Central Today Magazine issue #66

Issue 66 | November/December 2011

Maximising Merino NZ Merino CEO John Brakenridge is on a mission to pump up merino’s global profile

Business Wellness

Leadership

Online Shopping

Simple tips on how to build a healthy, happy company

Have our business leaders lost their mojo?

Quick, cheap and easy but can it replace retail therapy?

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Information | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1174-9520

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www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 3

Contents

Issue 66 | November/December 2011

Maximising MerinO NZ Merino CEO John Brakenridge is on a mission to pump up merino’s global profile

Business Wellness

Leadership

Online Shopping

Simple tips on how to build a healthy, happy company

Have our business leaders lost their mojo?

Quick, cheap and easy but can it replace retail therapy?

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Information | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1174-9520

Central Today

Issue 66

17,429 ABC circulation as at 30/06/10

www.centraltoday.co.nz

News

6 Business Directions • Complacency may be the cause behind the Rena’s catastrophic effect on Tauranga’s coastal environment

Head office Academy House 47B Birmingham Drive Middleton PO Box 1879 Christchurch

• Have our leaders lost their mojo?

managing director

Rebecca Harris

• The seven deadly sins of sales management

administration

• Five ways to cut start up costs

General manager

Kylie Moore admin manager Kelly Clarke Kimberley Wells Judy Slater Tayla Brown Narinder Jeet

8 Online • Quick, cheap and easy but can online shopping replace retail therapy?

9 Technology • Get the most from your cellphone battery

sales & advertising sales executives

newsroom Jonathon Taylor editor Bridget Gourlay chief reporter Marie Sherry Kayte John Phone: Fax: Email:

• The latest MacBook Air, art for your wrist, a sun-baked destination, handmade decanter and something for the bogan lurking beneath

7 Business Coaching

Gary Collins

Robert Cochrane Graeme Tall John Somerville Annabel Judd Jane Watson Kerry Wilson George Ziegler Peter Allan Mogens Petersen Janet Campbell

37 Lifestyles

9 Events Diary • Courses, seminars and events near you

12 Maximising Merino • NZ Merino CEO John Brakenridge is on a mission to pump up merino’s global profile

14 Business Wellness • Simple tips on how to build a healthy, happy company

31 Agribusiness • Home to the vibrant wine, dairy, fruit and forestry industries, the central region has long been a business hub revolving around the primary sector

03 961 5050 0800 555 054 editor@academy.net.nz

Business

18 Initiatives

• Tip Top celebrates 75 years • Manufacturing company Metalform marks its half century milestone

22 Business Development

32 Hospitality • Bayside delights at The Thirsty Whale

• Wanganui Welldrillers gets down to business

• Experience the art and craft behind Volare Bread’s creations

• MLB Manufacturing’s custom-built mufflers are in demand worldwide • WEL Networks is rolling out UFB

38 Property and Construction • Greg McGovern Construction builds on award-winning success

• Getting better reception with Satellite & Aerial Communications

• Pro-Structure delivers diverse capabilities

26 Agribusiness • Sims Contractors takes a managed approach to growing its business

• RST Environmental Solutions’ mission is to keep it clean and green

• Farm Supplies is the ‘go to’ outlet for dairy and water supplies and service

• Lloyd Construction show why it pays to choose a trade qualified company

production Ian Knott production manager Carolynne Brown production co-ordinator CJ McKay designers Kirsty Opie Jarred Shakespeare Sarah Betman Phone: Fax: Email:

03 940 4732 0800 555 054 production@academy.net.nz

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 2011 by A-Mark Publishing (NZ) Ltd. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission.

ISSN 1174-9520 (Print) | ISSN 2230-4991 (Online)

www.magazinestoday.co.nz

* CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: One entry only per person and must be sent on the official entry form or as otherwise stated. Entry is free and open to all residents of New Zealand. All entrants must be over the age of 18, proof of identity and date of birth may be requested.

Employees and their immediate families of Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication are ineligible to enter. Winner(s) will be notified by e-mail/phone. The judges’ decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into. No responsibility is accepted for late, lost or misdirected mail. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash.

Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or personal injury suffered or sustained, during the course of prize winning travel or in connection with any other prizes won. Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication accept no responsibility for health, luggage, insurances, travel, personal expenses and transfers other than specified. Entries remain the property of Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication and cannot be returned. Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication reserves the right to photograph and publish winners. Entries may be used for further marketing purposes by Academy Publishing, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication but are not made available to any third party.

4 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

This publication is printed on papers supplied by

All wood originates from sustainably managed forests or waste sources. All mills utilise the Chain of Custody system to verify fibre source.

The end product is recyclable.

All mills are ISO 14001 certified.

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www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 5

News | Business Directions

No time for short cuts It’s said that pride comes before the fall — well, so does complacency.

None of us may ever know exactly what was, or wasn’t happening on the bridge of the Rena on October 5, but one thing we can all be sure of is that it was complacent.

For a 47,000 tonne cargo ship to simply plough into a shallow coastal reef in this day and age of pin-point precision charting and GPS navigation simply defies belief.

Speaking on TV3’s The Nation Environment Minister Nick Smith said the Rena hit Astrolabe reef because the captain may have decided to take a short cut.

Not because there was human error, but because the disastrous consequences of complacency have been illustrated time and again to the maritime shipping industry.

This has yet to be confirmed as fact, “But it appears from the charts that they were in a rush to get to port, went full bore, cut the corner, and hit the reef,” Smith said.

The whole sorry and completely avoidable saga caps off an unprecedented run of national disasters and even pessimists would have to concede that our luck has to change.

One thing you can guarantee is that the ship went precisely where it was told to go.

But the most frustrating thing about the Rena disaster is that it has nothing to do with luck. It never did.

So when Prime Minister John Key challenged accusations that the response wasn’t quick enough, he may have had a point. Because the consequences of mistakes are so dire, to rush in and risk making what is already a bad situation worse would be unforgivable.

Almost as unforgivable as complacency at the helm when the environmental, social and economic cost of making a mistake was so stratospherically high to begin with!

While the frustration of so many at the rate of response is totally understandable, it must be remembered that taking shortcuts simply wasn’t an option.

— Jonathan Taylor Editor

Have business leaders lost their

By Roger Kerr

I was struck by a recent ‘economic state of the nation’ article by award-winning business journalist, Jenni McManus. The article was a kind of valedictory for McManus, one of this country’s finest journalists, who recently left the media for the corporate world.

Her article reported on a survey she had done of the off-the-record views of 40 business people and industry sector leaders on the Government’s management of the economy over the past three years. Collectively those interviewed, or their members, employ hundreds of thousands of people in more than 100,000 companies.

Those surveyed, on average, gave the National-led Government five out of 10 for its management of the economy during the past three years. I was one of those surveyed and that also happened to be my score.

The survey revealed “a widespread perception that the Government has squandered the huge mandate for change it was handed at the 2008 election, opting for timid and incremental tinkering around the edges instead of tackling the big — and contentious — issues such as tax reform, superannuation and welfare.”

Respondents had “no confidence” that the Government had a clear economic vision.”

The survey captured the six biggest issues for business. First up was the lack of an over-arching economic strategy, vision or economic road map.

Goals such as getting per capita incomes into the top half of the OECD by 2010 or closing the income gap with Australia by 2025 mean little in themselves without credible steps to achieve them. The 2025 Taskforce’s sidelined reports provided a road map for achieving the 2025 goal, and no alternative is in sight. Big government projects, such as ultra-fast broadband, do not constitute a growth strategy.

6 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

The second was the burgeoning costs of welfare and the public service. Since the survey was undertaken the government has announced one good but small step forward on welfare reform, embracing part of one of the Welfare Working Group’s 41 recommendations.

The third issue was regulatory costs and constraints, including the ETS, employment law and the RMA, and the failure of the bureaucracy to make clear and timely decisions.

Again the Government has taken some steps, but at the margin.

Roger Kerr is the executive director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable.

Check out his blog on www.nzbr.org.nz

The business community widely supports the systemic approach that is embodied in the Regulatory Standards Bill, and many will take the government’s attitude to it as an indicator of its will to make a real difference.

majority on their individual merits. Policy making becomes more a matter of counting parliamentary heads and less a matter of deliberative consideration of the national interest. This does not help business decision-making.

Fourth was in similar vein. It was that the Government was tinkering around at the margins rather than making fundamental changes to big ticket issues such as tax and superannuation.

The 2025 Taskforce pointed to the possibility of getting top tax rates down to 20 percent and recommended raising the age of eligibility for New Zealand Superannuation.

It’s not surprising that these six concerns are also priorities for the New Zealand Business Roundtable and all the major business organisations.

Fifth is poor policy development. Intrusive and ill-justified policy proposals keep coming. Recent examples include the over-the-top regulation of financial advisers, the criminalisation of cartels, and government spending on fibre.

The problem is generic. On Treasury’s count, only half of the significant regulatory proposals considered by Cabinet since November 2008 have met expected standards.

Sixth is MMP. Voting systems are important.

The debate in New Zealand has tended to focus on the virtues of proportional representation rather than on the need for effective government. MMP gives undue influence from time to time to minor parties whose interests may be narrow and partisan.

The resulting horse-trading can see the major party and the minor party achieving parliamentary majorities for measures that might fail to get a

Noteworthy aspect The anonymity aspect is noteworthy. I have noticed over the years that individual business leaders seem to have become less willing to speak out on such matters, leaving the task to business organisations, as representative bodies.

This reluctance suggests that there are unhealthy obstacles to public debate in New Zealand about the country’s economic drift.

McManus reminded readers that John Key had told an APEC summit in November 2008 that it was critical for businesses to be confident that their governments were pulling out all stops to strengthen their countries’ economic fundamentals.

His message was timely and it remains widely relevant. I do not think for one moment that the prime minister will have changed his mind about it.

Nor should he.

John Key can show greater leadership on these issues, but no prime minister can do it alone. We need an open, more vigorous public debate, with business leaders and others routinely willing to say what they think.

News | Business Coaching

Avoiding pitfalls on the success

By John Treace

I have been part of many business turnarounds in my career, and in all situations I have noted the errors consistently made by sales management, all of which negatively impact team morale and sales.

ladder

and invoiced. When the sales process is changed or modified, expect the sales force to need time to adjust. During a period of adjustment to a new process, expect sales to be impacted. When the sales process is changed, all of management should expect sales, as well as sales forecasting, to be affected and in a direct proportion to the degree and type of change, at least for the short term.

Here are seven of the deadly sins of sales management:

1

We have all heard of the traditional conflict between sales and marketing.

The sales team says the product is priced too high or not what the customer wants.

Marketing may say the sales force is not well trained, too small, ineffective, or a myriad of other complaints.

Sometimes these are valid complaints, but if they aren’t valid, or are merely excuses for poor performance, it is imperative that management recognise this situation. There is nothing worse than having the sales and marketing departments at each other’s throats; it’s a formula for business failure and management must create collaboration and understanding between the two groups.

4

Poor people management

Powerful investment groups don’t invest in companies; they invest in people.

People are the most important ingredient in any organisation. At the heart of highperformance organisations is management that obtains the willing cooperation of others to achieve its goals. To gain the willing cooperation of others, employees must see that management genuinely cares about them, that they can trust management’s word, and that management focuses on distinction in all aspect of the business.

3

Not holding people accountable

Holding people accountable for their performance is a cornerstone of powerful organisations. This is especially true during trying times, when management is inclined to lighten up on performance standards.

During a downturn, it is better to reduce quota requirements than look the other way on non-performance.

5 ways

By Nick Harley

Starting a business can be a daunting task, especially if you have given up your main source of income to start your new venture.

Data from Statistics New Zealand indicates that 53 percent of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fail within the first three years. Research suggests that two-thirds of business collapse is due to financial difficulties associated with poor financial management.

Nobody starts a new business believing their business will fail, but it can soon become apparent that the dedication and amount of work involved is more than you bargained for, as well as the increasing costs of actually running the business.

Even if you have an outstanding idea and a killer product, it is almost impossible for you to become a market leader without spending any money. You’ll need advertising and marketing costs, expansion

Poor metrics

7

Lack of deep understanding of the business

Metrics are the numbers that tell us where we have been and where we are headed. They should act as the radar that lets us know well in advance of impending problems. A large number of sales management teams get into trouble due to ineffective metrics—or in extreme cases I’ve seen, no metrics at all. In today’s high-velocity markets, it is imperative to have a solid dashboard of metrics to guide the sales ship and keep it out of trouble.

Conflicts with marketing

2

6

Here are five cost effective ways to get your business idea off the ground:

Don’t quit your day job until you’re ready

Many people fall into this trap. They believe that if they quit their job on Friday, they can start their new business the following Monday. Unfortunately new businesses take a long time to generate enough income to stay alive, never mind enough for you to also take a wage out of the business.

Make sure you plan your new venture carefully and don’t quit the day job until the business is off the ground. Don’t forget that by starting your new business your everyday costs will actually increase, because you’ll be supporting not only yourself, but the business growth too.

2

Award programmes need to be seen as achievable and fair. Reps need to see the playing field is level and that everyone has a shot at winning recognition. It is amazing how many companies have award programmes that are slanted in favor of a few preferred individuals. This sends a morale-damaging message to all reps, including the favoured ones: that some are valued over others.

5

Changes to sales process

The sales process includes all the steps and procedures a company puts in place on its way to having the product delivered

John Treace has 30 years experience as a sales executive in the medical products industry and has spent a decade restructuring the sales departments of struggling companies.

For more information visit www.treaceconsulting.com

to cut start up costs

costs, branding, everyday running costs.

The list goes on and can quickly spiral out of control.

1

Poor award programmes

Failing to know the business at a deep level is one of the surest paths to failure. When sales are going well, the lack of deep business understanding usually does not appear as a problem, but when business is challenged by sagging sales, it is. These are the times when a thorough understanding of the company’s customers, products and services, and sales process is critical. Without it, sales reps cannot be confident in the course taken by management.

Don’t hire staff

If you are looking for a graphic designer to help with branding, a website designer to give you a great website and

a marketing company to help get your name out there, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to afford to take on these people for significant amounts of time. Instead, outsource the work in seperate projects to get the jobs by the right people with the right skills. Don’t try and cover every area yourself, focus on what you are good at and hire the experts to give you a quality business image and save you time and effort and without the hassle of employment red tape.

4

Networking

5

Create a business plan and budget

Nobody will use your business or service if they don’t know you exist. Join business start up groups in your area and show your face at local networking events.

They are usually well organised and free to attend. If this really isn’t your thing, start by inviting potential clients for an informal coffee.

Everyone has heard of Facebook and Twitter, but do you realise how effective they can be to get your business name out there? Even though Facebook seems to be losing its edge these days, there is a huge potential audience there that just cannot be ignored.

Would you go on holiday without planning how you will get there, where you will stay, what you will do and how much you will spend? No? Well, don’t run your business that way. Create a business plan using any of the free templates available online and include as much detail as possible. It should include a financial plan detailing your costs.

Twitter is essential for finding people who may have an interest in your business or are in a similar market sector. Maximising the use of these will ramp up awareness of your business venture in no time at all and best of all it won’t cost you a cent.

Nick Harley is a web enthusiast, entrepreneur and industry commentator. He specialises in startups, first stage growth and social media marketing. For more information visit www.zealance.co.nz

3

Exploit social media

www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 7

News | Online Fact File ¡ Almost half of the New Zealand population shopped online in 2011 ¡ Each shopper spent an average of almost NZ$1400 ¡ Total country online shopping expenditure for the year is expected to reach $2.68 billion ¡ Of the 2.68 million, an estimated $910 million or 34 per cent will be spent with offshore online retailers ¡ Online shopping has increased 12 percent since 2010 ¡ Online retail expenditure accounts for 5.1 percent of all retail sales.

This puts New Zealand on a par with Australia but still well behind USA and UK markets.

Click on to

online shopping

By Bridget Gourlay

I recently read an amazing book, the type where you become so engrossed in the world the author has painted that when you are pulled out of it you look around, blinking, momentarily startled at your surroundings.

