Business South December 2014 by Waterford Press Limited

December 2014

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Low inflation keeps economy robust Hugh de Lacy New Zealand’s economy is holding firm - with inflation remaining lower than expected, while the continuing rise in immigration is also helping to drive growth. This is despite plummeting returns from both the dairy, in particular, and forestry sectors. Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens said inflation is defying all predictions of a year ago and refusing to accelerate wildly. Also contributing to a continuing economic robustness and steady Gross Domestic Product growth of around 3% is the immigration boom, “The inflation picture has been very surprising over the past year: much lower than anybody expected,” Stephen said. “What that indicates is the New Zealand

economy’s capacity to produce goods and services without generating inflation – the so-called inflation speed limit – is higher than we thought, so it’s a good news story.” Only months ago home mortgage holders were rushing to fix their interest rates against an expected rapid hike as the economy shrugged off the hangover of the 2008 global financial crisis. But the feared 2-3% jump over a year or less, which would have seen many mortgagees struggling to meet their payments, simply hasn’t happened. “Markets are re-rating their expectations of where the overnight cash rate (OCR) is going over the next year or two. “They’re not looking at cuts, but whereas a year ago financial markets might have expected three or four [interest rate] hikes over 2015, now they’re looking at one or two,” Stephen said.

“With low inflation the Reserve Bank will be able to keep those interest rates low for longer than previously thought, and that’s why what you’re seeing at the moment is fixed mortgage rates coming down.” Other factors holding inflation in check include the plummeting price of petrol, down below $2 a litre for the first time in years, and relatively low upward pressure of wages. A two-speed economy was developing in an environment of “fairly strong” economic growth, with challenges to the export sector from dairy and forestry which will affect some regions of the country. “Equally we’ve got the Canterbury rebuild and Auckland construction activity, and my expectation is that house prices will start rising again pretty smartly on the population boom.” The strengthening US economy has pushed the New Zealand dollar well under the US80c mark,

enhancing the attractiveness of our exports, with the meat industry taking particular advantage. The low kiwi dollar is also helping put a floor below dairy returns which formerly comprised a quarter of total exports but which have plummeted to half their level of a year ago. That said, the latest Fonterra monthly dairy auction has shown further weakness in global demand that suggests a new floor price has yet to be reached. The net effect of these sometimes contradictory factors would be a slight worsening of the economic imbalances, such as a relatively small current account deficit and a shrinkage in overseas debt, that had been improving under a more inflationary environment. “We’ll end up with decent domestic demand propping growth up, with major faltering in the dairy sector detracting from growth to an overall average [GDP growth] similar to the last couple of years.”

New factory for Skellerup Hugh de Lacy Christchurch rubber manufacturer Skellerup Industries has unveiled plans for a new factory in Christchurch. The $30 million new plant at the Wigram Business Park will replace its quake-damaged Woolston factory where much of its agribusiness supplies are made, for the dairy industry in particular. Partly funded by earthquake insurance money, the new 18,900sqm factory is 20% bigger than its old one and is expected to be occupied progressively by the existing 200 staff in about December of 2015. Skellerup chief executive David Mair said he didn’t expect the company’s annual revenues of about $200m would be greatly affected by the halving of New Zealand dairy farm revenues in the past year, because the company’s domestic markets represents only a small part of its turnover. “If you pulled it right down to how much revenue was generated by things that New Zealand farmers buy, it’s of the order of 10% to 12%,” Mair said. Dairy equipment was a major part of Skellerup’s domestic and export business, along with the gumboots that made it a household name in New Zealand, but dairying was still in expansion mode. “There is an expansion of [dairy] farms under way in the South Island through Ngai Tahu, and there have been irrigation schemes finished, but what it comes down to is credit for farmers, and I don’t know if that’s going to tighten up or loosen.”

INSIDE

All bound for Queenstown .... Queenstown Airport is expanding its facilities at a rate unparalleled by any other transport business or agency in New Zealand – and it continues to expand in both passenger traffic and services at the airport. The first stage of an estimated $12 million project to expand international

Protection for sub-contractors - PAGE 2

Visitor levy for Queenstown? - PAGE 2

operations at Queenstown Airport is expected to be completed by June next year. The expansion will more than double the size of the international terminal and comes on the back of a big increase in both domestic and international passenger numbers. See story page 2.

Passion for organics drives business - PAGE 3

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December 2014 Business South

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Journalists Jo Bailey, Karen Phelps, Kelly Deeks, Peter Owens, Hugh de Lacy

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Peter Owens Queenstown Airport is expanding its facilities and services at a rate unparalleled by any other transport business or agency in New Zealand – and passenger numbers continue to rise. The first stage of an estimated $12 million project to expand international operations at Queenstown Airport is expected to be completed by June next year. The expansion will more than double the size of the international terminal and comes on the back of a big increase in both domestic and international passenger numbers. “It’s been a cracker year so far and it is only going to get better,” says Jen Andrews, spokesperson for the Queenstown Airport Corporation. “Overall, it was an extremely pleasing performance for the month of October with the total number of passengers moving through the airport up 10.7% compared to October 2013.

“These continue on a strong trajectory for the year, up 21.7% on October 2013,” said Andrews. This growth was driven by 24 more international flights during the month. Andrews says Queenstown Airport also recorded a big jump in domestic passenger numbers, which were up 7.9% on the same period last year. She says increased capacity was created by the up-gauging of aircraft on some routes. “This is the second month we have been able to compare ‘like for like’ figures since the Jetstar Wellington-Queenstown service was suspended at the end of August 2013”. Meanwhile, the first stage of the project to expand international operations at Queenstown Airport is on track for completion in June next year. The 4080sqm expansion will more than double the size of the international terminal and add a third to the airport footprint. Airport chief executive, Scott Paterson, said stage one, would comprise new duty free and Customs areas, more toilets, a third baggage

reclaim area and expanded Ministry of Primary Industries and Biosecurity areas. Smart-gate technology was also planned, but might not be ready next year. Changes will enable the airport to process almost 1000 passengers an hour - up from the present 480. In stage two, the Ministry for Primary Industries and Immigration will be located together. In stage three, a mezzanine floor for international departures would be opened; effectively doubling the number of outbound passengers able to be held in the terminal. Paterson said the development also meant the airport had reached building capacity. Unless the Environment Court approved the airport’s acquiring 18.4ha of land from Remarkables Park Ltd, known as Lot 6, growth would be stymied, he said. Already the corporate jet terminal is being squeezed, with a 14% increase in landings in the past financial year - 231 in total - peaking with 33 landings in March.

Govt moves to protect subbies from losing retention funds Hugh de Lacy The Mainzeal collapse appears to have driven the Government to stand alongside the little guys, the sub-contractors, in their ancient battle with head contractors over the retention of funds under civil and building construction contracts. The Government announced during the election campaign that it was going to protect retention money primarily by having head contractors deposit it in trust accounts. Building and Construction Minister Nick Smith is now pushing changes through Parliament to the Construction Contracts Act that stipulate the head contractor has a fiduciary duty to sub-contractors to hold retention money in trust, bans the use of retention funds for any purpose other than the specific project, and imposes a default rate of interest for late disbursements. The moves wiill go some way towards protecting sub-contractors owed money when big firms collapse. When head contractor Mainzeal fell over last year it took $18 million in sub-contractors’ retention funds with it - money retained by the head contractor essentially as security against the subcontractors’ performance meeting the terms of the contract. Typically 10% for smaller contracts, descending on a sliding scale to 2.5% for those worth over $1m, 50% of the retentions held would normally be paid out once the project’s certificate of practical completion was issued, with the balance of retentions paid following the final completion certificate being issued. In the Mainzeal case, the company was unable to produce the $18m of retention money due to be paid out and it collapsed, leaving the most vulnerable people, the sub-contractors, out of pocket by that much. Worst hit among the subbies are those, like foundation builders, who are among the first on the job and have to wait the longest to get their retention funds back. Retention payments have been a problem for the sub-contractors for generations, with head contractors clinging to the right to use retained money as part of their cashflow until payout – by which time, when a company is under stress, the money is often then spent trying to stave off collapse.

The concept of a visitor levy in Queenstown is under discussion as visitor numbers soar.

Resort mulls levy on visitors Peter Owens Once again the concept of a visitor levy in Queenstown is under discussion. Ann Lockhart, the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, says she and chamber chairman, Charlie Phillips had discussed the idea of a “visitor” levy with the Prime Minister, John Key, who is also Minister of Tourism in the present government. Key appeared to be receptive of the idea but is not inclined to promote the special legislation such a move would require. Key’s office points out that local authorities have a wide range of options, including targeted rates under the Local Government Act 2002 to raise funds for special projects.

The idea of a visitors’ levy rose in June this year, when there was considerable discussion in the resort on how the proposed $60m million Queenstown Convention Centre was to be funded. While there have been no formal discussions between the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce and the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Mayor Vanessa van Uden says her council would be pleased to help in any way. For the year ended September 30, guest nights in the resort rose by 8.5 percent to 2,952,161. Current indications are that this increase will continue. Many residents are concerned that the growing number of visitors is over-taxing existing wastewater facilities and other utilities.

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Passion for organics feeds growth Jo Bailey The way we eat has shifted markedly in recent years with a growing movement away from “diets” towards “lifestyle” choices such as organic food, raw food and whole foods. Magazines are full of tips on healthier ways of living and there is a plethora of blogs now dedicated to the subject. Ohoka woman Barb Warren has taken her passionate advocacy of organic and whole foods one step further, creating two North Canterburybased businesses to help people access good quality organic and artisan products, and provide growers and producers with an alternative means of trading. Barb is the driving force behind the hugely successful Ohoka Farmers’ Market, which recently celebrated its fifth birthday. Earlier this year she opened The Organic Food Store in nearby Rangiora with her son Ed. “There is so much good food out there. It’s just a matter of making it accessible to people in places where they can talk to people who are knowledgeable about it,” she says. Hundreds turn up to the farmers market every Friday morning at the Ohoka Domain where products from more than 50 mainly local growers and producers are on offer - everything from fruit, vegetables, fish, baked goods and honey to speciality raw foods, ethnic foods, plants, meat, condiments, wine and cheese. “I think the market links people to something good from the past - the old ways of doing things. “Stall holders and visitors tell us they love the positive atmosphere. It’s something we’ve really worked on because if people feel good when they come to the market, they’ll hopefully come back.” Not every stallholder is an organic producer. However they all fit Barb’s vision to create and support a vibrant local food culture where people can purchase the best quality food at affordable prices, from businesses with honesty and integrity. “It’s sad there are so few fruit and vegetable growers left in our region. But how can they compete with industrial scale production and unethical supermarket buying practices? “If we can encourage local growers and producers to provide more organic foods for our customers then everyone wins. “Our motto is healthy land, healthy food, healthy people, and we stand by that.” It was after starting the market that Barb’s personal interest in organic foods grew. She says it made sense to ditch the processed and pesticide laden foods that have become a staple of the Western diet, in favour of organics. “The more I learned, the more organics made sense and felt right. It’s such a simple thing - when you eat good food you feel better. You wouldn’t put dirty fuel in your car so why put it in your body?” Barb says the success of the market was the impetus for her latest venture, The Organic Food House, although the Canterbury earthquakes played their part too. “My partner and I bought an old house in Rangiora a week after the big shake in February because his Christchurch office had collapsed and he needed somewhere close to home to work from. “They were strange times and peoples’ living patterns changed. We managed to keep the market running every Friday and found the number of

Barb Warren at the Ohoka Farmers’ Market - “I think the market links people to something good from the past - the old ways of doing things.”

“There is so much good food out there. It’s just a matter of making it accessible to people in places where they can talk to people who are knowledgeable about it.” customers increased as a result of the supply disruptions to supermarkets. Many more people started coming out from Christchurch.” After her partner, Andrew, and his business team had been working from the house for a while, Barb says she started to think about opening an organic shop to link in with the successful market. “We did a lot of homework, visiting organic shops in Melbourne and all over New Zealand. In all the places we visited we realised the link between the farmers markets and organic businesses was missing. It was obvious to me what we should be doing - linking the two together.” It took about a year for Barb to convince Andrew that the building housing his accounting business would be better served as an organic store. “He knew it would be another building project for him too,” she says. Their son Ed came home from Singapore to help run the new venture, and Andrew moved into offices virtually next door. “We spent the next six months building, collecting heaps of recycled materials to create surroundings that fit with the organic theme.

“We care about where our customers are sitting and eating our food just as much as the food itself.” Products at The Organic Food House are certified organic and have to meet strict criteria, she says. “We don’t support companies who engage in unsustainable practices and we don’t support GE. We choose raw items over processed as much as possible and support the little producers over the industrial brands.” All international suppliers are certified organic, with producers using sustainable and ethical methods of production. “Our eggs are not from caged birds and we don’t stock meat from slaughterhouses. Ed liaises with local fruit and vegetable growers and selects the freshest seasonal produce daily. “As with the farmers’ market we have a direct relationship with our suppliers as much as possible.” Among its hundreds of products the store also carries a wide range of fresh and dry bulk foods, natural cosmetics, local honey, organic cheese, full cream organic Jersey milk, specialty breads, and an

impressive organic tea range including herbal roots, powders and leaves. The Organic Food House also has a small cafe selling tea, C4 coffee, juices, smoothies and a range of wholesome deli foods including savoury items, salads and raw sweet treats. A range of ethically produced gift items are also available to purchase. “What we don’t sell is just as important to us as what we do sell,” she says. Barb, Ed and the team are happy to impart their wealth of knowledge about healthy foods and how to cook them. Barb says there is a definite groundswell towards organics and healthy living. “People have started to realise their health is related to what they’re eating. I look at all the young parents who come into the store with their small children who are already becoming aware. This has to be great for the future.” Rangiora has been adversely affected by the earthquakes and is still in something of a state of limbo with many retailers in the area “hanging out” for a resurgence of life in what will ultimately become a thriving satellite town of Christchurch, says Barb. “We still feel like the new kid on the block but hopefully what we’ve started will attract other businesses which identify with similar principles. “It starts at ground level, as that is where change occurs, in the soil and the dirt.”

December 2014 Business South

NEWS » - PRODUCTION » Southern Clams

IRD gives itself a glowing report It’s that time of year where school kids are getting their report cards. Parents get to see how well their little darlings have done in the past year and where there is room for improvement. Just like school kids, Inland Revenue gets an annual report card. It has an advantage that the kids don’t though – it prepares the report card itself! Inland Revenue’s report for its performance during the year ended June 30, 2014 was published in November. It is a very detailed document, running to 133 pages. The report is full of all sorts of facts and statistics. Key areas of focus are the quality of interactions with the public (such as phone calls), effectiveness of their audits and the level of tax debt outstanding. Some of the statistics make interesting reading. For instance where a tax dispute ended up in court, Inland Revenue won 83.3% of the time. Quite an intimidating statistic given the large costs of taking a tax case to court! Of course like all statistics this doesn’t tell the full story. It doesn’t reflect any of the wins that taxpayers have in disputes that never make it to the courts. It does however show that Inland Revenue generally only takes cases they are confident they will win. Inland Revenue’s high success rate and the high costs associated with continuing to fight in the courts may explain another statistic. Alesco and 11 other companies agreed to out-of-court settlements amounting to $355.8 million in discrepancies which the High Court ruled to be tax avoidance. Another interesting statistic is that for every dollar Inland Revenue spends on investigations it gets $8 back.

Don MacKenzie

Given this, it is not surprising that in recent budgets the government has allocated more and more funding to tax audit activity. This audit activity is increasingly sophisticated and focused. For instance the hospitality, construction, inbound tourism and independent contracting sectors have been under greater scrutiny for not declaring income with discrepancies identified of $49 million. There has been a lot of media attention focused on Inland Revenue’s planned upgrade of its computer systems at a cost of some $1 billion. We live in an electronic age and another of the statistics shows how reliant on electronic filing Inland Revenue is becoming - something that new systems should make easier. The upward trend in electronic filing and tax payments continues with 58.9% of returns filed electronically and 74.2% of payments made electronically. This trend is likely to continue upwards, particularly given changes made earlier this year to encourage electronic tax payments. So how did Inland Revenue do in 2014? Overall, Inland Revenue met 85% of its performance targets, compared with 76% in 2013. 85% would normally translate into an ‘A’, or excellence endorsement. But then again Inland Revenue did write the report itself! Don MacKenzie (Partner - Deloitte)

“The hospitality, construction, inbound tourism and independent contracting sectors have been under greater scrutiny for not declaring income with discrepancies identified of $49 million.”

New packaging shows potential Jo Bailey Southern Clams is harnessing a high-tech packaging system for a new convenience product line it has just released to the market. Director, Roger Belton says the Dunedin firm’s use of Modified Atmosphere Packing (MAP) is enabling it to extend the shelf life and taste quality of its fresh clams and mussels by enhancing the oxygen level inside the packet. “The technology is usually used for dead products, such as pasta, meats and processed products,” says Belton. “However in our case, we’ve been able to extend the shelf life of our fresh shellfish to 12 days. The sealed, pre-packed units are also conveniently bar-coded which is good for retail.”

Southern Clams is working with a Christchurch packaging company on the range, which has already used the technology to package fresh mussels and oysters. Belton says the company has completed six weeks of trials in the New Zealand market, with good uptake from high-end supermarkets. Small trial shipments are also being sent to the east coast of the US, China and other Asian markets. “We don’t expect this range to displace the existing demand for loose product,” he says. “A lot of customers in our more traditional markets prefer the shellfish and fish to be virtually unpackaged and are more concerned with authenticity and quality. “This new product is targeting the convenience factor in terms of handling and

PRODUCTION » Southern Clams

Business South December 2014 shelf life, particularly in markets where there are issues with time.” In the 30 years since Southern Clams was established by Belton, the company has handharvested New Zealand littleneck clams from carefully managed wild stocks on the Otago coastline. Over the years it has extended its product range to include Queen Scallops, crab and numerous southern fish species, although clams remain the cornerstone of the business. Around 80 percent of its production is exported by Southern Rainbow, the company’s export arm, which was set up in Christchurch in 1996 to manage orders, freight and documentation for the off-shore business. These markets have been well-established in North America and Europe for some time. In recent years Southern Rainbow has successfully grown its reach into Asian markets including Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Around 30 people are employed by the company across its two operations, including clam harvesters. Other seafood species are supplied by fishers under contract. The high New Zealand dollar hasn’t made it easy for the Company in recent years, although Belton says things are looking positive with a better exchange rate and encouraging signs from some potential new export markets. “In the scheme of things we are quite small suppliers, but after a few decades we’ve built a solid reputation and profile in several markets.” In the local market, Southern Clams’ products are available in New World and Pak ’N Save Supermarkets, from national wholesalers, and in restaurants. Sustainability is a big focus, with a bio-mass survey of the company’s largest harvest area in Blueskin Bay in 2012 showing a bio-mass slightly bigger than when it started 30 years ago. “It’s gratifying we’ve been able to honour our undertaking to ensure the fishery is sustainable,” says Belton. “We have already planted 83 hectares of bio diverse forestry in Otago and plan to plant 300 hectares by 2018 in order to become carbon neutral.” Belton has recently spent time in North America and Europe visiting clients and attending Trade Shows where he is always on the lookout for prospective buyers, new trends and technology. “In the medium-term we are looking at shucking systems to take the meat out of older clams we can’t sell as live product, but which could be sold for on-processing into other products such as chowder.”

Southern Clams hand-harvests New Zealand littleneck clams from carefully managed wild stocks on the Otago coastline.

A bio-mass survey of the company’s largest harvest area in Blueskin Bay in 2012 showing a bio-mass slightly bigger than when it started 30 years ago.

This wild product has been sustainably harvested by hand from the brilliantly clear unpolluted waters of Otago for over 30 years. Regarded as world class shellfish, Southern Clams are exported to dozens of countries daily and are also made available through leading New Zealand Wholesalers and Retailers.

Southern Clams are available at Pak ‘N Save, New World and all good seafood stockists.

Harbour Fish is proud to be suppliers of fresh fish and clams to many top restaurants.

21 Stevenson Ave, Sawyers Bay, Dunedin 9023

www.harbourfish.co.nz

Phone 03 472 8768

Fax 03 472 8760

Email harbourfish@harbourfish.co.nz

CONSTRUCTION » Calder Stewart Ashburton

December 2014 Business South

Company notches up proud history Karen Phelps Calder Stewart is gearing up to celebrate 60 years in business. Next year will mark the company’s sixth decade of operation, a fact more remarkable in that it remains owned by one of the original families who started it all those years ago. “Lance Calder and Bruce Stewart started the company in 1955 with a Ford Prefect car, a wooden trailer and 25 pounds,” says Donald Sutton, construction manager of Calder Stewart Construction’s Ashburton branch. The company has now grown into a multimillion dollar business with staff, customers and offices throughout New Zealand. Today co-founder Bruce Stewart’s four sons, Peter, Alan, Andrew and Donald both manage and work within the business, with Peter and Alan Stewart acting as joint managing directors. Born-and-bred in Ashburton himself, Donald Sutton says that the company favours using local sub-contractors, labour and suppliers where possible. This not only creates buy-in but also helps to support the local communities in which the company works. This also includes sponsoring local groups and events. Calder Stewart’s divisions encompass construction, development and distribution. It also manufactures its own roofing, precast concrete products, teel reinforcing and structural steel. The Ashburton branch undertakes a wide variety of projects. One still under construction is a seed storage building for Stapletons. The 96m x 40m building is made from structural steel and concrete tilt panels and has an iron roof. Sutton says the company worked closely with client and engineer due to the height of the building – overall 10 metres – which required specialised design due to fire requirements. The building is due for completion in mid- to late-February. “This project has been a two year process from the first meeting with the client. We found out what they wanted, came up with plans to suit and are now constructing the shed,” says Sutton. The company is also in the process of building wintering sheds in Chertsey and Lincoln and new workshop and offices for Stuart Tarbotton Contractors.

