technological some government sectors including education evolution in the years after. and health.”

The 1950s was a time of significant growth Whatever housing type is in development, for the industrial sector and Babbage was Babbage is able to add value. With substantial commissioned for a number of building experience in the living sector too, projects for the newly established pulp and

Remarkables Primary School, Queenstown

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As a highly qualified and skilled professional leader in the field of architecture, project management, engineering and surveying, Babbage packs a big professional punch with its multi-disciplinary offering.

paper industry in Kinleith. The relationship established at this time still endures today among Babbage’s many other strong relationships.

including comprehensive housing developments, high-rise and low-rise apartments and senior housing, Babbage can offer all manner of services.

From site master planning and infrastructure planning right through to assessing environment impact and sensitivity, and design development of different dwelling types, Babbage has its clients covered.

It has pioneered design standards for comprehensive housing developments and retirement villages with an emphasis on a high standard of public domain and open space.

The Babbage difference The ‘Babbage difference’ is the lifeblood of the business. It is the binding common denominator between every employee that represents the organisation.

www.salesoft.co.nz

Autodesk Building Design Solutions 88 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

It is Charles Babbage’s creativity that flows through the veins of Babbage and its team today. His legacy is worn by the business like a badge of honor and stands as a true reminder to the company that entrepreneurialism and creative courage are critical elements of any organisation that has a will to fulfill its full potential.

The team at Babbage is made up of individuals who are more than just colleagues to one another – they’re family.

“We have a philosophy we call ‘family Babbage’ – you don’t just work for the company you work for the family – this is an important part of the fabric of the business,” Gormack confirms.

The ability to incite change in a profound and influential way in the context of innovation and invention was always in Alister Babbage’s “We like our staff to have a bit of a stake blood. His great grandfather, Charles Babbage, in the business – a stake that is financial, was the pioneer of modern computing. personal and professional.”

Salesoft CAD Solutions Ltd 115 Grafton Rd, Auckland Phone: +64 9 3732989

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In 1821, Charles Babbage conceived a machine that would mechanise the production of mathematical tables – he called it the “Difference Engine” and its design is considered one of the greatest scientific engineering feats of the 19th century.

Partnering with Babbage Consultants Ltd to deliver Architectural and Engineering Design

Focus | Babbage Consultsants

Sector expertise Commercial Babbage has considerable involvement in a wide variety of commercial developments, including modernisation of existing facilities, design of low and high-rise developments, food and retail outlets, technology business parks, hotels and resorts.

Innovative, cost-effective and enduring designs are a hallmark of its design solutions. The team focuses on clients’ objectives and provides advice on alternatives to allow investment levels and return options to be assessed.

Process and plant layout planning requires the experience Babbage can provide from its broad skill base. Project experience has been gained in the areas of dairy, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities together with forestry, steel and energy sectors.

Learning Babbage undertakes new school and renovation design for all educational facilities.

Babbage puts its heart into the design of community facilities.

‘’Anytime, anywhere learning’’ is the modern philosophy many schools have embraced. In the contemporary educational environment, learning spaces are not confined to classrooms and use of current technology allows learning to take place in all environments.

It designs leading edge facilities that reflect the aspirations and needs of users. This is the objective that guides and governs Babbage’s consultative approach and experience, particularly in the design and implementation process of religious and community facilities.

Babbage’s innovative solutions offer flexibility and the team is committed to designing stimulating learning environments for occupants through the use of spatial planning, form, light, texture, pattern and colour.

Projects of this kind have become increasingly specialist by nature. To ensure the facilities are innovative and enduring, Babbage understands that function and flexibility are critical factors that need to be incorporated at early design stages.

Its portfolio of work includes new school design, planning and implementation of development programmes, and specialist learning environments across the spectrum of primary, intermediate and secondary sectors.

The business has experience in the design and renovation of church facilities, museums, art galleries, community centres and charity facilities.

Leisure and sport

Community

Health Health facility planning and design for primary, secondary and tertiary provision is a Babbage specialty.

Babbage has a wide range of experience in the healthcare sector, with involvement in the development of leading edge hospitals and health facilities.

The emphasis has shifted to serviceorientated planning and planning for client groups.

Industry Babbage is the natural choice for primary and secondary industry facility design.

The business continues to successfully lead in the provision of professional architecture, project management and engineering services across many areas of industry.

It has interpreted numerous briefs for a wide range of leisure and sport facilities, integrating the most up to date and functional features to ensure such facilities are fit for use, can be used in various weather conditions, and meet requirements for ongoing upgrades.

Leisure sector projects have included theme park specialist rides, tourism centres and indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities.

Babbage has also developed several sport facilities and grounds.

Mount Maunganui New World

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The technical basis of health planning has changed considerably in recent years - there has been a move away from simplistic, normbased approaches that deal with inputs, to a more appropriate systems approach, which deals with outputs and outcomes of the health system.

Babbage has considerable experience in the design of leisure and sporting facilities projects of this type are specialist in nature.

The general standard for sports facilities in New Zealand is very high with school and local authority facilities being designed and built to international standards. Babbage’s sporting projects include competitive aquatic venues, sports pitches including rugby, cricket, tennis, and all weather international standard hockey facilities.

It provides clients with independent advice, design solutions and project management services to deliver high quality sports and leisure facilities. When required, Babbage engineers engage with turf and equipment specialists to provide a seamless service to its clients. >

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Focus | Babbage Consultants

Living

About Babbage

Whatever housing type you are developing, Babbage can add value. The business has substantial experience in the living sector including comprehensive housing developments, high-rise and low-rise apartments and seniors housing.

Babbage was founded in 1936 by Alister Babbage and Lionel Faram and established a strong identity for itself as a specialist in civil infrastructure including roading and bridging The business is a highly qualified and skilled professional leader in the field of architecture, project management, engineering and surveying

Babbage’s experience extends to site master planning, infrastructure planning, environmental impact and sensitivity assessments, as well as design developments for dwelling types.

It has considerable involvement in a wide variety of commercial developments including modernisation of existing facilities, design of low and high-rise developments, food and retail outlets, technology business parks, hotels and resorts

The team at Babbage has pioneered design standards for comprehensive housing developments and retirement villages with an emphasis on a high standard of open space.

Babbage also undertakes remedial design where poor original design and/or construction have led to failing commercial properties or leaky homes.

Innovative, cost-effective and enduring designs are a hallmark of its design solutions.

Key projects

“We are constantly focused on developing new technologies and practises to enable us to provide innovative, practical, and costeffective solutions to our clients.”

The business’ services are available individually or in any combination.

Services include: • Architecture • Building services • Civil engineering • Earthquake engineering

Waitakere Regional Hockey Turf

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Babbage’s services are tailored specifically to meet client needs. “We like to think of ourselves as being close to our clients,” Gormack confirms.

It is the first successful stage of a project developed to provide marae housing for iwi kaumatua. The design is sympathetic to traditional marae and rural buildings and allows for both communal interaction and personal privacy.

On the sports front, the Waitakere Regional Hockey Turf Trust engaged Babbage to design and supervise the construction of an artificial hockey turf at Henderson High School, along with an artificial practice facility and pavilion.