With a friend’s birthday coming up, I knew it would be the perfect gift. So I hopped online and checked out what Amazon was selling The Tiger’s Wife for.

It’s a popular book that recently won the Orange prize so I wasn’t surprised to find I could get it delivered to my door for $10. To buy it in hardcover, it was $21.

Being Gen Y I’m surgically attached to my keyboard, so online shopping is just a natural extension of myself. But there is another option and that’s (brace yourself) buying it at an actual, real live shop! But therein lies the rub — it’s often much more expensive.

At the shopping mall closest to me, a large nationwide bookseller was selling The Tiger’s Wife for $27.99. Even a New Zealand book, Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones was $29.99 at the bookseller, and $15 from Amazon.

Shopping has been part and parcel of economies since human history began.

Thriving markets existed in Ancient Egypt and Greece thousands of years ago, and in the world’s biggest cities, street names became synonymous with retail — the Champs Elysee, Fifth Avenue, Oxford Street.

But with the advent of the internet, it’s possible to buy things online with just the click of a button. No longer do we have to physically go to the shops for a bottle of perfume or a tennis racket.

It’s easy to hop on the internet, choose what you want and have it delivered to your door. Even with postage fees, eliminating middlemen, shop rents and staff salaries make many items cheaper than they would be in store.

Price Waterhouse Coopers and Frost & Sullivan released a report earlier this year which showed online shopping increasing to NZ$2.68 billion in 2011 — an increase of 12 percent from 2010.

Almost half of the New Zealand population will shop online in 2011 with each customer spending an average of almost NZ$1400.

These figures are set to increase again, with the total online spend reaching $4.22 billion by 2015.

So what does this mean for retailers? Has the internet killed shopping, the way it so

8 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

mercilessly dealt to CDs and is now savaging TV and DVDs? James Gilbert, director of Australasian ecommerce provider Solutionists, doesn’t think so. Firstly, he says there are some products that just don’t work online such as the $2 Shop. Secondly, retailers have a unique insight into what their local customers really want and can use this knowledge to create products and services under their own brand that uniquely satisfy the requirements of their customer group.

Social media is an integral part of online shopping with 34 percent of shoppers following an online shopping site on Facebook.

This is something Kowtow has noticed. “I think one of the most potent ways of advertising is through Facebook and Twitter — it’s just huge,” Piatek says.

“You really do notice the power of it. If we have a sale, or new stock has arrived, and we put that on the website then you can really see the number of online sales increasing that day.”

“For retailers who take this own brand approach, suddenly the world of internet shopping becomes an opportunity instead of a However, because Kowtow sells loose fitting garments, Piatek doesn’t think everyone threat,” Gilbert says. in the fashion industry has as much online He warns that it is equally important your success as her. Part of the thrill of shopping is online offering is delivered at a world-class trying numerous things on, and making sure standard, in order to remain competitive in a they fit properly. global market.

“The return on investment figures for many of “A company with dresses and tailored clothing — well, you do need to try it on. And it’s just our clients shows that retailers could expect that much harder to click the pay button on to recoup their full ecommerce investment within six months of launch. While the cost of the internet when it’s $500 dollars. A baggy T-shirt for $100 is different.” setting up an enterprise level webstore can be significant, it is nothing when compared to that of a physical store — with much lower overheads, and a much bigger audience.”

Twice as much

Wellington entrepreneur Goisha Piatek agrees.

Her company Kowtow sells boutique fair trade and organic clothing. “We got our online store revamped in September last year and the month we did that our sales doubled. How easy a site is to navigate is so important. We get sales every day from online.”

Physical appeal Newmarket Business Association head Ashley Church agrees that there are some things about the physical shopping experience that still appeal to Kiwis and we shouldn’t be moving out of shops just yet.

“Kiwis are innately pragmatic people who see the internet as simply another part of the overall shopping experience. We like the convenience of the internet for ‘simple’ purchases — but we also recognise that it has its limitations.”

While Kowtow has stockists around the country and in Australia and Japan, Piatek says He cites immediacy, safety, personal service online retail sales are “huge”. and ‘the experience’ of in-store shopping “We sell causal garments so once people as reasons why people will be in no hurry know their size they can re-order off our to replace it completely with the internet online store.” anytime soon.

News | Technology

Getting the most from your

cellphone battery

News | Events Diary Events Diary — What’s Happening on the Business Front

By Ian Knott

I recently bought a new smartphone — an HTC 7 Trophy Windows Phone to be exact. I’d trialled one and loved the Windows 7 operating system so much that I was determined to make it my next mobile phone.

I knew that modern mobile phones shipped with a partial battery charge and so keen was I to play with my new toy, I slipped in my SIM card and began enjoying my phone. I got about half a day’s use out of it before the battery died, after which I left the phone on charge overnight.

One of the most important, yet least known facts about lithium-ion batteries (and this is where I went wrong), is that you should NEVER fully discharge them. Always put your phone on to charge when there is about 1 bar of battery life remaining.

There is a common myth regarding the ‘memory effect’. This is in regard to people thinking that if you charge your phone before it’s fully discharged enough times then the battery will actually forget how to fully charge. This simply isn’t true. Believing this will cause you to constantly over-discharge your battery and therefore inadvertently shorten its life.

From that point on I found I was only getting 1.5 days usage out of my battery before it required charging again, even though I wasn’t using the phone for anything more than the occasional text and call. This just didn’t seem right to me.

It’s worth noting that your battery begins oxidising (degrading) from the moment it is manufactured. For each year the battery has been stored at room temperature, the battery life will decrease by 20 percent. So unless you’re buying the latest model phone then you might not be starting with a fully capable battery.

I was well aware of batteries requiring a solid 12 or so hours first charge, but I also thought modern batteries made that requirement not so important. I was wrong — well kind of.

Here are some more handy tips for extending your battery life, although some might defeat the purpose of owning a smartphone altogether:

I decided that my battery was faulty and rang up the shop where I bought it. The staff member asked me if I gave the battery a 24 hour charge straight out of the box.

Twenty-four hours? Seriously? I replied that there was no mention of that seemingly bloated requirement in any of the documentation that accompanied the phone, and that I had given it an overnight charge instead (I neglected to mention that I had drained the battery first). After a few more questions, we agreed that the battery must be faulty and I got it replaced with a brand new one that I took straight home and gave a 15 hour charge before I even turned the phone on.

This prompted me to do some research into the facts and myths surrounding mobile phone batteries, what the initial charge requirements are and how you can get the most out of your battery life.

Essentially there are two types of mobile phone battery (with some small variations of each). Older phones use a Nickel-cadmium or Ni-CD battery and more modern phones use Lithium-ion batteries. Each type has very different charging requirements, so it pays to check (it’ll be noted on the battery itself) or in the phone specifications.

Ni-CD and lithium-ion batteries operate differently but both require ‘initialising’ before first use. Ni-CD needs a good 16 hours first charge and after that needs two to four full discharge/recharge cycles before the battery is at its optimum. After that they can handle recharging at any stage of discharge.

Lithium-ion batteries only need a 5-6 hour initial charge straight out of the box. It’s highly likely that the battery meter will be telling you it’s fully charged after about an hour or so — it’s lying to you. Resist the urge to start using the phone until the 5-6 hour initialisation period is up.

■ Don’t leave your mobile in a hot car for lengthy periods of time, or in your pocket if you can avoid it. Nothing drains a battery faster than it being hot ■ Turn off Bluetooth — it’s a massive power drainer. Also turn off WiFi if you know you’re not going to be using it.

Your phone will constantly be searching for wireless networks otherwise.

Likewise with GPS and infra red capabilities ■

If you’re not using your phone for an extended period of time (a spare backup phone for example) store the battery in a sealed container in the fridge. Don’t store it on full charge or empty — about 40 percent charge is ideal. This will prolong the life of the battery a great deal. Make sure that battery returns to room temperature before you use it

■ If you get emails on your phone, having an automatic send and receive every few minutes uses a lot of battery.

Change it to manual, or a longer period if you can ■ If you only use your phone for texting and calls then turn off 3G and just use the GSM network. This alone will make a big difference So ultimately, yes, the initial charge out of the box is important, but it certainly doesn’t need to be a whole day. Follow some simple battery care and preservation guidelines and you’re less likely to be caught out with the “low battery beep of death” when Murphy’s Law dictates that you’ll need it the most.

Ian Knott has been commentating on various forms of technology for the last 16 years. He’s had columns on gadgets, gaming, computing and digital entertainment in many newspapers, magazines and websites in New Zealand and overseas.

November

3

Hawke’s Bay: Chamber of Commerce Business Awards

Thursday

Celebrate the great businesses of Hawke’s Bay. The winners of the 2011 Westpac Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards will be announced at this ceremony. To register, visit www.hawkesbaychamber.co.nz November

3

Rotorua: Global Trade Shows — EMA

International trade shows are an excellent platform on which to display your goods to the local population and see what the competitors are doing. This workshop is a step-by-step guide on how to plan and present yourself in a global situation. To register, visit www.ema.co.nz Thursday

8

Wednesday

10

November

18 Friday

Manawatu: Business Awards 2011 — Manawatu Chamber of Commerce / Vision Manawatu

The crème de la crème of Manawatu’s businesses will be recognised at this event. For more information, visit www.manawatubusinessawards.com November

Rotorua: International Trade Documentation and Procedures — EMA

Would you like to understand and even save money associated with export documentation and procedures? This workshop will give you a comprehensive understanding of the minimum requirements for documentation so your goods are not left unattended on the wharf or confiscated due to not having the right document. To register, visit www.ema.co.nz November

23

Gisborne: Effective Marketing — The National Bank’s Business Resource Centre

Wednesday

The old adage says ‘it pays to advertise’.

But it is costly, so are you doing this effectively? This is an advanced workshop for business owners who want tips on how to save costs and more effectively market their business. To register, visit www.businessresourcecentre.co.nz November

Starting a business?

IRD is running a free seminar to help newbies learn about working smarter with our online services, business structures, income tax, expenses you can claim, GST, and more.

To register, visit www.ird.govt.nz

Tuesday

This course is for business owners who want a clearer understanding of the opportunities the Internet may give their business. It also discusses ways to use modern web based tools to market a business. To register, visit www.businessresourcecentre.co.nz

9

15

New Plymouth: Introduction to Business Seminar — IRD

Tuessday

22

Masterton: Smart Marketing (The Internet is Your Friend) — Tuesday The National Bank’s Business Resource Centre November

November

November

Levin: GST Workshop — IRD

Cashflow is the life blood of any business. This course will help you understand why it is important to manage your business cashflow and find out how to prepare a profitability budget and a cashflow budget. Get tips to improve cashflow by maximising revenue and how to control costs using breakeven analysis. To register, visit www.businessresourcecentre.co.nz december

This workshop is a Thursday hands-on interactive session where you learn to complete a mock cashbook and GST return. It is ideal for sole traders, partnerships and other small businesses.

To register, visit www.ird.govt.nz

Hamilton: How to Manage your Cashflow Better — The National Bank’s Business Resource Centre

13

Tuesday

Rotorua: Business After 5 with Mayor Kevin Winters — Rotorua Chamber of Commerce

Enjoy business networking with special guest Mayor Kevin Winters. To register, visit www.rotchamber.co.nz

If you would like to feature a business related event in this diary, email newsroom@academy.net.nz at least two months before the date of the event. www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 9

10 | November/December 2011   www.centraltoday.co.nz

www.centraltoday.co.nz    November/December 2011 | 11

News | Cover Story

Maximising

By Melinda Collins

Kiwi ingenuity; it’s world famous. Perhaps one of the strongest examples is how Kiwis took some domestic cows in the 1800s and turned them into today’s multi-billion dollar dairy industry. In the early 2000s, those dairy products equated to New Zealand’s leading export earner, sold to 140 countries throughout the world. And now we’re doing it again. With a rapidly strengthening profile, both here and overseas, merino wool has established itself as an essentially Kiwi commodity.

Farmed fashion According to New Zealand Merino Company (NZM) CEO John Brakenridge, as little as 15 years ago, merino wool was sold as nothing more than a commodity blend.

“When we suggested selling it in its 100 percent form, people said no. We (NZM) took merino, partnered with the likes of Icebreaker and unlocked new markets and new potential for it.

“New Zealand is very good at producing commodity products, but in terms of marketing them around the world, we leave a lot to be desired.”

That’s where NZM comes in. NZM began as a joint venture between New Zealand’s merino growers through Merino Growers Investment Limited (MGIL) and PGG Wrightson Ltd. Earlier this year MGIL purchased PGG Wrightson’s stake to take full ownership of the company. Launched in 1996, the organisation was designed to increase demand for New Zealand merino globally by working with supply chain partners to champion the unique attributes of the fibre, undertake research and development to enhance all aspects of the merino offering from on-farm practices to garment production, and to broker merino for growers to ensure the best possible sustainable price to keep the merino tradition passing from generation to generation of farming family.

12 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

News | Cover Story

merino “We’re competing against cotton and synthetics such as polyester so we’ve got to be very good at what we do,” Brackenridge says of the value-adding proposition.

The jewel in the merino crown has always been wool. But thanks so NZM, the country is seeing substantial gains made in the name of sheep.

It helps that wool is not just grandma’s zany knitted jumpers anymore; wool today is one of the most desired fibres, taking pride of place at the height of fashion.

“Sheep are a multi-faceted animal. We realised there was much more value for the farmer and for the country.”

Modern production methods have created merino wool products that are itch-free and machine washable. A natural temperature regulator, hypoallergenic, odour free, stain resistant, durable, animal friendly and environmentally sustainable, merino wool is one of the most versatile and practical natural fibres in the world.

So it’s little wonder it has developed into a $150 million industry.

However, like all commodity markets, wool has the potential for boom bust cycles, much like what was experienced in 2009. According to Federated Farmers, the sheep population in New Zealand had dropped by 50 percent from 70 million down to 35 million.

Federated Farmers president Don Nicholson described the industry at the time as dire.

“With the cost of production and harvesting the wool, some farmers are not breaking even.” Sheep farmers were experiencing their worst returns for almost five decades.

But a shining light for the industry came in the form of NZM. The organisation has established three-year supply contracts in New Zealand dollars for a substantial amount of fibre, giving confidence to both growers and the end market by insulating the industry against its boom bust potential.

“For the people in the supply chain, no matter the part they play, this is probably the best part of their business, because of the certainty and the consistency,” he says.

Historically, merino farmers sold their wool at auction to a wool processor, who sold to a spinner, who sold to a knitter or weaver, who sold to a retail brand. Each person in the supply chain would jealously guard their customers and argue each week over price, convinced that others in the chain were making more money.

An independent validation by McKinsey and Co found NZM is adding value for growers to the tune of $10 million to $15 million annually.

Haute cuisine Much like the luxury fashion world embraced merino’s fine quality, so too has the culinary world. NZM formed a joint venture with Silver Fern Farms to create a luxury meat brand, Silere alpine origin merino, which is now being sold to discerning consumers throughout the world.

The partnership, Alpine Origin Merino, is an important component in the aspiration to double the current $150 million merino industry over the next five years by unlocking the value of merino meat and co-products such as leather and lanolin, alongside NZM’s initiatives to add value to fibre.

Brakenridge says high country farmers have always known about the superior qualities of merino meat. “It’s one of the high country’s best kept secrets. The merino breed of sheep is at home with the variable terrain and diet of New Zealand’s high country. These characteristics are reflected in a distinct flavour and silky texture that is lean and healthy,” he says.

As a first step to the world’s premium markets, Alpine Origin Merino has partnered with a selection of New Zealand’s top restaurants to feature Silere alpine origin merino on their menus, testing merino with discerning global consumers during the Rugby World Cup. “Merino has the potential to be a culinary sensation in select global markets, just as we have seen with the rising popularity of Wagyu beef in recent years. Until now merino has not been differentiated in the way.

“The chefs we have spoken to unanimously agree that Silere alpine origin merino is a superb product - their feedback has been exceptional. We’re confident international visitors dining at our partner restaurants will agree and we’ll be seeking their feedback,” Brakenridge says.