Calder Stewart’s divisions encompass construction, development and distribution. It also manufactures its own roofing, precast concrete products, steel reinforcing and structural steel.

But the next big project for Calder Stewart Construction Ashburton will be a new office and storage facility for the company itself. Sutton says the Ashburton branch has been operating from portable buildings and it is time for more permanent premises to reflect the growing nature of Calder Stewart Construction Ashburton. “It should give us a better profile and improve efficiencies in the business. Sutton says the Ashburton branch is focused on growth and is always seeking new opportunities. “Calder Stewart is proud of its family owned and operated culture, allowing it to be guided by a long-term strategic vision and capable of adapting

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“As a company we have always maintained an entrepreneurial outlook, supported by innovative thinking and constant dedication to excellent customer service.” to changing construction market conditions over the years. “Although the complexity, size and diversity of the structures built by Calder Stewart has changed over the years, our commitment to traditional business values and sound construction practices has not.

“As a company we have always maintained an entrepreneurial outlook, supported by innovative thinking and constant dedication to excellent customer service. It has been the word-of-mouth recommendation of satisfied customers that has most contributed to our reputation as a solid, reliable and capable builder for nearly 60 years.”

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Business South December 2014

CONSTRUCTION » Calder Stewart Ashburton

Calder Stewart Ashburton recently completed this building for Johnson Gluyas Tractors.

building is our business.

A potato processing facility at Rakaia built by Calder Stewart.

n the world of construction, your reputation as a builder is one of your most important assets. Calder Stewart’s reputation has been built through a long

history of consistently delivering projects on time, on budget and to exemplary standards. We’re known for our track record as a design and build specialist to the commercial, industrial and rural sectors, and for our team’s ability to turn around projects under tight deadlines. By leveraging our vertically integrated reinforcing,

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Jolly Good Software releases a new version of its software for small to medium business Sir Gil Simpson CEO of Jolly Good Software is very excited at this major milestone and its evolution from their initial Foundation Module. The new version is known as FMII. The wide range of Jolly Good Software initial customers allowed this new model of system creation to be developed and FM II is the culmination of all that experience. “We are very thankful to our first customers, without them we would not have been able to reach this milestone. Every one of them has contributed to our understanding of how businesses use information and they reinforced completely that all businesses are unique” Sir Gil said. The target market for Jolly Good’s software has been the small to medium business as they more readily embrace new technology than large business.

“We believe our success can only be achieved by the success of our customers. Jolly Good software believes that it is the different ways one business does things from another that actually creates their competitive advantage. Any information system we supply reinforces and supports that competitive advantage. This we measure by the success of our customers

in their market. I am delighted that despite the challenges of the Canterbury earthquakes all of our customers are doing extremely well” says Sir Gil.

the outcome behaves in a predictable way. There is a dramatic reduction in cost and time for the customer with this approach. Apart from word and excel, for some report outputs, essentially FMII allows any business to have just the one system. “It is their system totally unique to their business and they only change it when they want to”. It does away with the fragmented approach of many different sub systems doing many different things. Because a FMII system has a consistent approach and presentation it considerably lowers the training level needed by any person taking over someone else’s work. This is especially true when some of the sub systems are excel which can have all sorts of quirks to handle specific situations only known to its author.

The need for a computer based information system increases as you get more divisions of labour across a business. When something happens in a business it can impact the work roles of many people. The information system needs to convey that information so that the respective people can respond. A simple order might impact on production planning, material purchases, stock orders, distribution, site preparation, regulatory consents, accounting and so on.

FMII allows Jolly Good Software to directly program at a high level the way businesses do things and the processes that every division of labour needs to carry out. FMII generates all the detailed programming code actually needed by the computer to do these things. It also means that when you change the way you want to do something it just generates a new set of program instructions. This saves incredible amounts of time and effort, is consistent and

Jolly Good Software expect in time larger businesses will use its platform. This will happen as their existing customers grow and their success attracts the interest of businesses plagued by the high cost, fragmentation and inflexibility of their current information systems. Equally important to Jolly Good Software is the smaller company wanting to grow, but inhibited by the need for better systems. “We have lowered the complexity of programming computer informa-

“We believe our success can only be achieved by the success of our customers.”

tion systems and we remain committed to continue to lower this further in the future. FMII is a great achievement and a celebration but we know that it just sets another benchmark for us to exceed. The exciting thing is that it has illuminated the pathway forward and we look forward to working with our customers to find new and better ways to use information systems for their continued success” concludes Sir Gil.

Sir Gil Simpson CEO of Jolly Good Software

Business South December 2014

CONSTRUCTION » Award Coatings

Loxo panel system proves popular Kelly Deeks Dunedin’s Award Coatings specialises in a onestop-shop service for Loxo cladding and coating, eliminating the hassle of dealing with two or three different contractors. Managing director Aaron Ward Ward says Award Coatings has a professional and motivated team of tradesman who are dedicated and passionate about delivering the best possible finish to its clients’ biggest investment. “We take pride in how good their home looks just as much as they will,” he says. “Our clients work with one team from start to finish. “We will take care of the installation, the plastering, and the painting, and all we ask from our clients is the colour they have selected and the date they want us completed by.” The Loxo panel system is an exterior wall cladding system that provides lightweight, high quality, and durable cladding solutions suited to the needs of both residential and commercial buildings. The individual panels are based on 50mm and 75mm thick lightweight auto-claved aerated concrete (AAC), an environmentally-friendly material that weighs far less than standard concrete. The panels are reinforced with vertical and horizontal corrosion-protected steel, and have exceptional performance in impact and fire resistance, thermal and acoustic insulation, increasing the safety and longevity of a building. Loxo AAC panels and blocks perform well in impact and fire resistance, are pest resistant, will not rot, and have great insulation characteristics for both sound and heat. With temperature fluctuations in buildings occurring closest to the exterior walls, unlike most conventional cladding solutions Loxo AAC panels and blocks are installed in the perfect location to take advantage of their insulation qualities and reduce ongoing energy costs. The AAC material used in Loxo Panels is produced efficiently with no pollutants and results in minimal waste with simple disposal solutions.

Loxo products perform well in impact and fire resistance and have great insulation characteristics for both sound and heat. Products based on AAC have been produced for more than 80 years with processes continually improving to reduce environmental impact, thus earning Loxo the GES International ISO 14024 certificate. Award Coatings provides Loxo panel systems for a variety of building applications, including exterior wall cladding, fire rated walls, inter tenancy walls, and flooring.

Award Coatings is also proficient in the installation and plastering of polystyrene sheets, Equus waterproofing systems to roofs and decks, tiling, and painting and wallpapering. Ward has been running Award Coatings in Dunedin for nine years. He comes from a background in painting and decorating, then modified plastering. At the time of starting the business, Ward says Dunedin was beginning to show signs of a building boom.

“I put a five-year plan in place but ended up reaching it within 18 months,” he says. “Demand during the building boom saw Award Coatings grow to 10 staff, up until a few years ago when the global recession took us down to three staff.” When the company began it dealt mainly with new houses, and now it is handling more and more alteration and retro-fit projects. Clients include architects and builders, and members of the public who have done a bit of research on the product.

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BUILDING » Base Construction / Cook Brothers Construction

December 2014 Business South

New block meets rise in numbers Jo Bailey

Base Construction works all around the greater Canterbury area,

Getting the foundation right Kelly Deeks Base Construction’s earthworks and foundation crews ensure the highest quality workmanship from the base up, for this important stage of any residential or light commercial building project. Base Construction was established in Christchurch in 2012 by father-and-son team Grant and Cole Askew, to meet the demand following the earthquakes for a company specialising in earthworks, foundations, and floor slabs for residential and light commercial construction projects. “The construction industry is so much more specialised these days,” says Cole. “In the old days the builder did everything, now you get a roofer to come and do your roof, a gib fixer comes in and does the gib, and a foundation contractor comes in to do the floor slabs. “The industry is getting more specialised resulting in increased productivity and efficiency.” The Base Construction team of two has already grown to 35 staff over the past three years. Base Construction is now running a total of four excavation crews with a foreman, and six foundation crews with two project managers. Base Construction manages the entire project including site set out, excavation and hard fill, as

well as preparing, placing, and finishing of the concrete floor slab, and liaising with engineers, councils, and other sub-contractors. Cole says the company’s meticulous planning and preparation ensures an excellent finish in a timely manner, ready for the next stage of development. One of the biggest challenges facing Base Construction while demand for skilled labour is so high in Christchurch, is finding competent staff who are experienced in current foundation and floor practises. Base Construction works all around the greater Canterbury area, and is currently working on numerous rebuilds, new builds, and light commercial work, for housing companies, architects, and developers. The company specialises in working on TC3 land, those Christchurch sites which can expect possible moderate to significant land damage from liquefaction in future large earthquakes, and which require site-specific geotechnical investigation and specific engineering foundation design. Due to its specialisation, Base Construction is one of few Christchurch foundation installers to be trained and approved to install Firth RibRaft TC3 concrete slabs. Cole says next year is looking like it will be Base Construction’s biggest year, with more growth ahead.

A $2.4 million, six classroom block at Arrowtown Primary School is the latest educational project for nationwide commercial construction company, Cook Brothers Construction. Work got underway at the site in June with the new modern learning space due to open in time for the start of the 2015 school year. The classrooms are being developed in response to a 22.9 percent population increase in the Queenstown-Lakes District since the 2006 Census and the subsequent growing rolls across local schools. Cook Brothers Construction has completed around 70 educational projects at 50 different schools throughout New Zealand, so is well equipped to meet the challenges of this work, says Simon Glass, business development director of Cook Brothers Construction Group. “Working inside a live environment always presents challenges, with health and safety a key priority to ensure the safety of school pupils, teachers and the public. School projects also usually come with pretty strict deadlines.” Glass says the new two-storey building is being constructed on an existing footprint where two old pre-fab classrooms once stood. “The building has been tastefully designed by Mike Sowman from Dunedin using a combination of materials including plaster systems, Colorsteel, cedar, and stack stone schist columns.” Around six of Cook Brothers Construction’s own team, plus numerous sub-contractors are currently working on site. “Like any project which starts in the middle of winter there were a few holds ups with weather

and unsuitable ground conditions making it difficult to get the concrete slab down to start with. However the guys did a great job to overcome the constraints and the classrooms are really taking shape.” Glass is a director of the company along with brothers Dave and Ben Bulling. After 10 years in business the company now has close to 150 staff across four regional branches in Auckland, Canterbury, Otago and the Southern Lakes. “Apart from the occasional contract team we employ all our own staff. “We like the environment that comes with having guys working directly for us to achieve a common goal. It is a good model which also appeals to our clients.” Glass says the firm’s nationwide presence gives it the capacity to undertake projects throughout much of New Zealand while still offering the benefits of a “one team” approach. “Our regional teams work collectively to ensure that high standards of communication, leadership, quality and innovation are consistent across the board.” The firm’s main target is commercial work although in Queenstown it also regularly works on multi-million dollar, high-end residential projects. “We’ve got some good projects on the go at the moment including the $12 million terminal extension at Queenstown Airport; a new Super Liquor store at Remarkables Park; and construction of a $5.5 million facility at the Botanic Gardens for Dunedin City Council,” says Glass. “We’ve also just finished an aged care retirement facility in West Otago.” In Christchurch, Cook Brothers Construction is working on several “big commercial builds”,

“We like the environment that comes with having guys working directly for us to achieve a common goal. It is a good model which also appeals to our clients.”

We erect the fastest, stay up the longest and always come on time!

We are proud to support Cook Brothers Construction

• Residential & Commercial Floor Slabs • TC2 & TC3 Rib-Rafts • Excavation

C: 027 5324 547 | www.baseconstruction.co.nz

CALL US TODAY 0800 SLSCAFF M 021 750 388

BUILDING » Cook Brothers Construction

Business South December 2014

| 11

Designed by Mike Sowman from Dunedin, Arrowtown Primary School’s new two-storey building is being constructed on an existing footprint where two old pre-fab classrooms once stood.

while in Auckland it has several other Ministry of Education projects on the go, as well as a large Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre. “We work on a broad range of projects with our niche tending to be in the $3 million to $5 million market.” Glass says the company has developed a reputation for delivering quality construction projects on time and to budget. “We place an emphasis on quality assurance

checks, testing, commissioning, hand-over and being defect free.” Although it hasn’t been easy to trade through one of the tougher economic climates of the last century, Glass says Cook Brothers Construction has had “a fun, but challenging” time over the last decade. “It’s certainly exciting to be part of the commercial construction sector at the moment, and we’re looking forward to another exciting 10 years and more.”

Mike Sowman Design is proud to provide design services for

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Ray Chalklin

Mobile: 027 4767 055 Office: 03 467 2198 Fax: 03 467 2190 www.firemech.co.nz

Cook Brothers Construction Mike Sowman Design Ltd can provide a range of services differing in levels of involvement from simple site analysis, 3D imaging of concept designs, building consent level documentation or through to full design, tendering and supervision services to suit your project. We will be happy to discuss the level of service you require at our initial design meeting.

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12 |

BUILDING » Aoraki Frame & Truss

December 2014 Business South

Aoraki Frame and Truss on a roll Karen Phelps

Aoraki Frame and Truss works in South Canterbury, Mackenzie Country and Canterbury completing work for builders, building companies and private customers, as well as prefabricated houses for company Genesis Homes.

Providing expertise in designing your new home or renovation Proud to be associated with Aoraki Frame and Truss

Aoraki Frame and Truss has just completed a challenging project manufacturing unique panels for a residential home build. Located in Timaru, the house has been constructed from pre-primed panels with frames of 18mm sheet to inside and 16mm sheet to exterior. “These panels required a high level of finishing and the build was a new concept for New Zealand. We like a challenge and we have the expertise in-house to manage builds that are outside the square,” says Aoraki Frame and Truss director Mel Lewis. “Full panels were glued then pressed with 1.5 tonnes weight and left about two days depending on weather. “Panels were placed on a steel A-frame and transported to site. A hiab was used and Henderson Building erected the panels which were glued at the joints and screwed together.” The house was then clad with brick and the roof was constructed using a butinol shingle tile roof over the exterior panels over the panels by Aoraki Frame and Truss. The completed job took a total of over 270 panels. Aoraki Frame and Truss was started ten years ago by Mel, his wife Fay and business partner Jonathan Burbery and his wife Pam. Mel, a registered builder and licensed building practitioner, and Jonathan, who has expertise in pre-cutting and loading of houses, had previously worked together and identified a gap in the market for a frame and truss plant in Timaru. A new factory was built when Aoraki Frame and Truss was established and the company is still based there today. Aoraki Frame and Truss works in South Canterbury, Mackenzie Country and Canterbury completing work for builders, building companies

• Building Supplies • Joinery • Timber Machining • Pre-Nail Frames and Trusses 189 EVANS STREET, PO BOX 204 | TIMARU PHONE: 03 688 8074 | WWW.ITMSTORES.CO.NZ/TIMARU

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Business South December 2014

BUILDING » Aoraki Frame & Truss

| 13

Aoraki Frame and Truss employs 10-12 staff and it is the high level of skills the company has in-house that makes the difference for clients.

and private customers, as well as prefabricated houses for company Genesis Homes. Aoraki Frame and Truss also manufactures items such as barbeque tables and play houses for children. The company supplies for Outpost, a kitset building solution company that can be delivered South Island wide. The range includes horse shelters, sheds and storage, livestock shelters, hen houses, cabins and studios. “The kitsets contain high quality materials including solid treated timbers, galvanised fittings, fixings and high quality iron with a 10-year guarantee,” says Lewis. “We can manage the process from concept to completion.” Aoraki Frame and Truss employs 10-12 staff and it is the high level of skills the company has in-house that makes the difference for clients, says Lewis.

“We specialise in what we do and it’s our staff and the advice from our bank and accountant that really build our business. We aim to produce the best product we can put out for the customer. “We’re known for getting things right,” he says. Examples of the challenging projects completed recently by the company include manufacturing 20.5 metre span trusses for Hervey Motors Limited of Timaru. Considering the Aoraki Frame and Truss workshop is only 26 metres long the project was logistically challenging, says Lewis, However he says through efficiency of processes the company managed to pull off the job successfully. “I treat every job individually from a chicken shed to a two storey house. Every job is important no matter what the size,” says Lewis. “We offer a good service, the best we can. “We intend to be around for the long haul. We are open to any ideas or challenges.”

“The kitsets contain high quality materials including solid treated timbers, galvanised fittings, fixings and high quality iron with a 10-year guarantee.”

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26 Canon Street, Timaru, PO Box 58 | Tel: (64) (3) 687 7122 | Fax: (64) (3) 684 8558 Email: reception@martinwakefield.co.nz Web: www.martinwakefield.co.nz

BUILDING » Fleck Construction

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December 2014 Business South

Commitment to quality drives firm Jo Bailey There are many facets to building a new home, says Richard Fleck, owner of Queenstown firm, Fleck Construction. “Building a home requires exceptional organisation, planning, budgeting and an understanding of the best materials for each individual project,” says Richard. “It is also critical to have a builder you can trust, with the skills and experience to deliver a warm, solid, healthy home. “We work hard at Fleck Construction to foster these sorts of relationships with our clients.” Richard started the firm in 2007, after returning from overseas where he did building work in the UK, Europe and Canada. The Queenstown local and licensed building practitioner had already completed his apprenticeship with another local firm, Edge Construction after leaving school. This year the company’s team of four builders have been busy building two new homes at Lake Hayes Estate. “Both were four-bedroom homes of around 250 square metres. One of the homes, in Walnut Grove was clad in cedar,” he says. The firm had already completed four new builds at Arrowtown and another at Shotover Country. Large and small scale renovations are a growing part of the business. “We’ve just started a substantial architectural renovation on a 25 year home in Queenstown which will probably keep us busy until the middle of next year. There seems to be quite a bit of work in this market at the moment.” Although Fleck Construction works mainly on residential projects in the Southern Lakes District, Fleck also has plenty of commercial building experience and is keen to extend into this market too in the future. The company has established relationships with a number of key sub-contractors to guarantee continuity and a high quality finish. “We also have a good supplier relationships to ensure our clients have access to a full range of products at competitive rates.”

Fleck Construction works mainly on residential projects in the Southern Lakes District. Richard says many people embarking on a new home project fall into the trap of trying to get the square metre cost of their home as low as possible. “Unfortunately a discount in price is usually a discount in quality. “The key is to work within a budget for the overall project and build a home of the highest quality, whether it is a smaller standard family home or a larger luxury home.” Overall, he is happy with the growth of his company over the last seven years. “The jobs are getting bigger and we are building a good name in the market. It’s just a matter of keeping at it and continuing to grow.”

“Building a home requires exceptional organisation, planning,

budgeting and an understanding of the best materials for each individual project.”

Proud Supplier for Fleck Construction P: (03) 445 0305 16 Wolter Cres, Cromwell E: central@designwindows.co.nz

www.monkearthworks.co.nz

Proud to support Fleck Construction PO Box 256 Arrowtown, 9351 New Zealand

t. 03 409 8887 m. 021 942 911 e. monkearthworks@xtra.co.nz

BUILDING » Corbel Construction

Business South December 2014

| 15

People-first focus works for Corbel Karen Phelps Putting people first has helped Corbel Construction to establish a business with a current turnover of just under $40 million and the goal of $100m by 2018. The company was incorporated in 2000 by directors Mark Wells and Craig Jones and growth over the last two years has been 40-70%. According to operations manager Kevin Burke this has largely been achieved through sourcing the best people and ensuring the right practices to deliver the best outcomes. A turning point was the decision to focus heavily on the operational aspect of the business including health and safety, human resources and policy and process. “This has helped us to focus on changing the business and identify any areas for improvement which has helped the business to grow,” says Burke. “Working on the people and ensuring staff are in the right roles has been key as well as identifying the skill sets to take the business forward then attracting those people to the company. Our business is all about people because without people we are nothing.” The culture of the business has also come under scrutiny and Burke says it is now more supportive, listening to and developing staff as well as acting on their concerns. The focus on people has also extended to Corbel Construction’s customers. “We are thankful for their business and have focused our staff on reflecting this gratitude. For example we identify what is important to each customer at the start of every project. “It could be completing the job on time or even something like watering their rhododendrum for them on the site. “Every customer is different and it’s about understanding what the customer wants from us and adapting our operation to suit those requirements.” Corbel Construction undertakes a variety of projects including commercial, industrial and midto high-end residential. The company even has its own joinery factory which assists in delivering prompt outcomes and high quality results for clients. Corbel Construction offers a specialised and dedicated earthquake repair team, which Burke says is yet another example of the company’s

The Chester Street Apartments is a design-and-build project of 15 townhouses including garaging and landscaping.

desire to focus heavily on its customers. “We put a lot of time into reporting and planning to ensure our customers’ projects are completed in a timely manner. “It’s helped us to coordinate the various aspects of each project more efficiently, something that has been particularly challenging in Christchurch post-earthquake due to the huge demand for services and resources.” A couple of projects that the company is presently working on include two large apartment

complexes that are being rebuilt after the earthquakes. Chester Street Apartments is a design-andbuild project of 15 townhouses including garaging and landscaping. Corbel Construction undertook the demolition of the damaged buildings and ground remediation which saw the company excavate 2.7m deep into the ground, remove the soil and put it through a lime and cement stabilisation process then compact it back into the ground.