The hockey turf features a wet/dry surface for play and is one of New Zealand’s premiere hockey facilities. The project was completed in 2011.

Babbage also completed an award winning, $17.3 million build for Remarkables Primary School. In August 2010, it was contracted by

• Electrical engineering • Environmental engineering

the Ministry of Education to design a state of the art school that serves as a welcoming, caring and inclusive environment.

The site presented a number of challenges for Babbage – it was approximately half the size of a typical primary school site and the area is exposed to the prevailing winds coming off the Frankton Arm. With only a 100-metre road frontage, the site also had limited space for a drop-off and pick-up area.

The most significant challenge for Babbage’s team, however, was the close proximity to the flight path in and out of Queenstown airport. As a response to the site conditions, the buildings were arranged as a windbreak around the play areas and the natural contours of the site were successfully utilised

• Expert evidence, arbitration and peer review

as a way to create an outside auditorium and performance space.

Babbage also has extensive experience working with supermarket developments and was contracted to work collaboratively with NP4 architects on the Mount Maunganui New World.

The challenges associated with this design demanded a solution that could succeed within the context of very complex design parameters. The building needed to represent a local landmark, while providing a presence in the urban landscape that would invite people in to enjoy the shopping experience.

Spatially, the intention was to provide a clean and modern shopping experience. The interior layout and design was developed to ensure it provided a simple and sophisticated backdrop for the product range.

Babbage and its clients consider this project, like the others it has completed, to be a triumphant alliance between the client, architect, project manager, contractors and external consultants.

• Geotechnical engineering and geotechnical laboratory services • Land surveyors • Mechanical building services

These alliances are robust, enduring and true testament to the excellent reputation Babbage has earned itself through delivering excellence time and time again.

• Process and mechanical engineering • Project management • Property consultancy

An extensive range of Babbage’s work can be viewed on its website. AT

• Structural engineering.

Babbage continues to receive commendation for its exemplary work and was awarded the Waikato Bay of Plenty Architecture Award in 2012 for its Mangatawa Papakainga Housing project.

Babbage Consultants Ltd Level 4, 68 Beach Road Auckland T (09) 379 9980 E p.gormack@babbage.co.nz www.babbage.co.nz

The crescent development is made up of 10 two bedroom houses and is orientated north facing towards the sea.

— Advertising Feature

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Mangatawa Papakainga - Entrance

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Uniforms | Davis Doherty

Style made simple In business looks are everything – not in the superficial sense, but certainly in a ‘presentation is everything’ kind of way.

You’ve got just seconds to make an impression in the commercial arena and your customers will ultimately take you at face value if you run an operation that involves person to person interaction.

Quality and excellent value for money

With all that in mind you need to be prepared – dressed in top to toe apparel that connotes confidence, efficiency and professionalism.

• Remaining at the forefront for innovation and value for money.

Davis Doherty has you covered. A New Zealand owned and operated company, the business is a leading player in the corporate apparel industry with an extensive range of corporate uniforms, workwear and sportswear to suit every commercial market.

Established in 1983 Davis Doherty makes a simple but genuine promise to its clients – great quality, superb service and excellent value for money.

It is owned and operated by Tony Oldham who runs the business with a steadfast commitment to exceptional products and exceptional service. “We are passionate about what we do. We like to produce the best of everything – embroidery, screen printing, corporate garments, uniforms and sportswear.”

One of the cornerstones of Davis Doherty’s success has been its focus on outstanding customer service. The company has also set a new benchmark in the industry with the opening of the largest Corporate Apparel Showroom in New Zealand located in Albany, Auckland.

The business’ office and showroom is conveniently located on Bush Road in Albany and open every weekday from 9am to 5.30pm. No appointment is necessary and customers are welcome to drop in any time to browse the extensive range of samples on

• Quality of service • Quality of product

• Every order is checked by hand to make sure everything is exactly right when it is delivered to you.

offer in the showroom, or to discuss uniform, embroidery or screenprinting requirements.

Owner and operator Tony Oldham says, “All branding and embroidery is carried out by the leading embroidery house in New Zealand we only work with the best.

“Customers can view and try on our clothing, which is displayed in all styles, colours and sizes. We also offer clients an online ordering system with their own dedicated portal allowing regional franchises and branches to manage their own apparel requirements.”

As a leader in its field, Davis Doherty acts as a distributor for all of the leading apparel importers including Fashion Biz - Australasia’s largest corporate apparel importer and manufacturer.

The business also offers a wide range of premium promotional products to complement corporate clothing requirements.

again to ensure all the branding, sizes and quantities are correct.

“Our promotional range includes pens and desk accessories, giftware, compendiums, coffee mugs and travel mugs, drink bottles, torches, flash drives and an extensive range of bags, cooler bags and luggage - the list goes on.”

As soon as an order is placed and received at the office in Auckland, the team will confirm receipt and continue to keep in touch while the order progresses. The entire process is very deadline orientated.

“If there is a deadline, we will meet it,” Oldham confirms. “We will never let a client down failing some natural disaster beyond our control. As soon as the stock arrives at our premises, it is sorted, counted and checked meticulously for quality.”

Davis Doherty has implemented strict quality control measures within its operation to ensure the embellishment and branding processes are consistent. “As soon as the product is finished, it is checked

“When the checks are completed the items will be bagged and packed ready for delivery just as you would expect a new item to be delivered.”

As a leading player in the industry and with an established and proven reputation in the New Zealand market, Davis Doherty is perfectly positioned to meet all requirements for branded products to help other businesses flourish and stand out in the commercial landscape.

There are no minimum order restrictions imposed and whether an order is large, small, one garment or one thousands garments, Davis Doherty is happy to help with your apparel and promotional needs. AT Davis Doherty 237 Bush Road Albany Auckland T (09) 414 4541 E tony@davisdoherty.co.nz www.davisdoherty.co.nz — Advertising Feature

It works with a number of established and respected suppliers including Sporte Leisure Australia, Hanes, Stormtech, BMV International, Barewood Apparel, Biz Corporates, Aurora Activewear, Bisley, and James Harvest– among many others – to bring the very best ranges of apparel to the New Zealand commercial market.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 91

Travel & Tourism | Bayes Coachlines

Making every trip a good one You won’t find a driver or a bus that huffs and puffs in Bayes Coachlines’ fleet. This is a company that is reliable, friendly and driven to succeed.

After relocating to its new workshop and office facilities in November 2011, Bayes Coachlines continues to fulfill its role as one of the biggest employers in the Rodney area.

First class service Offering charter buses, coach tours and school bus services, the business is always ready to go. With a large fleet of modern coaches, tour buses and city buses, the company has transport for nationwide tours, bus charters, day trips, school runs and events.

Bayes Coachlines’ competitive angle lies not only in its first-class service, but also in its strong sense of culture. General manager Richard Bayes says, “We are very much a family business – myself, my brother and our dad and mum.

“It’s our name on the side of the business and we take that seriously. We pride ourselves on quality and treat our staff like family to foster a strong working environment.”

With more than 30 years in passenger transport service throughout New Zealand,

the business laid its foundations when it entered the school bus market before progressing into the tourism industry. Today it operates three main areas from its base in Dairy Flat, Auckland.

Coachlines not only seeks excellence in every aspect of its business, but is committed to minimising the environmental impacts of its operation through a self-implemented environmental policy.