Ethical business It’s not just the fashion and culinary worlds which are seeing the value of merino. NZM is also adding value to the entire supply chain by adding ethics. The Zque brand of merino fibre has credentials supporting its economic and environmental sustainability, as well as animal welfare and traceability standards.

“Retail brands are increasingly wanting to ensure their products are sourced sustainably and ethically, while being able to tell the story of where the products came from. NZM is the best in the world at providing brands which are in-line with those principles.”

An accreditation program, Zque ensures five key factors are taken into account in producing quality merino products, ensuring sustainability of the merino wool trade and being ethically responsible at the same time. Developed to guarantee the integrity of merino products, Zque products includes assurance that production systems meet suitable standards for livestock stewardship, management of the environment and socially responsible practices, and that the resulting products are of the highest quality.

“We target the retail brand, back-fill the supply chain, and that supply chain works together. If New Zealand and our grower/ suppliers are going to get more money, that can only happen if you’ve got more money happening at retail and you’ve got a more effective and efficient supply chain.”

In partnership with the Government’s Primary Growth Partnership fund, Alpine Origin Merino expects to unlock significant additional value Specifically, Zque: in merino sheep, particularly for farmers. ▲ Encourages the production of ‘fit for purpose’ New Zealand merino fibre Silver Fern Farms CEO Keith Cooper says through systems with enhanced animal the merino meat project is part of a wider welfare, environmental, social and programme to maximise the value of New economic values Zealand sheep. “Our goal is to turn the traditionally volume-based sales approach ▲ Provides extra confidence for customers characteristic of the New Zealand lamb as to the quality and integrity of New industry on its head by pursuing premium Zealand merino fibre accredited under opportunities in higher-value micro-markets. the Zque programme

The company’s strategy has been to grow new categories for merino wool, for use in active outdoor wear, through partnerships with retail brands like Icebreaker, Smartwool and Ibex.

“Part of this shift in thinking involves adding value to cuts traditionally perceived as lesser value. We need to challenge the thinking that we can only ever achieve top dollar for racks and loins,” Cooper says.

“Everybody in that supply chain needs to exist, but they need to exist collaboratively,” Brakenridge says.

▲ Provides a framework for further innovation of the programme and grower recognition in the future.

And it’s not about to go out of fashion anytime soon. www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 13

News Special | Business Wellness

Happy days

By Bridget Gourlay

“Take our 20 best people away, and I will tell you that Microsoft would become an unimportant company,” Bill Gates once said.

For many businesses it’s no secret what their most valuable asset is — it’s the staff.

No sales would be made, no order filled, no product designed if not for the staff hard at work. But getting the best from your employees sometimes needs a bit of creative thinking.

Bigger corporations could snap up your right-hand man with a higher salary. The demands of home and family could cause your once amazing accountant to get distracted at work or resign altogether to become a full-time parent.

Then there’s the staff that aren’t leaving, but aren’t engaged either. Unmotivated, distracted or ill, these employees cause just as many headaches as retaining and recruiting the best.

So how can businesses get the health tick?

How can they be vibrant friendly places staff work hard at, unswayed by offers of more money somewhere else?

Studies show that overwhelmingly people look for jobs that make them feel happy and satisfied, respectful of the work/life balance.

So firstly, when figuring out how to retain, recruit and keep staff engaged, think outside of the square. In many jobs, work doesn’t just have to be done behind a desk from 9-5.

There are plenty of options for staff to work in different ways as they go through different patterns of life. Here are some examples:

Job-sharing This is when a full-time job is shared by two or three colleagues. Often it happens when two parents are wanting to combine maintaining their careers while raising a young family, or when an older person is in the process of retiring and is handing over responsibility to another younger colleague.

Do: ■ Treat job sharing teams as single employees and reward their collective effectiveness. That way, each partner is likely to hold themselves accountable for the partnership ■ Develop an effective communication programme ■ Define the duties.

Don’t: ■ Go into it without prior thought. How this will work needs to be well-established.

Flexi-hours

Do: ■ Have a clear arrangement so no boundaries get overstepped ■ Communicate how well this is working.

Don’t: ■ Forget about safety. If employees are starting work early or finishing late make sure they will be safe.

Teleworking Teleworking is when a staff member works from home for all or some of the week.

This arrangement is typically for care-givers but could be for anyone — for example, an employee who lives far from the office.

It allows an employee to work the hours which suit them. There are usually arrangements in place, ie the worker must do a required amount of work, or be available for phone calls and emails during business hours.

Teleworking, flexi-time and part-time working or job sharing can be combined. For example, a parent could work two days a week from the office and two days a week from home.

Do: ■ Have a discussed, well-planned arrangement in writing ■ If employees have to be online or able to take phonecalls at certain times (ie 9-3) then make that part of the plan

This can mean a myriad of different things.

It often happens when a worker is juggling care-giving and work, or study and work. They ■ Use teleworking as a cheap form of work a certain number of hours per week childcare. To work fulltime you will need from the office, which could mean starting childcare for some of these hours.

A case study in success — ANZ In 2008, ANZ decided to do something quite radical. It changed its mindset about flexibility, deciding to have the philosophy that flexibility is a business imperative — not special treatment.

It implemented a new programme called MyFlexitime where employees sorted out working arrangements which suited them, depending on their individual sets of circumstances. It covered options such as leave without pay, study leave, armed forces voluntary services leave and sports, cultural and community services leave and applied to every one of the 9000 employees, irrespective of how long they had been with the company.

For example, a mother could return from maternity leave to work one day a week. As her children got older, she could build up her hours and return to full-time when ready.

ANZ won the Work & Life Award at the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust’s (EEO) 2010 award. ANZ says that while flexitime makes staff lives easier and better, it also benefits the company hugely. Since 2007, parental leave return rates have increased — now a staggering 83 percent of employees who return from parental leave stay for more than 12 months, well above the target of 50 percent. The percentage of part-time workers increased from 14 to 24 percent, bucking the general New Zealand trend. Sick leave, absenteeism and turnover all decreased. The average length of staff service is now eight years.

14 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

early and finishing early, or doing some longer hours earlier in the week so they can work shorter hours or have a day off later on.

Don’t:

Paid and unpaid leave This is when a company allows an employee to take leave other than what is legally required. It may be for further study or for a longer holiday/sabbatical. This is usually because the current legislation isn’t enough for what they need. For example, a new father might request two months leave to care for his wife and newborn, but is only legally entitled to two weeks unpaid paternity leave. An employee wanting to complete a qualification might ask to work part-time, or take study leave. Whether or not this leave is paid is completely up to the company. If the new father was a valued member of staff who would be expensive to replace, the company might chose to give him some paid leave. If the employee would be a greater asset to the company once she finished her study, the company might pay her for study leave and qualification.

Do: ■ Talk about how this will work — exactly what work deadlines need to be met while the employee is on leave?

■ Think outside the square in terms of work hours. If it all gets done well, then go with it.

Don’t: ■ Think about the short terms benefits only.

Company loyalty from excellent staff members is a great asset.

News Special | Business Wellness

The

daily

grind

By Bridget Gourlay

Most employees in New Zealand spend their weekdays at work following set hours. How can the office — often a scene of drudgery — become a lively, vibrant, productive place that employees thrive in?

Katie Robinson from workplace wellness company Vitality Works, says it has become abundantly clear that offices are happier places when the staff are healthy. “‘Presenteeism’ is a huge issue,” she says. “That’s being at work, but doing bugger all. It’s actually a lot worse than absenteeism. There is an absolute, clear relationship between how healthy someone is and how productive they are, especially in presenteeism. This is only just being acknowledged — it’s been in research for a long time — but now by employers in the mainstream.”

Encouraging healthy bodies and minds at the workplace can be done in simple ways.

Robinson recommends having accessible staircases; and bike racks and showers so people can cycle, run and walk to work, or exercise during lunchtime.

There could also be a lunchtime office walking group, or the company could sponsor their team to do an event like a 10km run or start an indoor netball team.

At work, offices can hold ‘walking meetings’ where meetings are held as the team walk through the local park.

Food is the other crucial part of good health.

Robinson says businesses should see what is available at the cafeteria or vending machines and make sure there are some healthy options. The same goes for Friday drinks and morning teas — balance out the sausage rolls and cake with carrot sticks and sandwiches.

Robinson says five employees could form a healthy lunch club, where each member makes a healthy delicious lunch for everyone one day of the week. This means each person gets five healthy lunches a week with only a fifth of the effort of preparing it.

Poor mental health is often affected or even caused by poor physical health. Not only does regular exercise and good food lead to fitter bodies, but it reduces stress and depression.

Sitting ducks Increasingly, research is pointing to long periods of sitting as being the cause of a number of health problems.

In many cases, employees drive to work, sit all day and then drive home, with few breaks from sitting. But even healthy people who exercise regularly need a break from sitting.

Robinson advises businesses look into standing tables, where employees can stand at their desks for some of most of the day.

Her husband stands at his desk, and “to begin with he found it hard work but now he has really noticed the difference.”

A content company Of course, there’s more than just exercise and good food involved in making the office a happy place. The basic necessities must be right.

Make sure the lighting enables people to see well without being fluorescent and that the heating and cooling in the building are adequate.

No one can work to the best ability if they can’t see properly or are too cold or too warm — not to mention the potential sick days off when an employee catches a cold, or gets headaches from straining their eyes.

The best workplaces are the ones where staff members come to work looking forward to seeing their friendly colleagues and knowing no one is going to make them feel bad.

It’s hard to work well when your every move is being scrutinised or you are being bullied or discriminated against.

To promote friendliness within the office, ensure bullying is stamped out. This can be hard to find, but the EEO has useful advice in its resources for businesses who are concerned about this issue. For example, it says companies could: ■ Conduct a confidential workplace survey to find out whether harassment/bullying is an issue for employees ■ Document noticeable changes in patterns in performance, turnover or sick days for individuals or groups of staff (such as young women or employees in a particular team) ■ Assess how much time is being spent dealing with employee complaints relating to this issue ■ Find out if the workplace practices comply with the legislation ■ Figure out what procedures are in place to protect employees from harassment/bullying ■ See if there is a clear policy or procedure for victims to make a complaint.

There’s also the basic light relief — Friday night drinks, morning teas and other social activities which allow everyone to have fun together.

Think about it. If the average person works 40 hours a week from age 22 until 65, then that means you spend most of your waking hours at the office. That’s often more time than you spend with family or friends; making one of the keys to a happy life a happy work environment. www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 15

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www.centraltoday.co.nz    November/December 2011 | 17

Initiatives | Tip Top

Iconic brand Tip Top — the name is representative of the iconic brand’s positioning within the New Zealand food landscape — the tip of the top.

The iconic brand started in 1936 as a Manners Street ice cream parlour in Wellington. Celebrating its 75th birthday this year, Tip Top is the largest independent ice cream business in the southern hemisphere.

In February, Tip Top gave away 50,000 Jelly Tip ice creams at parks and beaches nationwide. The giveaway was the biggest ever seen in New Zealand and took place just days after a Wellington family won $10,000 for scooping up the first golden ticket in the Great Tip Top Ice Cream Hunt.

Tip Top’s oldest novelty ice cream still in production is the Eskimo Pie…

Launched in the 1950s, the Jelly Tip is one of New Zealand’s most popular ice creams, says Tip Top managing director Brett Charlton.

“It’s become a symbol of all things great about Tip Top, great ingredients, great summer memories and the best tasting ice-cream ever.”

The giveaway was in recognition of the loyalty New Zealanders have shown the brand, he says. “We’re proud to be celebrating our 75th year as a fully owned New Zealand company. It’s a real milestone and we wanted to acknowledge the loyalty New Zealanders have shown Tip Top for the past 75 years with free ice cream.

“Most Kiwis would be able to dig out an old baby photo which captures the moment they ate their first ice-cream — it’s a quintessential picture, a Kiwi tradition, and that ice-cream is almost always guaranteed to be a Tip Top ice cream.”

As part of the celebrations throughout this year to mark its 75th birthday, Top Top has touched base with some of the legendary Kiwis they’ve worked with in the past.

The Trumpet commercials were the first big break for international fashion model Rachel Hunter and there’s still nothing she craves more than a Trumpet. “Happy Birthday Tip Top. I can’t believe you’re 75! In Los Angeles, there’s nothing I miss more than a Trumpet,” Rachel Hunter said.

BAY PLASTIC

We are suppliers of high quality Gluten Free confectionery to the Wholesale and Retail Trade.

Contact us through our web site, by email or phone us!

Proud to Support Tip Top. Congratulations on 75 years!

Ph: (03) 437 1847 0508 4 RAINBOW Fax: (03) 437 2280

459 Thames Highway, PO Box 258, Oamaru 9444 New Zealand

www.rainbowconfectionery.co.nz

18 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

FABRICATION LTD The Perspex People

Proud suppliers to Tip Top • • • • •

Perspex Sheet Sales Cut to size Service Profile Machining Brochure Displays Custom-made Items

2a Ashley Place, Papamoa Junction

Ph 07 542 3008 Fax 07 542 4008 www.bayplastic.co.nz

Initiatives | Tip Top

celebrates 75 years Aucklander Paul Driessen, the foreman on the Tip Top factory floor when the first Jelly Tip left the production line, also turned 75 this year. He wished the company nothing but the best for its three-quarter century milestone.

“We’re the best vintage, Tip Top and I. Happy birthday Tip Top and I hope New Zealanders enjoyed their free Jelly Tip that first came off the line 60 years ago,” he said.

Background of the brand Tip Top is New Zealand’s leading ice cream company and a market leader in all categories. Among its portfolio of brands are Kiwi icons such as Trumpet, Fruju, Jelly Tip, Popsicle and Memphis Meltdown.

Established in Wellington in 1936, Tip Top has been part of Fonterra since the farmer-owned co-operative was formed in 2001.

Drawing on generations of expertise, Tip Top invests significantly in research and development, enabling the company to provide new and exciting products for New Zealanders.

Tip Top 113 Carbine Road Mt Wellington Auckland T 0800 838 181 www.tiptop.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

did you know… ● As part of the celebrations Tip Top brought the classics back. A consumer facebook campaign begging for the return of the grapefruit and lemon Fruju was successful, with it returning for sale.

The company also launched a limited edition Mint Trumpet last summer, manufacturing one for every New Zealander ● Supermodel Rachel Hunter was 15 when she appeared for the first time on television in an advertisement for Tiptop Trumpet in the mid 1980s ● Tip Top produces around 35 million litres of ice cream a year ● Tip Top has a long-standing commitment to using home-grown ingredients like fresh cream and fruit.

For example, products like boysenberry ripple, NZ’s third favourite flavour, are sourced from grower Barry Wratten’s Lower Moutere orchard in Nelson ● New Zealanders consume around four million Jelly Tips annually

a brief history…  In 1936 Albert Hayman and Len Malaghan opened their first ice cream parlour in Manners Street, Wellington  In 1936 a second milk bar opened in Wellington, and another in Dunedin. The same year, Tip Top Ice Cream Company was registered as a manufacturing company.  By 1938 Tip Top was manufacturing its own ice cream and successfully operating stores in the lower half of the North Island, as well as Nelson and Blenheim  In May 1938 Tip Top Ice Cream Company Auckland Limited was incorporated into the growing ice cream business. Due to distribution difficulties and World War II, it operated as a separate company to Wellington Tip Top  In November 1962 Hayman and Malaghan opened the biggest and most technically advanced ice cream factory in the southern hemisphere, at Mt Wellington, Auckland. The factory included staff houses and 20 acres of farm land overlooking the southern motorway and cost NZ$700,000 to build

 In 1964 a parent company was formed, General Foods Corporation (NZ) Limited, which rated as one of the soundest investments on the stock exchange  The Auckland Tip Top factory was originally a seasonal summer enterprise. The success of brands like Topsy, Jelly Tip and FruJu helped transform the Mt Wellington site into a 24-hour year-round operation  As demand grew, two further plants were opened in Christchurch and Perth. Although specially designed to meet stringent Japanese export requirements, the Christchurch factory closed in 2007 and production moved to Auckland

● Tip Top Ice Cream is exported to Singapore, Malaysia, Tahiti, Fiji, the Caribbean, Mauritus, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Norfolk Island ● The three most popular Tip Top flavours are vanilla, cookies and cream, and boysenberry ● The oldest novelty ice cream still in production is the Eskimo Pie

Launched in the 1950s, the Jelly Tip is one of NZ’s most popular ice creams…

 In April 1997 Tip Top was purchased by a West Australian food processor, Peters & Browne’s Foods from Heinz Watties.