SPECIALISING IN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

Another project the company is working on is Wigram Court, 11 units in two blocks of four and one block of three overlooking Hagley Park. The site works on this project were tackled slightly differently demonstrating the variable ground conditions that now exist in Christchurch. Corbel Construction excavated the site to a depth of two metres and brought in new fill compacting it into the site in layers with geogrid.

• To page 16

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BUILDING » Corbel Construction / Global Homes

December 2014 Business South

Firm diversifies into commercial sector Kelly Deeks

Corbel puts focus on people • From page 15 Burke says that another challenge for the company on both projects was the constraints of the sites. “The changed building code requirements since the earthquake have meant that walls are now thicker due to greater levels of reinforcing which can make a big difference on a tight site,” says Burke. “At Wigram Courts the buildings no longer fitted onto the site as they had previously due to this as the stairs couldn’t be put into the building in the same way so we had to rearrange

the upper levels and some of the lower level to accommodate this,” he explains. Both projects are earmarked for completion in early to mid 2015 and Burke says they represent the company’s ability to manage numerous stakeholders efficiently including homeowners, body corporates, insurance companies and subcontractors. Based in Christchurch, Corbel Construction has its sights set on expansion. Burke says that the management team is already looking at the possibility of establishing a branch in Auckland as the market there continues to grow.

New premises? Our readers want to know!

Christchurch residential building company Global Homes is diversifying into commercial construction services as the EQR repairs it was originally established to concentrate on are eventually coming to completion. The Global Group of companies now includes plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, concrete services and handyman divisions, which are all being intensified to handle the requirements of both residential and commercial construction. Global Group general manager Charles Gillespie says the company used the time it was solely focused on EQR repairs to identify other options it could explore when the EQR work came to an end. “We identified there was an area in the market for a maintenance division to complete yard work and odd jobs around the house,” he says. “That was the first stage to realising the development side of the Global Group, which was established two and a half years ago. “We then needed electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling divisions in house to improve our profit margins, diversify our portfolio, and be in a strong position to continue.” As EQR repair work is now slowing down, Global Homes has already changed its focus from EQR repairs to its own residential development projects, as well as new builds and maintenance works for Housing New Zealand, an area which Gillespie says is going from strength to strength. “Our primary focus is on social housing and affordable housing, and at this stage that means apartments, in locations close to the centre of town,” he says.

Global Homes completed a block of 12 two-bedroom apartments on Gloucester Street for Housing New Zealand earlier this year, which had tenants moving in as soon as the keys were handed over. Following this success the company is now completing its own residential development with a block of 24 two-bedroom apartments in Waltham. “This development will appeal to investors and young couples who can’t afford to buy a house with a section,” Gillespie says. “These are reasonably priced options for young people to get on the property ladder,” he says. Global Homes also has some more upmarket housing options, including a range of three and four bedroom town houses under development at Groynes Park. The commercial side of Global Group’s business is well underway . The company is already completing some new commercial builds, as well as commercial renovations, repairs, and earthquake restrengthening projects. Gillespie says that these projects have a high engineering and structural aspect to bring buildings back up to and above the new building code. Global Group now employs about 38 staff across all its divisions, as well as using several hundred subcontractors on a regular basis. The plumbing division needs the most attention to lift the company into the commercial construction sector, with the company’s one plumber easily handling the residential and maintenance work. “To expand our plumbing division will finish off the circle of being able to cover the full gambit of residential and commercial construction.”

“Our primary focus is on social housing and affordable housing,

and at this stage that means apartments, in locations close to the centre of town.”

BUILDING » Global Homes

Business South December 2014

| 17

Global Homes is completing its own residential development with a block of 24 two-bedroom apartments in Waltham. Contact Us P. 03 366 5511 | F. 03 366 5501 E. info@canterburybalustrade.co.nz

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18 |

BUILDING » Cavalier Homes Otago and Southland

December 2014 Business South

Showing off the best in Cromwell Kelly Deeks Cavalier Homes Otago and Southland franchisees Kerry and Mark Butson are showcasing their capabilities with the build of a new show home in Cromwell. A father-and-son team, the Butsons have the lower South Island covered for Cavalier Homes. Kerry Butson is a registered Master Builder with more than 35 years in the trade, and has earned a solid reputation in an area where a good name is highly prized. He says Otago and Southlanders have taken to the Cavalier Homes brand, as they are looking for something a bit different and are drawn to the company’s unique designs, good flow through, and quality components. These attributes are now on display in Cromwell with the new show home open to the public.

Cavalier Homes Otago has designed and custom built a 291sqm single storey home next to Lake Dunstan, at 11 Foster Place, Pisa Moorings, at the exclusive Perriam Cove marina development. An asphalt driveway leads to the main entrance at the front of the house. To the north east, a deck and outdoor entertaining area with lake views feature a built-in barbecue and schist paving. The show home features a Duration Premium asphalt shingle roof, chosen for its reliability, durability, and 50-year warranty. The exterior is clad with a Sto plaster system. On the interior, a user friendly design sees wide door spans of 810 and 860mm, and with cavity sliding doors and 3.3m high vaulted ceilings in the lounge, kitchen, dining room, media room, and master bedroom, a wide, accessible home is created. The home includes a small office and a separate laundry.

The show home features a Duration Premium asphalt shingle roof, chosen for its reliability, durability, and 50-year warranty. The exterior is clad with a Sto plaster system. The latest Fisher and Paykel appliances are displayed in the Mastercraft designed kitchen, with separate butler’s pantry, and the bathrooms have been designed by Cavalier Homes with bathroom fittings supplied by Plumbing World. The master bedroom with en suite is separated from the rest of the house, which has four bedrooms including a self contained guestroom with ensuite. The Butsons have chosen to display a variety of heating options as well as a solar system and photovoltaic cells on the roof, saying Otago’s new home market is open to exploring these options.

A DVS system brings in cool air from the outside, which is passed through a heat exchanger and fed back into the house as warm, clean air. It also works to minimise condensation. A Tarras wood fire is on display as well as a Toyotomi diesel heater. Warmth is kept inside the home thanks to Bradford Gold batts in the ceiling and walls. The show home includes double glazed and thermally broken windows from Aluminium Systems NZ’s Fairview range. They are standard aluminium colour on the outside, and showcase a new wood grain colour on the inside.

New premises? Suppliers & Installers of: • Tray roofing • Corrugate/ 5 Rib • Enviroclad TPO & Torch on membrane roofing • Gerard Metal Tiles • Asphalt Shingles • Cedar Shingles P: 03 445 0553 F: 03 445 0573 E: info@extremeroofing.co.nz

Our readers want to know!

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BUILDING » Cavalier Homes Otago and Southland

Business South December 2014

| 19

Cavalier Homes Otago has designed and custom built a 291sqm single storey home next to Lake Dunstan, at 11 Foster Place, Pisa Moorings, at the exclusive Perriam Cove marina development.

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Show Home 11 Foster Place, Otago 03 215 6955 Invercargill Show Home 236 North Road, Invercargill Kerry 0274 385 142 kbutson@cavalierhomes.co.nz Mark 0274 085 724 markbutson@vodafone.co.nz

20 |

BUILDING » Faye Homes

December 2014 Business South

Tailoring the right package to suit Kelly Deeks Christchurch’s Faye Homes has a new show home open at Aidanfield in south-west Christchurch, which demonstrates what the growing residential building company can achieve in a high-spec build. The new show home was opened in early December, and Faye Homes is already building its second show home at Te Whariki show home village at Lincoln. While the 270sqm show home at Aidanfield demonstrates the possibilities available in the high-spec end of the market, with a luxurious, German designed Palazzo kitchen, ducted central

heating, and LED lighting throughout, the Lincoln show home will exhibit a standard range of fixtures and fittings. “We want to show the difference between the two ends of the market,” says company director Jason Chen. “We could make everything luxury and golden, but we try to attract our clients with our design and our workmanship, and the quality of these will be the same in both the Aidanfield and Lincoln show homes, as it is in every project we complete.” Chen’s Chinese origin saw Faye Homes focused initially on the Asian market when he started the company four years ago. He says it is now time to let the Kiwi market know about Faye Homes.

“Faye Homes is quite famous in the Asian market, and now we want to let the Kiwi market know we’re building houses and if people want to come and have a look at our quality and design, they can see it now at Aidanfield and soon at Lincoln,” he says. Some Kiwi customers have already signed up to Faye Homes and the company is currently building new houses at the new residential subdivision Prestons in the north-east of Christchurch, and at Pegasus Town. Chen says Faye Homes is aiming towards building high-spec homes based on customers’ designs. As well as offering design-and-build packages, Faye Homes also provides house and land

packages with sections currently available at Prestons and Pegasus Town. The company’s average build price ranges from $550,000 to $650,000, at $1600 to $1800 per square metre. Chen says Faye Homes has been building about 40 homes per year around Wigram and Aidanfield. However, in a very competitive industry, those developments are now either full, or are waiting for the next stage to be released. Faye Homes is proud to use all local suppliers, and over the past four years has built strong and friendly relationships with the companies trusted to provide a reputable service and deliver the best products for Faye Homes’ customers.

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BUILDING » Faye Homes

Business South December 2014

| 21

Faye Homes is aiming towards building high-spec homes - it is currently building new houses at the new subdivision Prestons in the north-east of Christchurch, and at Pegasus Town.

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22 |

BUILDING » Modbox

December 2014 Business South

Modbox develops a winning concept Jo Bailey Modbox’s range of simple, stylish modular buildings offers numerous advantages to homeowners, says Jimmy Nicol, who started the Queenstown firm two years ago. “The modular design means the homes are very quick and therefore economical to build, without compromising on durability or sustainability. “They are very warm because of how airtight they are, and strong and stable due to their panel construction.” Nicol had been building conventionally for 25 years when he began to question if there was a quicker, more sustainable way to build for the New Zealand climate and budget. He decided to look more closely at Triboard panels, engineered from 100 percent sustainable New Zealand Radiata Pine, which he had used to build some units in Queenstown several years before. “Back then I thought, wow this is a really good system but didn’t do anything about it for five or six years. Then a couple of years ago I started putting some designs I’d been thinking about down on paper.” The result is Modbox’s range of stylish “boxy” modules which range in size from 10sqm up to 123sqm. “The idea is that they can be built as standalone modules or joined together to create larger spaces such as three or four bedroom homes. “The system also gives people the opportunity to build their home in stages. They could start with a one or two bedroom home then click an additional module on when they are ready.” With the system limited to three different module widths, Nicol is able to provide clients with a modern, “million dollar” architectural look without the costly design fees. “A simple, minimalistic aesthetic often looks better than a more complicated design. “The box shape also suits the panel construction materials, with waste virtually eliminated, making it a sustainable option too.” Modbox built four buildings in its first year in business, and is into its seventh build for the second year. Its earliest project a two-storey, three bedroom bach-style house on the Southland Coast that was constructed in just 30 days. “After the success of this project I decided to start a marketing mission, and kicked off a facebook campaign to see if people liked the simple boxy look.”

Modbox’s designs are suitable for a range of applications such as new homes, baches, commercial buildings, and additions to existing buildings. Nicol posted pictures of similar-styled projects from overseas that he liked, and in three months had received an overwhelmingly positive response, with over 6000 likes on the page. “People loved it and it proved there was a market for this kind of aesthetic.” Modbox’s designs are suitable for a range of applications such as new homes, baches, commercial buildings, and additions to existing buildings. “Our smaller modules are ideal for an extra office, playroom, studio, sleep-out, or even for a small business owner such as a hairdresser, working from home. They can be set up entirely separate to the home with their own power supply and bathroom.” The firm’s latest project is a three bedroom home in Kelvin Heights for a young couple, Nathan who is a diesel mechanic and Naomi who is a retail store manager.

“The idea is that they can be built as standalone modules or joined together to create larger spaces such as three or four bedroom homes.” “Nathan liked the idea of having a Modbox design built on top of his dream three-car garage and workshop area. This massive, concrete ground floor space also incorporates a bedroom.” Two other bedrooms are upstairs in the monopitch-style Modbox building which is clad in metal on three sides, and cedar on the fourth. A recent commercial project is Queenstown Airport’s new private jet terminal which used the company’s 50sqm ‘’Aspect’ module. “The triboard material already has a 30 minute fire rating, so it doesn’t take much to upgrade it to a full fire rating which all commercial buildings need to have.”

Nicol’s future plans include supplying kits for which clients can either use the Modbox building team or engage their own contractors. He started with three staff on the team and now has six builders, plus one administrator working for him. He is very happy with the way Modbox has been embraced by the local market. “We are building good volumes already and people are loving the simplicity and quality of the concept. It’s just a matter of making it work through careful scheduling to meet our tight time-frames, and working hard to ensure our clients are happy right throughout the process .”

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Business South December 2014

MASTER BUILDERS’ AWARDS » Robert Caldana Builders

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Plaudits for couple’s ‘labour of love’ Jo Bailey Robert and Linda Caldana were delighted when their gold-reserve winning Greymouth home was in the top three of the Builders’ Own Homes category at the national finals of the 2014 Master Builders House of the Year awards. “Our house was a real labour of love so it was fantastic to be among the top three in New Zealand. “We faced some stiff competition as we were up against houses that cost over $1-2 million to build,” says Linda Caldana. The home had already won the same category at the Marlborough Nelson and West Coast Master Builders finals, where it also took out the Outdoor Living Awards and Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award. And the accolades for this impressive contemporary home don’t stop there. The couple’s firm Robert Caldana Builder Ltd are also Master Painters, and took out a national title for the home’s exterior paint job in the under $25,000 category, as well as a highly commended for its interior in the under $25,000 category. “We’re absolutely thrilled with this recognition for the workmanship of our great team.” Linda Caldana came up with the concepts and design for the home’s exterior and interior design, working closely with the designer Linda Calder who drew up the plans. “The house has been designed with sustainability and the environment in mind. “With road and sea frontages, it was important that both the front and back of the home had equal appeal,” she says. In order to provide a sheltered area for the family to relax away from the sometimes harsh sea breezes, the couple cleverly positioned ‘his and hers’ garages to create an internal courtyard space. With a high gloss finish throughout the interior of the home, Linda Caldana says it is a “dream to live in but a cleaner’s nightmare”. However she wouldn’t change a thing. “The hard work is worth it.” Features of the interior include an expansive tiled entry, large living areas with sea views, sophisticated wiring for wi-fi, and dim slim lighting which uses only five percent of the energy it takes to run normal lighting. The home’s streamlined entertainer’s kitchen responds equally well to the demands of family

The Greymouth home was in the top three of the Builders’ Own Homes category at the national finals of the 2014 Master Builders House of the Year awards. life. It has a 70mm black granite benchtop, quality appliances, and a kiwiana, retro ‘cafe corner’ with deep green painted textured wallpaper which is a feature throughout the home. The colour palate is mainly black and white throughout the home with splashes of grey, orange, bright green and aqua. Both Robert and Linda Caldana have been involved in the building trade since they left school over 30 years ago. They started the Greymouth firm in 1995, and within a year had nine employees including builders, painters and plasterers. “Having all the trades under one roof enables us to provide a more efficient service and the seamless flow of our projects.” Robert Caldana Builders now employs 10 staff

including two apprentices. With a “very quiet” economy in Greymouth, their staff are currently split into two teams, with one team working in Christchurch on mainly light commercial projects. “This team is currently working on a hotel refit and building some in-situ concrete warehouses.” The company’s Greymouth team continues to operate mainly at the top end of the residential market, with much of its current work being larger scale renovations rather than new builds. Linda Caldana says the firm’s qualified painters

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and plasterers also work on standalone projects not related to building work. Whatever the project she says Robert Caldana Builder Ltd approaches it is if they were working on their own home. “We have three strong mottos we live by in our business - ‘Our Pride is in Your Work’, ‘You will get An Award Winning Finish’, and ‘It Pays to Pay for Quality’. People come back to us time and again knowing they can count on this high level of quality and service.”

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MASTER BUILDERS’ AWARDS » Peter Ray Homes Blenheim

December 2014 Business South

Offering the best of both worlds Karen Phelps Peter Ray Homes Blenheim offers its clients a unique service with director Donna Lee describing the company as working the same way as an independent builder but with all the benefits of housing company prices. “The majority of our projects are design and build,” says Lee. “We believe it is the client’s house and their choices are important. “For example although we are happy to recommend products our clients are able to choose products from any company they like. “We then get special pricing for these products, even if they are not products we normally deal with, with our group buying power. “This means our clients get the best of both worlds – group housing prices but the flexibility that comes with dealing with an independent builder.” Donna operates the business with husband Rowan. They started working for Peter Ray Homes as managers eight years ago then in 2011 took over the Blenheim franchise. Donna came from a background in the service industry but had a strong interest in home renovation and design. She has studied for a National Diploma of Quantity Surveying which drew her into the commercial building industry. After spending time as an assistant quantity surveyor and administrator she moved into a site supervisor position. “This has allowed me to have an excellent perspective of what it takes to manage building projects in a mostly male dominated industry. Having a woman’s perspective for the finer details when assisting clients with their design requests is a great asset,” she says. Rowan started his working career in the motor industry but developed a passion for housing construction early on after completing his first home at age 20, assisting a local builder.

Peter Ray Homes has been winning awards in the House of the Year competition since 1994. After moving into the insurance loss adjusting profession he developed the skills to quantify and manage building projects. The couple’s complementary skills have been recognised in the 2014 Registered Masterbuilders

House of the Year awards with a project completed by Peter Ray Homes Blenheim awarded a silver in the Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast regional awards in the new homes $250,000$300,000 category. It was the company’s second build for the client, an older couple who wanted to downsize. Located on a small site the home was not only well designed but also completed to a high standard ticking all the boxes at the awards. The two-bedroom home also includes a music room, open plan living area, bathroom, ensuite and double garage. Peter Ray Homes has been winning awards in the House of the Year competition since 1994. Services offered by Peter Ray Homes Blenheim include a range of set plans, consultation and

advice on building, a complete planning and design service, free quotation and fixed price contract, preparation and lodgement of building consent, construction from start to finish, complete project management, colour consultancy, landscaping and design and an optional Master Build Guarantee. At present business is booming for Peter Ray Homes Blenheim. The company is working on 13 houses including three architectural homes at exclusive subdivision Marlborough Ridge. “Blenheim is a small place so word gets around. For example we are building a first home for a client at the moment and they asked six people they knew for recommendations when they were looking for a builder.,” says Lee. “All of those six people recommended us.”

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CONTRACTING » Edifice Contracts

Business South December 2014

| 25

Bridge building skills in demand Karen Phelps Edifice Contracts has just completed five suspension bridges for the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail. The trail has been funded as one of the projects of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, a 175 kilometres track which begins and ends in the Queenstown Lakes District travelling for most of its length in the Southland District. Edifice Contracts completed its part of the project for Southland District Council with the five suspension bridges ranging from spans of 92 metres to 40 metres. Edifice Contracts started the project in April 2014 and completed it by October. Edifice Contracts director Andrew Hamilton says it was a tight time-frame, especially considering the remote locations the company had to complete the job in from south of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden. The company pulled in resources and had up to 17 people working on the project at peak. “We’re used to challenges so it was all in a day’s work. We excel in being able to meet deadlines no matter what might crop up during a project. “For example on this job we had some unforeseen foundation difficulties on one particular site. The foundations had to be altered which involved a lot more work and days putting up behind schedule. So we pulled in more resources to get things finished on time.” He says that it is the company’s expertise in bridge building that enables it to foresee problems and respond quickly coming up with solutions. “We don’t have to do a lot of marketing because we are known. People come to us because they know we will get the job done.” Hamilton, a builder by trade, established Edifice Contracts about six years ago although the parent company has been involved in bridge building for 15 years. “It’s a specialist market that we saw not many people were catering to, particularly in the cable structure side of things,” he explains. “There are a lot of skills required when building

Edifice Contracts has completed five suspension bridges on the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail in Southland. bridges including rock drilling, blasting, abseiling and carpentry to name but a few. “Our guys have to be able to work at height and in remote locations dealing with changing weather conditions. “We specialise in offering our clients the whole package and pride ourselves on being able to get most of each job completed in-house. The only

Supplier of Choice, for fasteners and hardware, to many of New Zealand’s leading companies. We are proud to support Edifice Contracts with our expertise, huge stock-holdings and wide range of fastening solutions.

time we pull in contractors is for extra man-power for large contracts or specialised skills.” Edifice Contracts is a family owned and operated business. Company directors include Hamilton’s wife Anna and sons Brett and Roy. The company is centrally located in New Zealand being based in Levin making it easier to service clients no matter where they might be based. He says that Edifice Contracts has earned a reputation for coming up with innovative solutions. The company can supply and prefabricate its

own timber in-house giving a big edge over the competition. “ This saves a lot of time as by making products off site it can save clients both time and money. It also makes the job safer as staff don’t have to be working at height for such long periods of time.” On each project including the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail project Edifice Contracts aims to use local labour and contractors where possible. Customers include the Department of Conservation and regional and city councils. The company has also worked across the Tasman for National Parks and Wildlife.

