Blackdog Steelworks

CELEBRATING

10

YEARS IN BUSINESS

Blackdog Steelworks has come a long way in the past decade.

Driving innovative engineering solutions and solving engineering problems for customers throughout Northland.

Blackdog Steelworks can supply professional, qualiďŹ ed teams of skilled engineers to on-site and off-site industrial projects

Blackdog Steelworks, 32 Logyard Road, Port Nikau, Whangarei

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Northern Advocate

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS

STARTING FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS S

tarting as a small firm with just seven staff, Blackdog Steelworks now has sixty staff and a new purpose built workshop in Logyard Road. Blackdog Steelworks provides a unique variety of services, solving engineering problems and delivering engineering solutions to Northland industries. Blackdog’s services

include plant maintenance, aluminium and steel fabrication, plant shut-down and re-fit projects, sandblasting and painting, access ways, stairs and conveyors, safety improvement solutions, start up and commissioning and general engineering.

They are a mobile workforce that travels all over Northland to visit client sites.

From a staff of seven led

by Company Director Kevin Ogle To a Current Staff of 60

We are proud to provide business advisory and chartered accountancy services to Blackdog Steelworks accounting@gilmoretaylor.co.nz | www.gilmoretaylor.co.nz

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Northern Advocate

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS

DIRECTORS’ MESSAGE R

ecognising the 10-year milestone of Blackdog Steelworks is a cause for reflection, recognition and celebration.

Reflecting upon the journey of a start-up business through a continual rotation of major events - rapid growth, relocation, changes in leadership, jobs started and jobs completed, underlines what an achievement the 10-year mark is. Ultimately it’s how the leadership, management and staff pull together when plans go off-track that determines the long term success of any business.

On an ordinary day people are too frantic going forward to stop and appreciate how far they’ve come together.

Blackdog Steelworks is now an established engineering business, providing niche services to key Northland industries – wood processing, shipping, cement, fertiliser manufacturing to name a few. Many people and organisations have contributed to or been part of Blackdog’s growth. Founding partner and Director Kevin Ogle has been the key driver of customer service and project growth since 2007. Kevin is passionate about providing opportunities for young people and has developed a team of young, skilled engineers and assistants who are proud ambassadors of the Blackdog culture on sites all around Northland.

It has been a privilege to share our journey with Blackdog’s customers and suppliers who have played key roles in supporting the business’

Kevin Ogle, Clare Davies-Colley andTony Davies-Colley

growth. It is also an inspiration to see Northland companies supporting each other to grow the region’s skills.

Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Blackdog is a milestone, but also a beginning.

With purpose built premises, a trained and supported workforce, and positive growth expected in Northland, the Directors predict further growth and expansion for Blackdog over the next 10 years.

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Northern Advocate

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS

10 YEARS OF ENGINEERING INNOVATION

A

decade of innovation and excellence has delivered business growth and industry recognition. Some of the projects Blackdog has been part of include: • Northport Ship Loading conveyor relocation • Guarding and safety fencing LVL and CHH • Northpine Kilns and Boilers • Northport Bookends • Golden Bay Silo 9 • Auckland Unitec Beam Construction • Ngawha Prison security fencing • CCP

Projects

Operations Manager Bruce Osborne, leads the team at Blackdog Steelworks. His team can turn their hand to a wide range of projects: from building alloy truck bodies and barges through to fabricating and erecting structural steel for commercial and residential buildings.

Large teams work on industrial sites around Northland completing regular maintenance, installing new equipment, improving safety conditions or undertaking complete turnkey services.

Ngawha Prison Project

This project was completed on-site at Ngawha Prison.

Building and installing fencing and gates

Installing a secure corridor

Job finished

Keen to move your business to Logyard Road Business Park?

Keeping Northland businesses one step ahead.

ASB is proud to support Blackdog Steelworks.

Blackdog Steelworks manager Kevin Ogle talks about the benefits of growing his business from Logyard Road Business Park.

How long has your business operated from Logyard Road?

Blackdog Steelworks has been based here since 2015, so nearly two years. It’s been a really great base to build up the business.

What suits Blackdog about this location?

It’s easily accessible from town and we’re close to most of our industrial customers, as well as key suppliers like Donovan Trade Supplies.

We also have quick access to SH1 for transport.