The merger of Peters & Browne’s and Tip Top created the largest independent ice cream business in the southern hemisphere with combined sales of $550 million  In June 2001, Tip Top Ice Cream became part of the Fonterra Co-operative Group

Amcor is a global leader in responsible global packaging solutions supplying a broad range of carton board, plastic (rigid & flexible), fibre, metal and glass packaging products to enhance the products consumers use in everyday life.

Amcor Cartons are proud to produce packaging for Tip Top. Halls is proud to be a National Refrigerated Transport provider to

We congratulate Tip Top on their

75th Anniversary

at temperature, on time, any weight, anywhere...

Contact : Brian McKechnie General Manager Business Development p. 03 343 5750 f. 03 348 5743 e. brian@halls.co.nz w. www.halls.co.nz

www.amcor.com

Celebrating Tip Top’s 75th Birthday! www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 19

Initiatives | Metalform bratin ele

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Manufacturer marks golden milestone

Metalform celebrated 50 years in manufacturing with a festive dinner in April.

Considering how tough the commercial environment can be, building a reputation and a legacy is no mean feat. But that is exactly what Dannevirke company Metalform has achieved.

the Permobil K450 and is built to order from Metalform’s workshop.

Metalform was started in 1961 by the Easton family as a basic sheet metal engineer shop, with only a couple of employees. It has grown exponentially since its humble origins and this year celebrates its 50th birthday. Today the team of 45 pride itself in design led solutions, in which it takes a concept through to reality.

Metalform has been working in engineering services since it was started in 1961. Four fulltime 3D CAD designers work for the company.

Marketing director Tim Henman explains how this works. “For customers wanting a product, they come with the idea, we work with them —and we have all the tools in our workshop — and we accurately make the product.

Metalform specialises in research and development (R&D), 3D design, CNC and robotic manufacturing, and assembly and commercialisation. It also markets finished products.

Permobil K450 wheelchair

Metalform team leaders are ecstatic after winning the Hawke’s Bay Business of the Year in 2009.

Briggs & Stratton are proud to support Metalform (Dannevirke) Ltd

Briggs & Stratton produces some of the world’s most reliable lawn mower engines also small engines and air cooled engines.

Phone Sales 09 477 0827 www.briggsandstratton.com

Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD and Revit Architecture, Engineering & Construction Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Structural, Plant & Process » Autodesk Authorised Training Centre « » Data Management Solutions « » PC Hardware & Networking « Proud to be associated with Metalform (Dvke) Ltd. Congratulations on 50 years. www.cadpro.co.nz Auckland: 09 302 4028 Christchurch: 03 366 7021 20 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

Looking back at the company’s success, general manager Allan Benbow says developing the Permobil K450 Wheelchair is probably the company’s main highlight.

Campbell Easton, the third generation of the Easton family currently working for Metalform, was approached by his friend Samuel Gibson approximately five years ago about the possibility of designing him a wheelchair.

Gibson has been a wheelchair-user since birth because of the condition osteogenisis imperfecta (brittle bones). He asked Metalform to build him a wheelchair that met his active life — it had to have a seat which could be raised to eye level and lowered to the ground, it had to be practical from the guardian’s point of view, have the ability to be lifted into a car, and to be comfortable to live in. It also had to look smart.

“This is a product that has truly changed the lives of many around the world, by giving them a huge amount of independence,” Benbow says.

Engineering services

“Our tools have 100 percent repeatability. The latest and greatest CAD package which we have is truly state of art, it is linked with our software through to our CNC machinery profile cutters and brake presses and robot welders.”

CNC equipment Metalform has many high tech pieces of CNC equipment and tools. One of these is the combination robot welder and 3D plasma cutter, a combination is of huge benefit to the company. This machine is used to create the wheelchairs. Originally, by hand, it took seven hours to do, with the robot the time was cut down to only 12 minutes. This allowed for a substantial increase in productivity.

The ‘Tow and Fert’ for the farm Metalform has been producing reliable and reputable farm equipment since the late 1980s. A new product that has just been launched is the Tow and Fert.

The end result was so good that the pair decided to make more and sell them.

“We’re very excited about it, it really allows farmers to control their fertiliser programme more effectively,” marketing director Tim Henman says. “This machine can mix and apply liquid suspended fertiliser, bio fertiliser and products like dissolved urea and magnesium oxide.

After getting many offers from marketing companies from around the world after attending a trade fair in Germany, a Swedish business Permobil AB now has world wide marketing rights. The wheelchair is now called

“In the past farmers had to use aerial or trucking type applications, and these companies can’t do one paddock at a time cost effectively. The Tow and Fert puts an end to that.”

Congratulations on 50 years of outstanding business.

We have been Metalform’s proud provider of computer services since 2003.

If computers give you a headache please give us a call.

Advantage Computers Ltd 48 Grey Street Palmerston North Ph: (06) 358 8999 Email: sales@advantage.co.nz www.advantage.co.nz

Initiatives | Metalform

… the most important people are our staff — past and present. |

Allan Benbow general manager, Metalform

Metalform’s four generations of Eastons: Campbell holding Anders, Geoff holding William and Bryce Easton.

Ron Skinner, Metalform’s first employee, who started in 1961.

Fertiliser optimisation Henman says this means farmers are no longer dependant on waiting for contractors turning up with their trucks and helicopters.

“It will continually agitate the mix so it stays in suspension. Once mixed, tow the Tow and Fert out to your paddock and start spraying!”

“The Tow and Fert enables the optimisation of farmer’s fertiliser programme with timely, cost effective and regular applications.

Metalform has hired a full-time salesperson for Tow and Fert. George Freeman can be reached at george@metalform.co.nz and will answer any of your questions.

“Just simply fill it up with water and weigh your product in with the on-board scales and the Tow and Fert will mix the product together using a patented two stage mixer.

The farm equipment website now has an online shopping cart. Anyone, anywhere in the world, can make a purchase online and have it delivered to them.

Proud to be Supporting Metalform Ltd Fax: (06) 374 5540 Phone: (06) 374 5540 Email: a1autopainters@inspire.net.nz

The Metalform crew.

In April, the Metalform team celebrated its 50th birthday in true rural Dannevirke style.

“We spent an afternoon and evening with all our past and present staff, key customers, key suppliers and the local mayor,” Benbow remembers. “It was a wild foods festival with meat the staff hunted. It was then professionally prepared and served — with live music and great entertainment.”

Metalform is proud to be part of the Dannevirke community, and to be supporting

New Zealand’s export growth, says Benbow.

He believes the company’s success comes down to a simple formula. “Our focus is on developing new quality products and continually investing in new technology, but the most important people are our staff — past and present.”

Metalform PO Box 122, Dannevirke 4942 T (06) 374 7043 E enquiries@metalform.co.nz www.metalform.co.nz — Advertising Feature

• Powdercoating • Abrasive Blasting • Industrial Coatings

24 Alma Street Dannevirke Tararua Manawatu-Wanganui 4930

www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 21

Business Development | Wanganui Welldrillers

Getting down to

business The failure rate for start up businesses is high so it is a mean feat for any that surpasses corporate infancy. When a business reaches 40 years in business, it illustrates the passion, dedication and old fashioned hard work of the founders themselves.

Wanganui Welldrillers was established in 1972

by Lyle Sharratt after previous experience in the drilling industry.

From small beginnings in 1972 with one Rotary/Percussion drilling rig, a two-tonne ute and just Lyle and John Sharratt as the team, Wanganui Welldrillers has grown steadily to now boast a team of 10 experienced staff running three rig operations.

Lyle Sharratt has maintained ownership and continues to manage the day to day operations. It’s been a successful strategy, with the company going from strength to strength. As the managing director he is responsible for monitoring the overall quality his team produces and with substantial drilling experience he takes a hands-on approach to leadership.

Being a family orientated company, Wanganui Welldrillers has a very long standing team of people who pride themselves on their well maintained and presented equipment. High standards ensure they not only satisfy their clients, but also their own levels of expertise.

a Wanganui’s PO PO ERTOOL ERTOOL C

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CNR. INGESTRE & WILSON ST P.O BOX 4283 WANGANUI ph: (06) 345 4884 | fx: (06) 348 8161 e: wanganuiptc@xtra.co.nz Proud to support Wanganui Well Drillers Ltd.

During the 2008 to 2010 period, Wanganui Welldrillers drilled seven exploration bores for the Wanganui District Council, these were in search of soft water for the city supply.

Covering the lower and central North Island area, Wanganui Welldrillers has successfully drilled many bores from New Plymouth down to Wellington. The company has proved it is adaptable and is prepared to locate to where the drilling is required.

With modern irrigation use, much deeper and larger bore holes are being drilled and companies experienced in larger bore holes are increasingly in demand. Responsible for drilling the largest and deepest water bore in the country for the Wanganui District Council, successfully completed in 2003, Wanganui Welldrillers has vast experience and knowledge in the water well industry.

Praise flowing in

Manager of Water Services, the business unit of the Wanganui District Council which organised the project, Julian Reweti had nothing but praise for the well drilling team, describing them as “competent and professional”. Soon after, the company won another Wanganui District Council contract.

For these large jobs, Wanganui Welldrillers uses the Rotary Mud System drilling technique. On the bigger wells that are drilled, a top start casing will be cable tooled into place using a crane. This is to hold all loose upper ground materials.

INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL BLASTING PHONE 06 3444 024 Pat 021 236 2144

358 HEADS ROAD, WANGANUI 22 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

The depths of these bores ranged from 630 to 720 metres.

Two of these exploration bores found soft water and were developed into production wells, both were commissioned for town supply. The two bores produce one third of When this is installed that hole will be cleaned the city of Wanganui’s water supply. out. The main bore drilling follows and the The mixture of this new water supply and the hole is held open with drilling mud. As the other city supply bores, gave the city softer cuttings are pumped to the surface and travel water and it now has a world health rating of across a Shale Shaker screen, the material is AA. These 330mm diameter bores were cased recorded. This is referred to as the bore log. and 80 metre’s of Wellscreen installed.

When a water bearing aquifer is discovered, a It’s an apt summation. A member of the sample of the material is taken to determine New Zealand Drillers Federation, Wanganui the slot size of the water well screen. Casing Welldrillers is highly in demand, based on a pipe is installed down to the aquifer and the screen is lowered into the casing down to the solid reputation for getting the job done well, on time and under budget. aquifer and locked into place.

Wanganui Well Drillers Ltd has developed a mechanical seal at the top of the water well screen. When tightened this means that the well is secure and water is free of contaminants such as silt and sand. The mechanical seal also allows for the easy removal of screens if maintenance is required.

Wanganui Welldrillers 366 Heads Road Castlecliff Wanganui T (06) 344 7340 E info@welldrillers.co.nz www.welldrillers.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Business Development | MLB Manufacturers

Mufflers to shout about MLB Manufacturers began as a small engineering maintenance business in Taranaki.

It came into being when engineer and company founder Mike Brown made a muffler for a mate in 1976 and the rest, as they say, is history.

The real key… producing robust and good quality products that are well priced.

At its Taranaki factory MLB produce heavy duty, ‘made to last’ mufflers for construction equipment and the heavy transport industry.

Today the company’s Musket© Exhaust brands are well known across New Zealand and in numerous overseas niche markets.

The Musket© light duty range suits vintage bikes, and 2, 3 and 4 wheel farm and offroad trail recreational bikes. The farming community uses these types of ATV bikes, as does the horticulture sector, so there is a strong market there. What MLB does boast is an experienced custom build division for its Musket© brand, which is accomplished in manufacturing components for obsolete and vintage exhaust systems.

MLB sole owner and director Lorraine Brown says the skilful design team can re-create a design from a client’s muffler sample.

“The final product can be ready to dispatch, sometimes within 48 hours.”

Examples of this work include one-off mufflers for the likes of fishing trawlers, helicopters, fire engines, or shunters and locomotives. And the company stands behind its products she says, with MLB Manufacturers offering a two-year warranty on its entire Musket© muffler range.

Robust quality Lorraine Brown says the company’s staff is commited to delivering quality. This combined with the huge diversity of the exhaust range keeps everyone on their toes. “But the real key for us has been producing robust and good quality products that are well priced.”

|

Lorraine Brown owner, MLB Manufacturers

“A Universal muffler can be retro-fitted to three to 30 tonne heavy transport vehicles and it avoids the need for operators having to use highly expensive original products that can be difficult to source,” she says.

“We do have several clients over there (Australia) that we service regularly and this is continuing to expand as we establish a stronger presence.”

The company is happy to provide free, noobligation quotes.

“A good example is that some truck mufflers can cost a fortune, whereas a Universal from us is one-tenth of the cost, so for fleet operators it’s a sensible alternative.”

MLB Manufacturers P O Box 186 Waitara 4346 Taranaki T (06) 754 7460 F (06) 754 7845 E sales@musket.co.nz www.musket.co.nz

As good products tend to do, Musket© mufflers are rapidly finding themselves in demand in an increasing number of locations.

“We have a sales distribution base nationwide as demand for our product is always increasing,” Brown says. “Over the years our export market has expanded. Australia is still our main export destination but we are exporting more and more throughout the Pacific basin, the UK and US markets.”

Exporting coup This opening of doors in markets as extensive as the UK and US can be considered a significant coup for the Waitara-based company, and it is an opportunity that almost happened by accident.

“A comment made by a customer about a product got us started. He was in the UK and looking for Vintage to obsolete componentry and said our service would be well received.

So we sourced it, and ended up exporting there.” It was an opportunity the company has One distinguishing aspect of Musket© made the most of, even with a strong New mufflers is the use of heavy gauge Zealand dollar not ideal for exporters looking steel, producing a sturdy, longerto open new markets. lasting muffler. It is a distinction “We expect that once we get a better selling which has found favour among rate with the dollar it will lead to increased clients, she says. “Our clients want a growth. Of course it is a cost driven product, muffler that is going to last, is good and it can be tough in New Zealand with value for money and is a quality competition from imported products. product for their spend.”

The use of heavy gauge aluminised steel means Musket© mufflers are stronger and more durable than market alternatives, ideal for the punishment farm and trail bikes dish out and just the ticket for heavy equipment and heavy transport industries, she says.

Acknowledging the benefits of the Musket© heavy duty products is the heavy equipment industry and large fleet operators, keen to take advantage of value for money.

Universal mufflers can be easily bolted on to various brands of trucks and buses.

— Advertising Feature

IMAGINE THERE’S NO LIMIT Proud to be associated with MLB Manufacturers

Proud to support and supply MLB Manufactures

Independence of The Bolloré Group Loyal committed and skilled staff across the network

Long term success with our vertical sectors Empowered and proactive local Organizations

74 Richard Pearse Drive, Airport Oaks, Mangere, Auckland Ph. 09 275 3223 Fax. 09 275 5033 Email. alk@sdv.com

www.sdv.com www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 23

Business Development | WEL Networks

Super quick network

on the way It has not been that long since people had dial-up internet in their homes — sitting through the shrill, high-pitched screeching of the modem waiting for a successful connection message to appear.

The internet has only commonly been used since 1995 and for broadband a brief five years. Sixteen years from the advent of the internet, Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) is now the reality.

So, what exactly is UFB? The New Zealand Government has defined UFB as a ‘fibre-to-the-premise’ — like your home, school or place of work. UFB means faster internet speeds. To put this in context, for example you download a movie which is about 130 minutes long. On a dial-up connection, you’d need to allow 28 hours.

It would take about 20 minutes on your average, New Zealand broadband internet connection. But once you use UFB, you’ll be done in less than one minute.