Its school fleet features buses with low floors, and super-low floors, standard and articulated buses. The company covers all aspects of school transport on the Hibiscus Coast and North Shore of Auckland.

“We have a stunning country to show off and are keen to do our part in sustaining and preserving it.”

Bayes Coachlines’ charter work caters for all elements of charter work from schools, clubs and corporation clients through to day trips and longer adventures throughout New Zealand.

With an extensive range of vehicles including buses that are fully air-conditioned, with wheelchair access and luggage capacity, there is something for everyone and every occasion.

“We position ourselves as a quality service provider. We are all about being on time and demonstrating reliability and have great, helpful staff. Ultimately our drivers represent the company so we want them to be happy in their work too,” Bayes says of the operation.

The operation also undertakes nationwide tour work for small to large tours. Tours can be completely organised by an in-bound travel agent and for special interest groups, or Bayes will assist in organising it all for you.

“We deal with clients from Australia, Great Britain, North America, Europe, Asia and many nations from around the world. We are very experienced in New Zealand touring and are happy to discuss client requirements. We can organise all aspects of any tours from one to 20 days or more throughout New Zealand, which are tailored to personal preferences.

“We ensure every day is a good day – something that is especially important during the tours we offer. The tourists on our tours may only come to New Zealand once and we want to make sure they have great memories of their journey with us.”

With Qualmark endorsement (New Zealand’s official mark of quality for tourism), Bayes

Proud to be associated with Bayes Coachlines

92 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

The business is also proud of the fact that it is still a family business after more than three decades of operation. “We might not be the biggest, and we don’t want to be, but we are steadily growing.

“For the future we are looking towards developing a local urban service division for our business – this is something we will be focused on in the next few years.”

All the vehicles are housed at the new administration complex and coach service centre, which was unveiled in 2011.

“After several years in planning, staff and management are thrilled with the result.

All of their mechanical maintenance and panel work is done in house by their highly trained staff.

“We’re proud of our company and the new premises are in keeping with our industry-leading standards for quality, reliability and service.

“The new two-level administration complex provides staff with more space and a more enjoyable environment to work in. We have five workshop bays, vehicle hoists, and our improved services enable quicker servicing and maintenance of our vehicles while meeting our high standards for safety.” AT Bayes Coachlines 123 Wilks Road Dairy Flat RD4 Auckland T (09) 426 5504 E info@bayescoachlines.co.nz www.bayescoachlines.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Boating & Marine | BEP Marine

Electrical designs with marine life in mind The America’s Cup was nerve wrecking, nail biting and ultimately gut wrenching, but we’re proud as a nation of the achievements of Team New Zealand and Jarrod Sagar, manager of BEP Marine, is confident the marine industry will be buoyed by the international kudos received.

“The whole world knows New Zealand had a huge influence on both finalists, which is amazing for our marine industry.

Of course the result could have been better, which would have seen more refit work coming our way, but it seems everyone was well aware that the Oracle (syndicate) was heavily comprised of New Zealand components and expertise.”

The New Zealand marine industry has long been regarded as a successful, world renowned nautical institution and within the institution operates a number of highly skilled companies – the cogs to the machine. BEP Marine is the electrical and electronic specialists offering a huge array of products sold worldwide, based in right here Albany, Auckland.

Marine electrical products Currently regarded as market leaders in the marine electrical products field, BEP Marine established its roots in the late 70s, yet a few moves with the tides has kept the company riding the wave of success.

Originally evolving from the auto electrical industry, trading as BE Pratt Ltd, BEP Marine remained agile and moved into previously uncharted water, selling wiring for marine engines and easy installation harnesses for boat builders.

The onset of the recession in the 80s forced the company’s compass to yet again align with new ventures on the horizon. The company regrouped and launched bow first, into a product design programme which

BEP Marine products • Power Distribution • CZonetm • Pro Installer Range (BEP improved electrical installation for increased power demands) • Mainco Shore Power • Electrical Accessories • Lighting • Monitoring.

gave birth to the ‘contour panel’ design, a product so successful, BEP Marine now sells it worldwide.

While deciding to pivot and target the battery switch design, a market with room for improvement, BEP caught the eye of the Actuant Corporation, a US-based company with a turnover of $1.4 billion per year. In December 2005, BEP Marine was taken over by the Actuant Corporation, yet still strives to increase its product range at full throttle as it looks to be the flagship for all marine electrical appliances.

“We are beginning to see a bit of light from the US market which was hit hard during the recession. Our digital switching products are gaining a good market share in the US at the moment. Europe is still slow, but our products are still selling well through our extended network with the Marinco and Mastervolt brands that provide us with good channels to market internationally.” >

Worldwide network Actuant allows BEP Marine to harness its expansive worldwide network of marine electrical distributors, giving the company a greater reach into international markets.

Total Solution Providers Concept

The impact of the recession certainly had a peripheral impact on the boat building industry as many luxuries were decommissioned for a time period but Jarrod Sagar believes an upward trend is beginning to emerge from certain areas of the world.

Finished Product

Proud to support and be associated with BEP Marine Ltd

Product Design Design Analysis Tooling Design Tool Manufacture Injection Moulding P 06 843 4386 F 06 843 9449 E ntd@ttntd.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 93

Boating & Marine | BEP Marine

Motoring | Hot Rides

Your own supercar… for a day anyway It’s said that just because you have enough money to buy a Ferrari, doesn’t mean you can afford to own one.

Products and services A wide range of marine specific electrical products is available for browsing on the company website www.bepmarine.co.nz where you can find an in-depth catalogue detailing the products on offer.

From boat-side to harbour-side, battery management to transfer systems, the catalogue is eye candy for boating enthusiasts looking for the next upgrade in marine electrics.

The Importance of industry knowledge Jarred Sagar says BEP Marine’s ability to understand application is simply vital.

“One of our key strengths is understanding application better than our competitors which comes from working with the OEMs to understand their products better. We’re a global company so our products are pitched worldwide into a number of international markets. Ultimately we supply high quality products at affordable prices. “ The medium to long term goal for BEP Marine is to be a world leader in providing fully integrated solutions to the boat builder or the end user. The goal to provide a turn-key service for marine enthusiast will eventually result in a ‘boat-in-a-box’ solution from BEP Marine.

“The boat builders don’t want to be buying from numerous different suppliers, they want to be able to use a one stop shop and that’s how we envisage BEP Marine progressing in the future - capturing a large portion of the marine electrical product market.”

In a fast paced industry, BEP Marine likes to keep its finger on the pulse to align its services with the needs of the OEM’s and indeed the customer.

For example, mod-cons that end users want onboard their vessels such as wine coolers and ice makers, as all the modern aspects of a home now need to be integrated into marine life. The super yacht industry is a perfect example of floating palaces that have become a badge of honour among the wealthy.

“It’s a bit of an oxymoron really; we say we are using technology to simplify things!

Instead of having multiple LCD screens around a vessel we try to simplify it into one screen. These are the expectations of our customers and the challenge is there for us to improve upon. The customer expects the comfort of their home to be replicated on their boat.”

This pretty much says it all about supercar affordability, meaning the majority of us venture through life without ever knowing what supercar wheel time is like. Until now!