“There are a lot of skills required when building bridges including rock drilling, blasting, abseiling and carpentry to name but a few.’

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26 |

CONTRACTING » About Roofing

December 2014 Business South

All roofing requirements covered Jo Bailey From architectural homes, to large dairy wintering barns, and 80 units in an upmarket retirement village, About Roofing has them covered. Dave Strudwick and Michael ‘Ruffy’ Swann set up the Wanaka roofing firm in 2007, and since then it has developed a reputation for taking on some of the more challenging projects in the region. “Last year we put roofs on three 9000 square metre wintering barns for REL Group in Rakaia and Tapanui that were big enough to fit a football field inside. “These were the biggest roofs we’ve every done and were challenging projects, not just because of the size, but due to the fact we only had a week to finish them, and our on-site team had to live away from home while they were completed,” says Dave. He and Swann have been in the roofing game since they were 18, and have complementary skills that prove advantageous to the business. “Ruffy’s background is in commercial roofing in Hamilton, while I ran the local branch of Calder Stewart. “I have also been French-trained in exotic metals and European tray systems by the team that completed the work on Te Papa National Museum. I got to work with them on a home in Coromandel which was a great experience.” This grounding gave him expertise in zinc and copper roofing materials which are often favoured by architects for high end residential and commercial projects. “We don’t specialise solely in these projects, but definitely have the expertise to work with these sorts of materials.” Another specialist material finding favour in

Traditional long-run roofing that is still the most popular material used by About Roofing.

the local market is Solar Rib roofing profile, a wide-pan, cost-effective product which is proving particularly popular in the Northlake Subdivision in Wanaka where the firm is doing a lot of work. “We also expect the new Heritage flat tray roofing profile which has no plywood to take off too.” New and premium products aside, it is traditional long-run roofing that is still the most popular material used by About Roofing. It is often preferred by the building companies the firm works with regularly including Mike Greer Homes in Wanaka. “We’ve completed several private residences

“I have also been French-trained in exotic metals and European tray systems by the team that completed the work on Te Papa National Museum.” for Mike Greer Homes as well as 80 three-tofour bedroom units at the high-end Mt Aspiring Retirement Village using long run roofing. The retirement village is an ongoing project for us with several more villas to complete.” Other commercial projects completed by About Roofing include Puzzling World, preschools, churches, large machinery workshops and even a floating gold dredge. The firm now employs 12 staff including six tradesmen, four apprentices and two management and administrative staff. Strudwick and Swann have recently purchased Calder Stewart Roofing in Wanaka,

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which are the preferred suppliers and installers of Calder Stewart products in the region. “The business came up for sale and we took the opportunity to acquire it. “We’d previously been one of its biggest customers so the two operations complement each other well.” Strudwick says overall he and Swann are happy with how the businesses are operating. “We work on a good mix of projects that provide a lot of variety for our team. “We’re busy, enjoy our work and like to take on the challenge of interesting and innovative projects.”

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CONTRACTING » DCM Roofing

Business South December 2014

| 27

Re-roofing specialist in demand Kelly Deeks Roofing and re-roofing specialist DCM Roofing offers a one-stop-shop service to help its customers with all their roofing, spouting, heating, skylights, painting, maintenance, and scaffolding hire needs. Canterbury-owned and operated DCM Roofing provides these services from Ashburton to Hanmer Springs, and everywhere in between. Company director Iain McPhail has been in the construction industry for more than 20 years, and is proud of the fact DCM Roofing has ridden out the recession and worked its way through the earthquakes. “Durable, attractive installations and customer satisfaction are what we really strive for,” he says. “We’re proud of every project we’ve ever done.” DCM Roofing has been focused on re-roofing projects for the past few years, as Cantabrians look to replace their old steel, tile, or shingle roofs with a new lightweight and secure steel roof. “Many people are experiencing ongoing issues with their concrete tile roofs,” McPhail says. “The ridges of tiled roofs can weather and eventually leak. Tiles also break and become porous. Even if a tile roof has been repaired by EQC, that is only a small part of the roof and there will still be ongoing maintenance issues. A steel roof makes these people very happy.” Then there are those customers who have had their EQC repairs completed on the interior of their house, and are now looking to protect that work with a weather-proof roof. As a residential and light commercial roofing specialist, DCM Roofing also installs guttering, downpipes including snow-straps, rainwater systems, timber and steel fascias, as well as completing roofing and gutter repairs. The solution-focused company thoroughly assesses every project before proposing the most suitable options. “We’re able to supply and install a

DCM Roofing has been focused on re-roofing projects for the past few years.

comprehensive range of durable long-run metal profiles for roofing and cladding,” McPhail says. “We only recommend products that are proven to withstand environmental conditions in coastal or geothermal areas.” For customers requiring spouting for their new build or to replace existing spouting, DCM Roofing offers expert advice and installation of

the most appropriate of the plethora of options and products available. As an independent company with no affiliations with any suppliers, DCM Roofing will propose the solution that best suits their clients’ needs, and install it expertly. DCM Roofing’s dedicated team of fireplace installers has installed hundreds of fireplaces over the years, in new build properties and existing homes. “We advise our clients on the best place for the fire and explain the process,” McPhail says. “If required we’ll take care of council consents, arrange for the retailer to deliver the fire, and install it on a suitable pre-arranged date.

“Our aim is to make the whole process stress-free and easy as can be.” Not only a licensed building practitioner, DCM Roofing can supply the scaffolding required for the job. The company’s experienced roofers play an important part in the installation process, making sure the roof and chimney connect properly so that the roof stays watertight. DCM Roofing has a range of safe and reliable scaffolding available for hire for work on residential and light commercial buildings, and takes pride in fast service, competitive pricing, outstanding workmanship, and prompt delivery to site.

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28 |

CONTRACTING » Christchurch Electrical

December 2014 Business South

Firm offers wide range of services Karen Phelps “People love the fact that we can do all their electrical work for them,” says Rex Prebble, the managing director of Christchurch Electrical. “They don’t have to go to multiple contractors and get lots of different quotes. We can offer a quicker more cost-effective service by doing everything in-house.” Since Prebble took the company over in 1999 staff numbers have sky rocketed from six to 60.

The company now has three shareholders – Prebble, contracts manager Warren Bentley and service manager Ashley Rule. Prebble says that the company is continuing to grow to meet demand created by the rebuild although high priority is always placed on the company’s existing client base. “More and more businesses are using us because of the comprehensive range of services we offer,” he says. “It’s about having the right amount of staff to service our customers’ calls and to meet demand in a timely manner.” The range of services offered by the

company also saves customers time, money and stress, says Prebble. “We can integrate all aspects of the job. For example our staff member doing the data installation might need a couple of power sockets installed so we know this in advance and can make sure we have the right person there to do that part of the job to ensure everything flows smoothly.” Christchurch Electrical has four main divisions: communications (data and security), electrical contracting, air conditioning (the company is one of the top Dycon dealers in the country in terms of sales volume) and

servicing (repairs and maintenance). The company also offers a branch in Hanmer which services as far south as Culverden and as far north as Lewis Pass. Prebble says there are many advantages for customers in dealing with a large firm such as Christchurch Electrical: “We have the manpower to deliver a 24hour, 7-day service. “We can respond promptly to callouts and the business doesn’t come to a halt when someone goes on holiday. We offer a level of continuity and reliability that a small firm would struggle to provide,” he says.

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Business South December 2014

CONTRACTING » Christchurch Electrical

| 29

Christchurch Electrical is heavily involved in the city rebuild. It offers expertise in wiring installation and repair, data, security and IT requirements, telephone and security systems, heating, ventilation and airconditioning, boilers and process work, automation and manufacturing lines, thermal imaging, lighting and equipment maintenance

“We have the manpower to deliver a 24-hour, 7-day service. We offer a level of continuity and reliability that a small firm would struggle to provide.” An example of this occurred post earthquake when the firm rushed to install emergency power generators in Christchurch businesses to get them up and running as quickly as possible. At present the company is heavily involved in the rebuild completing electrical refits of existing buildings as well as fit-outs for new ones and residential houses. “Our contracting team works closely with leading construction and development companies in our region on the design and installation of total electrical systems to suit the needs of large residential, commercial, and industrial projects. “The Christchurch Electrical team is registered Site Safe, has police clearance for working in sensitive areas, and includes licensed security systems installers and

Council approved Independent Qualified Persons (IQP) experts.” Just some of the areas the company offers expertise in are wiring installation and repair, data, security and IT requirements, telephone and security systems, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, boilers and process work, automation and manufacturing lines, thermal imaging, lighting and equipment maintenance. All services are backed up by robust systems and processes. “Our systems are an important part of the business. This gives accuracy in our paperwork and quoting and our accounts are carefully itemised so people know what they are being charged for.” Christchurch Electrical has been around for nearly 60 years and Prebble says the longevity gives customers reassurance the company is going to be around for many years to come.

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30 |

CONTRACTING » Glenn Roberts Electrical

December 2014 Business South

New company has solar energy focus Kelly Deeks Nelson’s Glenn Roberts Electrical is now offering to help its customers slash their power bills with the formation of subsidiary company Solar Smart Energy in March 2013. Glenn Roberts Electrical is a specialist electrical contracting company that has been in business since 1992, and has been a key player in the Nelson construction industry for more than 20 years. The company offers a comprehensive service to residential and commercial customers throughout the Nelson and Tasman regions. Glenn Roberts Electrical today employs 21 staff. The company is a member of the Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand (ECANZ), giving it Master Electrician’s status, which in turn gives its clients the added security of the Master Electrician’s free workmanship guarantee. In March 2013, Glenn Roberts Electrical formed a subsidiary company, Solar Smart Energy, to cater to the growing demand for solar power. Company director Josh Roberts says the electrical industry is constantly changing, and one of the greatest challenges is to keep abreast of these changes, in order to continue offering clients the best service and solutions to meet their needs. “We strive to be leaders in the market in terms of innovation and sustainability, which contributes towards the growing of a ‘greener’ New Zealand,” he says. “Being early adopters of new products entering the market, we are able to deliver energy efficient and cost effective solutions to new and existing customers. “This plays a key part in setting us apart from our competitors.” He says Glenn Roberts Electrical saw great potential in the area of energy efficient and alternative energy sources. “Due to the ever increasing awareness and desire for these products, Solar Smart Energy was established to provide a fully focused service for sustainable energy products,” says Roberts. Solar Smart Energy provides a complete integrated solution to the residential and commercial market with products such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and off-grid generators, and smart energy management control and integration with existing home wiring to manage and reduce energy usage. Battery and appliance storage systems can also be installed to optimise self-consumption. Josh Roberts says solar power is now

Solar power is now becoming more attainable for a wider range of customers, as the systems become more affordable and efficient. becoming more attainable for a wider range of customers, as the systems become more affordable and efficient, and the payback period on a domestic system has now come back to about five to seven years “The cost of solar panels and inverters has come down, and the cost of labour has also come down as we are doing more and more solar PV systems and have become more efficient at installing them,” he says. “There are also better products in the marketplace these days that are more efficient and produce more power. “All of these things have helped to reduce the payback period on a solar PV system.” Solar energy’s case is also helped by the fact power bills have increased by 80% over the past 10 years. “Power bills are never going to decrease, but we’re pretty sure the sun will keep shining.” Solar Smart Energy completes the design and installation of solar PV systems to match a household’s or building’s energy needs. The company teaches its customers how to maximise the benefits of their solar system, by consuming power while it is being generated,

reducing their power usage with more energy efficient products such as LED lighting, and also helps out with how to put unused power back into the national grid. Glenn Roberts Electrical and Solar Smart Energy are now working with other Nelson businesses Nextgen Energy and NZ SolarFarms and launched an energy initiative in July this year called

Solar4Schools, aimed at providing free solar panel systems to every New Zealand school. “Schools are the ideal match for solar power, as they typically use the bulk of their energy during the day when the panels are producing electricity,” Roberts says. “But the capital cost has up to now been a barrier for most schools.”

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Business South December 2014

CONTRACTING » Affordable Concrete & Paving

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Firm widens scope with civil work Jo Bailey Longstanding Christchurch firm Affordable Concrete and Paving has grown considerably since the Canterbury earthquakes, and is forging new markets in the civil and commercial sectors. The family-owned business has recently been involved in some high profile jobs such as the Halswell Library upgrade. It has also started the concrete work at the Waltham Pool, and significant paving works at Hagley Oval in preparation for the upcoming Cricket World Cup. “We can provide concrete for civil projects and a full range of hardscaping construction for commercial buildings and developments, including footpaths, driveways, paving, median strips, feature walls, and other landscaping features,” says director Cory Grant who runs the business with his brother Scott and father John, who established it 25 years ago. Affordable Concrete and Paving has built relationships with some of the bigger civil and commercial firms such as Hawkins, and Arrow International for whom it has completed significant amount of earthquake repairs. The firm also has the capability to provide demolition, excavation and earthmoving services for these projects. Affordable Concrete and Paving continues to operate strongly in the residential market, which has been a big focus during its long history serving Canterbury. “As well as working with private residential clients, we also provide repairs, resurfacing, driveways, patios, paving, decorative finishes and hard landscape construction works to a number of the larger residential building firms and have been

associated with Mike Greer Homes pretty much since Mike started the company,” says Cory. The firm was heavily involved in earthquake repair work in the initial post-earthquake phase, but Cory says servicing new builds now makes up the bulk of its business. “New work has really ramped up in the last six months. “We probably service at least 10 to 12 new builds a week at the moment, and last year completed around 700 different projects.” He says the company is enjoying the strong flow of work but is mindful the residential rebuild won’t last forever. “This is one of the reasons we are forging new relationships in the civil and commercial sectors, and building on the ones we have already established.” Paving is another growing area of the business. The market used to be reasonably sparodic but the firm now has a team dedicated to this work. When it comes to decorative finishes, Affordable Concrete and Paving offers a complete range everything from polished, coloured, stamped, sawcut or plain concrete; to exposed aggregate. “A lot of people stick with the popular trends although our capabilities extend way beyond that. “In the current market we have more than enough standard work to do, but expect our specialist expertise in decorative finishes to become a point of difference when the market finally starts to slow down.” Since the earthquakes Affordable Concrete and Paving’s team has jumped from five to 35 employees. Cory says the firm has been able to manage the rapid growth by employing the right people, both in the field, and in the office. “We have a certain culture within the company

Affordable Concrete and Paving offers a complete range of finishes - everything from polished, coloured, stamped, saw-cut or plain concrete; to exposed aggregate. in that a lot of the people we employ are family or family friends. “All our key guys have been trained within the business, with several of them leaving us to do stints overseas before coming back. “We try and keep everything in-house if we can. Without the consistent high standard key members we wouldn’t have grown like we have.” This is a path Cory Grant has followed too. He spent nearly 10 years in Australia working for

himself before coming back to the family business. His experience working on big civil and commercial projects across the Tasman is proving invaluable as the company diversifies in the Canterbury market. “Our residential work will continue to be a vital part of the business. However we’re looking forward to expanding our civil and commercial portfolio and establishing relationships with more large firms in these sectors.”

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32 |

CONTRACTING » Kaisa Earthworks

December 2014 Business South

Kaisa gaining rebuild momentum Kelly Deeks Rangiora’s Kaisa Earthworks has stepped up in the past six months, growing from a small- to a medium-sized company and increasing its staff from four to fourteen. Directors Peter and Nicky Kaisa have also been learning to change with their business. Kaisa Earthworks is a seven-year-old business, first established as a joint venture between Jed Pearce and Mark Revis of PLC Developments, and their earthworks contractor Peter Kaisa, who they wanted to be able to call on whenever they needed him. The business gained momentum after the Christchurch earthquakes, getting involved with demolition and redevelopment work, focusing on areas of northern Christchurch and North Canterbury. Kaisa Earthworks has continued to grow since the earthquakes, and is now setting up its own yard in Rangiora to house an increasing range of plant and machinery. The company’s website has also just gone live in September. In November last year, Kaisa Earthworks took on a quantity surveyor, which has helped the company to win contracts from large commercial construction companies. Kaisa Earthworks is now getting involved in large site works projects for new commercial buildings and rebuilds. Kaisa is still managing the day to day running of the business, and he now has the assistance of Dan Palmer, who has worked for Kaisa Earthworks since it began, and now has the role of operations manager. There are also now four highly skilled and experienced foremen at Kaisa Earthworks. Nicky Kaisa manages the office and says while the transformation from small to medium sized company has gone smoothly, she and Peter are being careful.

Kaisa Earthworks is now getting involved in large site works projects for new commercial buildings and rebuilds.

“We’re changing with it because everything is bigger, the contracts are bigger, the bills are bigger, and the taxes are bigger,” she says. “Even though we probably need about four more staff right now, we’ve got to keep it sustainable so we will only hire at the right time. Even my work is a lot more involved now. “I’ve gone from writing up Pete’s little quotes to writing tenders and processing progress payments.”

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“We’re changing with it because everything is bigger, the contracts are bigger, the bills are bigger, and the taxes are bigger.” She says that one of the biggest challenges resulting from the company’s rapid growth is the issues that arise from managing a larger amount of staff. Luckily Kaisa Earthworks has filled most of its positions through word of mouth and with people known to the Kaisas, which gives a strong sense of company loyalty amongst the team.

The Kaisas still have their original business partners. They also continue to work on PLC Developments projects regularly. Upcoming projects include the Maltworks Villas development at Heathcote, and the PLC House retail/office complex on Williams Street in Kaiapoi.

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CONTRACTING » Skevington Contracting

Business South December 2014

| 33

Skevington’s rides lows and highs Kelly Deeks Four years on from the devastating Pike River Mine disaster which “blew the company to bits”, construction and mining contracting company Skevington Contracting has this year made it on to the Deloitte Fast 50, and was also named the fastest growing services business in the lower South Island. Company director Blair Skevington says his 10-year-old company is a proverbial Jack-ofall-trades, completing a wide range of services including hydro excavation, dam construction, civil construction, underground mining support, labour hire, alluvial gold mining, and machinery hire. “We keep it broad based so as we go through the seasons, we have work in different areas,” he says. “Everything goes up and down, and we’ve got to go through the lows to get to the highs.” Skevington worked for Oceana Gold’s Macraes gold mine, mainly as a crane operator, for six years before setting up Skevington’s. His business offered mining companies a cost -effective alternative for civil construction and clean-up contracts. “I started up with a mobile crane and the philosophy that I would do any job,” he says. “I went in clearing sites, and after a month I had to take on more staff.” Employing local people from Palmerston, Skevington grew the business to 59 staff and 35 pieces of earthmoving equipment, but a drop in the gold price at the end of last year saw mining companies cut a lot of their contractors’ work, so Skevington also had to trim his staff back to 28. He says Skevingtons’ growth of 241.36%, which saw the company take place number 36 on the Deloitte Fast 50, is mainly attributed to its work in the mining industry, and also earthmoving work and hydro excavation. Two years ago Skevingtons took possession of New Zealand’s largest hydro-excavator, commissioned in response to the work generated

Skevington’s has a team of three staff working with the hydro excavator in Christchurch.

by the rebuild of Canterbury and the ultra fast broadband project. It took nine months to build the machine in Quebec and three months to ship from Canada to New Zealand, in what was a $1 million project. Skevington’s has a team of three staff working with the hydro excavator in Christchurch. Skevington was happy to gain a place on the Deloitte Fast 50, and proud to be the fastest growing service business in the lower South Island. “I’m proud of where I got down here,” he says. “We went to Auckland for the presentation and that was an eye opener for us.”

“I started up with a mobile crane and the philosophy that I would do any job. I went in clearing sites, and after a month I had to take on more staff.”

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INSIDE:

DECEMBER 2014

planning for the future

land reclamation underway

cargo volumes on the rise

The Port Lyttelton Plan is the first step in the journey to the portâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s redevelopment-.

More than 7.5 hectares has been reclaimed at -Te Awaparahi Bay in the east of the Port.

There has been a 40 percent growth in container freight at Lyttelton over the last four years.