How would you describe the Business Park?

4/#51.% */1% !- &7/-$ ,/ ,/60 10% $1-5 ,/ )0%2 ("$ -!,$ !- '1, 10% 177 ,"$ -$.+!&$- 1.$ "$.$3 .$1%5 to go. It has an awesome open feel, with lots of opportunity for expansion. (+.&"!+# $/'$ .*% *) .*%) '&-, like about Logyard Road?

We really like working here - it’s really pleasant and quiet and it provides a safe and secure environment for the business. And we can launch our boat at the end of the road after work!

Interested in moving your business to Logyard Road? Contact Megan McGregor M: 027 364 4194 E: megan.mcgregor@raywhite.com asb.co.nz/ambition

ASB Bank Limited 56180 16871 0217

www.portnikau.co.nz

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Northern Advocate

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS Other Projects

Finished project

30 Apprentices Trained Training and development of staff has long been a priority at Blackdog where the team has successfully grown through apprentice and leadership programmes, and on and off-job training. Over the past five years Blackdog has provided thirty apprenticeship opportunities, with a further five apprentices starting in 2017.

“I completed my apprenticeship with Blackdog Steelworks. It’s a great place to work and I love the variety of jobs. Each day is different; there is a fantastic group of people here and a great safety culture” Darcy.

Beams built for Unitec

AluminiumTruck body build

Golden Bay Silo 9 Project

This project involved the fabrication and installation of 200 diameter pipe, compressor line, and 250 diameter pipe feedlines.

Blower Pipelines

Lyle Sangster and Darcy Brennan receive their National Certificate of Mechanical Engineering from Director Kevin Ogle

Cement lines into silo

MACHINISTS, PRECISION ENGINEERS

MACHINING SPECIALISTS Reputation of three decades of precision engineering work

Manufacturing spare parts for all types of mobile and fixed plant machinery • Milling • Boring • Turning • Slotting

TWO MACHINING CENTRES, CNC LATHES & SLOTTING, MANUAL MILLING & TURNING Servicing clients Countrywide

09 438 7847 | 99 Port Road, Whangarei | www.bcelimited.co.nz

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Northern Advocate

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS

OUR PEOPLE Sacha Pou-Tito

Sacha is our first female apprentice engineer. Having completed her sport and recreation degree, then working as a personal trainer, she decided upon a change of direction. She started work at Marsden Point refinery, primarily doing Quality Assurance and Labouring work. She discovered the joy of welding and working with tools and enrolled in the L2 Mechanical Engineering course at Northtec. When Sacha approached Blackdog Steelworks for work we jumped at the opportunity to offer Sacha an apprenticeship. She works extremely hard, is a well-respected member of the team and is off to a great start in her apprenticeship.

Curtis Sawford

Curtis is our youngest member of staff. He started work-experience with Blackdog last year through the Gateway programme at Whangarei Boys High School. He enjoyed the work so much that he decided to pursue a career as an Engineer. He is currently working as a Trades Assistant with the company to gain further industry experience before starting his National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (L2) at Northtec. He will continue to work for Blackdog whilst training, with a view to taking up an apprenticeship in December 2017.

Curtis says “it has been awesome gaining hands on training whilst being paid.The guys here are really helpful and I enjoy working here”.

Meet the Team

We are very proud of our Supervisors, led by Operations Manager Bruce Osborne.They manage all our project work and have a vast experience in all aspects of Engineering gained both in NZ and

Sasha

overseas. Pictured from left to right are: David Moffatt, Leon Ducrot, Bruce Osborne, Leonard Crewther, Phillip Evans, Trent Ashurst and Nick Schuster (absent).

Curtis

Uniforms • Overalls • Towels • Mats • Laundry & Drycleaning • Washroom Services •

Please call Grant or Murray today on: (09) 438 7114 ext 709

www.apparelmaster.co.nz

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Northern Advocate

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS Logan Ball, Mechanical Engineer

Trent Ashurst, Supervisor Engineering

Logan joined the Blackdog team in October 2016, having completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering at Auckland University. He has previously worked as a Product Development Analyst at GBC Winstone and as an Acoustic Engineer. Logan works closely with the Operations Manager in preparing drawings for projects and liaising with clients regarding their project needs. He has recently attained his Container Inspector’s Certificate having completed an International Marine Cargo Inspectors exam. Logan is a great asset to the BlackdogTeam.