FreemanX Supercars has launched luxury self-drive scenic tours, offering people the chance to get behind the wheel of some wicked wheels.

You’ll have to venture down to Queenstown to do it, but that’s hardly the worst place in the world to take a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche or Lotus for a spin.

There’s a choice of four supercars; a Lamborghini Murciélago, Ferrari F430

Spyder, Porsche 911 Turbo, or Lotus Sports Racer and you get to choose which two cars you want to drive on each trip.

A chaperone accompanies drivers in a separate vehicle, making scheduled stops along the way to change cars.

There are three options. Two hour tours cost $199 per person driving the Porsche and Lotus, and $299 for the Lamborghini and Ferrari. Half day tours start from $799 and full day tours from $1,399.

For more information visit www.freemanXsupercars.co.nz

By working with OEMs and boat builders, BEP Marine understand what the manufacturers, distributors and the customer expects when it comes to marine electrical products.

Riviera, one of the largest boat builders in the southern hemisphere, trust BEP Marine with an array of electrical products to fit into their impressive range of luxurious vessels.

As BEP Marine expands its global outreach, through sister brand Marinco and Mastervolt, the Auckland based outfit will continue to carry the flag for the New Zealand marine industry that is still mourning the ‘oh-soclose’ San Francisco series. AT

Hot hatch heaven

So if you’re in the market for a practical, cheap and zippy hot hatch, then the 1.6 litre Swift Sport is a bit of no-brainer.

You can opt for a little luxury by choosing the leather upholstery option, which brings the total on-road recommended retail price to $27,500. At a Spartan 1,045 kg, the three door is slightly lighter than its big brother, marginally more economical and produces lower emissions.

It’s got a five star Euro NCAP safety rating and at $25,990, is $1,510 less than the five door version. The fact the three door model is only available with a six speed manual gearbox, a rarity in today’s motoring world, reveals its sporting stripes.

Described by independent reviewers as “hot hatch perfection,” the Swift Sport has been the recipient of several awards in Europe and New Zealand, and judged the best hot hatchback for 2013 by carbuyers.co.uk/Auto Express magazine in Britain. AT

Finally Suzuki has given its top selling Swift the facelift it’s needed for so long and created a sporty three door version.

BEP Marine 55 Paul Matthews Road Albany Auckland T (09) 415 7261 E enquiries@bepmarine.com www.bepmarine.com — Advertising Feature

94 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Marine & Boating | Xpress Trailers

Your boat’s best friend The warmer weather is finally upon us, meaning the marine enthusiasts nationwide will be looking to launch their boats, catch a few fish and rev up the barbeque.

There is however, one essential piece of equipment needed by the land-based vehicle to launch the water-based one; the humble trailer.

Boat trailers The boat trailer might well be the unsung hero of the marine lifestyle, but it is vital nonetheless.

Xpress Trailers, based in Silverdale, has been in the business of providing trailers for six years and its staff members boast a wealth of industry experience - which is just as well considering the annual rush for a trailer coincides with the Christmas season.

Managing director Brent Morris says “We’re entering into our busy period of the year now, Christmas is just around the corner and when the weather gets better, everyone just wants to get the boat in the water. Luckily we have a wide range of boat trailers in stock from 10ft to 30ft, and we pride ourselves on offering these robust trailers at an affordable price.”

Boat trailers are available in either single or tandem axel with a range of wobblers, rollers or bunks. When safeguarding a major investment such as a boat, a strong trailer is a must, hence the extra use of steel in the construction of Xpress Trailers’ range.

“We only use reliable suppliers to ensure the trailers are built to the highest quality yet we still offer them to our customers at an affordable price,” he says.

The affordability of the Xpress range is due largely to importing from quality suppliers.

The supply chain means the trailers can be sourced cheaper in other countries and savings are then passed onto the customers.

“There is a preconception that trailers are expensive to purchase brand new; we invite anyone to come and look at our range of trailers and see what they think. We’ve had many happy customers over the years and we look to keep supplying the country with quality, affordable trailers.”

Heavy duty construction Trailers have to be well constructed considering their laborious job carrying heavy loads at the rear of vehicles. Xpress Trailers consider its offerings to be as strong as the competition, if not stronger.

“Xpress produce a wide range of trailers, including box trailers ideal for moving large loads without a truck. We recognise the importance of durability and reliability so we purposely select only the strongest built models to offer to our customers.”

Box Trailers Box trailers are the ultimate tool for moving large loads. Available in flat-bed, single axle or double axle models, the Xpress Trailers range is comprised of heavy duty trailers made with higher steel strength than most of the competition.

It certainly seems a wiser investment that hiring, especially when you can sub-hire to your friends for a case of beer almost every week (current box trailer owners will understand this).

“

Testimonials

Spare parts and 12 month warranty The box trailer range and the boat trailer range are the complemented by the peripheral offerings of Xpress Trailers’ spare parts service. Accompanying the purchase of a new trailer, a customer can be comforted with a wide covering 12 month warranty.

Xpress Trailers offers an immediate delivery service throughout New Zealand. The team of four, based in Silverdale, is the ideal port of call if the old boat trailer has rusted during the winter; what could be worse than having a car, a boat but no trailer when the sun is shining and the fish are biting!

Don’t miss out on any summer fun, call into Xpress Trailers and browse the extensive range of affordable, robust offerings. AT

“The boat launch is way easier than before as the boat just rolls off now, comes on very nicely as well.”

– John Bangs, Taranaki “It fits the boat perfectly.”

– Phil Davenport, Auckland “You build a good solid trailer, it fitted my boat perfectly.” – Ron R, Hamilton

Xpress Trailers 162 Foundry Road Silverdale Auckland T 0800 162 500 E sales@xpresstrailers.co.nz www.xpresstrailers.co.nz

”

— Advertising Feature

Hobbs Global Logistics Solutions, an established Global Supply Chain Management Company.

– International Freight – Customs Brokerage – Logistics & Chain Supply Solutions – Contact Warehousing An enviable reputation for personalised service through senior staff since 1981.

Contact: Keith Hobbs Email: keith@hobbsglobal.co.nz Phone: 09 917 3579

We are always striving to supply you a good quality, solidly constructed trailer at the best possible price. We are always looking to develop new models so if you are unable to find what you are looking for on www.xpresstrailers.co.nz feel free to ask and we may be able to assist.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 95

Boating & Marine | Johnson Outdoors Watercraft

The spirit of adventure Just 15 minutes north of the harbour bridge lies Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Ltd - the manufacturer of the famous ‘sit on top’ Ocean Kayak. The business has grown into a leading provider of innovative, top quality recreation kayaks that make it easy for people to have fun in the great outdoors.

There is a wide range of kayaks, canoes and accessories also available for sale and to suit all activities. The range spreads across recreational kayaks for kids and families playing at the beach or lake, touring kayaks for those who wish to explore New Zealand by water, and world class fishing kayaks designed to ocean use chasing all fish.

Johnson Outdoors has a 400sqm factory outlet showroom situated in the heart of the Silverdale Industrial Estate and is adjacent to its manufacturing plant. Today plastic boats are a half-billion dollar market, and Johnson Outdoors is the number one seller.