The New Zealand Government is committed to the roll out of UFB service to 75 percent of the population during the next 10 years. Its company, Crown Fibre Holdings Ltd was established to manage this $1.5 billion investment. To make this possible, it has partnered with other New Zealand organisations to assist with the design and implementation of this plan.

One of these organisations is Waikato based WEL Networks. WEL, which currently employs 200 staff, was successful in winning a contract to be one of those partners. WEL has formed a new company with Crown Fibre Holdings North Island. This $300 million contract will called Ultrafast Broadband Ltd (UFB). provide a UFB network to the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki regions. It is expected This new company is responsible for the that at the completion of the project 430,000 implementation of high speed internet people will have the potential to access UFB. services to selected areas of the central WEL Network CEO Julian Elder joined the company in 2008 and says the contract is a tremendous achievement for WEL. “We were very pleased and felt great about winning. There were only four companies that did win and around 20 that were bidding. So this is a big achievement for WEL, we now have the opportunity to double in size.”

WEL has a five year set contract to complete the UFB build. However, “people can receive UFB by next year in our designated areas as we have started to physically build and design our network system,” Elder says.

How will you benefit from UFB? The advancement of technology means many of today’s new software applications are being designed to run on a higher bandwidth, allowing massive volumes of data and visuals to be uploaded or downloaded in a fraction of time.

24 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

Whether your internet usage is for business, education, medical needs or home use and entertainment - high speed internet will become a necessity. UFB will enhance New Zealand’s competitiveness and productivity.

Elder feels it is important that we understand what ultra-fast broadband is all about and what it means for New Zealand and for New Zealanders.

“It’s fantastic for our customers to receive the benefits of UFB. Once we build this technology it is hard to imagine what the future holds. It is like trying to imagine what life would be like without the mobile phone.”

We have already seen technology advances due to UFB occurring in the UK, America and Singapore. Australia is also on track with its National Broadband Network starting to take shape.

“This is all part of our strategy to revolutionise technology in New Zealand,” Elder says.

Wel Networks 114 Maui Street Te Rapa 3200 E connect@wel.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Business Development | Satellite and Aerial Connections

Getting better

reception Ever wondered why television and now the internet have been not just outrageously successful, but culturally defining? Well it’s because people are communal beasts, so aside from the entertainment and information value both deliver, the ability to connect to and with greater society is at the core of their success.

The company is ideally suited to help you to set up your home’s first digital system with a new satellite dish or upgrade an existing one, and offer a 12 month guarantee on installation and components.

Also available are non-standard installations, repairs, dish realignment, LNB upgrades and repairs, system upgrades, or extra points in additional rooms.

Aerial

The communication and information age is a wonderful thing, right up until the point where reception is interrupted, so the company supplies and installs TV/FM aerials and can ensure your television receives a crystal clear signal.

Be it TV aerials, satellite installation, Sky installation, digital TV aerials, free to air installation, or any kind of aerial installation

A digital signal delivers a crystal-clear picture, more channels, great sound and an onscreen TV guide. About seven out of 10 kiwi households are already digital – those using Freeview, Sky or Telstraclear Cable.

You won’t need a new television set, but you will need a set-top box (most new televisions have a UHF one built-in) and UHF aerial, or a satellite set-top-box and satellite dish.

This is where Satellite and Aerial Connections can help, so don’t hesitate to contact them if you need advice.

Service & experience The combination of experience, expertise and efficiency have ensured Satellite and Aerial has become an established and trusted name throughout the Waikato.

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A key to this success is the company building a reputation for delivering exceptionally performing systems that are easy to use and reliable. “The products we represent are all regarded as ‘best of breed’ in their class. It is this assurance of quality that has kept us ahead of the game.

“We pride ourselves on taking the time to ensure our solutions are the right ones — to fit a budget, a room size, a style or a particular sound. It’s all a function of knowing what we are talking about.

“Our customers want a lifestyle, a simplicity and performance that will exceed their expectations,” Lee says.

Satellite and Aerial Connections Ltd PO Box 20298 The Base Hamilton T (07) 849 5974 F (07) 849 5920 0800 368682 www.sacl.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Managing director Warwick Lee says “We understand that customer satisfaction is the key to the success of any firm. That’s why we work hard to ensure that our customers receive a quality of service that continues to build our reputation.”

“Our sales and installation teams are easily recognised by the understanding, the professionalism and the thoroughness you should expect of experts in the field.

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Keeping people connected is Satellite and Aerial Connections Limited, an award winning, Waikato based company that designs and installs home theatre and custom living solutions. This encompasses top flight HiFi, video and satellite communication equipment for use in homes, businesses and apartments.

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www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 25

Agribusiness | Sims Contractors

Total service for the rural sector

Sims Contractors in Otaki has grown significantly since it was formed by Ted Sims in the mid 1950s. Today Ted’s grandson Robert Sims offers a range of supplementary feed and agricultural contracting services.

Ted Sims began contracting in 1954 to complement his dairy farm operation, undertaking fine-chop silage and conventional hay bales through until the 1980s, when he started doing round-bale hay, which was a new idea at the time.

Ted soon gave up the fine-chop silage to concentrate on baling, with his son Gavin picking up the fine-chop operation.

Robert Sims says times were tough for the family in the late 1980s. In 1993 his grandfather bought one of the first wrappers in the country and started wrapping bales.

“Wrapping bales was a new thing and most people were against the idea,” he says.

However, silage, baleage and hay are the core part of the operation, with the company usually making between 8000 and 12,000 bales a year, depending on the season.

“Cultivation has become more and more important in the last four seasons, probably because there’s an increase in maize in the area, as well as brassicas,” Robert Sims says.

“Drilling has become a key component in the last five years as well. Having a good machine has encouraged more farmers to give it a go.

I’ve got a Gaspardo disc drill air seeder and it’s a very good machine — I love it. You can do turnips and then go straight to plant ryecorn.

We get good results with it.”

The Sims family also operates a small sand quarry, which is located on Ted and June Sims’ 200-cow dairy farm in Otaki. Robert’s mother Deanne does the company’s book work.

High quality operation

Sims Contractors operates a large fleet of top machinery. It includes a McHale Fusion II bale-wrapper combi, John Deere 578 and 582 “I leased the equipment from my grandfather round balers, a Welger D4000 medium-square in ’98 and have progressively bought him baler, Claas 870 and 840 forage harvesters, out. He was a sole trader and I formed the Pottinger triple mower conditioners, three company in about 2000. My dad Gavin is also John Deere trailed mower conditioners and involved in the business and is a subcontractor. nine John Deere tractors.

He owns a few of the machines.”

In addition, Sims operates the Gaspardo disc Sims Contractors didn’t do much fine-chop drill, a John Deere eight-row maize planter, six silage in the late 80s and early 90s but the trucks and a fertiliser truck. service has grown significantly since Sims got “During the peak season we employ eight or back into it in the late 1990s. nine staff, plus a few casual truck drivers,” “We pretty much do everything agricultural Sims says. “In the winter I normally carry now. We do round bales, big and small through two or three staff and we do squares, baleage and hay, as well as maintenance at this time of the year. We do cultivation and maize planting, direct drilling, as much of it as we can ourselves in getting general cartage and fertiliser spreading.” the gear ready for work.”

Sims Contractors operates on a narrow strip of land around Otaki, which has been increasingly carved up into lifestyle blocks over the years. “We do a lot of small work.

Our clientele is 75-80 percent lifestyle blocks but they only account for 20 percent of our turnover. It creates a lot of organisation for what we achieve but I enjoy it,” says Sims.

His team travels to Levin and Raumati for work but don’t usually go more than 30km in either direction. “That’s my comfort zone for giving good service but if we have a client that has a run off or buys in product we’re more than happy to travel further for them.”

Sims still does a lot of driving himself and is always keen to be hands on, admitting he has trouble stepping back and letting others do the work.

Quality is a key part of Robert Sims’ business philosophy and he has never had to push too

hard to grow his business or gain new clients.

“Over the years there have been issues with clients not getting good service. If the clients aren’t getting what they need when they need it, we have bought another machine or upgraded to fill the gap,” says Sims.

“We’ve grown our services as our clients have needed it or as we have felt there was a shortfall. It’s really neat when you pick up a new client, but I don’t as a general rule go door knocking.”

Some of Sims’ clients have been with the business since his grandfather Ted’s days.

“There are family relationships where we’re on second or third generation with the same farmers and I grew up with some of them.”

Sims Contractors Limited PO Box 10 Otaki 5542 T (06) 364 5084

Future Focus Otaki Contractor Robert Sims is wary of growing his business in an environment that does not make it easy for the contracting industry.

Sims Contractors is continuing to grow, and Sims is happy with the size of his business at the moment. “It’s at a size where I’m comfortable. I don’t want to get any bigger. If we go bigger we’re getting into that next level and I don’t want it to get out of hand,” he says.

“The rules and regulations are very hard to keep up with, particularly on the transport side. It’s very wearying on any operator and I don’t want to be responsible for any more staff.”

Sims says the agricultural contracting industry initially involved farmers getting together to get the work done.

However, the past few decades have seen contractors grow into a highly skilled group in need of their own rules and regulations.

“In the past we’ve been called farmers or transport operators. As an industry I think we’re just starting to create our own identity because we’re having a lot of trouble with laws or rules that don’t fit our industry, but we’ve been classified to fit under them,” Sims says.

“That’s made things more difficult. We want to comply but there are certain rules and regulations that we simply can’t comply with, such as work hours and the requirements of machinery on the road.

I think we all want to be law abiding. I’m an active member of the Rural Contractors’ Association of New Zealand and in the last

26 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

Sims Contracting undertaking oversowing with a new John Deere tractor last year (far left), while Ted Sims approves of his grandson Robert’s latest purchase.

Robert Sims at the Grand Canyon earlier this year. His contracting life also provides travel opportunities.

four years there’s been a lot of movement with these problems being recognised.

“There seems to be a big step forward with the National Government this time round but I think we still have a little way to go yet.”

Sims Contractors’ main clientele are dairy farmers, who have made huge steps in the past few years towards operating more efficiently. “In the past we just made silage if it was there and farmers liked to have a bit of a surplus. I think a lot of them now run pretty close to the bone. It’s a lot more precise, which makes it a little harder to deal with. It can be more difficult to accommodate, because they might want it done at the last minute.”

But Robert Sims enjoys his contracting life and admits has always had a passion for machinery. The business also allows him time to travel extensively during the off season. He recently returned from a trip with Pioneer to the United States, where he visited farms through the corn belt.

— Advertising Feature

Agribusiness | Sims Contractors

Stephen 021 657 151 Paul 027 4458 538

www.centraltoday.co.nz    November/December 2011 | 27

Agribusiness | Farm Supplies Central

Dairy, water needs

sorted Knowing your stuff is the key to success in a crowded marketplace; you can’t really go wrong. It’s certainly been the key to success for Farm Supplies (Central) Limited.

The company has provided service to the dairy industry and household water systems in the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Rangitikei, Wanganui and Tararua districts since 1993.

Pretty much anything that is broken, worn out or just requires upgrading on a dairy farm can be fixed, designed, installed or purchased from Farm Supplies Central.

Based in Rongotea, Farm Supplies managing director and owner Brian Ebert says the company designs, builds and installs dairy milking systems, undertake additions, extensions and upgrades, as well as maintain existing milking systems, water and effluent systems and water treatment systems.

“We undertake some structural steel work, sell and services water pumps, irrigators and water irrigation systems and provide a range of general merchandise and farm consumables as well.

We’re very technical minded … we can design it, sell it, install it and maintain it — the whole nine yards. |

Brian Ebert owner and managing director, Farm Supplies Central

“We’ve got top notch brand dealerships; Milfos is the second to biggest dairy supplier and Grundfos makes such quality pumps everyone tries to copy them — these are top line equipment brands. We chase the best brands and the best equipment because everything we do we hang our hat on.”

Farm Supplies Central has built rotary platforms in Waverley, Taranaki and Dannevirke and irrigated golf courses in New Plymouth and the Hawke’s Bay, as well as working throughout the Wairarapa. “We install and service gear throughout the central North Island all the time, all over the place.

It’s a very competitive industry; we fight some big guns,” he laughs.

There’s quite the story to how the business started. Ebert was running a contract calf

28 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

rearing and grazing company in the Wairarapa when there was a bovine tuberculosis epidemic. “We had a week to move our stock. But I had to give three months notice to the investors I was contracted to, which we had to provide with monthly reports on every animal. The TB epidemic shot the system down.”

He brought the last mobs down to the Manawatu and finished them off before jumping straight into the dairying business.

“We started the company in Rongotea because it is a close-knit village. We didn’t want to be a sign on a wall in Palmerston North, we wanted to be part of the community. Our customers are our neighbours.”

Today the business employs 13 top tradespeople. Servicemen are available 24 hours, seven days a week to either design, build, supply, repair, install or maintain milking plants, effluent systems, water systems, pumps for all purposes, as well as providing general merchandise and farm consumables, such as Donaghy dairy detergents, dairy rubberware, pipes and fittings, stock feed or remedies etc.

In fact the business itself is as diverse as the products it supplies. Farm Supplies Central can design, supply, install and service everything both above and below the ground to do with the irrigation system. Farm Supplies Central is experienced in farm effluent system design and installation, building pontoons and creating reticulation and dispersal systems.

Best brands Farm Supplies Central is an authorised Grundfos and Onga pump dealer, but also services and supplies other brands of pumps for all sorts of purposes.

Farm Supplies is a regional dealer for Milfos milking equipment and can provide an anytime service to clients. The Milfos range of equipment includes rotary platforms, automatic cup removers, variable electronic pulsation, rotary and herringbone milk plant equipment.

Despite the brand dealership, Farm Supplies’ trained servicemen are also able to upgrade and service all other brands of pumps, milking equipment and feeding systems.

Agribusiness | Farm Supplies Central Farm Supplies services at a glance ¡ Design, build and install dairy milking systems

¡ Structural steel work

¡ Additions, extensions and upgrades ¡ Servicing and maintaining existing milking systems

¡ Sell and service water pumps, irrigators and water irrigation systems

¡ Servicing and maintaining water, effluent systems and water treatment systems

¡ General farm merchandise and farm consumables sales.

The company is also the central North Island agent for Feedtech in-shed feeding systems and silos, the largest in its field in Australasia.

The company is also the service and supply agent for Reporoa high lift guard gates.

Upgrading milking platform that have automation and retrofitting feed systems is an important part of the business, as is the installation and upgrading of farm dairy effluent systems.

A recent development is the relationship Farm Supplies has built with Zimmatic Centre Pivot Irrigators, and the dealership is one the company is keen to develop in the central North Island area. A proven brand made in the United States, Zimmatic offers a full range of irrigation options.

Farm Supplies also supplies the innovative Irripod and Rain Bird Turf irrigation systems, as well as turf and standard garden systems.

Technical expertise “We’ve got a good, solid base; a huge client base which we stay in touch with. Where they go, we go. We’re very technical minded, we’re up to play with industry trends, we have all our own gear (cranes, diggers), we install everything we sell and we can design it, sell it, install it and maintain it — the whole nine yards,” Ebert says.