Trent started a Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship with Blackdog Steelworks in 2010, completing this in 2013. He was promoted to a Supervisors role in 2015 and has led teams on various customer sites throughout Northland. He has continued to upskill and last year attained his National Certificate in Boiler Operation. When asked what he enjoys most about work,Trent says “finding solutions to customer problems, working on a variety of projects and being part of a great team”. When he’s not at work he relaxes with family, goes fishing and enjoys motor-sports.

Dan Davidson, Apprentice Engineer

Dan started his apprenticeship with Blackdog Steelworks in 2015, after completing a Level 2 Mechanical Engineering course at Northtec. His prior job at Carter Holt Harvey gave him some valuable work skills and he soon decided he wanted a career as an Engineer.

Since working at Blackdog Steelworks, Dan has had opportunity to work on a wide range of jobs and sites, including Carter Holt Harvey, Ballance, Northport, LVL and Allied Waipapa.

He has really appreciated the on-job and off-job training he has received. He says “It is good to work alongside skilledTrades staff that are prepared to pass on their skills”. Off-site he has also completed unit standards in elevated work platform, height safety

and fall arrest, confined space, permit receivers and gained his forklift licence.

Dan is doing well in his apprenticeship, enjoys his job and is a well-regarded member of the BlackdogTeam.

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Northern Advocate

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Our Customers

“We would like to thank our staff, suppliers and customers for the success that Blackdog Steelworks has achieved in the past 10 years” says Director Kevin Ogle. We are committed to using local suppliers and ensuring we have good relationships with them.

Customer Feedback

‘Blackdog have been a key contractor over the past 8 years at the port.They offer a great service with around the clock support.Their commitment to us is critical to keeping our business running.’ Greg Blomfield, NorthportTerminal Facilities Manager.

Our Suppliers

“We would like to thank Vulcan Steel, Donovan’s Trade Supplies Wynn Fraser Paint , ASB Bank, Westpoint Management, WRMK lawyers, Whangarei Dry Cleaners, Industrial Minerals NZ, Gilmore Taylor and Brian Craig Engineering for their continued support.”

Going from Strength to Strength

One of our strengths is a young energetic team with a strong positive culture says the General Manager Ajit Balasingham. The company over a period of time have placed a lot of emphasis on the apprenticeship scheme and the training that went with it and are enjoying the benefits of that investment.

In a recent visit to a client’s site, I was asked “how does Blackdog have such a young energetic team with a positive attitude?” and the answer lies in the recruitment, training and the culture instilled in the team. We have good mix of young experienced engineers who work alongside our apprentices and pass on their knowledge base.

The old adage is get the people right and the people will take care of business which certainly applies at Blackdog Ajit went on to say, “here at Blackdog we continue to find solutions for our customers and take a lot of pride in what we produce. Last 10 years the business has spent considerable amount of time getting its people and its culture right and has enjoyed an exciting growth phase. Look out the next 10 years!”

Safe and Healthy Workplace

Blackdog Steelworks successfully completed the ACC Workplace Safety Management Practices Audit in 2015 and is undertaking this audit again this month.The company is totally committed to ensuring that everyone on site is safe. Random drug testing takes place on a regular basis both on and off site and both preemployment and annual health checks are completed for staff. We have a very active health and safety committee, provide a wide range of safety training to our staff and have a very positive health and safety culture.

VULCAN STEEL

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 10TH BIRTHDAY, VULCAN STEEL HAVE BEEN DELIGHTED TO BE A SUPPLY PARTNER SINCE DAY ONE. ALL THE BEST FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS FROM YOUR VULCAN STEEL TEAM SUPPLIERS OF ALL YOUR STEEL AND STAINLESS STEEL NEEDS

PROVIDES MATERIALS TO A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES

Construction, Agriculture, Manufacturing, General & Precision Engineering, Mining, Timber Industry, Marine, Transport and including the do it yourself engineer.

VULCAN STEEL LTD PO Box 730 Whangarei

Telephone 09 4388526 Fax 09 4388523

Mobile 027 4388920 or Call Free 0800-VULCAN Email : paul.tomich@vulcansteel.co.nz