What they do Johnson Outdoors designs, manufacturers and markets many of the world’s best known outdoor recreation brands. The company’s award-winning innovation is fueled by a unique passion for the outdoors, coupled with sophisticated market research and cutting edge technology, to advance a continuous pipeline of successful new products across four categories: marine electronics, watercraft, outdoor gear and diving.

New products have represented a third of the total company revenue during the past six

years, helping to sustain market leadership positions in nearly a dozen categories and garnering ‘best of the best’ recognitions from major industry institutions and publications such as Field & Stream, Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Popular Science, Women’s Health and Paddler magazines.

Johnson Outdoors turns ideas into adventure with innovative, market leading outdoor recreational products. “The company’s unique network model combines the strength and efficiency of a large organisation with the creativity and agility of its entrepreneurial beginnings,” it says.

Protect your investment – no nonsense life time warranty Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Ltd kayaks are guaranteed to be free of defects in workmanship and materials. Its warranty is unconditional under normal recreational use. If a failure should occur, please notify the business immediately.

It will ensure that the product is repaired, replaced or, refunded at the manufacturer’s discretion.

“

We know we have the best designs and quality because more of our successful models are copied (or modified) by our competitors than any other sit on top kayak maker in the world. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so we must be really good.

- SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER, JASON WALKER

”

sales@hiq.co.nz 0800 800 293 www.hiq.co.nz

We Stock 1000’s of Plastic Parts for Industry • Nylon Fasteners • Knobs & Handles • Screws & Nuts • Hole Pugs & Bushes • Washers & Spacers • PCB Hardware • LED Mounts & Light Pipes • Rivets & Clips • Cable Ties & Mounts • Caps & Plugs

Proud to be associated with Johnson Outdoors Watercraft SULPHURIC ACID ANODISING ANODISING FOR PROTECTION DECORATIVE ANODISING HARD ANODISING Phone 09 634 0728 96 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Fax 09 636 1478

Email admin@anodising.co.nz

28 Pukemiro Street, Onehunga, Auckland

At A Glance | Sign Formula

Boating & Marine | Johnson Outdoors Watercraft

Signs that say it all They can shout, they can whisper, they can be aggressive, they can be mellow; business signs can say so much without saying a word.

Humble beginnings Founded in 1970 by Samuel C Johnson, the business has delivered double digit compound annual revenue growth during its history, evolving from a single brand into a nearly $400 million global enterprise with 1,300 employees across 16 countries.

Johnson Outdoors is a subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors Inc of the United States. Established in the USA as part of the Johnson Outdoors portfolio, the business moved into New Zealand in April 2000 when it purchased Pacific Kayaks.

At the Silverdale facility the business manufactures Ocean Kayaks (New Zealand’s leading range of sit on top kayaks), Necky and the Old Town kayaks. As well as supplying products into New Zealand and Australia, Johnson Outdoors also exports to a number of countries around the world.

Sales and marketing manager, Jason Walker says, “Our staff are all experienced paddlers; they have excellent product knowledge so are able to provide you with practical advice on the correct choice of kayak.

“The Ocean Kayak range has been expanded to include New Zealand designed boats to suit our conditions. We believe a 100 percent in what we make and sell.”

Johnson Outdoors was the first sit-on-top kayak maker in New Zealand; the business complies with European environmental laws by using non-toxic heavy metal free pigments in its kayaks.

Walker says he hopes that eventually the Government will adopt similar non-toxic heavy metal free laws in this country.

“People believe in and trust our products.

Win an Ocean Kayak for the family Turn to page 25 and go in the draw to win an Ocean Kayak valued at $799.

Ocean Kayaks are the world’s leading sit-on-top brand. Since its innovative debut in 1971, Ocean Kayak models are widely considered to be the most stable and safest kayaks on the market.

Many customers are repeat purchasers actively increasing the number of models they own as they outfit the family and pursue varied recreational uses.

“We are continually innovating and evolving to ensure we stay a top of market and that we produce the best products for the paddling public.

“We know we have the best designs and quality because more of our successful models are copied (or modified) by our competitors than any other sit on top kayak maker in the world. As they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so we must be really good,” Walker says. AT Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Ltd 2 Furnace Place Silverdale (09) 427 5234 info@johnsonoutdoors.co.nz www.johnsonoutdoors.co.nz www.oceankayak.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Need a partner and not just another supplier.

Signs serve as silent salespeople, making business signage an important aspect of what you do as a business. It’s something you better get right, because, let’s face it, first impressions count.

With more than 60 years of combined industry knowledge and experience in road frontage signs, footpath stands, internal signage, vehicle wrapping and fleet graphics, promotional and point of sale signage, digital imaging and printing, The Sign Formula is one of Auckland’s longest established sign companies.

with, cost effective and most importantly they understand signage and how to make it work for you.

“Occasionally I’ve had to use other signage suppliers (e.g. when exhibiting at an overseas trade show) and the service is never as good.

I imagine we’ll keep using them for another 15 years.” AT

With the facilities to manufacture all types of building signs for both interior and exterior, from flat panel ACM signs to illuminated sign cases, fabricated backlit lettering, 3D lettering and logos, neon and LED signs, The Sign Formula can take care of all your signage needs from design to installation and even electrical wiring if required.

Founded on strong ethics and a desire to provide its customers with the best professional service and advice for their signage needs, The Sign Formula team works hard to ensure you stand out from the crowd.

A company’s signs are its face to the public and can make a strong statement about their position in the marketplace. First impressions count, that’s why your building’s facia signage should have impact.

ABE’S Real Bagels Ltd founder Megan Sargent plans on sticking with the company for many years to come. “Eric and his team at The Sign Formula have been our signage supplier for 15 years. They’re easy to deal

Sign Formula 7a Smales Rd East Tamaki Auckland T (09) 273-8158 E info@signformula.co.nz www.signformula.co.nz — Advertising Feature

At Toll Global Forwarding we build service teams that uniquely understand every aspect of your business operations. Whether its your business hours, labour availability or specific delivery times, we make it our business to know what you need today. And our commitment to continuous improvement means we will know what you need tomorrow.

CALL: 0800 865 545 EMAIL: info.nzakl.tgf@tollgroup.com www.tollgroup.com/tollglobalforwarding www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 97

Transport & Logistics | Freight Traders

The traders of freight Freight forwarding and the world of logistics is globalisation at its very best. The industry connects the four corners of the earth, eradicating the trade barriers that existed prior to its inception.

There is no question the industry, here and abroad, is fiercely competitive, but Freight Traders based in Auckland embraces the fight on its quest to offer superior global logistics and project management services.

It stands tall against its competitors and is commanding attention across the world for its exporting and importing capabilities.

Freight Traders was formed in 1983 to provide forwarding consultancy and freight analysis options to companies importing and exporting to and from New Zealand.

It has expanded during the years into a comprehensive worldwide network of import and exports operations, and specialises in the co-ordination of projects and door to door logistics management.

Today, the company is represented throughout the world and is fully resourced to ensure its freight and customs packages meet the service requirements of all clients.

Undertaking everything from construction projects to global manufacturing, storage and distribution, Freight Traders is led by a strong management team.

At the helm is general manager David Malins who joined the company in 2000 with a strong logistics and freight forwarding background.