“Our clients can rest assured because we’re involved the whole way through, we do it all and we do all of it ourselves. Our guys have a wide range of skills; they are great at everything, then they have their expert areas,” he says.

everyone else is sales orientated; we’re service orientated. Being a family business, we treat our employees like family, and in One of the best things about Farm Supplies turn they treat our clients like family. When is that the crew speaks the lingo, because it the phone rings, we go to work — that’s knows the industry inside and out. The team our difference. We concentrate on our is highly experienced within the dairy industry personalised service; it keeps us busy.” and Ebert himself has been involved within it for years and is well known within the Dairy up-turn region. This experience has seen him spend The company certainly has been busy. three years on the steering committee for Farm Supplies has recently installed a new farm effluent practice. “I’m on the board; it’s stainless feed system in Hawera on a 60 bale all about getting everyone organised so the rotary dairy platform. It took the team regional councils, suppliers and farmers are all two weeks to install and commission the talking the same lingo.” project. A molasses dispensing system is to be added, as well as greater silo storage capacity But according to Ebert, the key to the in the future. company’s success is simply service. “What Feature continues on next page >> sets us aside from our competitors is that

… we treat our employees like family, and in turn they treat our clients like family… |

Brian Ebert owner and managing director, Farm Supplies Central

Our reputation is spreading

• Proven design for reliability and simplicity • Down to 5mm application depth • 5 speeds to cover all applications required • Even spread pattern with new arm design • Robust design suitable for most terrain • 5mm wire rope able to drag up 90mm alkathene

0800 4 EFFLUENT (0800 433358) • www.williamsirragation.co.nz www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 29

Agribusiness | Farm Supplies Central Best brands Water Pumps

¡ Grundfos pumps ¡ CR/CRI/CRN — multi-stage inline centrifugal pump ¡ SPA/SP — submersible borehole pump range ¡ Dairy Blaster — washdown pump ¡ Mineral and chemical injection pumps ¡ AP — submersible pit pumps ¡ Grundfos MQ — complete home water supply units ¡ Stainless steel water pressure tanks

Water Treatment ¡ Lakos Sub-K submersible pump protection separator

¡ Lakos — IL-B/S in-line separator ¡ Rainbird — self cleaning pump suction screen ¡ Household tank water treatment

Water Sterilisation

¡ Aqua Pure water filters ¡ Skellerup rototank

Bore Pumps

¡ Grundfos SQ submersible pumps ¡ Grundfos SP submersible pumps

Farm Merchandise

We are delighted to provide accounting services to Farm Supplies (Central) Ltd. We’re currently taking on new clients. For a free, no obligation consultation, please contact us to arrange an appointment.

200 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North 4410 Po Box 648, Palmerston North 4410. New Zealand t (06) 357 0640 f (06) 358 9105 www.nla.net.nz

While the company has had a tough year, it can only make it stronger. In fact, Ebert expects to require further staff for the predicted up-turn in the dairy industry.

The up-turn is expected, he says, because there has been a steady growth in dairy farm incomes during the past few years.

“Most of the growth here is people buying existing dairy farms and the new owner has to upgrade to meet the new regulations for consents.”

Ebert says the old farm owner was able to operate under existing rules, but once a place changes hands, it must meet the current regional council standards. “The new owners want to start milking immediately to get some income, so we have had a lot of work through that.”

Maclon is pleased to be a supplier of high quality water reticulation products to Farm Supplies (Central) Ltd.

ANKA pipe fittings, valves. Pipe unions, swivels & washdown nozzles.

Macflo pipe fittings and valves.

Europa brass check valves.

Ballcocks.

Philmac MDPE compression fittings, ballcocks, threaded fittings & valves.

Maclon Industries: 3 Honan Place, Avondale, Auckland PH: (09) 828 1180 | Fax: (09) 828 1182 | Mob: 021 959 514

30 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

He says it had taken a year to “heal” but most dairy farmers now have their finances organised. “I don’t know about the attitude of the banks. But the farmers are in a better position now.”

There had been some conversions, he says, but most were taking place in the South Island, with few in Manawatu. “Some people had bought farms, but they had not converted them. They were waiting for all the stars (high payout and manageable costs) to align. Now they are and the conversions are taking place.”

Ebert says the outlook was very promising. He expects to take on more staff to cope with the growing demand for dairy services.

Farm Supplies 55 Thames Street Rongotea Manawatu T (06) 324 8426 E brian@farmsupplies.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

¡ Mega Flow™ trough valve ¡ Kaiwaka brand clothing ¡ Donaghy ¡ PCL Feeds — high performance calf feeds ¡ Milfos equipment ¡ IntelScan Plus ¡ Milfos SYSTEmax 2000 ¡ iConveyor ¡ iFlow ¡ iXpress4

Dairy Equipment

¡ McConnel water & electric powered gate drive units ¡ Williams travelling irrigator ¡ Flow Mix in line treatment dispenser ¡ SwingArm Jetter line ¡ Feedtech feeding systems and silos ¡ Reporoa yard gates

Agribusiness | News

Ag insights

By Bridget Gourlay

increase in wood processing in the region over the next decade.

Home to the vibrant wine, dairy, fruit and forestry industries; the central North Island region has long been a business hub revolving around the primary sector. Not content with coasting, the region is looking for ways to future-proof itself by keeping up with the trends and staying one step ahead of potential problems.

The strategy sets a goal of adding value to over 70 percent of logs harvested in the region by 2020. It sets out a path to make the most of the region’s competitive advantages, which it lists as:

Forest future

Currently, one dollar in every ten earned in the Bay of Plenty region comes from forestry and wood processing.

And in the next 10 years, the log harvest in the Bay of Plenty and Central North Island is forecast to increase by between 3.2 and 5.3 million cubic metres a year.

Troublingly, if no new or additional wood processing facilities are built in this time, all of the increased harvest will be exported as logs, with only a modest contribution to the region’s wealth.

That’s why the forestry industry is acting, with a new Bay of Plenty Forestry and Wood Processing Strategy launched in September, aiming to drive a major

◆ Increasing supply of sustainably grown softwood ◆ Renewable geothermal energy and hydro-electricity ◆ Highly developed and competitive engineering and support suppliers

Transport review

◆ An established deep water port

Agricultural vehicles spend most of their time off-road but only briefly on-road, which is why the Government is going to comprehensively review transport regulations relating to them.

◆ Ready availability of skilled people in a great place to live.

This has been met with delight by Federated Farmers.

The strategy emphasises the importance of developing markets and encouraging investment through partnerships and promotion and use of the region’s advantages.

“Farmers and rural contractors need straightforward and easily understood requirements for agricultural vehicles,” Federated Farmers transport spokesperson Ian Mackenzie says.

◆ World class research capability in sustainable forest management, wood processing and bio-materials

It sets out plans for improving the infrastructure and business environment by working to modernise timber building regulations and timber standards, and by encouraging investment-friendly regulation, transport and logistics efficiency and training.

The Waiariki National Centre of Excellence for Forestry and Wood Processing will play a key role in this.

Science and innovation are just as important, and the region has organisations such as Scion, Future Forests Research, the Radiata Pine Breeding Company and Solid Wood Innovation to assist.

The strategy proposes a new group to be established — the Bay of Plenty Forest and Wood Action Group — to be responsible for driving the actions needed to make the plan a reality. The group will be made up of leading forestry and wood processing stakeholders.

“As this isn’t the case right now, we’ve been resolving transport issues through minor amendment to legislation or regulation. This has been somewhat piecemeal and has led to Federated Farmers expressing a strong view that more significant work was needed.

“It’s why we sincerely thank the Associate Transport Minister, Nathan Guy, for announcing a review that could look into some of the underlying issues facing agricultural vehicles when being used on-road.”

This announcement follows a year of transport meetings around the country, gauging the issues,

frustrations and opportunities the organisation’s members face.

MacKenzie says Federated Farmers’ ideal system would be a distinct schedule for agricultural vehicles.

“This would take into account the unique makeup of agricultural vehicles, which are clearly different from other types of heavy vehicles like trucks.

“We believe a distinct schedule would be less complex for operators; not only improving compliance but making it easier for officials.

“Given most agricultural vehicles are manufactured overseas, the Federation believes our transport regulations, where appropriate, need to be consistent with international requirements. This would avoid a costly retrofit once the vehicles are imported into New Zealand.

“The paramount requirement of any vehicle operating on the road is that it needs to be safe. The public needs to be confident that when they encounter an agricultural vehicle on the road, that they’re safe as a road user.”

The beetle brigade “You’ve got to take the good with the bad,” as the old saying goes; and that’s the dilemma the possibility of introducing a moss-killing beetle to New Zealand raises.

The Environmental Protection Authority is calling for submissions on an application to import and release the beetle Colaspis argentinensis as a biological control agent for the weed moth plant Araujia hortorum.

On one hand, the moth plant does pose a problem. It forms a heavy mass of foliage that can breakdown and kill underlying trees and shade out regenerating seedlings.

The applicant, the Waikato Regional Council, says that moth plant is a significant threat to the integrity of reserved land, is a problem weed in the urban environment in New Zealand and can also have an adverse effect on kiwifruit and other orchard industries.

The moth plant has also caused gastrointestinal illness in humans in New Zealand, and the latex sap from the weed can cause skin burns.

However, there are concerns about the beetle.

Darren Gedye of the Monarch Butterfly Trust says he is “extremely concerned” about importing an exotic pest, “which attacks foodplants of the beloved Monarch butterfly.” www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 31

Hospitality | The Thirsty Whale

Bayside

Combining a stunning view of the Ahuriri Harbour and delicious locally sourced food is Napier restaurant The Thirsty Whale. Set right on a working port, locals and tourists alike are drawn to the colourful restaurant for anything from a casual drink to a hearty meal to a great night out.

The Thirsty Whale opened its doors more than eight years ago and honours its seafront setting with large glass windows and a deck overlooking the harbour, as well as a nautically-themed interior. From ship’s bells and wheels, lanterns and portholes, to the skeletal pirate drummer under the deck – always a talking point!

Conferences and events

During the day The Thirsty Whale is a delightful spot for a drink or a meal, where customers enjoy eating meals such as pork belly, lamb and wild game, complimented by an extensive wine list.

The staff members are happy to arrange and provide equipment for any customer’s needs.

Stereos, whiteboards, flipcharts, screens, lecterns, datashows and overhead projectors are available for use.

On sunny days the punters enjoy mezzanine dining but winter is just as warm inside when the fires crackle. At 11pm the restaurant turns into a nightclub, a popular spot to dance the night away in.

A full catering facility is offered, including morning and afternoon tea, water and mints throughout the event and anything from a working lunch to a full four course evening meal.

For Napier

Specialist suppliers

Proud to supply The Thirsty Whale Meadow Fresh Milk 100% Kiwi Bacon Puhoi Speciality Cheeses Tararua Products Glen Lindsay | 027 540 0352 glen.lindsay@xtra.co.nz 32 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

The Thirsty Whale is no stranger to catering events, as it often plays host to wedding receptions, 21st and Christmas parties.

Far more than just a bar and restaurant, the multi-venue facility lends itself well to many different types of functions.

Meat | Produce | Wine Seafood | Dairy We are proud to be able to deliver you the tastes of New Zealand and support The Thirsty Whale.

The Thirsty Whale also has the advantage of offering a unique form of transport.

It owns a classic English Double Decker bus which could be used for transport to and from accommodation or simply for a leisurely sightseeing tour around the city.

The Thirsty Whale will pick up customers and/or deliver them from anywhere in Hawke’s Bay. Whether it is a team-building event, a corporate group, school trips, airport transfers, weddings or winery tours The Thirsty Whale team feels sure it will fulfill their customers’ requirements.

The Thirsty Whale has four separate areas available for hire.

Brewing and serving award winning coffee blends, locally roasted in Hawkes Bay

SILVER 2010 NZ Coffee Awards

Plunger/Filter

Best NZ Plunger Blend BRONZE 2007 NZ Coffee Awards

White Gold

Best NZ Roasted Espresso Blend SILVER 2007 NZ Coffee Awards

Organic

Best NZ Organic Blend

Pleased to support the Thirsty Whale 27 Napier Road, Havelock North P. 06 834 3888 E. fernridge@fernridge.co.nz

www.fernridge.co.nz

Shop 3, 1101 Heretaunga St East, Hastings Ph: 06 873 5039 • M: (027) 738 6513 E: sales@aurumcoffee.co.nz W: www.aurumcoffee.co.nz

Hospitality | The Thirsty Whale

Firstly, there’s the Mezzanine which overlooks the harbour and accommodates up to fifty people. The Mezzanine is usually The Thirsty Whale’s fine dining restaurant and is situated at the front of the building over the main bar.

It has access to the kitchen, main bar and the deck. This room is often hired in conjunction with The Boiler Room for larger functions as these rooms have a door between them.

The views from this room are stunning. The Mezzanine can on occasion be hired for private functions and can be used for anything from a cocktail or dinner party to board room meetings. It has a fireplace to keep everyone warm in the winter and bi-folding doors that can open out in the summer.

Next door is the biggest room — the Boiler Room — which can accommodate up to 600 people. With a large internal area that has been lined with canvas, this room can be used as a whole or split in two. The space adapts to anything from a seated dinner to a corporate tradeshow and is also ideal for team building exercises for corporate or private groups.

Then there’s the Harpoon Room which has a private deck, its own bar, a plasma screen and bathroom facilities. It can accommodate up to 100 people. The Harpoon Room is a fully self contained restaurant to the side of the main bar and restaurant area.

At the centre of it all is The Thirsty Whale’s main bar and restaurant. This is mainly a restaurant during the day and turns into one of the hottest night spots in town later on.

Feature continues on next page >>

HASTINGS TYRE Commercial waste

Recycling glass, cans & plastic bottles.

Commercial paper & Cardboard

Providing waste and recycling services to The Thirsty Whale

Ph. 0800 10 10 10 www.wastemanagement.co.nz

Proud to supply the Power to the Thirsty Whale Bus Free After Hours Call Outs OPEN LATE ON SATURDAYS Cnr Omahu Rd & Stoneycroft St Ph.06 876 2805 Fax.06 876 2109 Cell Ph. 021616339 www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 33

Hospitality | The Thirsty Whale

The English Double Decker Bus Double Decker buses are synonymous with London, but The Thirsty Whale offers Napier a vintage taste of England with its unique transport offering.

It owns a classic English Double Decker bus which can be used for transport to and from accommodation, or anywhere around the region. It’s popular for weddings, 21st parties and for stag’s/hen’s nights. The Thirsty Whale will pick up and drop off customers anywhere in Hawke’s Bay — in style!

Not just for parties, the classic English Double Decker bus also makes an interesting and quirky way for conference

and events holders to ferry the delegates around the region, or for tours of the region (and vineyards!)

Imagine this for an itinerary for a two day conference– the team arrives in Napier, spends the few days at The Thirsty Whale, enjoying a delicious lunch and tasty snacks in the breaks from work. Downtime is spent touring in the unforgettable Big Red Bus through beautiful Art Deco Napier and the local wineries.

PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE THIRSTY WHALE 213 Queen Street East, PO Box 965, Hastings PH. (06) 878 6186 FAX. (06) 878 6187

34 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

The Thirsty Whale is an excellent place to meet friends, family, or work colleagues for a catch up and a drink any time of day.

The Thirsty Whale has a Magpie Supporters’ Club and when the boys have a win there may be a free drink about.

The bar is large with a high ceiling. The shape lends itself to be portioned off to separate dining or socialising groups from other customers. The restaurant has one of the biggest screens in town along with five other plasma screens.

Find The Thirsty Whale on Facebook or follow it on Twitter to keep up to date with all the exciting events that are going on over summer.

The Thirsty Whale is happy to give no obligation free quotes on any of its hiring opportunities.

Thirsty Whale Bar & Resturant 62 West Quay Ahuriri Napier T (06) 835 8815 F (06) 835 8915 E info@thethirstywhale.co.nz www.thethirstywhale.co.nz

Loving Napier The Thirsty Whale is a passionate supporter of all things Napier — from buying local wine and food, to being a good employer to its unwavering support of the Magpies.

— Advertising Feature

Hospitality | The Thirsty Whale

The Thirsty Whale honours its seafront setting…

Hospitality | Volare Bread

Fact File ¡ The Thirsty Whale Bar and Restaurant started more than eight years ago ¡ It features stunning views of Ahuriri Harbour and is filled with memorabilia honouring its seaside location ¡ Delicious, mainly locally sourced menu, with an extensive wine list ¡ Cosy fireplaces inside and a sunny deck outside made it perfect for summer and winter ¡ Parking at the rear of the restaurant ¡ Great venue for events such as 21sts and corporate dinners ¡ Can arrange and/or provide equipment for any customer’s events needs ¡ Owns a classic English Double Decker bus used for transport and tours ¡ Four separate areas of the restaurant, all available for hire ¡ The restaurant has one of the biggest screens in town along with five other plasma screens

Perfectly baked

¡ The bar becomes a nightclub after dinner ¡ A passionate supporter of the local Napier community ¡ Regularly updated Facebook page and Twitter account ¡ Delicious Christmas menu – book now to guarantee a taste! ¡ Best of all, The Thirsty Whale has an inviting atmosphere.