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch

First steps to port redevelopment Jo Bailey Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) is progressing its 30-year plan for the redevelopment of the Port, one of the largest recovery projects ever undertaken in New Zealand. In June it released the Port Lyttelton Plan (PLP), the first step in the journey with the community and stakeholders to produce and implement a recovery plan. Lyttelton Port Company’s chief executive Peter Davie says there is no doubt the Canterbury earthquakes have created challenges for LPC but he is upbeat about the opportunities that lie ahead. “We’re lucky to have an opportunity most other businesses don’t get – to rebuild and reconfigure the Port and set it up for the future. We hope people will look back in 10 years and say we have a fantastic Port, which is a great asset for Canterbury and the rest of the South Island.” The release of the PLP was fast-tracked due to the significant impact of the disaster. Around 75 percent of the Port’s wharves were earthquake-damaged at a time when container volumes have increased dramatically, by 40 percent over the last four years. Davie likens the pressure on the already fragile

infrastructure to living in an earthquake-damaged home, then adding a couple of children to the family when there are already three others living there. “You know things are going to be pretty cosy for a while.” The PLP details LPC’s vision for the redevelopment solutions it believes will best enable the port to cater to the region’s rapidly growing freight demands, both now and into the future. Exponential growth in freight volumes of up to 400 percent over the next 30 years has already been predicted as the Canterbury economy continues to thrive. Key recommendations in the PLP include shifting the main port operations east, and freeing up more space in the Inner Harbour for public access. The reclamation of land in Te Awaparahi Bay, east of the existing main wharf, Cashin Quay, is critical to the plan, as this is where a newly developed wharf would house a new Container Terminal.

A significant amount of the storage and loading of general cargo would then shift to Cashin Quay, the area traditionally used for container freight, which is currently being rebuilt. This would open the way for the development of a “vibrant” waterfront area in Dampier Bay with public access and stronger links to the Lyttelton township. Following community consultation, LPC is considering the development of an activity mix for this area of the Port and will re-engage with the public as its plans start to take shape. Upgrades and repairs will also be completed on some Inner Harbour wharves and a new dedicated Diamond Harbour ferry terminal has been proposed. Also being considered as part of the report is a number of inner and outer harbour options for the bulk fuel berth and ways the port can cater to the return of large cruise ships. The navigation channel will also eventually be

“We’re lucky to have an opportunity most other businesses don’t get – to rebuild and reconfigure the Port and set it up for the future.”

Siteworks and infrastructure contractor at LPC

deepened and lengthened to accommodate larger ships, ensuring Lyttelton remains a primary freight hub. LPC has presented the PLP to Environment Canterbury, along with a package of information on the redevelopment plans, their effects and any changes needed to regulatory documents. A summary of community and stakeholder feedback about the PLP has also been provided. Based on this information, ECan will prepare a preliminary draft Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan that will be released for further consultation and engagement with the community and key stakeholders. Once this process is complete the report will go to Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee who, after further public notification, will make a decision on the final plan. This is expected by August 2015. The Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan can then be implemented. Redevelopment of the port could take up to 30 years to complete and cost around NZ$1billion. “The Port has a significant role to play in the economic recovery of Christchurch and the Canterbury region. As custodians of a business that will be here in hundreds of years, it is our role to ensure we set things up to satisfy the needs of our customers and Port users both now, and into the future.”

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch

Community keen to have its say on Port’s future The Canterbury community has shown a keen interest in the first Port Lyttelton Plan (PLP), with Lyttelton Port of Christchurch receiving more than 1000 responses since it was released in June. LPC chief executive, Peter Davie says the reaction has been “very satisfying” given the vast majority of the responses were in favour of its recommendations. “We also received some good suggestions around potential changes to the plan which we have already adopted,’ says advie. “This highlights the benefit of a good, rigorous engagement process.” ‘Connecting with the Community’ around public access to the waterfront and its

“Releasing the Port Lyttelton Plan was a bit like sending out a party invitation – you’re never quite sure if anyone is going to show up.” development was one of three key themes of the PLP, with 57 percent of responses to the Plan relating to this section. Suggestions made by the public for the proposed new waterfront area include the development of a promenade, a new 180 to 200 berth marina, playground, café, restaurant, bar, accommodation, and fish market; plus some green spaces, trees, and safe links to existing walkways and cycle-ways. The other two themes in the PLP were ‘A Thriving Port’ and ‘A Healthy Harbour’. LPC’s Lyttelton information centre - called “Port Talk” - is open weekly to provide an opportunity for the community to communicate informally with senior staff from LPC and gather the latest information about developments at the Port. “We are extremely pleased with the level of response from the community,” says Davie. “Releasing the Port Lyttelton Plan was a bit like sending out a party invitation – you’re never quite sure if anyone is going to show up. “However the level of engagement shows us people appreciate that we are visible and they can come down and have their say. “They find the Port an interesting place and understand they can genuinely make a difference about its future.”

LPC chief executive Peter Davie: “The level of engagement shows us people appreciate that we are visible and they can come down and have their say”.

Facts and Figures * Lyttelton Port of Christchurch is the South Island’s biggest deep-water port and New Zealand’s second-largest export port. * It is home to the South Island’s only dry dock and has the country’s largest coal terminal, with over two million tonnes of coal exported each year * LPC employs over 500 staff * Work at the Port continues 24 hours a day, 365 days a year * The Port’s Container Terminal specialises in cargo handling and stevedoring services. * The Lyttelton operations are supported by an inland container storage and repair facility, CityDepot, with a new inland facility being developed at Rolleston * There are facilities for loading and unloading bulk products at the Port. * Full marine services are provided by the Port including the provision of tugs, pilots to escort ships into and out of the port, staff to assist with berthing, and security. * In 2013 LPC exported by value, 23.9 percent of New Zealand’s dairy products * Container volumes at the port are forecast to double over the next decade and double again by 2041. * An insurance settlement of $438.4 million for earthquake damage is helping to support the Port’s redevelopment. * In June 2014 LPC released the Port Lyttelton Plan that detailed its vision for redevelopment of the Port over the next 30 years.

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Collaboration the key to success The collaborative relationship between Opus International Consultants and Lyttelton Port Company has been an advantage in the postearthquake environment, says Gary Chalmers, Opus principal, Ports and Marine. “We have worked closely with LPC’s engineering group on a variety of opportunities and initiatives, to understand the infrastructure at the Port. “After the earthquakes we were called in to inspect the wharves, sea walls and pavements and advise whether or not they were safe to continue using. We also designed temporary repair solutions for some of the facilities put out of action by the disaster, and provided advice to help support LPC with its insurance claim.” The insurance claim took until December 2013 to resolve, as the scope of works and estimates of damage had to be continually updated during the ongoing aftershocks. Some of the temporary structural solutions at the Port had to be put in place within days of major earthquake events in order to keep it operational, says Chalmers. “Our knowledge of the port, ready access to drawings, and ability to work with existing maintenance providers, enabled us to get the work completed in a short space of time.” One of the most significant projects was the reinstatement of the coal export terminal including the ship loader, after its support structure became damaged in the earthquakes. This infrastructure is used to load coal onto ships so a solution had to be found quickly. Opus designed a temporary support system that involved lifting the deck, installing additional steel piles and beams to support the rails, and tying the structure back to the reclamation. This project was completed in March 2012, and was nominated for a NZ Engineering Excellence Award in 2014. Once the emergency works were complete, Opus worked with LPC’s engineers on investigations and feasibilities, capital works and

The Cashin Quay 2 wharf has been designed to the latest international seismic codes as well as to accommodate larger container ships. asset management projects which are part of the Port’s recovery. The new capital works includes the redevelopment of Cashin Quay 2 wharf, which has been designed to the latest international seismic codes as well as to accommodate larger container ships. Opus principal structural engineer Alistair Boyce led this project. “We are responsible for the ongoing technical supervision of this project now it is under construction, ensuring it is built according to design specifications and standards,” says Chalmers.

The firm has completed the design of temporary pavement repairs to the container terminal and has worked on the expansion of the container terminal pavement areas. “We have also been involved with the first stage of the reclamation project at Te Awaparahi Bay in the east of the Port, which is providing a sustainable solution for the disposal of clean earthquake demolition material as well as expansion of the container storage area.” Opus has 40 offices in New Zealand and employs over 1700 staff.

The Opus Ports and Marine team is based in Christchurch. It works on a wide variety of activities including asset management planning, condition assessments, repairs and maintenance, marine infrastructure engineering, heavy civil and structural engineering and marine structures. “Our Ports and Marine team works across the country on some highly complex projects,” says Chalmers. “In Canterbury we have valued the opportunity to work closely and collaboratively with the team at LPC.”

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch

More than 7.5 hectares has been reclaimed at Te Awaparahi Bay in the east of the Port, where the new Container Terminal will eventually be situated.

Key projects already underway Jo Bailey The Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan will chart the course for the next 30 years of the Port’s redevelopment. However significant progress is already being made on several key projects that are providing critical new infrastructure LPC chief executive, Peter Davie, says more than 7.5 hectares has been reclaimed at Te Awaparahi Bay in the east of the Port, where the new Container Terminal will eventually be situated. “We are already using around four hectares of this area to store lighter cargoes, such as imported cars and the overflow of empty containers,” says davie. He says the reclamation is a “win-win” project for the Port and Christchurch city, as it is providing a sustainable solution for the disposal of clean earthquake rubble and material that would otherwise have been sent to landfill.

LPC currently has Government consent to reclaim 10 hectares at the site, with plans to extend this to 30 hectares over the next 15 years. “The time-line to extend the reclamation area could vary according to the rate of cargo growth. ‘We try to have infrastructure in place three to five years in advance of when it is needed, so we will try to predict the growth ahead of time to ensure we have the capacity.” Davie says LPC has put a robust environmental management plan in place to minimise any environmental impacts and to support the ecological health of the harbour during the reclamation process. The rebuild of Cashin Quay 2 wharf is another important redevelopment project that will help to streamline container terminal operations. Once complete the Terminal will have a combined quay length of 570 metres and will be able to accommodate two large container vessels at once. The project is being delivered in two stages,

‘We try to have infrastructure in place three to five years in advance of when it is needed, so we will try to predict the growth ahead of time to ensure we have the capacity.” with the first 55 metre section due to be completed this month. It will provide enough capacity for one larger and one smaller ship to berth. Stage two of the project is due for completion in November 2015. Davie says Cashin Quay 2 will be the most seismically resilient wharf in New Zealand when complete and will have a deeper berth capable of accommodating larger vessels in the future. “The wharf development is a positive step towards expanding the port and adding capacity to meet current and future growth.” Another project due to get underway in the New Year is the redevelopment of Yard 66, an area

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E: contractors.ch@higgins.co.nz

in front of Norwich Quay, currently used for log storage and bulk cargoes. “We are installing good drainage to capture any run-off, and putting it in hard-stand to minimise the impact of dust and debris on the township.” Davie says so many things we take for granted, such as our morning cups of coffee, the cars we drive, and even the clothes we wear, have passed through the Port. “Over 99 percent of goods enter or exit New Zealand via a port and volumes are growing rapidly. This is why it is essential that we continue to grow to meet demand and build a modern, thriving port for the future.”

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch

Cargo volumes continue to rise Jo Bailey Record volumes across a number of cargoes, a 14.5 percent rise in ship visits and the final settlement of earthquake insurance claims has contributed to a strong end-of-year financial result for Lyttelton Port of Christchurch. LPC chief executive Peter Davie says “things are ticking along well”, with the Port achieving a new record in container volumes of 376,567 TEU’s (20 foot equivalent units) for the year ending 30 June. “Container volumes are one of the most significant areas of LPC’s operations and will continue to be a big contributor to our long-term growth. It is very satisfying to achieve these results in an environment with significantly damaged infrastructure.” Davie puts the 40 percent growth in container freight over the last four years down to a range of factors, including increased dairy exports, strong overall growth in the rural economy, and imports for the Christchurch rebuild. “In the meantime we’ve also had cement, fertiliser and steel going ahead, and an increase in the number of motor vehicle imports. Last year’s big winds also knocked down thousands of trees, which resulted in significantly more logs going through the Port.”

To cope with the increasing demands on its Container Terminal, a new $12 million Leibherr Super Post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry crane was commissioned at the Port in August and has already increased productivity in container transfer to and from vessels. “The new crane is working with three other ship-to-shore cranes at the Container Terminal. It has a greater reach of up to 18 containers wide and a lift capability of 70 tonnes, enabling us to move big volumes and get bigger ships in and out of the port a lot faster.” It also puts LPC in a stronger position to fully service a second container berth, work on off-schedule vessels, and accommodate service growth. The acquisition is part of a $26 million investment in infrastructure, which includes an additional seven forklifts, and eight Leibherr diesel electric straddle carriers. Davie says LPC’s staff are doing a lot of work internally to ensure operations at the Port continue to improve, particularly when it comes to turning around visiting ships. “We are lucky to have a very good workforce, who turn out around the clock, in all weather to keep things rolling.” With the Canterbury economy in good heart, Davie says Lyttelton Port of Christchurch has more strong growth ahead of it.

“Container volumes are one of the most significant areas of LPC’s operations and will continue to be a big contributor to our long-term growth.”

A new $12 million Leibherr Super Post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry crane was commissioned at the Port in August and has already increased productivity in container transfer to and from vessels.

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HEB tackles Cashin Quay rebuild HEB Construction is progressing well on the complex rebuild of one of the most significant pieces of infrastructure at Lyttelton Port of Christchurch, which was badly damaged in the February 2011 earthquake. The Cashin Quay 2 (CQ2) redevelopment is a key project for the Port, as the slightly larger, deeper and stronger structure will provide much needed additional berth space, enabling the port to accommodate two large container vessels at once. HEB Construction successfully won the project tender late last year, and got underway on site in February 2014. The company’s South Island area manager Bernard Kopke says HEB Construction continues to work closely with Lyttelton Port Company throughout the project, which included a redesign and scope change in its early stages, increasing the wharf width from 24 to 34 metres. “Despite the problem solving required throughout the start-up process, our selfperforming, highly skilled on-site team is currently on programme to ensure the client achieves their deadlines, which are vital so the Port can accommodate additional shipping vessels.” HEB’s scope of works includes ground remediation, earthworks, demolition of the old existing wharf and existing seawall, placing of 19,000 cubic metres of armour rock, piling, construction and concrete works for the new seawall and new wharf, including a new reinforced concrete deck structure 33.74 metres wide by 230 metres long. To enable the project to proceed safely the company has had to create temporary walls so its extensive range of plant could sit behind the construction area without the risk of it slipping into the harbour. The main construction works are being carried out from temporary platforms from which more than 250 piles are being driven approximately 65 metres deep using specialised piling hammers.

Structures

Roading

The Cashin Quay 2 (CQ2) redevelopment is a key project for Lyttelton Port and will provide much needed additional berth space. Similar temporary platforms will also be critical when it comes to constructing the concrete deck. Kopke says HEB is utilising a significant amount of specialised plant and marine equipment to complete the project including cranes ranging from 70 tonnes to 280 tonnes; excavators ranging from 20 tonnes up to a 130 tonne machine with a 28m long reach capacity; and a stone column rig, which is being used to carry out ground improvements to the area behind the existing seawall to remediate earthquake damage. “We are also using a lot of marine equipment including five boats and a barge from which we can carry out dredging works.”

Infrastructure

Marine

He says the works are complicated by restricted access, adverse weather conditions, and the need to maintain Port operations at all times, including provision for ship berthing and mooring within the construction zone. “These are being mitigated through a close, collaborative relationship with LPC, which also includes a big focus on developing robust systems to ensure the health and safety of everyone working on or near this congested site.” Apart from specialist welders, all the work is being performed by HEB’s own team. HEB is one of New Zealand’s largest privatelyowned civil construction companies.

Subdivisions

Precast

It entered the Canterbury market in the mid2000’s when it completed works at the Pegasus Town development. Other high profile projects that it has been involved with since then include the Albion Square project at Lyttelton, Ferrymead Bridge, Yaldhurst four-lane project, QEII intersection upgrade improvement, Silverstream land development and Selwyn District Council Pines II wastewater treatment plant. “We take pride in offering a total infrastructure package from design to delivery, and look forward to building on our relationship with LPC into the future,” says Kopke.

Serving Lyttelton The Total Infrastructure Package HEB is providing Lyttelton with a range of construction services post-quake. We have proudly completed the town’s first civic centre, Albion Square and are rebuilding wharves at the Port of Lyttelton that were damaged by the Canterbury earthquakes.

www.heb.co.nz

“Serving one another”

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch

Plans advance for inland port at Rolleston Jo Bailey The development of a new inland port at Rolleston will assist Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) to meet future freight demands, says chief executive, Peter Davie. “In March we purchased 27 hectares at Rolleston adjacent to the Izone development and planning is now well underway to develop the first 10 hectares at the site. “We hope to have consents in place by Christmas which will allow us to proceed to financial consenting with development of the site hopefully getting underway in the New Year,” says Davie. The new inland port will act as a hub for receiving, storing and consolidating containers and as a distribution point where containers are transferred between trucks and trains. Davie says the Rolleston site is strategically located next to the main south railway line that connects to CityDepot, LPC’s established inland port in Woolston, and the Lyttelton Container Terminal. It also has good access to main arterial roads, with strong links to dairy suppliers, and is well situated to receive volumes from the West Coast. “It is the ideal location and has the potential for future warehousing developments on adjacent sites,” says Davie.

LPC has been improving the capacity of its CityDepot off-port operation at Chapmans Road, Woolston, just five minutes from Lyttelton, which is an extensive container servicing facility.

With 40 containers able to be transported on each train journey, the inland port could also take some pressure off the Canterbury roading network, he says. The new Rolleston inland port should be operational by early 2016, with LPC landbanking

the remaining 17 hectares of the 27 hectare site for future developments. The Company has also been improving the capacity of its CityDepot off-port operation at Chapmans Road, Woolston, just five minutes from Lyttelton, which is an extensive container servicing facility.

“We purchased the first 10 hectares in 2006 and have since added another seven hectares to the site. “Nearly all of this land is now being utilised with CityDepot becoming an increasingly important component of the Port’s operation.”

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Farmlands - close link with LPC Farmlands Fuel is a 100 percent New Zealand owned provider of fuel, storage and compliance solutions. As a subsidiary of Farmlands Co-operative, New Zealand’s largest rural supplies cooperative, Farmlands Fuel is owned by rural New Zealand. The point of difference for Farmlands Fuel, however, is that is serves more than just the rural sector. From packhouses to ports, Farmlands Fuel is a fast-growing supplier to New Zealand’s engine room. Supplying both petrol and diesel, Farmlands Fuel has a network that refuels 11 ports nationwide. The distinctive bright green tankers can be seen on the roads throughout New Zealand – but there is more to Farmlands Fuel than just bulk fuel. Farmlands Fuel is a major distributor of the world-famous range of Gulf lubricants. From heavy machinery to chainsaws, Gulf has an equivalent lubricant for any machine in operation in New Zealand. Farmlands Fuel is also the sole supplier of the Challenge network of service stations. Entirely owned and operated in New Zealand, Challenge prides itself on being “100 percent Kiwi-as”. This extends to its supply of fuel – being wholly supplied by a New Zealand owned business allows it to keep this mantra alive. For commercial businesses, Farmlands Fuel has a range of services to cater to both scale and scope. The Farmlands Fuel Starcard is a great option for businesses that require more streamlined accounting on their fuel purchases, while also receiving a competitive rate of purchase. Farmlands Fuel Starcards offer PIN security, no transaction or card issue fees and are accepted at more than 500 service station and fuel stops nationwide. Farmlands Fuel can also offer commercial businesses their own storage solutions on-

Farmlands Fuel has a along-standing relationship with LPC - delivering fuel to the port since October 2008. site, with fully HSNO compliant petrol, diesel or combination options. These storage solutions come with a full range of accessories, covering everything from nozzles to flow meters. This level of diversity, coupled with a desire to become the leader in service and technical advice

is the reason Farmlands Fuel has developed a long standing relationship with Lyttelton Port of Christchurch. Farmlands Fuel has been delivering fuel to LPC since October 2008. During this time, Farmlands Fuel has performed to a high standard,

ensuring continuity of supply to the Port, even in extreme circumstances such as the Canterbury earthquakes. Farmlands Fuel is proud to be associated with LPC and values the long standing partnership that has been developed with them.

Meeting Port’s lifting requirements Gough Materials Handling (GMH) is helping Lyttelton Port Company to make short work of its heavy lifting requirements. “With a 35 percent increase in container handling at its city depot at Woolston, LPC came to us urgently seeking three large emptycontainer-handling forklifts. “We brought in three from around the country which were assembled at the depot last Christmas. “Two of the larger 16-tonners now being refurbished for long-term rental at the site,’ says Richard Grooms, GMH branch manager. The Hornby-based firm has also sold and supported several new Hyster forklifts to LPC over the many years it has been a supplier to the port company. Grooms says the innovation, reliability and durability of the high-performance Hyster range has established GMH as a leading provider of container-handling fork trucks to ports right throughout New Zealand along with other major clients such as Kiwirail and Toll. “Hyster is one of the dominant players in the global market, with its range encompassing everything from narrow aisle pallet trucks to reach trucks and order pickers. “The brand’s big trucks are leaders in New Zealand with a 75 percent market share.” Gough Materials Handling has held the Hyster agency in New Zealand for decades and supports the brand with a complete service package, including new equipment sales, short and long term lease, used equipment, parts-onhand, fleet management services, and in-house and mobile servicing. “Our service team regularly provides support to LPC’s maintenance department, servicing a range of Hyster equipment both owned by them and leased from us at their city depot and main port. “We usually send two of our guys in for a couple of days each month.”