“I completed a diploma in shipping at Manukau Polytechnic and worked in the industry right up until I came on board with Freight Traders,” he explains.

“The company was established by Dave Miller in 1983. When Dave passed away, several staff, myself included, arranged a management buy out with Dave’s wife.”

The company sought to further strengthen its position by entering into a joint venture with Tri-Star international - an expert in creating lateral, cost-effective international freight, customs brokerage and managed warehousing and distribution services.

Through this strategic partnership, Freight Traders has further solidified its role in the New Zealand and worldwide industry – something that is critical given the competitive climate.

“It is definitely a cut throat industry, but the fact that we are a small, independent, New Zealand owned company with a strong service focus gives us our competitive edge,” Malins says.

The team at INDEPENDENT STEVEDORING LIMITED are pleased to have worked successfully with Freight Traders Ltd on many occasions and we wish them well for all future projects. www.independentstevedoring.co.nz 98 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Transport & Logistics | Freight Traders

Other projects that have helped diversify the company’s portfolio include: Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Station The company co-ordinated the movement of all the main components and ancillary equipment out of factories throughout Europe, Asia and America, to enable the build of the power station.

This process involved arranging duty free status for the project, co-ordinating the collection of components, chartering ships, containerising spares and parts, inventory management and transport to the construction site near Taupo, New Zealand.

Freight Traders co-ordinated all parts of the procurement as well as the delivery to New Zealand.

Mobile Power Turbine shipments to Australia Freight Traders arranged ship charter, importation and relocation of various mobile power turbine units from the USA to remote regions of Australia, including “Unlike some of the multinationals who offer cheap services by shipping in bulk volumes, we are able to offer more than just a run of the mill service. We work hard to personalise our offering and focus on the individual client’s wants and needs.”

and moved the largest volume of cargo in our history. We believe this comes down to both our reputation and the fact that we are competitive in the project management side of the industry.”

This investment at the individual level is clearly paying dividends for the business with it achieving its biggest year ever in 2012.

With its portfolio growing at pace, Freight Traders is enjoying work all around the world in countries including India, Europe, America and Australia.

“It was a significant year for us,” he says.

“We handled the highest number of projects we have ever handled in a year

“We make ourselves readily available for work all over the world and we will fly to where that work is. Last year, our operations

manager Justin Metcalfe alone travelled to Iceland, Israel and Central America.

“We go anywhere and whoever we are working with we like to give that personal touch, so we supervise loading and unloading of the ships – a lot of companies don’t do that, but we make this a part of our service.”

Successful endeavours aside, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the business, fiscally speaking, given the volatility of the market and flow on effects of the global economic crisis.

duty free customs clearance, trailer registration and importation permits, re-assembly and precision delivery within 3mm of marked area.

Waterview Tunnell boring machine (Alice) Freight Traders was selected by a large multinational tunnel boring company to represent its customs and freight forwarding requirements in New Zealand.

The machine pictured arrived in Auckland to bore the Waterview motorway connection. The main component was 268 tonnes and the entire shipment 3167 tonnes and 12073 cubic meters.

Power station equipment from Mexico to Guatemala and back Freight Traders arranged transport of various over-dimensional power plant equipment from Mexico to Guatemala and back, including the temporary customs clearance process at each border.

“It’s been a big challenge since the global recession,” Malins confirms. “What we observed in our industry was a subsequential shift towards project management work.

“A lot of the big companies thought they could do projects, but they lacked experience. In the process, they shifted the goal posts including cost because they didn’t know how to price correctly and this inevitably had an impact on us. But we push back by competing on quality – something we are able to focus carefully on because of our size.” >

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 99

Transport & Logistics | Freight Traders

Projects Freight Traders’ project portfolio is testament to its wide range of skills and ability to deliver excellence.

“We like to be involved from the outset,” Malins says, “Involvement at the conceptual stage allows us to provide guidelines for all logistical considerations, thereby ensuring the timely and cost effective management of international procurement and sales.

“One major benefit of this is the ability to analyse and advise on the duty and tax implications for our client companies.”

With experience all around the world, the company has worked in many challenging environments that demand not only skill, but the ability to think outside the square too. “One of the more challenging jobs we completed was for the Marsden B Power Station,” he reveals.

“It was a ‘think big’ project from the seventies that was never actually commissioned. An Indian telecommunications company then purchased it and hired us to ship it.”

Malins is right – the project was huge and so was the price tag of the sale. It was sold in 2009 by Mighty River Power to United Telecom for $20 million before being dismantled in 2011.

It was an unused 250MW oil-fired power station near the Marsden Point Oil Refinery at Marsden Point in Ruakaka, Northland. The plant was mothballed in 1978 and despite the consideration of various schemes to revive the plant, controversy and complexity continually courted the project and it was never commissioned.

“It was quite a competitive process,” Malins says of securing the contract to relocate the rig from New Zealand to the east coast of India.

“We went through a comprehensive selection process before the company decided to use us. It was an interesting experience for us – relocating from Marsden Point all the way to a little port in the east near Chennai where we discharged it.

“It was an interesting experience to arrive there and work with the locals who had no hard hats and no shoes on! It also opened up a whole new market for us.

“United Telecom is one of the biggest telecommunications company’s in the world and the chief executive was thrilled to bits with the job we did. The fact that they want us to work with them again and that they have ambition to be one of the world’s biggest global power suppliers is definitely opening new doors.”

G.J. SOLE TRANSPORT LTD T R A N S P O R T

A N D

L O G G I N G

“

Involvement at the conceptual stage allows us to provide guidelines for all logistical considerations, thereby ensuring the timely and cost effective management of international procurement and sales.

”

- GENERAL MANAGER, DAVID MALINS

Pleased to be associated with Freight Traders

Flat Top/ Trombone (to 24 metres) | Low Loaders | Heavy Haulage Bulk Liquid | Log Cartage | Metal Cartage 170 De Havilland Dr, Bell Block, New Plymouth, P: (06) 755 2866, F: (06) 755 2879, E: gjsole@xtra.co.nz

A balance in development of advanced technology & personal service, strengthened by innovative products provide the flexibility & capacity to adapt to the changing needs of our customers.

www.tristar.co.nz

PHILPOTT AIRFREIGHT LTD Cartage Contractors

We have vehicles to cover every situation Email: mail@philpott-airfreight.co.nz 173 Montgomerie Road, Airport Oaks, Mangere Phone Number: (09) 275 7351 www.philpott-airfreight.co.nz 100 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Transport & Logistics | Freight Traders

What Freight Traders offers Project management

Customs clearance facilities

From conception of project-to-project implementation, on-site project managers organise and allocate resources to implement timely, cost effective, project management.

Warehousing and distribution

An integral part of the operation statutory, regulatory, and free trade facilities are available.

From inventory control to project management, Freight Traders has its clients covered.

Full container unpacking service, warehousing and redistribution, bulk storage and inventory services available at 97 locations worldwide. Re-supply and consolidation of inventory is also available.

Intermodal transport

Seafreight

Logistics management

Integrated domestic/international traffic managed through rail / truck/ vessel / aircraft opportunities to provide door-todoor best practice facilities.