Fresh bread warm from the oven has been enjoyed by different cultures around the world for centuries, for one simple reason — it tastes amazing.

Whether it is chewy ciabatta with olive oil, a crusty yet soft baguette or a grainy wholemeal sandwich complete with cheese

and tomatoes, bread is a simple yet delicious part of any meal.

“If thou tastest a crust of bread, thou tastest all the stars and all the heavens,” poet Robert Browning once enthused. And many years later, a company that shares that passion is Waikato business Volare Bread.

Despite only beginning two and a half years ago, it has grown exponentially because customers are drawn to the to traditional, quality sourdough bread Volare provides.

Feature continues on next page >>

WIN

a Social Kiwi Facebook business package valued at over $1000.

Go to Facebook.com/SocialKiwi

NORTH END LAW L A W Y E R S

socialkiwi Proud to be associated with The Thirsty Whale Give us a call!

Joshua 021 0299 7040

www.socialkiwi.co.nz

We are delighted to be associated with Volare Bread and congratulate them on their success P. 07 849 9729 F. 07 849 9728 Cnr Bryant & Te Rapa Roads P.O. Box 20555 Te Rapa Hamilton 3241 www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 35

Hospitality | Volare Bread

Th

Volare Be re ad

retail shop is open: Monday t o Friday, 8am—3pm & Saturday 8am—noon

Ryan Simmons, co-founder of Volare Bread, is a fourth generation baker.

Humble beginnings

We joked about starting a business together… then a few years later we realised it wasn’t a joke — it was a good idea.

Ryan Simmons and Edward Hemming were high school friends who went in different directions, Hemming to university to study engineering and Simmons to cooking school, following in his family’s tradition.

Ryan Simmons is a fourth generation baker — Morrinsville residents will know well his grandfather’s business the Burmester Bakery.

“Ryan has a passion for baking, and in 2005 he bought an oven, put it in his garage and baked for farmers markets,” explains Hemming.

“Soon businesses were so impressed they were asking him to supply their cafes and restaurants. We joked about starting a business together selling his bread, and then a few years later we realised it wasn’t a joke — it was a good idea.”

|

Edward Hemming co-founder, Volare Bread

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Hemming quit his civil engineering job and Volare Bread opened its doors.

Since May 2009, it has been selling items such as ciabatta, focaccia and brioche as well as delicious grainy breads. It now has 12 staff members and supplies approximately 80 cafes and restaurants in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty area. Volare Bread outgrew its original premises and moved to larger ones in March.

A vibrant retail shop in Kahikatea Drive, Frankton sells fresh bread to locals needing their fix, as well as other quality local goods, such as Weka Coffee and fresh soup made daily. Volare Bread is also available in all

good food stores throughout the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Commitment to quality Looking back on the company’s success, Hemming believes it sets itself apart from its competitors by its quality.

“It’s the quality of the product, we don’t put in additives or preservatives; it’s all from scratch baking. And it’s all sold fresh. Bread coming from other places is barely a step up from the supermarket.”

Hemming and Simmons plan to grow Volare Bread further in the future, starting with a pastry selection which will sell items such as croissants, pain au chocolat and danishes. The pastry section will follow the same philosophy of 100 percent pure cooking, without additives.

Keeping up with industry knowledge is important to Volare Bread, which is why Hemming and Simmons recently visited Australia to meet with bakery professionals and visit other artisan bakeries overseas.

It’s clear this bakery will continue to grow, offering the region fresh and tasty bread for many years to come.

Volare Bread 236 Kahikatea Drive Frankton Hamilton T (07) 847 1206 E info@volarebread.com www.volarebread.com — Advertising Feature

Available at all Bay of Plenty and Waikato good food stores.

236 Kahikatea Drive, Frankton, Hamilton Ph: 07 847 1206 • www.volarebread.com 36 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

News | Lifestyles 4 U

lifestyles

baubles to best places…

a place in the sun Cuba

top drop Morton Estate’s 2000 Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle First it was chardonnays, then pinot noirs.

Now it seems New Zealand is developing a reputation for sparkling wine. Morton Estate has found sweet success with its 2000 Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle, which recently won a gold medal award in the Spiegelau International Wine Competition. The company uses some of New Zealand’s top winemakers, leading technology and the best traditional winemaking practices to craft a range of wines which are have found international fame.

Heading into summer, this sweet and fizzy sparkling wine serves as the perfect accompaniment to Christmas celebrations and the wedding season.

RRP: $30.99 Available: Wine shops and New World supermarkets nationwide

techno flair MacBook Air Never one to be accused of ignoring product development, Apple recently updated its MacBook Air. The new version features nextgeneration Intel Core processors, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology, a backlit keyboard and Mac OS X Lion operating system. It delivers up to two and a half times the performance of the previous generation, has flash storage for instant responsiveness and a truly compact case. It comes in two sizes; an 11 inch (28cm) weighing 1.08 kg and a 13 inch (33cm) weighing 1.35kg — both measure a measly 1.7cm thick.

Cuba could rightly be regarded as one of the world’s great survivors. The tiny island country on the periphery of the United States has forged an enduring national identity because of — and perhaps in spite of — its tumultuous history. Mention Cuba and a melting pot of impressions starts simmering — international uproar, Fidel Castro and Communism, the Bay of Pigs, JFK, salsa, the missile crisis, jazz, classic American cars, Guantanamo Bay, a nearcrippling US-enforced trade embargo.

These days Cuba is a little known but surprisingly great tourist destination. Bathed in the tropical Caribbean climate, it offers heavenly beaches, historic buildings and the opportunity to party all night. Check out the pre-60s cars, throbbing music scene and famous Cuban cigars.

Fly through Canada, Europe, the Caribbean or South America to get there — you can’t go through the US. Check out: www.gocuba.ca

cover stories Hoody gadget cover If this thing isn’t perfect for your iPod or MP3 player, then what is! Sure, hoodies do get a bit of bad press but that’s more to do with the potentially dodgy individual hiding behind the hood. Forget that stereotype; the Hoody iPod cover is here to change public opinion by looking so cute you want to cuddle it.

The covers — suitable for mp3 players, iPods and mobile phones — protect the technology and look pretty damn good at the same time. The Hoody iPod cover is available in grey and fits the iPod classic, iPod touch, iPhone and various other mp3 players and phones.

RRP: $14.50 Available: www.giftbob.co.nz

object of desire Riedel Amadeo Decanter Mouth blown and handmade, this decanter is truly a piece of art. Made by Ridel (the Louis Vuitton of the glassware world) this Amadeo Decanter was free-formed

by Ridel’s most senior master craftsmen and is executed in finest quality lead crystal. The decanter’s handle and spout were carefully crafted to prevent spills and waste.

RRP: $576.00 Available: From www.thestudio.co.nz

wearable art Jean Dunand Palace Watch Paying homage to the industrial art and craft of Paris during at the turn of the last century, the Jean Dunand Palace watch is, quite simply, a masterpiece. Each corner represents the feet of the Eiffel Tower, the sides arch towards the face with the space under the arch being filled with sapphire crystal to allow you to see the inner workings. By any measure it is a big piece, though not as heavy as you might think; the use of titanium and other exotic materials keep it as svelte as possible. The left oval track displays GMT, the right track reveals the status of its 72 hour time reserve and the center displays local time.

As with every Jean Dunand timepiece, each Palace is unique — crafted by hand for the lucky owner.

RRP: US$460,000 Available: Visit www.jeandunand.com

RRP: From $1549 Available: From retailers nationwide

www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 37

Property and Construction | Greg McGovern Construction

Building on success Last year couldn’t have been a better time for builder Greg McGovern. His company Greg McGovern Construction Ltd won two prestigious awards at the Registered Master Builders Placemakers 2010 House of the Year awards.

The 11 category wins — including the prestigious PlaceMakers Supreme Award — continues the success for McGovern’s company, which has also claimed several awards in previous years. A history of award winning work has laid a solid foundation for this company to build its future on.

to join the police when he left school but holiday work with his uncle in Wellington lead to a building apprenticeship.

McGovern has come a long way since winning the Top Apprentice award in Manawatu in 1988. Born in Palmerston North, he intended

Comprising of just four full-time staff, one of which has been with the company for eight years, McGovern thinks that operating a small

Then in 1994 McGovern formed his own company, Greg McGovern Construction Ltd based in Hamilton, with the aim to build highend homes for good architects and clients.

highly skilled team allows him to keep his finger on the pulse.

“This is beneficial when building top-end homes as I can control and project manage the job more easily,” he says. “Because of this we have built a solid reputation in the marketplace.”

Originally being an apprentice himself, McGovern feels it is essential to take on young apprentices. “They can learn our way of building practices right from the start,” he says.

The house that Greg built The company scooped up 11 out of 12 awards at the Waikato House of the Year awards which was a great achievement for McGovern.

Proud to support Greg McGovern Construction Ph 07 839 1812 | Fx 07 839 1813 m a r k . i n n e s @ co nt i n u o u s. co. n z

His company then went to the National House of the Year competition and won the New Homes $1-2 million category and the Sustainable Homes over $1 million.

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38 | November/December 2011 www.centraltoday.co.nz

“This was a great result for our staff and especially our clients,” says McGovern.

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An idyllic vantage point overlooking breath-taking views of Lake Rotokauri is the location of the award winning home.

This was the house that won the two awards in the National Registered Master Builders awards last year.

The winning house designed by architect Geoff Lentz, was a large $1.4 million house overlooking the scenic lake. The house was designed to capture light and the beauty of Lake Rotokauri.

Property and Construction | Greg McGovern Construction

Going green is good for the environment and the country.

It’s the way of the future and changes the way you build and manage each project. |

Greg McGovern founder, Greg McGovern Construction

Lentz’s exceptional design allows guests to have privacy and their own series of views across the hillside to the lake.

McGovern and his team worked closely with the owners and the architect to ensure that every detail of this amazing home was built to the highest standard. “All decisions were made in consultation with all parties, resulting in a spectacular home we are very proud of,” he says. “The awareness and respect gained from winning the awards was a large benefit.

It gives our past, present and future clients peace of mind that they are choosing the best builder for their project.”

Going green

Of the one million tonnes of waste from construction and demolition dumped annually in landfills, 40 percent of it comes from the residential construction sector. Because of this McGovern wanted to minimise the building impact of the house as much as possible.

Going green was an easy decision. He and his small but efficient team found green building methods played an important part in building the Lake Rotokauri house. The clients also wanted their environmental footprint to be as small as possible. Construction materials were selected for low carbon footprint qualities.

Lentz specified a local source of radiata pine for the frame to avoid using high-carbon steelwork. Paints and adhesives with low levels of volatile organic compounds were used. The house is heavily insulated and features in-slab heating, solar water heating, double-glazing and worm-farm wastewater treatment.

McGovern found everybody involved in the build, including suppliers and contractors, were supportive of the green approach.

“Going green is good for the environment and the country. It’s the way of the future and changes the way you build and manage each project.”

The key to success

Schick is proud to support Greg McGovern Construction

Greg McGovern feels that having a skilled team behind you with experienced staff and the best sub-trades is the key to successful building. “Maintaining an exceptionally high standard of workmanship and service, good project management and good communication between owners, architects and sub-trades are essential,” he states.

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McGovern and his team like to come up with innovative ideas and options, making the building process enjoyable and stress free for its clients. “Being on site and liaising with the owners, architects and sub-trades, you get a better feel for the job and are able to guide the owners with better decisions and ideas.”

Greg McGovern Construction also won two House of the Year awards in 2003, including winner of the Origin Timeframe Structural Assurance Award and third place for the New Homes over $550,000 category.

Greg McGovern Construction Ltd 31 The Esplanade Huntington Hamilton 3210 T (07) 853 5262 F (07) 853 5261 E greg.mcgovern@xtra.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

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www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 39

Property and Construction | Pro-Structure Ltd

We supply a package deal from start to finish — we’re a one-stop shop. |

Richard Fyfe founder, Pro-Structure Limited

www.pro-structure.co.nz

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Complete service Pro-Structure Limited in Hastings has the skills and experience to carry out a wide range of design and build construction projects.

The business is an all-inclusive design and build construction company, delivering project management, design and build, and general construction services. These capabilities are applied across the industry’s full spectrum, including the residential, commercial, industrial sectors and alteration work.

The locally owned and operated family business was formed in 1990 by Richard Fyfe, a qualified builder who originally worked as a subcontractor to a pre-cut factory before

moving on to larger projects. As demand for his services grew, he took on more staff and more challenging and complex builds.

From its head office in Hastings, a staff of 14 design and build residential, commercial and large industrial structures.

With an experienced architectural draughtsman, designs solutions that meet the needs of clients represents the first step in Pro-Structure’s complete design and build service.

The company provides design solutions that are technologically advanced and uniquely tailored to clients. The team aims to complete every project with integrity and efficiency.

Industrial projects Pro-Structure has a proven capability of delivering industrial structures to exacting specifications, budgets and timeframes.

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Property and Construction | Pro-Structure Ltd

Pro-Structure has concentrated on commercial work as its core business.

www.pro-structure.co.nz The company builds large projects, including industrial buildings, warehouses, factories and manufacturing environments, processing centres and bulk storage and warehousing.

A significant project was the national distribution centre for Heinz Watties. The central warehouse is about 20,000 sqm, with minimal legs for uninterrupted space, and required Pro-Structure to design and build special trusses to span and support the roof.

The floor had to be reinforced to support the weight of high-stacked pallets, while being durable enough to cope with 24/7 forklift and truck movements, including B trains. A series of additions took the total structure to 30,000 sqm and included purpose-built offices and an extensive fire control system.

Until recently, Heinz Wattie’s national distribution centre was the largest facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Focus on commercial work Fyfe says Pro-Structure has always concentrated on commercial work as its core business. Commercial services include geotechnical reports, design and build, construction management, office buildings, retail environments and showrooms, workshops and factories, large warehousing and customised environments for specific business requirements.

One of Pro-Structure’s strengths is its ability to bring a flexible approach to commercial and civil construction. This means planning for both design and construction can proceed almost simultaneously.

The company has delivered new and complex commercial structures and relocated and altered existing buildings to meet the requirements of a new business entity. Staff appreciate that timelines are critical to retail

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or business operations and that they represent it with the challenge of managing largescale construction on a small land footprint. losses or gains in trading opportunities.

However, the result is a building that As designers and builders, the Pro-Structure exemplifies security. The structure is finished team is able to save time and money for with Alcopanel and tinted glass curtain walls. clients through cost and schedule reductions.

It helped HSM achieve one of the highest The construction process can begin before the gradings from the New Zealand Security design is finalised.

Association in its capacity to provide 24/7 Pro-Structure has undertaken many significant CCTV and security alarm monitoring services. commercial projects within Hawke’s Bay, including the design and build of High Security Residential construction Pro-Structure has more than 20 years’ Management’s new premises in Hastings. experience constructing new homes and remodelling and renovating existing High Security Management (HSM) selected structures and undertakes residential projects Pro-Structure because it was able to supply of all sizes. a full design-and-build service at the most competitive price. They liked the design of Its experience as designers and builders Pro-Structure’s offices and wanted a similar is invaluable in cases where structural structure that would fit on their site. modifications are required for architecturally Fyfe says while his company is highly adept at large structures, the HSM build presented

designed homes.

Feature continues on next page >>

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www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 41

Property and Construction | Pro-Structure Ltd

We strive to provide design solutions that are technologically advanced and consistently tailored to each unique client’s personal choice. We endeavour to proactively and comprehensively construct projects of any form, however challenging the proposal; with integrity, experience, efficiency and motivation from our committed specialist personnel. |

Pro-Structure Ltd Mission Statement

Pro-Structure Limited in Hastings offers its customers a complete construction package — from design and consents through to construction and hand over.