The innovation, reliability and durability of the Hyster range has established GMH as a leading provider of container-handling fork trucks.

Grooms says that GMH is at the forefront of health and safety. Across the Gough Transport Group it is encouraging its clients to consider adding GPS and fleet management features to their equipment to enable them to be tracked at all times, maximising safety on the worksite.

Gough Materials Handling has a team of 12 looking after Canterbury and South Canterbury, with an additional four staff servicing the top of the South Island. “We are growing all the time. In the last 12 months we have taken on three new guys, and have another two starting in February.

As the industry evolves and changes, GMH and the Hyster brand will continue to be at its forefront, says Grooms. “Gough’s transport group understands the need to adapt in order to provide an enhanced level of sales, service and support to our industry partners, such as LPC.”

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Lyttelton Port of Christchurch

Port investigates cruise ship options Jo Bailey The results of a study into the benefits of the cruise industry for Canterbury are due to be released by Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism early next year. Lyttelton Port of Christchurch chief executive Peter Davie says LPC understands that a cruise ship terminal at Lyttelton is a significant issue and has developed two alternatives for cruise berth facilities. “We have often stated we would welcome large cruise vessels back to Lyttelton. However the cost of a cruise facility and associated commercial returns for the Port mean we will need to partner with the industry to realise this opportunity.” Davie was part of a steering group, which included Christchurch City Councillors Raf Manjii, Ali Jones and Andrew Turner, airport Chief Executive, Malcolm Johns, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Canterbury Development Corporation, Tom Hooper, which was unable to reach a conclusion as to whether extra investment in the Port would be worthwhile. “If the study reveals there is value in bringing large cruise ships back to Lyttelton, it will be a matter of bringing everyone together to look at the benefits, funding options and decide the best way to take things forward,” says Davie. All but a few of the scheduled cruise ship visits now go to Akaroa, Kaikoura and Timaru rather than having the traditional Lyttelton stopover. The high-end “Caledonian Sky” was the first cruise ship of the season to berth at Lyttelton, arriving on November 28. It is one of at least seven smaller cruise ships that are scheduled to visit the Port this season.

The high-end “Caledonian Sky” was the first cruise ship of the 2014/15 season to berth at Lyttelton.

Key role in Port’s recovery ProDirections has played a key role in helping Lyttelton Port Company to prepare for its large-scale redevelopment works at the Port. The Christchurch strategic project solutions specialists were tasked with helping to set up the Port’s programme management office and to establish appropriate procedures and systems for delivery of LPC’s works programme. “We began working with the Port’s Development Manager in June last year,” says ProDirections director, Francois Baudet. “We spent a few months working with the Port to fully understand and scope the redevelopment programme, before assisting with the development and implementation of the structures and systems required for its success”. “We are now involved in delivery of vertical infrastructure across the Port,” says Baudet, who is leading this work on the buildings programme, in conjunction with the Port’s Inner Harbour team. ProDirections’ programme director and founding partner Ben Mitchell has also provided valuable assistance at both a programme and project level. Our work with the Port provides an insight into the wide-ranging expertise that can be found within ProDirections, which was founded in Christchurch in 2003 and also has an Auckland office.

Since its inception the company’s project directors have provided consultancy, strategic project solutions and leadership to a range of large, complex infrastructure and building projects nationwide in sectors such as power generation, airports, public buildings, health, irrigation, rail, and commercial developments. In Christchurch its workload has been heavily concentrated on the region’s recovery. “Although we take on some of the largest, most complex projects, we also work on a range of mid-sized jobs. We aim to add value to every project and set them up to succeed from the start, no matter what their size,” says Baudet.

BETTER PROJECT OUTCOMES THROUGH THE BEST PROJECT STRATEGY, INITIATION AND PEOPLE Our primary focus is project leadership and direction, ensuring your project is initiated right the first time and is set up to succeed. Our independence in the industry and our desire to ensure your interests are our number one consideration, allows us to deliver you greater value for a lower overall project investment.

Baudet says the workload in Christchurch has increased due to the earthquakes. “We’ve tried to stay true to our connections with Christchurch. Our experience over 11 years in this market goes a long way to helping us deliver successful outcomes. “We already have long-established connections with many key consultants in the region, which helps us pull together high-quality projects within tight timeframes.” Maintaining a strong relationship with LPC will continue to be a key focus, says Baudet. “Relationships are always built on the successes of the past. So it’s critical we continue to perform in order to continue the relationship with LPC, for hopefully years to come.”

ProDirections’ project directors provide strategic project solutions and leadership to the largest and most challenging facilities, infrastructure and building projects nationwide.

Call us today for an obligation free consultation. Phone 977 9977

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CONTRACTING » Drains & Developments

December 2014 Business South

Going the extra mile for Chch rebuild Kelly Deeks Christchurch’s Drains and Developments is going the extra mile for the rebuild of Canterbury. As one of the contractors repairing the region’s damaged infrastructure, Drains and Developments is doing what it can to solve drainage problems in the areas it is working. Drains and Developments has drainage crews working in Avonside, Parklands, and the general Christchurch area, completing a lot of the more problematic repair and rebuild work. With 21 years in the industry behind the company, Drains and Developments has a combination of the right equipment and the right staff, with the required skill sets and willingness to adapt to the night time and weekend hours necessary in this work. Drains and Developments general manager Joe Cochrane says while the majority of the company’s work is with the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT), it is also completing private work for local clients who have emergency drainage issues that have still not been remedied. “If we’re there and we can help, we will,” he says. “It’s such a highly stressed time for the residents in the areas we’re working. They’re seeing road works everywhere, they’ve got traffic management and insurance issues. “Everyone has different problems, and we have to sort out these problems as we go.” He says that the Fletcher team is leading the way in looking after the people, trying to keep them informed and happy, and solving their problems without making a big deal out of it. “Some of these problems might be a major problem to these residents, but to us, it’s minimal as we might be able to quickly resolve the issue,” he says. “If there is a blocked drain, we may just have to jet the line and it’s cleared. We can charge a minimal amount because we’re already in the area, and we can ease the frustration caused by the work in progress. “A lot of the time it’s just due to the residents’ kind words to the workers.”

Drains and Developments has drainage crews working in Avonside, Parklands, and the general Christchurch area. Happy customers are important to Drains and Developments, and in achieving this, the company is seeking to grow its skilled workforce, improve its procedures, and keep up with all the current legislation and evolve with it.

Drains and Developments is a growing company that is still actively recruiting. Cochrane says it is a hard road to finding labourers with drainage skills and 10 plus years of experience, However the company has recently employed two school leavers who he says have with the foresight and the insight to recognise the opportunities that the industry can offer them. “We’ve got two young lads starting apprenticeships, one in carpentry and the other in drainage,” Cochrane says.

“It’s going to be hard work, but once they’ve done it, they are going to be skilled,” says Cochrane. As the company name indicates, Drains and Developments is also a keen player in the residential land development market, purchasing land and transforming it into sections for residential use. It also provides these site works services to private customers, from individuals with a section they are about to build on, to large subdivision developers.

“Some of these problems might be a major problem to these residents, but to us, it’s minimal as we might be able to quickly resolve the issue.”

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CONTRACTING » Drains & Developments

Business South December 2014

| 35

Drains and Developments is going the extra mile for the rebuild of Canterbury.

Moore Stephens Markhams has been supporting Christchurch business for more than 100 years and is proud to be associated with Drains and Developments Limited.

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36 |

CONTRACTING » Dynamic Drainage

December 2014 Business South

Skilled crew saves time and money Kelly Deeks Working alongside construction professionals in both the commercial and residential sectors, Christchurch’s Dynamic Drainage says its greatest strength is its ability to “get in, get the job done, and get out again”, causing as little on-site disruption as possible while producing quality results. “We recognise that excavation work and drain laying can be disruptive, and we’re committed to completing our tasks in the quickest, most efficient manner possible,” says managing director Grant Wooster. “Utilising quality equipment and the vast experience of our professional team, we strive to finish each drainage project in the shortest possible time. “Our ability to complete jobs up to three times faster than others in the industry means less downtime for the other trades on site, helping to keep the projects we work on within budget and on time.” Dynamic Drainage was established in 2007 by drainage professional Wooster, who has more than 15 years of hands on industry experience behind him.

Dynamic Drainage was initially focused on domestic drainage, with a number of regular housing company clients using Dynamic Drainage on new builds and renovations. The company has enjoyed consistent and sustainable growth over the past seven years, and the team is now 19 staff members strong, including two highly experienced foremen and four apprentice drain layers. Dynamic Drainage is now turning its skills and experience to the light commercial market, with Wooster focusing on a high standard of health and safety protocols which are imperative in commercial work. “In the domestic market it’s more important to get things done as quickly as possible, but in the commercial market all the project managers are most interested in health and safety,” Wooster says. He says Dynamic Drainage’s work ethic sets it apart from other drainage companies, and its experience and proven ability to operate efficiently in collaboration with other trades makes the company an ideal addition to commercial projects. “The builders we work alongside, be they independent contractors or building companies of significant size, have made commitments to their

• All residential, light commercial drainage • Septic Tank systems • Alterations • Excavations • Canterbury wide • Free quotes

“We recognise that excavation work and drain laying can be disruptive, and we’re committed to completing our tasks in the quickest, most efficient manner possible.” clients with regard to time-frames, deadlines and budgets, and we recognise the role we play in keeping to those promises,” Wooster says. “Each and every member of our team is friendly, well-presented, and trustworthy. They take pride in their work and are committed to going above and beyond the call of duty to exceed the expectations of those we work with.” Committed to delivering a service that is second-to-none when it comes to speed and efficiency, Dynamic Drainage has invested considerable capital to ensure its crews can operate with the very best tools and resources possible. The company is constantly monitoring world-

wide trends and innovations, investing in training, and upgrading equipment as and when necessary to ensure its clients receive cutting edge services and exceptional service. With considerable hands-on experience and vast industry knowledge, Dynamic Drainage drainage specialists can offer advice and direction, and are happy to meet onsite for an obligation-free consultation or to provide a quote. With five crews operating throughout Christchurch and across the wider Canterbury region, Dynamic Drainage has the skills and the capacity to handle any drainage project, and offers a guarantee on all its work.

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www.hynds.co.nz

Business South December 2014

CONTRACTING » Action Scaffolding

| 37

Leading firm looks to consolidate Jo Bailey Christchurch firm Action Scaffolding has continued to grow strongly in the past year, with staff numbers jumping from 16 to 25. However Kay Backhouse, who owns the company with husband Mark, says they are keen to consolidate as the company looks forward to a different stage in its development. “It’s been a pretty hectic year and we are happy to maintain the company at its current level. We’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in new gear in recent times and have also bought some land in the Belfast Business Park where we intend to establish a new yard within the next year.” The Backhouses managed the rapidly growing operation themselves until around a year ago when they took on a part time administrator, who went full time in April. “We were running the business from home at that stage but have since moved a Portacom onto our existing yard at 1 March Place, Belfast.” Kay Backhouse says cautious growth is important in the Christchurch market, especially as the rebuild work starts to even out. “Ten years ago when we started the business there were five scaffolding companies in Christchurch, now there is something like 48.” Business failure has already been the fate of several building companies in recent months, which has impacted on Action Scaffolding. “Unfortunately we were burned by a couple of these companies so are definitely becoming more cautious about new business. “Our focus is on continuing to provide optimum platform scaffolding and edge protection services to our really good customers.” These include numerous Canterbury-based building companies, roofing companies, and tradespeople such as painters and plasterers, with whom Action Scaffolding has worked with for years. The Canterbury earthquakes are just one driver of growth for the firm, as changing health and safety regulations which require full platform scaffolding to be erected for work done on all single-story residential structures, also having a big impact. One of the challenges of providing scaffolding for these work sites is the differing requirements of the various tradesmen involved with the project, she says. “Every trade seems to want the scaffolding at a different height which can be frustrating as it is not economic to build three or four different scaffolds around one house.”

One of the challenges of providing scaffolding is the differing requirements of the various tradesmen involved with the project. To combat this, Action Scaffolding has recently introduced a new “hop-up” system that it is finetuning. “The system will allow scaffolding to be moved easily between different heights and should help to alleviate this issue.” Another new initiative has been the introduction of steel planks which makes the erection process much faster. “The advantage is that the steel planks clip over the scaffold and don’t just sit on it. They can be put up much quicker and also end up flush, providing a full-floor working platform which is much safer for the end user.” The company also works on a few light commercial projects, but is mainly focused on the residential market. “With all the new subdivisions underway in the region and more in the pipeline, we expect there to be plenty of work ahead in this market over the coming years.”

Dan / Matt 027 434 7488 / 027 434 7483

Want to take your business to the next level?

84 Branston Street, Hornby, Christchurch, New Zealand heavytrans@xtra.co.nz

PROUD TO SUPPORT ACTION SCAFFOLDING

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t: 03 373 6049 e: info@dyersroaditm.co.nz

www.dyersroaditm.co.nz

38 |

CONTRACTING » Landpro

December 2014 Business South

Rebranding reflects wider sweep Karen Phelps Over the last seven years BTW South has worked with clients of all sizes across regional New Zealand. The company has now changed its name to Landpro to better reflect the nature of the business, which sees it mapping, measuring and analysing land across the country. “The new name better personifies who we are today,” says Landpro managing director Kate Scott. “While BTW South became the leaders in rural, industrial and natural resource solutions we have also added other expertise in order to provide a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of land development.” Scott says the change has proved a positive one for the company with its team involved in the rebranding process. She says this has created even greater buy in from the staff, which has been reflected in a more productive working environment which has obvious spin off effects for clients. Landpro was started in 2007 by Scott and the company’s other two directors Mike Borthwick and Kathryn Hooper. The company offers surveying, planning and resource management, environmental and technical services and aerial surveying and mapping. Landpro works with a wide range of clients from individual property owners and farmers to multinational companies. Industries that the company works for include mining, oil and gas and rural. Landpro works from two primary bases, one in Cromwell the other in Gore, and predominantly services the wider Otago and Southland Regions. Scott says a big focus for the company, due to the precise nature of the work, is to keep up with the latest technology. For example the company provides an airborne mapping system to capture and process photogrammetric data for mining, geospatial, agriculture and infrastructure projects using the most accurate drone currently available in New Zealand - the TopoDrone-100 fixed-wing aircraft. “The TopoDrone mapping system captures and processes photogrammetric data for a wide range of survey tasks,” says Scott. “Integration with laser scan survey, design conformance and mine planning software and irrigation design software ensures a cost-efficient

Landpro offers surveying, planning and resource management, environmental and technical services and aerial surveying and mapping. and time saving solution for rapidly mapping and analysing change in mining, geospatial, agriculture and infrastructure applications,” explains Scott. She acknowledges that it is the strong team that the company has pulled together which is one factor, which sets it apart. “Our licensed cadastral surveyors are accredited with Land Information New Zealand to carry out land title surveys as well as geodetic maintenance surveys for the New Zealand Government and also provide a wide variety of legal surveying services including subdivisions, boundary definition, and easement surveys.”

Proud to work with Landpro

The Planning and Resource Management Team are experienced in all facets of resource consenting from advising on and assessing consenting requirements, preparing application for consent, assessment of environmental effects, carrying out consultation with affected parties, and attendance at resource consent hearings if required. “Another feather in our cap is our Environmental and Technical Services team, who provide an extensive range of services to support both the surveying and resource management services we provide,” says Scott. “This is where the environmental scientists sit, providing technical advice and support, particularly in relation to water management issues, groundwater and surface water hydrology, dairy industry expertise and nutrient management advice.” She says that Landpro has experienced

considerable growth in the past seven years expanding from two to 18 employees. In 2013 the company’s growth was recognised at the Central Otago Business Excellence Awards when that the company had experienced 400% growth over the past six years. “The award was a result of our focus on understanding the opportunities and challenges in a competitive environment and making strategic decisions about how to add value for our customers,” says Scott. “As a team of professionals we aim to be responsive to our client’s needs, budgets and deadlines as well as being committed to our health, safety and environmental policies. “Our aim is to continue to advance and improve the quality of the services we offer and we see further opportunities in terms of servicing regional New Zealand.”

Providing specialist engineering expertise for designing farm irrigation ponds and efﬂuent ponds Cnr SH1 & Clapham Rd, Kennington, Invercargill e: admin@mcneillnz.com

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Phone: 03 443 5159 Mobile: 027 456 0022 Email: info@mtaurumeng.co.nz www.mtaurumeng.co.nz

With over 30 years experience our family owned & operated business specialises in earthworks. If you have a project to complete call us for a FREE consultation. • LAND CLEARING • FARM CONVERSIONS • LANDSCAPING & DRIVEWAYS • IRRIGATION & WATER RESERVOIRS • SITE WORKS • SUBDIVISIONS • PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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CONTRACTING » Landpro

Business South December 2014

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| 39

40 |

CONTRACTING » Bruce Wilson Contracting-

December 2014 Business South

Plenty on the go in Central Otago Jo Bailey Bruce Wilson Contracting (BWC) was one of the key contractors to get Cromwell’s exciting attraction, Highlands Motorsport Park, off the start line, says general manager, Warren Aitken. “We’ve been involved with the development pretty much since Tony Quinn first conceived the idea for a motorsport park and museum,” says Aitken. “It was just a paddock when we started and has been our major project now for the last two-and-a-half years.” The world-class facility, which opened at Easter 2013, has an international standard 4.5 km race-track, 6.5 km go-kart track, a café and gift shop. It is also home to the National Motorsport Museum. “The park is a major development for Central Otago. It’s unbelievable what it has done for Cromwell and the surrounding districts,” says Aitken. BWC was chosen as the major contractor for the project after completing some initial groundworks at the site. The firm commenced bulk earthworks for the track construction in July 2012. As the main contractor it carried out significant additional works and also organised sub-contractors to complete other works such as tree removal, water, drainage, and asphalt. The first stage of fast-track project was completed in less than a year. BWC is continuing with more works at the motorsport park, including the development of a rally track, and managing the earthworks, laying of services, road formation and kerb and channel development for an apartment complex which is being built on-site. Aitken says BWC’s team is enjoying its involvement in the high profile project. “Tony Quinn has some real vision and wants everything done right. The whole team of mainly local specialists he has brought together for this project has been very good to work with.” Bruce and Maria Wilson founded BWC in 2002.

Bruce Wilson Contracting was one of the key contractors on the new Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell.

They sold the company to Stracon in 2005, but bought it back in 2011. Aitken says Bruce Wilson is the “driving force” behind the family-owned business. “Bruce is very clever and has built a strong reputation for being up front and honest which has led to the company’s growth. “BWC has a proven background in

“The Highland Motorsport Park is a major development for Central Otago. It’s unbelievable what it has done for Cromwell and the surrounding districts.” undertaking a variety of construction and maintenance projects throughout the South Island, and the ability to think of alternative solutions to tricky problems.” In the last year, the team at BWC has grown to 43, incorporating a wide range of qualified tradesmen and three apprentices. In additional to general earthmoving and excavation work, the company’s scope of services extends to fencing, roading, irrigation projects, earth dams, dairy conversions, water reticulation, subdivisions, forestry and mining projects. “Building dams for irrigation purposes is a growing part of the business. “In the last six months we have been awarded four major dams, mainly in the Central Otago and Maniototo areas. “We sub-contract to major firms, such as PGG, North Otago Irrigation Services and Waterforce on these projects, and also work directly for farmers.” BWC has completed all the ground works, services and road development for the McNulty

Subdivision in Cromwell, and also carries out smaller jobs, such as driveways, laying concrete, or tree removal. “We don’t say no to any job big or small, which is important in a smaller community.” The company had planned to target more mining-related work in 2014. However the drop in coal and gold prices led to a change in this strategy. “We still provide services to the mining sector. However our main focus continues to be on our core industries.” Aitken says BWC has a good-sized order book through to winter next year. “For a company in the civil sector I’d say we’re lucky to have forward work out that far. “But we’re not entirely full, so there is still scope for us to take on some additional projects.” Aitken says supporting the local community is important to BWC. “As one of the larger employers in Cromwell we take a lot of pride in our sponsorship and support of a range of events, sports groups and individuals in the local community.”

Proud to be associated with B.W.C

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CONTRACTING » Bruce Wilson Contracting

Business South December 2014

| 41

Fencing at GlenTanner Station: in addition to general earthmoving and excavation work BWC’s scope of services also extends to fencing, roading, irrigation projects, earth dams, dairy conversions, water reticulation, subdivisions, forestry and mining projects.