Documentation Provision of all documentation under icc500 conditions, chamber of commerce certificates and insurance declarations, through to full and comprehensive import and export facilities throughout the world.

Land transportation Trucks, trailers, pantacs, air-ride trucks and trailers, low-boys, heavy haul units, express trucks, rail, canal and barge options available at many locations worldwide, as well as access to specialty machinery and equipment.

Vessel charter, port charter, LCL (less than container load), FCL (full container load), breakbulk, lift on/lift off, stevedoring services and port handling. All major carriers are represented at all major ports worldwide and many secondary and inland ports.

Airfreight Aircraft charter, courier, express, consolidated airfreight, door-to-door, airport-airport and all major world airports are represented.

Insurance As agents for Lloyd’s marine insurance competitive rates are available. Freight Traders carries full liability insurance on all service provision.

The focus Having a strategic commercial focus and sticking to it through thick and thin is key in an industry that is well overpopulated with competitors.

For Freight Traders the focus is prosaic, but compelling. “We know our entire team has to be 100 percent customer focused,” Malins says.

“We also need to be flexible and have the ability to work flexible hours. Most of the time our industry operates 9am-5pm, but sometimes we need to be available and ready for our clients at the drop of hat, whether they need our services in a foreign country or somewhere in New Zealand. It can happen at any time.”

The staff at Freight Traders – a loyal team that has served the business for many years, offers this flexibility willingly and readily.

“A lot of the staff have been here for a long time – longer than me actually,” Malins says. “One of the ladies working here just celebrated 20 years of working for us and one of our sales ladies is in the same

league. She actually went away overseas for a while, but then came back to work for us.”

It’s this strong business culture that sets Freight Traders apart – something that it is particularly proud of. “We don’t aim to be the biggest freight forwarder and projects company in the world – we like to have small company attitude with a high service focus.

“A lot of our competitors have a goal to be the biggest and have multiple offices all over the world, but that’s not us – service is our focus.

“We also believe that if you try to grow too much too quickly you start to lose sight of what you are really there to do and it is often at the expense of customers and profit margins. We are, of course, growing as our portfolio expands, but our service is always at the forefront of our minds.” AT Freight Traders Limited PO Box 27-107 Auckland 1440 Contact Dave Malins T (09) 254 4056 E dmalins@freightraders.co.nz www.freightraders.co.nz — Advertising Feature

• Project Management • Over Dimensional Transportation • Heavy Haulage Piloting • Transport Feasibility Study • Machinery Extraction and Installation • Hiabs • 40ft and Trombone Trailer Gear • Platform Trailers to 1200 Tonne Capacity

Multi-Trans Ltd has earned an enviable reputation in turning highly difficult and complex jobs into smooth operational successful outcomes, through the extensive knowledge and professionalism of our hands-on Directors and Employees.

Auckland 39 Stonedon Drive East Tamaki - Phone 09 273 2361 Wellington 21b Barnes St Seaview - Phone 04 576 9900 www.multi-trans.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 101

Transport & Motoring | Accidento

The auto surgery According to the Auckland Regional Land Transport Strategy, vehicle figures in Auckland are around 650,000 and rising. No wonder the bumper-tobumper traffic we encounter on a regular basis results in bumps to the bodywork of our vehicles - so next time you’re the recipient of an unwelcome accident, think Accidento.

Accidento, the Ponsonby panel beater and car painting expert is committed to servicing all manner of car body blemishes. Established in 1998, “The Auto Surgery” has gained a reputation among its loyal legion of customers as a trustworthy company built on integrity and skilled workmanship.

The team of eight, located on Pollen Street, is committed to upholding the brand values Accidento represents; quality, service and expertise. Rectifying damage to your vehicle is the main priority for the highly qualified team who regularly attend training courses to fine tune its technical know-how.

The Auto Surgery As the A&E of auto repair in the Ponsonby region, Accidento services repairs from minor scratches to major repaints and its technicians are well versed in the aesthetic rejuvenation of all makes and models of vehicles.

“With Accidento trust and integrity come as part of the package,” owner Adam Robertson says. “We have been in the industry for many years now and have retained some large clients in the corporate world through our commitment to the cause. TVNZ have been working with us since 1998, along with other long term, high profile clients who respect the service we provide them.”

TVNZ’s relationship with Accidento has spanned almost 16 years. Working with

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such an established and mobile company, Accidento has had to constantly be on hand to provide a quick turn around with minimum disruption to the company fleet.

Insurance work Accidento specialises in working with a select group of insurance partners (listed on the website – www.accidento.co.nz) to provide the best repair for the car owner and best value for the insurer.

Corporate work Accidento takes great pride in being a professional company with a solid reputation among the corporate community, resulting in many businesses entrusting the Ponsonby branch to look after all the panel beating and painting of entire fleets.

In the past, McDonalds has been among the highly recognisable names on the Accidento client list. “For Accidento, the corporate market represents a great opportunity to forge a constructive working relationship that is beneficial for both parties,” he says.

“We revel in the opportunity to provide the highest level of services for businesses requiring a quality job with a quick turn around. We’re sympathetic to the impact a vehicle off road can have, it comes straight off the bottom line, so we work hard to minimise any down time.”

Transport & Motoring | Accidento

“

Our mission is to deliver a powerful combination of exclusive personal service and world class automotive repair expertise that is as wide ranging and diverse as the needs of every client.

- OWNER, ADAM ROBERTSON

In today’s hectic corporate environment a company vehicle is vital for an employee and a company to be mobile; Accidento meet with corporates to align their services to suit the needs of their fleet.

National Accidento Adam Robertson moved himself, his family and Accidento to the South Island, to beautiful Queestown and the Auckland arm of his company is under the competent management of Jono Haack.

“Jono has been managing the Ponsonby branch for over a year now and his ambition and positive attitude reflects our company values. I decided to open an Accidento in Queenstown and while I work on developing our South Island presence, Jono handles the development of our Auckland business.”

Development is certainly at the forefront of Accidento’s plans with the company opening a grooming bay in the Queenstown branch for locals who look to prime their cars; an investment worth taking care of.

With changing demographics comes changes marketing and Accidento is embracing the social media movement with its Facebook page under the company name. ‘Like’ the page to read the latest updates from the Ponsonby branch and find out all the key information (opening times, contact number etc).

The auto-repair industry has a reputation riddled with images of dark workshops and greasy overalls, but Accidento is the polar opposite.

With the latest technology and professional approach, the goalposts have certainly been shifted. “Accidento has been built on a

strong moral foundation, we’re very genuine and customers recognise that. We are a professional company and our clients’ needs are always put first.”

As a member of the Collision Repair Association, effectively the Master Builders of the auto-repair industry, Accidento is certified to conduct structural repairs on vehicles.

With this status comes an annual audit to ensure the company complies with the high industry standards, including keeping technology and equipment up to date. The fast pace of advancement in the auto repair industry requires Accidento to stay on top of the game, something the company takes in its stride.

Accidento use Swedish designed Car-oliner measuring and chassis straightening equipment due to its reputation as a world renowned industry leader. The latest technology is essential for Accidento to keep abreast of the competition and maintain the standards the company prides itself on.

For this reason, the company uses German Glasurit paint, a brand originally founded in 1893. All spraying takes place in the downdrafted heated Seetal spray booth to ensure the finish applied to a vehicle is the same as its manufacturer.