Director Richard Fyfe says his company’s ability to offer a turnkey package of construction services is one of its key strengths. “We supply a package deal from start to finish — we’re a one-stop shop. We do the design, get the consent, construct the building and hand it over to the client upon completion,” he says.

Clients engaging the Pro-Structure team have the security of dealing with a single point of responsibility throughout the entire construction process.

A large part of Pro-Structure’s ability to offer a turn-key package is due to its skills in project management.

Pro-Structure uses an integrated construction management system for every project it undertakes. The advantage for its clients is that planning for both design and construction can proceed almost simultaneously, allowing the Pro-Structure team to present development costs before consent documentation has even been done.

www.pro-structure.co.nz Total construction service

Project management

present development costs prior to obtaining consent documentation. Because staff plan and manage every aspect of the build, they are able to provide a fixed price for every aspect of the finished and delivered structure.

Most importantly, building owners gain the assurance of dealing with one point of responsibility at every stage of the project.

“We strive to provide design solutions that are technologically advanced and consistently tailored to each unique client’s personal choice. We endeavour to proactively and comprehensively construct projects of any form, however challenging the proposal; with integrity, experience, efficiency and motivation from our committed specialist personnel.”

Fyfe says his company is honest, upright and efficient and works hard to ensure all jobs are At the outset, Pro-Structure provides a free consultation to scope the project and is able to completed on time and to budget.

Pro-Structure examines all design and construction alternatives and eliminates the need for lengthy and expensive revisions during the construction process.

Its planning considers and includes the sequence of assembly, critical loadings during assembly and their impact on the overall structural design, anticipating and overcoming potential hurdles prior to the construction phase.

Obtaining a complete service from a single source allows strict adherence to agreed timelines and budgets, consistency of delivery, and enhanced quality control.

It saves time and money through cost and schedule reductions, and provides opportunities to achieve innovation in the delivered facility by reviewing and improving the design through the construction lifecycle.

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The Pro-Structure team

A builder by trade, Richard Fyfe oversees the day-to-day running of Pro-Structure.

He remains the first point of contact for all new projects and works closely with clients throughout the project lifecycle, from the first phone call to the cutting of the ribbon.

The Pro-Structure team is made up of architectural designers, project managers and construction professionals. Their integrated and innovative approach allows the company to deliver anything from a minor residential alteration to complex commercial structures and industrial warehousing, with design and build being the specialty.

Pro-Structure has a team of four construction professionals at foreman level, supported by qualified tradesmen. All staff act with courtesy, honesty, and respect on site, and most importantly they take pride in their ability to deliver structures with the highest standards of workmanship.

Its team is also highly focused on health and site safety and regularly undertakes site safety training.

Pro-Structure Limited 204 Hastings Street North Hastings 4158 T (06) 870 8109 F (06) 870 8108 E admin@pro-structure.co.nz www.pro-structure.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Property and Construction | RST Environmental Solutions

Keeping it green with sustainable solutions New Zealand is famed for its clean green reputation. From keeping waterways clean to creating walls made out of not concrete but living vegetation, RST Environmental Solutions combines sustainability and practicality in every job it undertakes.

RST was started in 1999 by Rob Coulson and his wife, originally just doing hydro seeding work — growing grass on hard to reach places such as road banks for councils and contractors. It now has ten staff members and offers diverse services such as aqua damns, bio-engineering, hydroseeding, stream restoration, sediment and erosion control.

“When our clients starting asking for services we learned how to do them. The business naturally evolved as we went along,” Coulson remembers. “Everything we do has a touch of green; generally that’s how we differentiate ourselves to other solutions out there. We are problem solvers. We are willing to work on difficult sites, to find green solutions that will fit the task at hand.”

Projects

One of RST’s specialities is building ‘living’ walls — walls which look natural and can grow grass and other plants but still work as a wall. “We’re doing a job at the moment at Maraenui Hill — making a mechanically stabilised earth wall.

“It’s an engineered design but looks attractive. We’ve recently finished creating a large retaining wall to fix a slip at Waikoau Hill, 40 kilometres north of Napier. This method is nothing new — in fact, it’s a traditional method for slip control, but the innovation is that the wall disappears and just looks like part of the natural environment.”

Another system RST uses that is having a resurgence is ‘brush-layering’. This is when a reinforced earth wall needs to be made.

Willow brush is used to form a matrix of stems across a pre-cut bench. This is then layered up and the dropout can be backfilled behind it. Once the brush has been established, it can be cut back with a reach mower, creating a natural-looking but stable wall — and far more attractive than concrete.

Living walls built by RST Environmental Solutions are durable, practical and attractive.

Living solutions to containment conundrums…

“This was used for councils for years until the 1940s to 1970s. It’s popular again today with

district councils as you can keep the green countryside, but it is a very low cost solution; a number of district councils with low volume roads use our services a lot.”

Councils also use RST’s services for river and stream restoration. “We’ve done a number of projects for urban areas to make them functional and attractive. Firstly, we looking at bank stabilisation, that’s the key — it revolves around stopping erosion and that fixes a number of things. Then we look at widening the stream if possible, and looking at habitat creation for animals and plants.”

Treeline

It was in 2004 when Coulson became very interested in bio-engineering — the practise of using trees to fix slips and other issues.

“We were buying lots of trees from the local nursery. When it lost its government funding we took over the nursery and that’s how our business Treeline was born. We sell a range of trees — poplars in particular — to regional councils. We also use the trees ourselves for our own projects.”

Continuing to expand is on the agenda for RST’s future growth. Coulson says the team wants to develop more services and solidify its reputation as green problem-solvers.

“We would like to grow and expand in the future. We couldn’t do this without our suppliers though, like Maskill Daltons and Geotech Systems. They are both very reliable family orientated businesses, and we like the way they operate,” he says.

RST Environmental Solutions Ltd 9 Francis Way PO Box 2019 Palmerston North New Zealand T (06) 355 3625 F (06) 355 3630 E robert.coulson@rst.co.nz www.rst.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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www.centraltoday.co.nz November/December 2011 | 43

Property and Construction | Lloyd Construction

Building on a solid foundation The benefits of choosing a trade qualified company…

Choosing a builder can be easy.

What’s not so easy is choosing the right one. The best advice on offer is to make sure that your builder is trade qualified.

We have Koteka grown at an Electrical Ltd alarming rate, Koteka Electrical is proud to be which is associated with Lloyd Construction. surprising Ph. (06) 363 7536 since the Mob. 027 442 8408 Fax. (06) 363 7539 country Email. ljkoteka@xtra.co.nz 29 Bond St, Foxton Beach is in a Horowhenua recession.

Andrew Lloyd has been in the construction trade for 13 years since completing his apprenticeship in his parents building company. Today Lloyd’s company has a proud team of 11 and is growing in size each year.

“We have grown at an alarming rate, which is surprising since the country is in a recession.

Approximately 70 percent of all builders in We are a local company and pride ourselves New Zealand who make a living from the on being professional. My team has uniforms, trade are unqualified, do not meet the criteria, branded vehicles and are highly efficient,” or choose not to belong to a trade association. Lloyd says.

Because of this shocking statistic, there was Lloyd Construction undertakes a wide variety an urgent need to establish an association of building works including new homes, where trade qualifications were present in light commercial work, alterations, additions builders today. and farm buildings. The company is also The Certified Builders Association an accredited provider for ACC, Enable NZ, In 1998 the Certified Builders Association Housing NZ and Insurance providers. of New Zealand (CBA) was established in It covers work in the Wanganui, Manawatu, Tauranga by Craig Wilkinson to recognise and Horowhenua and Kapiti areas. It can also promote qualified builders. Simply put, if a builder is not trade qualified then they cannot provide labour-only, full contract work, or for hassle-free building work, its dedicated team become a member of the CBA. specialises in project management.

Wilkinson gathered builders together who Lloyd Construction has recently undertaken were concerned with the direction in which and managed big projects such as The the building industry was heading. They Warehouse Stationary in Levin and rewere worried that their trade was being equipping Tegel poultry sheds with state of undermined by those who had entered the the art chicken rearing systems. industry without qualifications, subsequently giving the industry a bad name.

There also is a ‘new living homes’ eco friendly showhome based south of Levin where clients Proud member can come and view the company’s work.

Lloyd Construction, based in Levin, is Lloyd Construction is currently working on a proud to be a member of the Certified sub division to build 50 houses confirming a Builders Association. The family owned and successful five year contract. operated business started in 2007 when “We do it all and take on everything. From Andrew Lloyd, founder of Lloyd Construction, government contracts to insurance work, it is decided to venture out by himself after great have a busy environment,” Lloyd says. working in Wellington.

|

Andrew Lloyd founder, Lloyd Construction

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Property and Construction | Lloyd Construction

Being part of the CBA People today want peace of mind during a building project. Being part of the CBA can offer this to clients as it gives them confidence when choosing a certified company. It is also important for clients that they are able to communicate well with the company they hire. Lloyd’s experienced team of trade qualified builders can provide this.

“Communication is the key to working successfully with the client. It is vital to listen to their input,” Lloyd says.

Lloyd also feels it is essential to be part of the CBA. “The CBA gives us access to a lot of resources in the construction industry. I also think it reassures our customers that we are well grounded and recognised as a company.”

A previous client of Lloyd’s, S M Alan states, “Unlike a number of builders, Andrew listens, discusses and ensures you get what you want to achieve, and is a pleasure to have on site.”

Understanding the guarantee Lloyd Construction’s work is also covered by Home-first Builders Guarantee.

So what is a Home-first Builders Guarantee?

Members of the CBA are obliged to apply to Builtin New Zealand Ltd for a 10-year written guarantee when undertaking to build a new home. They are not required to apply for the guarantee, but can offer to do so, for alterations and additions.

Lloyd Construction provides the following values to its clients: ◆ Quality workmanship ◆ Tidy and safe worksite ◆ Keeping to budget ◆ Keeping projects on time.

Builtin offers support, administrative services and claims management of the Homefirst Builders Guarantee (HBG) to CBA members.

It ensures that the building public can be confident before, during and after the building of their home. The organisation also guarantees that the builder will complete the home in accordance with the building contract and that it will be defect free.

The HBG gives the new homeowner additional reassurance and belief in the quality of the workmanship provided by their certified builder. So if a contract is not completed for some reason, Builtin New Zealand will encourage the builder to rectify the problem, and if necessary also appoint another Certified Builder to do so.

This written guarantee will cover or contribute significantly to the cost. Where the certified builder is the head contractor, the guarantee

Communication is the key to working successfully with the client. |

Andrew Lloyd founder, Lloyd Construction

covers materials and work completed by the builder and the sub-contractors engaged by him, subject to the limitations and exclusions in the guarantee agreement.

and to a very high standard,” says another impressed client, R Weldon.

Successful projects start with choosing the right professionals, contact Andrew Lloydand his team to find out more.

Lloyd Construction recently moved its office to the centre of Levin. Even though Lloyd Lloyd Construction Construction is based in Levin it travels all over PO Box 6 the lower North Island for work, including a Levin 5540 recent contract in New Plymouth.

T 0800 46 9000 or 021 246 9000 “Our home was completed by Lloyd F (06) 367 8091 Construction on budget, with no hassles, www.lloydconstruction.co.nz

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46 | November/December 2011   www.centraltoday.co.nz

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Imagine having dry, meat-flavoured cookies for dinner every day. While our pets may never have complained, it is only logical to think that having too much of the same thing ruins the joy a meal should bring.

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Won’t feeding a Topper with normal food cause my pet to put on weight since he is eating more than his usual?

Canino Toppers help provide a more satisfying meal for your dog, and encourages your dog to finish up the kibble. Canino Toppers is an all-natural topper made only with fresh, wholesome ingredients. It provides nutrients in the best form available, with high digestibility. If you have been feeding your pet a dry diet exclusively, we encourage you to transition your pet by decreasing the amount of kibble slowly. Canino Toppers should make up an approximate 10% of the entire meal.

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If I’m feeding lamb and rice kibble, can I still mix it with Beef and Potato topper?

Canino Toppers is all about providing a healthy variety to nutrition.

Containing only fresh, whole ingredients of the best quality, our products strive to turn each mealtime into an event worth looking forward to. With bite-sized morsels of human grade real meat and vegetables, Canino Toppers can be mixed into your dog’s kibbles for a different texture and taste whenever you think your furry best friend deserves a better meal.

Believing that the best way to ensure our dogs gets the best nutrients is from consuming an assortment of proteins, Canino Toppers can be fed by rotating between the meat, poultry and fish varieties. This means your dogs receive everything they need for a pleasurable and healthy meal experience.

I cook my dog’s meals myself at home, why should I still feed Canino Toppers?

We think it’s really wonderful that you are able to be your dog’s veryown chef, but unfortunately, not every one can afford the time. What’s great about Canino Toppers is that we use the same natural and fresh ingredients, cooked perfectly, and served straight from the can. It is hassle-free, and can provide an extra source of protein on top of the original diet. It is convenient, economical, and adds variety to life!

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The connoisseurs love Canino’s freshly caught Tuna from the ocean, which is why they prefer eating it on its own. Simmered in simple gravy, BIG COAST TUNA is a wonderful addition to an everyday meal.

It’s difficult not to love a healthy and tasty meal of Tuna and Chicken, especially when they are freshly farmed and quaranteed of good quality. FISH AND FOWL is low-fat and nutritious perfect as a daily topper for your dog’s dry diet.

Give your dog something to howl about - a deeply satisfying TUNA AND BEEF JUMBO. The firmness of the choice cuts add extra bite to a simple dish. Mixed with kibble, this topper is a hot favorite.

should I switch to using a 4. Why topper instead of feeding an occasional canned food?

Unless your dog is allergic to a certain type of protein, Canino Toppers complement all dry diets. Providing your dog with different types of proteins in a single meal ensures that your dog receives nutrients in different forms, which is a good thing. Apart from being extremely convenient, Canino Toppers are created to give you and your dog more variety in life so each mealtime is worth looking forward to.

3.

For the delicate palate, this all-vegetable topper is light and chock-full of vitamins. With the colourful salad steamed and then simmered in gravy, GARDEN FIESTA can be used on its own or served with your dog’s usual dry or wet diet.

Most canned foods are designed to be complete meals, with added vitamins and minerals. In our efforts to keep nutrition simple and natural, you’ll find that “what you see is what you get” with Canino Toppers, which means there are no by-products or unnecessary vitamins. Our raw ingredients come in fresh every day, with no preliminary processing.

That’s because we believe in feeding our pets the best, naturally.

5.

Puppies have different nutrient needs from the adults; can I feed them Canino?

Unlike complete meals, Canino Toppers act as a topping to make your dog’s meals more satisfying.

Imagine the usual dry diet as a plain pizza and Canino Toppers as your ‘pepperoni’. A good quality kibble will properly nourish your puppy for its life stage, while Canino Toppers provides the fresh proteins that will make your dog a happy healthy one.

Perfect for staving off that meat craving, HOMESTYLE GOULASH is deliciously flavourful. Quality cuts of Beef combined with bite-sized Sweet Potatoes ensure your dog has a growlingly good time at dinner.

Ditch the “Chicken or Beef” dilemma and have them both! Pair the versatile Chicken chunks with the robust taste of gently cooked Beef for a delightful combo.

ROOS AND MOOS always hits the spot.

Sometimes, a Shrimp cocktail just isn’t enough. Pile the succulent OCEAN ENSEMBLE on top of his usual dry food and watch your doggie smacks his lips with appreciation. Bon Appetite!

Nothing beats the wholesome taste of tender Chicken, accompanied with soft-stewed Carrots and a thick, delicious gravy. CHICKEN STEW POT PIE is like a doggie cuddle on a cold day - heartwarming and comforting.

$39.95 + free delivery incl gst | Box of 24 Servings For more detailed information call on 0800 101 729 47b Birmingham Drive, Middleton, PO Box 1879, Christchurch. Fax 03 961 5112 - Email: info@canidae.co.nz - Web: www.canidae.co.nz

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