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42 |

CONTRACTING » The Concrete Company

December 2014 Business South

Quality the key to company success Kelly Deeks A bit of hard work and a willingness to undertake both large and small projects has helped to grow Jamie Bennett’s three year old concreting business from a staff of one to an 11 strong workforce. Bennett is a concreter with 22 years of experience in all aspects of the concrete trade. He established The Concrete Company with the philosophy that quality comes first. “My goal in life is to sleep easy at night, and I would rather lose money on a job than compromise on quality,” he says. “With this philosophy we’ve been able to create a good brand and reputation for high quality concrete placing in Nelson and Blenheim, and we’re now looking to grow the business across the rest of the top of the South Island.” As well as concrete floors, which are low maintenance and offer a variety of finishing options, The Concrete Company’s portfolio includes exposed aggregates, coloured and stamped concrete driveways, through to residential house floors, including acid washing, sealing, and decorative cutting, and bespoke bench tops. Exposed aggregates are achieved by washing away the top layer of cement to leave the surface layer of stony aggregate exposed. Aggregates can include a variety of decorative stones or glass. While plain grey concrete is still the most popular solution for surfacing driveways, patios, and right of ways, there are alternatives says Bennett. “Stamped or coloured concrete, exposed aggregate finishes, and intricately cut or grooved patterns add a decorative finish.” He says coloured concrete is an architecturally stunning method of pigmenting cement so it is stained and colourfast. Concrete is commonly stained black for flooring and patios, but there are various other options. An acid wash can make concrete look like new, removing stains, mildew and any surface water that may be starting to show. “We can seal new and clean concrete so that it retains its appearance, is hard wearing and water resistant, providing attractive surfaces and durable

The Concrete Company has the ability to complete concrete floors for high-spec commercial projects which require high quality floors.

floors,” Bennett says. Cutting concrete can be challenging and wasteful business with disastrous results when done badly. With 22 years of experience in concrete cutting, Bennett can arrange both decorative scribing and structural cutting. Concrete also makes attractive and hard wearing kitchen bench tops, as well as prominent and decorative surfaces for other areas of a home.

The Concrete Company builds bespoke concrete bench tops in a variety of styles and finishes. Bennett says they will still take on any job, from the smallest footpath right up to the large commercial work it is currently working on, building a 5500sqm super flat warehouse floor for Nelson business Ultraspec Building Systems. With a wide range of experience in commercial flooring, combined with the latest technologies, The Concrete Company has the ability to complete concrete floors for high spec commercial projects which require high quality floors, along with the placement of tilt panels. The Concrete Company is now working on two retirement village projects, both with main

contractor Scott Construction. Nelson’s brand new Summerset retirement village has been three years in the making so far, and The Concrete Company will be there for another year and a half completing about 25,000sqm of floors in residential areas and the complex’s hospital, and driveways and footpaths throughout the village. The latest project is the concrete work for Olive Gardens retirement village at Richmond. Bennett is still on the tools and is leading company from the front. “Our customers have the security of knowing the person who prices the job, works on the job, and quality controls the job is me, right the way through,” he says.

027 488 8074

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Business South December 2014

CONTRACTING » NZ Demolition and Asbestos Association

| 43

Quakes a game-changer for sector Jo Bailey The Christchurch earthquakes have “literally rewritten” parts of the rule book for the demolition and asbestos industry, says Helina Stil, secretary of the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association. “The earthquakes were a major game changer, and highlighted some specifics that hadn’t been accounted for in the latest New Zealand Demolition and New Zealand Asbestos guidelines which were released around the same time as the disaster.” The Association had put five or six year’s work into writing these documents, drawing on the combined expertise and expertise within the industry nationally. Ms Stil says working on multi-storey damaged buildings was one area that had received little attention before the earthquakes. “We had only written one page on high reach demolition before the earthquakes as there were only about five or six machines in New Zealand capable of doing this work at the time. “Now we have one of the highest number of high reach machines of any country in the world.” Asbestos management is another key issue for the Association, particularly in Christchurch. “There were probably around 15 notifications of asbestos a year in Christchurch before the earthquakes, now there is over 1000.” Ms Stil says the Association has since spent considerable time applying the “lessons of Christchurch” to both sets of guidelines. It is working with the government to rewrite the asbestos regulations which will come into force within the next couple of years, and intends to review its health and safety guidelines once the new laws coming into effect in April next year. “We’ll see what impact the new legislation has first before adding to the guidelines.”

The Christchurch earthquakes have rewritten parts of the rule book for the demolition and asbestos industry. The demolition industry in Canterbury is facing an unprecedented amount of compliance and paper work. However Ms Stil says this is not necessarily a bad thing as it has grown the industry professionally. “The new requirements have lifted the intellectual standards in the industry and has made us more aware of the issues, including the need for engineers to provide structural tests and inspections and heritage building requirements.

“It has also weeded the cowboys out of the industry and raised the game of the qualified demolition contractors left carrying out the work.” The NZDAA (formerly the NZ Demolition Contractors’ Association) was formed in the 1990’s by a handful of Auckland based contractors. In the mid 2000’s the Association reached a Memorandum of Understanding with the government to help develop industry codes of practice and guidelines. Today its objectives are to improve the operating

environment for its member organisations; continue to develop best practice guidelines; provide training and develop industry-led qualifications; lobby government on its members behalf, and provide a communication point for the industry. The Association has over 60 members from a range of companies and organisations with wideranging skills. “Potential members have to meet entry standards before they will be accepted, which includes the systems they have in place, their health and safety and work records, and commitment to the environment. “Our members tend to be passionate about the industry, want to improve it, and often take up the opportunity to be involved at the coal face when it comes to writing legislation.” The demolition and asbestos guidelines are available free to members and are available for purchase from the Association’s website. “We don’t discriminate against non-members, with a host of information available to raise the level of everybody in the industry, whether they are members or not. Non-members are also welcome to attend our meetings.” Helina Stil is health and safety manager of her family’s high profile demolition firm Nikau Contractors. Her mother Diana Stil was president of NZDAA for six years until the end of 2012 when Alan Edge, director of Christchurch firm Southern Demolition took over the role. Helina Stil’s brother, JohnPaul Stil is the Association’s current vice president. “Although the earthquakes tested New Zealand’s demolition and asbestos guidelines they still proved almost bullet proof. “However the things we’ve learned since the earthquakes have raised the level of the industry to where it is now recognised among the best in the world, with skills and knowledge our operators could apply anywhere.”

NZDAA offers support Jeff Hingston, owner of Christchurch demolition, excavation and cartage specialists DCon Holdings says there has never been a more important time to be a member of the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association. “The changing regulations and requirements of contractors since the Canterbury earthquakes have had a major impact on the industry.

region, with a recent project being the demolition of the old Farmers store in Rangiora. The firm is committed to preserving the environment and carefully recycles and rejuvenates materials from the demolition sites where possible to reduce the waste going to landfills. It is a specialist in asbestos removal, concrete breaking and on-site crushing.

“Demolition contractors are now answerable to a range of organisations and overseeing bodies throughout the demolition process with a raft of paperwork to complete. The support and ultimately protection offered by the Association to contractors to help them manage health and safety liabilities and contractual risk is invaluable, as well as its range of best practice templates and methodologies.”

DCon also provides its own excavation, earthmoving and cartage services.

Hingston started DCon in 2007 and never could have anticipated the unprecedented levels of demolition work that would arise in Canterbury as a result of the earthquakes.

The firm’s cartage division is used for carting waste and materials from the demolition site, as well as cartage of high capacity bulk products for clients including shingle, dirt, landscape supplies, compost and fertiliser. Although there is more management and paperwork required under the new regulatory environment, Hingston says it has been good for the industry.

“There has been a lot of work, but numerous contractors from other regions have also rolled into Christchurch. Being identified as a 100 percent Canterbury owned and operated firm is something we are very proud of and has definitely kept our workflow going all the way through.” DCon has a core team of 8 to 10 staff who use modern equipment and techniques to demolish residential, commercial and industrial buildings up to five storeys high. They have brought down multiple buildings in the city and throughout the Canterbury

“The excavation side of the business is really growing now Christchurch is moving into the rebuild phase. We can provide excavation and site works for new developments on the demolition site, or work on standalone projects for industrial, commercial and residential clients.”

“The standard of workmanship has been raised and a lot of the old traditional demolition stereotypes are disappearing. “Demolition is a much more professional industry now, with a big focus on health and safety and deconstructing buildings in the safest way possible.”

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CONTRACTING » Crane Association of New Zealand

44 |

December 2014 Business South

Focus on maintaining safety record Jo Bailey The skyline of New Zealand is being filled with cranes, says Rod Auton, chief executive of the Crane Association of New Zealand. “The growth in the Auckland residential and commercial building markets and the rebuild in Christchurch are having a big impact on the industry,” says Auton. “The government’s proposed investment in infrastructure also bodes well, as there are some big builds planned throughout New Zealand over the next few years.” With ongoing growth predicted, the association is focused on maintaining New Zealand’s position at the forefront of crane safety. “Accidents and injuries are rare here. We think this comes down to the high standards set by the individual crane companies, backed by support from the Association and wider industry.” Auton says the industry works hard to exceed the minimum health and safety standards set down by regulators. “By supporting our members in these and other operational objectives, the New Zealand crane industry has become an international benchmark of success, which is something we are extremely proud of.” The Crane Association of New Zealand represents 85 percent of the mobile crane market in this country. It has just celebrated its 40th anniversary at its annual conference held in Queenstown, which was judged “among the best”, says Auton. “We had a great selection of speakers and were privileged to have three of the original foundation members, Bill McIntosh, Barry Dinan and Bill Houlker in attendance, who were at the first meeting in 1975 and are great stalwarts of the industry,” says Auton. “The Association has 15 members who have been with it since day one who were acknowledged at the conference.” Auton says the underlying theme of the conference was consequences – that for every action there is a reaction. “Most of the speakers spoke around this theme. It related back to the industry in terms of doing it right first time when it comes to health and safety, training, compliance and good business practices.”

The event was hosted by comedian Urzila Carlson, with speakers including Dr Paul Wood, who shared his incredible life story which included becoming the first person in New Zealand’s history to progress through undergraduate and Masters degrees while in prison. He was also the first to begin a Doctorate while incarcerated. Psychologist Nigel Latta was also a popular speaker, delivering his message with his trademark humour. There was also a range of industry speakers including John Gillespie, president of the Crane Industry Council of Australia; Vadim Spice, project team leader from WorkSafe; and Paul Houston from Fletcher Construction who provided an insight into the massive Waterview project. ANZ senior economist Sharon Zöllner who speaks annually at the conference, giving another “riveting” talk on the state of the economy. This year one of the Crane Association’s members, Ron Brown from Transport Specifications in Auckland was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Transport, which was “great recognition” for the significant amount of work he had done with the Ministry of Transport and NZTA over the years. Auton says one of the Association’s most successful initiatives over the last 12 months was to open an online shop which sells its health and safety, and best practice resources and training publications. “The shop has been very well received, with a 500 percent increase in sales since we started it up. It is making the resources more accessible to members and non-members alike. “The Crane Association encourages operators to be responsible and work ethically. “Hopefully these resources will inspire others to join.” Although the Association covers the vast majority of mobile crane operators, Auton says there are some gaps when it comes to engineering companies which operate gantry cranes. “Under the new Health and Safety Act and approved code of practice all operators have a responsibility to ensure they have the right information and are receiving the correct training. “We are in the process of going out to a large number of engineering companies to talk to them about what we do and how we can help them in their businesses.”

The Crane Association of NZ says the industry works hard to exceed the minimum health and safety standards set down by regulators.

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Darryl Stanley, left, of UDC, the sponsor of Project of the Year award with Bryce Irving of Fletchers.

Awards cap off conference One of the highlights at the 2014 Crane Association of New Zealand annual conference was the presentation of awards for excellence in training initiatives; and the best project of the year. Fletcher Construction won the UDC Project of the Year award for the replacement of a bridge beam on an existing bridge on the Waikato expressway. The project focused on the erection of the central span girder using an American 9310 crawler crane manufactured in 1976. Fletchers was also responsible for the design and construction of the whole 142.2 metre, five-span bridge, which carries State Highway 1 over the Waikato River upstream of the Horotiu Bridge. The steel composite girder bridge has two 3.2 metre deep parallel girders supporting transverse 915UB cross girders made composite with a 250mm concrete slab. Gary Fessenden, the chief executive of The Skills Organisation, also announced at the conference the winners of the 2014 Crane Training Awards.

HEB was named Crane Training Company of the Year, largely due to one of its trainers, Lee Liddlelow, who Crane Association chief executive Rod Auton describes as an “exceptional, dedicated character in the industry which is reflected in the quality of his training and the trainees he puts out”. Andrew Kitney won the Crane Trainer of the Year award. He runs his own independent business and was nominated by Titan Cranes. “Andrew is a skilful trainer who was rewarded for the quality of his training, the number of trainees he puts through, the qualifications they achieve, and the valuable ongoing mentoring he provides.” Crane Trainee of the Year was Tim Rhodes from Smith Crane and Construction, a “young man who did very well in his training and has a level of maturity and desire to succeed ahead of his peers,” says Auton. He says the crane industry is fortunate to be full of well-trained competent, reliable and safety conscious people in New Zealand, who will continue to be the “biggest influence on safe working and operating conditions.”

Offering the best in crane training Doing nothing is “not an option” when it comes to crane training to ensure industry best practice and the health and safety of operators and others at the work site. This is where Tai Poutini Polytechnic can help. For many years has Polytechnic has offered practical-based, nationwide crane training, led by industry-experienced trainers, who provide operators with the skills and knowledge they can quickly apply back to the job. The Polytechnic is a major national supplier of quality specialist industry training courses, and offers NZQA unit standard level training in three specialist areas of crane operation - Lifting Loads – Dogman; Overhead/Gantry Crane and Hiab/ Truck Loader Crane. Lisa Crestani project organiser of Tai Poutini Polytechnic says flexible training courses can be tailored to cover specific work situations and be delivered at a time to suit the employer’s schedules including weekends, early starts and night shifts. “Companies can contact us to arrange an exclusive group training course for their operators at their own sites using their own equipment. “We also run scheduled public courses from specialist facilities at our Auckland and Christchurch campuses to meet demand.” A minimum of six participants is required for each course. All courses are health and safety focused, reflect industry best practice and enable participants and their companies to meet the applicable Codes of Practice. Courses are NZQA unit standard based and include assessments with achievement credited to the NZQA Framework. On successful completion participants receive a Tai Poutini Polytechnic completion card. Refresher training is available to keep staff up-to-date on techniques, new equipment and changes to legislation. On completion of refresher trainingTai Poutini Polytechnic re-issues completion cards and re-

news participant’s NZQA unit standard achievement dates. The Lifting Loads – Dogman course consists of Unit Standard 3789 - sling regular loads and communicate during crane operations. It has been designed for people working with cranes as part of their regular work activities. This practical course provides people with the ability to identify hazards, evaluate and apply lifting gear, calculate loads and communicate with crane operators to direct load movements. The Overhead/Gantry Crane course consists of Unit Standard 3800 - Operate a radio remote or pendant controlled overhead crane and lift and place regular loads. It has been designed for people working with gantry cranes as part of their regular work activities. This practical course provides people with the ability to identify hazards, evaluate and apply lifting gear, calculate loads; and provides the skills to safely operate a gantry crane. The Hiab/Truck Loader Crane course consists of Unit Standard 16617 - Use a truck loader crane to lift and place loads. It can also be completed in conjunction with unit standard 3789 at a discounted rate. It has been designed for people working with truck mounted cranes as part of their regular work activities. This practical course provides people with the ability to identify hazards, evaluate and apply lifting gear, calculate loads and provides the skills to safely operate a truck mounted crane. Lisa Crestani says Tai Poutini Polytechnic provides training to a wide range of national clients but also delivers to a wide range of smaller provincial areas throughout New Zealand. “We get a great response to the courses, and a lot of return customers.” For more information about Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s crane training programmes or other industry courses including industrial access, health and safety, traffic management training, scaffolding and rigging training and driver education, contact 0800 800 411.

Tai Poutini Polytechnic offers practical-based, nationwide crane training.

46 |

CONTRACTING » Marlborough Turf Professionals

December 2014 Business South

Turf expert has wide range of skills Jo Bailey Marlborough Turf Professionals is “flat out” in the lead up to Christmas, says director Brent Crouch. “It’s always a busy time. However we never really have to chase work whatever the time of year.” As its name suggests the multi-disciplined Blenheim company is an expert in turf laying. However Marlborough Turf Professional’s expertise extends much wider to landscaping, water features, paving, cobblestones, fencing, spraying, maintenance, erosion control, irrigation projects, digger and truck hire, and full site development. The company services a wide range of residential and commercial clients in Blenheim, Picton, Kaikoura and the Marlborough Sounds. Crouch says the firm has recently been involved with several high-profile landscaping projects including a unique job for Whitehaven Wines that has just been completed. “We did all the landscaping for their Whitehaven’s new offices. They brought totaras in from Auckland and sourced rock from the Wairau riverbed to dress the natural looking gardens with strong modern lines. Whitehaven’s design also incorporated its own olive and feijoa tree block. It is a pretty cool site.” Last year Marlborough Turf Professionals carried out landscaping works at Ukaipoi, the award-winning Rangitane Cultural Centre, developed by Te Rununga a Rangitane O Wairau Trust; and is currently working on the Boulevard Park on Taylor subdivision for Marlborough District Council. “We’ve been involved with that project for quite a few years and have worked with a range of other developers on subdivision works in the region. “These projects often include laying turf, creating berms, placing rocks, planting, and doing the landscaping for housing company show homes. We’ve just completed two of show home projects and have another couple coming up.” The firm also provides maintenance services to local councils and has recently upgraded the surroundings of several local retail stores. It also “adds the finishing touches” to projects for major civil and construction firms.

Marlborough Turf Professionals services a wide range of residential and commercial clients in Blenheim, Picton, Kaikoura and the Marlborough Sounds.

“We’ve just finished landscaping a couple of roundabouts in Blenheim for Fulton Hogan,” says Crouch. He says the company puts a lot of emphasis on ensuring it has the right mix of medias for each landscaping job to ensure maximum growth. “We look carefully at the condition of the ground we’re working with to see if it is lacking in certain nutrients, is heavy draining or very wet. Then we mix a unique blend of different soils, sands and composts to create a growing media specific to that site.” At this time of year Marlborough Turf Professional’s team is also busy with hydro-

mulching spray on lawn, which has several advantages over conventional grass planting processes, says Crouch. “The application is fast and efficient and the result is usually more effective than conventional grass seeding. We bought our own hydromulching machine a few years ago and have got the process down to a fine art.” The process begins by mixing and agitating mulch, seed, fertiliser, bonding materials and water in the tank of the hydro-mulching machine. The resultant slurry mixture is then pumped from the tank and sprayed onto the ground. “We use a range of mulches and bonding materials depending on the application. The process is even suitable for slopes of up to 90 degrees as the mulch helps to hold the soil in place to prevent soil erosion.”

Marlborough Turf Professionals also carries out conventional seeding and hydro-seeding of grass, and has its own turf nursery. Crouch says the company has recently added a significant amount of new gear to its extensive plant list, including a portable soil screen, which enables the firm to screen soils that have been dumped on a site down to usable topsoil. It has its own trucks and diggers for site clearing, excavation and tree felling work, and a landscape supplies yard with a range of product available direct to the public. Crouch owns the company with Steve Hayes, who founded it in 1992. “Our customers can access all their outdoor needs from one company, and we pride ourselves on the exceptional level of service our team provides across the region.”

• New Isuzu Truck Sales • Used trucks • Parts and service

Proud to support Marlborough Turf Professionals

Marlborough Turf Professionals Blenheim 12 Nelson Street Ph: (03) 378 1021

Business South December 2014

CONTRACTING » Marlborough Turf Professionals

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Marlborough Turf Professionals has been involved with several high-profile landscaping projects, recently doing all the landscaping for Whitehaven Wines new offices.

14 Auckland Street Blenheim Phone 03 578 8821 Email info@td-construction.co.nz

EXPERTS IN CONSTRUCTON • Commercial property • School buildings • Winery buildings • Homes in the Marlborough Sounds • High-end residential homes

CARTERS BLENHEIM ARE PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH MARLBOROUGH TURF PROFESSIONALS. WE WISH THEM ALL THE BEST FOR THEIR FUTURE PROJECTS New Renwick Road, Blenheim Ph: 03 577 5344 Fax: 03 577 5322

Earthmoving, Drainage & Construction Earthmoving - Our experienced team provide a professional earthmoving & land development service including house sites, access sites and demolition work. Drainage - We have registered drainlayers for domestic and commercial drainage. Construction - Building retaining walls, concrete placement, wharf building, boat sheds and more. Our construction workers do it all!