The bright new South Island branch of Accidento based in stunning Queenstown

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“As the demographic of our customers begin to change into younger car owners who maybe can’t afford to vest their money in housing market anymore, their car becomes their highest tangible asset and they like to spend money improving their vehicles.”

”

Accidento services • Accident damage repairs

The Accidento Mission Statement says, “Our mission is to deliver a powerful combination of exclusive personal service and world class automotive repair expertise that is as wide ranging and diverse as the needs of every client. We encourage our staff to complete training in the latest of vehicle repair technologies so no matter what repair your vehicle needs, we have the most up to date knowledge”.

As the population of our busy city increases and car ownership with it, Accidento’s doors will be open to fix any unfortunate prangs.

The committed team in Ponsonby will be more than happy to receive your ‘like’ on Facebook, and in turn, any customer will like the work Accidento prides itself on. AT

• Chassis straightening • Off lease rectification • Vehicle repainting • Plastic welding • Spot repairs • Vehicle warranty rectification Accidento – The Auto Surgery 18 Pollen Street Ponsonby Auckland T (09) 376 6449 E adam@accidento.co.nz

• Insurance claim management • Fleet servicing contracts • Pickup and delivery • Relief vehicles • Valet.

— Advertising Feature

ACCIDENT DAMAGE REPAIRS CHASSIS STRAIGHTENING OFF-LEASE RECTIFICATION VEHICLE REPAINTING PLASTIC WELDING SPOT REPAIRS FLEET SERVICING CONTRACTS PICKUP AND DELIVERY VALET

18 POLLEN STREET | PONSONBY | T: 09 376 6449 | WWW.ACCIDENTO.CO.NZ www.aucklandtoday.net.nz December/January 2014 103

Transport & Motoring | Bruce Gemmell Tyres

Total tyre solutions Bruce Gemmell has been in the tyre industry all his life and knows how to help you get the best life out of your tyres. Gemmell has been operating Bruce Gemmell Tyres in Glenn Innes for 22 years and offers a personalised turnkey service for all tyre requirements for a range of vehicles from mobility scooters to cars, utes and four-wheel drives.

Stocking a full range of new tyres, from low-budget options through to all leading high-quality brands, its independence means the staff is free to help you identify the best product for your car.

The company offers free tyre safety testing using precision equipment and state of the art technology to measure the wear and tear on customers’ tyres. Staff can then provide the best tyre recommendations to suit their needs.

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Tyre and service technician Clarry King

Safety is a huge focus for the team at Bruce Gemmell Tyres, which has created a trust environment for customers and goes to all lengths to ensure every tyre meets clients’ requirements regarding mileage, cornering, braking, noise levels and budgets.

Focus on personalised service Tyresnz one of New Zealand’s leading tyre websites. Simply select your tyre size, email us and we will try and source you the best price and closest retailer (one of over 700) to get the tyres fitted.

www.tyresnz.co.nz

Bruce Gemmell knows everything there is to know about tyres

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Bruce Gemmell Tyres is more than a tyre shop; it is a true tyre specialist committed to excellence in tyre service and customer service. The company is an independent tyre dealership that specialises in new tyres, wheel alignments, wheel balancing, puncture repair and battery supply.

“We aim to be the market leader in customer satisfaction through excellent team service and open communication. Our customers are loyal to us and trust us for all their vehicle needs.”

Successful business and community relationships Bruce Gemmell Tyres is community driven and helps support schools and sporting clubs around the eastern district.

The company helps with fundraising ventures and donates prizes for raffles.

Gemmell has been heavily involved in rugby throughout his life and still gives boys halfback coaching down the back of his workshop.

Back in the 2000s the business launched an advertising campaign using the line: ‘Aren’t you Bruce Gemmell? You used to put balls in the scrum and now you put tyres on cars.’

“Not only has this opened new doors for business, it also created a need to brush up my skills in halfback play as a number of potential players knocked on our door for some additional coaching,” Gemmell says.

In addition to its community involvement, Bruce Gemmell Tyres has worked hard to develop strong partnerships with many suppliers, including Battery Bill, Blairs Super Tyre Distributors, OTR International (NZ) Limited, Radial Imports NZ Limited and Specialist Wheels and Castors.

The business is committed to ensuring the tyres on your car are safer, more reliable and have increased stability and handling.

“Our service is very personalised; it’s a very client-driven operation led by manager Tera Lawrence and a support team of Ronald, Jerone and Clarry,” Gemmell says.

“A tyre is a funny thing. People think it’s just black and round but there is a lot of information that goes with it, including the type of vehicle you’re driving and the way you drive it. It’s a matter of working closely with the client to see what they need.”

This translates into being customer driven and taking pride in providing customers with the best service, pricing, and environment.

“Yokohama are proud of their long association with Bruce and his team and being part of their success.”

104 December/January 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Transport & Motoring | Bruce Gemmell Tyres

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Bruce Gemmell Tyres is more than just a tyre shop

Identifying worn tread

What’s on offer…

Bruce Gemmell is keen to see improvements made within the tyre industry to help keep drivers safer and extend the life of their tyres.

He says many people are not aware that tyres are produced with a 1.5mm tread depth, which is a tread wear indicator.

Bruce Gemmell Tyres is one of Auckland’s leading tyre shops, offering:

“It’s a minimum legal tread depth you can have on a tyre. People are not aware of that; they rely on a warrant of fitness to tell them when the tyre needs to be replaced.”

Gemmell believes major tyre manufacturers throughout the world need to come up with a plan to help people recognise when their tyres have worn treads and are not safe.

“I think they should produce a tyre with a different colour underlay so the car owner can immediately see, by a colour change, when tyres need to be replaced.”

Tyre inflation and rotation

• A range of brands from budget, low cost alternatives through to Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Pirelli, Firestone and Yokohama • Service for all vehicle uses and requirements, including mobility scooters, family cars, company vehicles, SUVs, four-wheel drives, tradespeople vehicles, taxis, courier vehicles and even ride-on mowers • Wheel alignments, balancing and repairs • Service for commercial and residential customers • Both alloy and chrome products • Battery supplies.

Gemmell says it is also important drivers ensure their tyres have regular inflation and pressure checks.

<

Tyre and service technician Jerone Haumaha

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“We request all customers come back every couple of months to have their tyres checked. We recommend that every six months they come back for a tyre rotation, as the front tyres get a lot of wear. We also make sure a wheel alignment is done at least every 10,000kms or every six months.” AT

Manager Tera Lawrence

Bruce Gemmell Tyres 229 Taniwha Street Glenn Innes Auckland T (09) 528 5200 E info@brucedgemmelltyres.co.nz www.brucegemmelltyres.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Battery Bill has been a proud supplier of automotive and commercial batteries to Bruce Gemmel Tyres for over 20 years Visit BRUCE GEMMEL TYRES for the best battery service, advice and prices in town!

Being customer driven and taking great pride in forming long term relationships with customers and suppliers alike.

Customers have come to know the high standard of products and the integrity of our dealings.

Call BRUCE GEMMELL TYRES today

Phone: 09 528 5200

Blairs KUMHO TYRES support BRUCE GEMMELL TYRES

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