PH (03) 573 6119 PICTON

Aquaspec are proud to supply quality Hunter irrigation product 44 Mandeville Street, Riccarton, CHCH Freephone 0800 353 966 | www.aquaspec.co.nz

48 |

CONTRACTING » Oamaru Shingle Supplies

December 2014 Business South

Oamaru Shingle broadens its focus Jo Bailey The services offered by Oamaru Shingle Supplies are far broader than the company’s name suggests. As well as supplying crushed gravel, sand and dust from its Oamaru quarry, the firm has two masonry plants in Oamaru and Cromwell and is the North Otago distributor of Humes products. Operations manager Malcolm Vince says business is steady across all aspects of the operation. “There is no one major area we focus on ahead of the others. We just try to provide good service to all the sectors we specialise in.” Oamaru Shingle Supplies is owned in a joint venture between Fulton Hogan and Firth Industries and will celebrate 50 years in business in 2015. The roading, rural and infrastructure markets provide the bulk of its work, with sealing chip and roading material the main products produced by the quarry. “The roading season generally runs from October through to March so we’re always flat out in the quarry during this period. “We also supply a lot of concrete, aggregate and sand to Certified Concrete which has kept us busy all year, largely due to the new dairy factory at Glenavy and two new bridges at Kurow they have been involved with.” The company produces several different gradings of sand, including concrete sand, plastering sand and more recently bunker sand, which has proved a good sideline, says Vince. “We’ve supplied golf courses such as Millbrook, The Hills in Queenstown, Pegasus and Clearwater, as well as several local golf courses in the lower South Island. They tend to want different types of bunker sand so it’s quite interesting work.” The quarry also services a wide range of other customers including farmers and the general public. “Anyone is welcome to come in and buy a trailer load of product for their rural or landscaping project,” says Vince. He has been with the company for 20 years and leads its 10 Oamaru staff, plus the five based at the Cromwell masonry plant. Oamaru Shingle Supplies got into masonry manufacture in the 1980’s, with its two operations producing a wide range of blocks and pavers for parent company Firth Industries, which are onsold through Firth’s nationwide retail distribution network. “The Oamaru plant also specialises in producing coloured material in Firth branded colours,” says Vince. Around three years ago Oamaru Shingle Supplies became North Otago distributors for the Hume product range including troughs, pipes (concrete, PVC, polyethylene and iron), underpasses and tanks (water and septic).

Oamaru Shingle Supplies produces several different gradings of sand, including concrete sand, plastering sand, and bunker sand. “We thought it was a great opportunity to add these products to our offering given we are located in the middle of the plains surrounded by dairy farms. “The Humes distributorship has allowed us to offer the complete package when it comes to rural, construction, landscaping, roading and infrastructure projects.” Vince says the versatile company prides itself on the quality of its products and its customer-focus. “We listen to our clients’ needs and try to accommodate them whenever possible. “We have also started to promote the business more actively. “Even though we’ve been around nearly 50 years a lot of Oamaru people didn’t know we were here until we started advertising in the local paper.” Vince says the company is starting to prepare for its 50th anniversary celebrations next year.

General Excavation Augering Landscaping Soil, Gravel, Sand Truck & Trailer Hire

Phone Steve 027 530 6157 AH 03 434 3124

“We’ve supplied golf courses such as Millbrook, The Hills in Queenstown, Pegasus and Clearwater, as well as several local golf courses in the lower South Island.”

Residential Industrial & Commercial Rural & Dairy Heat pumps

We can save time and money by getting everything we need from one supplier. Our vision is to deliver you an easier, more cost effective way to keep your business running efficiently and safely.

Servicing available 24 hours Proud to support Oamaru Shingle Supplies 03 434 7273

www.laserelectrical.co.nz

3 Ouse Street, Oamaru

CALL 0800 660 660

Business South December 2014

CONTRACTING » RA Shearing Contractors

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Versatility the key for Shearing’s Jo Bailey A swimming pool repair service differentiates Canterbury contracting firm RA Shearing Contractors from its competitors, says company spokeswoman Lorna Shearing. “Swimming pool work is not something many other contracting firms are involved with. However we’ve been building new free-form fibreglass pools for many years, with the repair side of things really growing since the earthquakes.” Lorna Shearing says the on-site spray-on fibreglass system used for new pool work has also proved invaluable for swimming pool repairs, allowing concrete pools to be repaired instead of the more expensive replacement option. “This is a really good repair strategy for people with damaged concrete pools, and something we’ve used quite extensively since the earthquakes.” Shearing’s holds the Mayfair Pools franchise in Canterbury and has a specialist team dedicated to its swimming pool work. Over the years the company has constructed free-form fibreglass pools to almost any size and shape for a wide range of residential and commercial clients. Since the earthquakes, Shearing’s has also provided a range of other repair services to help residential and commercial customers re-establish their properties, including demolition, site clearing, and driveway and paving repairs. “Our boys have to be pretty versatile as it is sometimes more challenging working at sites with existing structures and landscaping than on new builds.” Versatility is a key attribute of the Shearing’s team, which provides full earthmoving and excavation services, commercial site works, new driveways and paving, and concrete placing. “In addition to swimming pool projects, our core business is earthmoving, civil construction and driveways work, which are still the biggest parts of our operation.” Shearing’s is currently completing earthworks for the new Vodafone site in Tuam Street and Paul Kelly Motors’ new site on Stevens Street. It has also provided services to various projects at the Hazeldean Business Park in Addington, among many other commercial jobs. Residential driveway construction work also keeps the Shearings team busy. “We’re doing a lot of exposed aggregate work, which seems to be the current trend. We offer the clients a range of different mixes and coloured

Shearing’s provides full earthmoving and excavation services, commercial site works, new driveways and paving, and concrete placing. stones so the new driveway can be matched to the house or its environment and be different from other exposed driveways in the neighbourhood.” Lorna Shearing says the company’s divisions complement each other well. “It’s an advantage having all these services under one roof. For example, with pool work, we can take full control over the entire build process, from excavation and construction of the pool, to landscaping and paving the finished product.” Lorna’s father Bob Shearing and Graeme Marshall (now retired), founded Shearing

“Our boys have to be pretty versatile as it is sometimes more challenging working at sites with existing structures and landscaping than on new builds.”

Contractors in 1976 to specialise in concrete paving. Bob Shearing is still involved in the business, along with his wife Lynn, who assists with the general running of the business, and son Scott who is a senior earthmoving foreman. Lorna manages the residential driveways side of the business.

Since the earthquakes the firm has almost doubled in size and now has 30 permanent staff. “Our clients like the fact we are a family business with a long tradition. This is particularly important for older people in Christchurch who have had payouts and are organising earthquake repairs themselves. They feel a more secure dealing with a company that has been around for a long time.”

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Proud of our association with RA Shearing Contractors Ltd

50 |

ENGINEERING » Classic Gates Engineering

December 2014 Business South

Mobile service adds to capabilities Jo Bailey The introduction of a new purpose-equipped mobile sandblasting and painting truck is providing enhanced service to clients of Marlborough firm Classic Gates Engineering. “We’ve offered this service for a while but having a specific truck means we can drive straight out of the yard without having to load on all the gear,” says owner Graeme O’Brien. Classic Gates Engineering (with its subsidiary companies Marlborough Powdercoating and Riverlands Sandblasting) is the only Marlborough firm to offer the fully mobile service which has a range of applications such as sandblasting and painting swimming pools, and removal of graffiti or unwanted paint. O’Brien started Classic Gates Engineering in Blenheim in 1986 which, as the name suggests, was initially focused on building gates and light engineering work. Today gates and fencing manufacture still accounts for around half the business with the other being half general engineering and structural steel work. All of its products are custom-made and include wrought iron gates and fencing for a range of residential and commercial applications, pool and security fencing, balustrades, furniture, garden products, structural steelwork, galvanised lintels, roading grates, skip bins, specialised trailers, vehicle flat decks, towbars and bull bars, bridge railings, and fireguards. It also designs and manufactures one-off products for clients. Some of the company’s current projects include structural steelwork for three new buildings; the manufacture of 200 roading grates; making large grills for winery waterways; sandblasting four swimming pools; and the manufacture of seven new ute decks. “We have ongoing relationships with several local commercial vehicle dealers for whom we make and fit decks onto brand new utes.” After nearly 30 years in business, Classic Gates Engineering has built relationships with numerous key clients including local councils and schools. The firm has completed swimming pool and perimeter fencing projects at most Marlborough schools during its time in business, says O’Brien. He established subsidiary companies Marlborough Powdercoating and Riverlands Sandblasting in the mid 1990s in order to provide a full suite of manufacturing services in-house, and to offer full sandblasting, powdercoating and spray painting services to a wide range of industrial, commercial and private clients.

Classic Gates Engineering’s products are all custom-made and include wrought iron gates and fencing a wide variety of clients.

“We powdercoat a wide range of products from one-offs to larger production runs,” says O’Brien.” Classic Gates Engineering are also the Marlborough agents for hot dip galvanising. “Every fortnight we take our clients’ products to the closest plant in Christchurch, and bring them back galvanised.” With plenty of work ahead and a constant stream of customers through the door, O’Brien says his team of 10 staff are always busy, but never let their standards slip. “Over the years we’ve built a reputation based on quality, service and pride in our workmanship and are the preferred supplier to hundreds of satisfied customers. “We’ve achieved this through a simple philosophy of right price, right job and finishing it on time.”

PLUMBING / DRAINLAYING / GAS SUPPLIER & FITTING / ROOFING

Proud to support Classic Gates Engineering K J Morgan Plumbing Ltd 11 Purkiss Street, P O Box 925, BLENHEIM 7240

t: 03 578 0060 f: 03 578 0994 e: info@morganplumbing.co.nz www.morganplumbing.co.nz

Proud to support Classic Gates Engineering For all your waste and recycling needs

Contact 03 578 2027 Classic Gates Engineering has built relationships with key clients including local councils and schools.

Business South December 2014

ENGINEERING » Marsden Engineering

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Marsden evolves into design leader Kelly Deeks From its humble origin in 2007 in a pair of delapidated Geraldine sheds, Marsden Engineering (ME) grew its trickle of rural equipment repairs and light construction work into a steady stream of business, which funded construction of a large new workshop earlier this year. However, managing director Jarrod Marsden says this business mode was driven by random availability of work, and all too often saw ME’s margins squeezed paper thin to win subcontract work, while the big boys gobbled up the profits. “There is a fine line between lean and mean, versus malnourished and grumpy; it was time to change,” he says. “Growth only makes you bigger. It is evolution that makes you stronger, faster, and more competitive.” To evolve from “profit taker to profit maker”, Marsden says ME chose to develop and sell its own products, thus reaching into a broader marketplace on its own terms. While still handling the bread-and-butter work of structural steel fabrication and equipment repair, ME began dabbling in the manufacture of log splitters, feed mangers, and trailers. This all helped, but taking on an innovative and professional design engineer with more than three decades of experience in process and machinery design finally broke through the design barrier, by generating a new range of Marsdezyn (MarsdenDesign) products, now coming onto the market. These products include the Marsdezyn Cow Lodge - the flagship project, which Marsden says has reinvented the cow barn as a modular construction that can be built in affordable, profitenhancing stages. Working up from as little as a bare feed pad, to a covered feed pad, to a shelter as wings are added to one or both sides, it finally becomes a complete free-range free-stall 24/7 accommodation for cows, with comfortable bedding, dung sweepers, tipping drink troughs, and Moo-sseuse rotary back scratchers. At the heart of this design is the (patent pending) solar-boost natural ventilation system, which enables the building height to be reduced substantially, in turn reducing cost and enabling the staged construction. All of the equipment is uniquely Marsdezyn and can be purchased separately. “The Cow Lodge project has the potential to completely transform this business,” Marsden says. “The new redesign has radically evolved the

The Marsdezyn Cow Lodge has reinvented the cow barn as a modular construction. cow barn into a modular farm development system rather than just another building. “It has also spawned a range of home-grown equipment that can be sold separately, further spreading our business.” Soon to be marketed by Russet is the first in a raft of new Marsdezyn innovations in the arena of belt conveying. The “Rip-Trip” detects belt rips, belt wander, and excessive belt flap or bounce all in one compact, robust, self-contained package. Modestly priced and with only one IP65 proximity switch to wire instead of four separate mechanical switches, the Rip-Trip makes belt conveyor crash protection affordable, convenient, and reliable. “Other innovative gadgets are on the drawing board,”says Marsden, who believes the crux of successful innovation lies in creating products that people “don’t know they want, until they see them”.

PAVECO

We are pleased to be assisting Marsden Engineering with their wintering barn projects We have 10 full-time Concrete Placers on our staff, over 87 years combined concreting experience – we place and finish concrete in wintering barns, dairy sheds, dairy yards, silage pads, silage bunkers, feed pads, effluent ponds and more.

P 03 307 6466 | M 027 450 8191 | E admin@paveco.co.nz | W www.paveco.co.nz

A new Marsden Engineering log splitter ready to go.

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PROUD TO SUPPORT MARSDEN ENGINEERING WITH THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

Proud to Support Marsden Engineering

52 |

ENGINEERING » North End Engineering

December 2014 Business South

North End builds strong following Karen Phelps Whether it is manufacturing and installing the structural steel for a building shaped like a fish, a warehouse, factory or a residential home, North End Engineering Ltd is up for the challenge, says company director Piers Mingham. “We have been specialising in structural steel since 1984 so we have built up considerable expertise in this area. We keep up to date with the latest structural steel design standards,” he says. Mingham, who immigrated to New Zealand from the United Kingdom in 2001, firstly worked for the company starting as a welder then progressing to workshop foreman and roles in management. When company owner Gerry Power retired Mingham took over the company as well as sister company Micanta Construction. Mingham rebranded the company to North End Engineering Ltd (NEE) to reflect the company’s focus on structural steel and invested heavily in new fleet. One piece of the fleet is a JCB telehandler forklift which the company uses for its own jobs and also hires out. North End Engineering Ltd manufactures and erects structural steel as well as completing general engineering work. Typical customers are builders and the company’s structural steel is used in a variety of jobs. The company is a member of Site Safe and the Heavy Engineering Research Association. North End Engineering Ltd employs 12 staff including a draughtsperson and mig, tig and electric welders certified to AS/NZS 1554 standards. Mingham says the company has built up a loyal customer base which includes builders, farmers, business owners and residential clients. A project recently completed by the company was the Ashburton Art Gallery and Heritage Centre. North End Engineering Ltd manufactured and erected all the structural steel on the project. Around Ashburton, where the company is based, it has completed the structural steel for many buildings including Burger King, Electricity Ashburton, Ashburton Club & MSA, MacDonald’s, Harvey Norman and Smith City. The company does work further afield as well and the Salmon Tales Café Restaurant and Bar in Rakaia is possibly the company’s most distinctive project, with the structural steel having to be erected in the shape of a fish. After the Christchurch earthquakes Mingham says that North End Engineering has also been in demand for earthquake strengthening work to help bring buildings up to code.

North End Engineering Ltd manufactures and erects structural steel as well as completing general engineering work. “This type of work is challenging as everything has to be done manually to put brace frames inside a building to strengthen it. We also often have to complete this type of work while the business remains operational,” he says. He says North End Engineering works in well with Micanta Construction, which builds farm and commercial buildings from design to finished build. North End Engineering is currently working on the structural steel for a new building for R & R Haulage in Methven. It is also working on an industrial building in Rangiora and the City Care building in Christchurch. “We are busy at the moment,” admits Mingham. “We have a mobile team that can go and complete projects that are based further afield. We are happy with the company where it is at and plan to keep things ticking along.

Manufacturers & Stockist of: • Aluminium Extrusion • Aluminium Sheet • Scaffolding • Ladders • Power & Air tools • Sealants & Adhesives • Fences & Gates • Fastenings • Ultraclad

Want to take your business to the next level?

The team at Ullrich Aluminium are proud to support North End Engineering Ullrich Aluminium Co Ltd • 60/64 Racecourse Road, Washdyke Timaru P. 03 688 7649 • F. 03 688 7659 • M. 021 539159 • www.ullrich.co.nz

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PO Box 473 Ashburton 7740 ashburtoncranehire@xtra.co.nz

Warren Galbraith 027 419 2554 24hr Service

Business South December 2014

TRANSPORT » City Forklift Hire

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Driver-hire service meets demand Karen Phelps Why pay for a forklift that you don’t need? This is the thinking behind a unique Christchurch based business that hire out forklifts along with experienced operators. “Our unique driver hire service means that at a simple phone call we can be there to help when those unexpected jobs turn up,” explains City Forklift Hire director Kris Hubbard. Hubbard, who took the company over earlier this year from his father Graeme, had worked in the business previously. Since he has taken the company over it has grown. Hubbard has also purchased a dedicated 6 tonne Isuzu transporting truck, which has allowed City Forklift Hire to offer a quicker, more efficient service by transporting their own forklifts to sites. He has also purchased an additional forklift – a Nissan 3 tonne container compatible forklift – to offer customers even more options. Hubbard says City Forklift Hire aims to provide low cost and easy solutions to customer’s problems. Equipment offered for hire includes a 4.5 tonne forklift on dual wheels, which lifts to a height of 6.1 metres, two 3 tonne forklifts lifting to a height of 4.3 metres and a 2.5 tonne forklift lifting to a height of 4.3 metres. Typical customer jobs include container and truck loading and unloading and factory and machine shifts. City Forklift Hire transports the forklift to the customer’s site, completes the job for them then transports the forklift back to its company headquarters in Sydenham. The company does also simply hire out forklifts without drivers but Hubbard says that most customers prefer to take advantage of the driver-hire service.

City Forklift Hire transports the forklift to the customer’s site, completes the job for them then transports the forklift back to its headquarters in Sydenham.

City Forklift Hire also offers accessories including extension forks 2.4 metres long, container ramps, man cage, pallet trolley, lifting hook, bail clamp [remove] and drum clamp.

“Our driver and forklift hire service is very cost effective for clients who don’t have the need for a forklift all the time. “They don’t need to purchase or maintain an expensive piece of equipment only to have it sitting around in their yard a lot of the time. We are on call and can be there whenever they need us to be,” he explains. The company moves a wide variety of objects including some very valuable prices of equipment. “It’s quite a skill moving machinery for example. Our customers come to us because of our expertise as they have to have a lot of trust in us,” says Hubbard.

Being based in central Christchurch City Forklift Hire took a hit after the earthquakes as many of its customers relocated to suburban locations. Now with the rebuild well underway clients are starting to return to the city centre and City Forklift Hire is starting to grow again. “City Forklift Hire is proudly Canterbury owned and operated and works throughout the region. As experienced forklift operators we have completed literally hundreds of jobs in the Canterbury area so we know what are customers expect and what are looking for when they ring us. We believe our customers should receive high quality service when working with us.”

“Our unique driver hire service means that at a simple phone call we can be there to help when those unexpected jobs turn up.”

Sole NZ Agent for Efaflex, German manufacturer of the World's fastest Spiral High Speed Doors • Customised Roller Shutter Doors for Warehousing, Factories and all Commercial applications • Vented and Vision Screens • Sliding Mullions • Roller Grilles • Powdercoat and Motorisation options

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES & REPAIRS

SOCKBURN FORKLIFT CARTAGE No Forking Worries!

Forklift, Reachtruck transport in the Canterbury area.

Nationwide Service Teams

AUCKLAND | NEW PLYMOUTH | WELLINGTON | CHRISTCHURCH

NATIONWIDE FREE PHONE 0508 999 000 Email: info@hsd.co.nz | www.hsd.co.nz

PO Box 37 054, Halswell Christchurch 8245 P. 03 349 7152 F. 03 349 7163 admin@sockburnforklift.co.nz www.sockburnforklift.co.nz

54 |

TRANSPORT » South Island Forklifts

December 2014 Business South

Celebrating 15 years of success Kelly Deeks South Island Forklifts (SIF), established in 1999, is proudly celebrating 15 years in business, having over this time established a satisfied customer base of hundreds throughout the South Island of New Zealand, by providing reliable forklift and logistics solutions. As managing director Roy Howell says, “We are a New Zealand-owned forklift business offering a beneficial mix of industry experience and enthusiasm which provides us with a firm appreciation of the industry’s requirements.” “Forklifts are our sole business which allows us to offer smarter and faster logistic solutions,” says Howells. “Being sole South Island Agents for three top international brands of forklifts - TCM, HELI, and Jungheinrich - provides us with the ability to offer a great range for sale or hire which is good for our customers.” As the leading independent forklift company in the South Island, SIF has an unsurpassed reputation for offering the best equipment to suit all applications at competitive prices. Howell says many businesses don’t realise the extent to which a poorly managed and inefficient fleet can impact profitability. Making sense of all the data is a complex task that takes time and can also take the focus away from core responsibilities. “Every year businesses waste millions of dollars in operating costs related to their material handling,” he says. “So we offer fleet management solutions to control and minimise these costs. “We understand that every company has specific needs so we’ve developed packages that are cost-effective and competitively priced to help reduce operating costs and increase productivity.” Providing a full range of services to suit all forklift requirements, backed by a very experienced service department, including 12 mobile technicians, reflects SIF’s total commitment to customer satisfaction. SIF is also one of the few material handling businesses in the South Island with its own specialist forklift transporter allowing the company

South Island Forklifts provides a full range of services to suit all forklift requirements, backed by a very experienced service department. to offer the complete forklift package, including free advice and on-site visits from one of the experienced sales team. “Most importantly, we hold the firm belief that our clients’ success is our success, meaning we are passionately committed to providing the very best material handling solutions, sales and service, to every one of our valued customers.”

9 Edmonton Road, Hornby, Christchurch (03) 349 6818 www.drbritton.co.nz

Partners in Performance with South Island Forklifts

“We understand that every company has specific needs so we’ve developed packages that are cost-effective and competitively priced to help reduce operating costs and increase productivity.” “Our professional sales team has years of industry experience and knowledge and is ready to evaluate client material handling requirements and formulate a customised programme to fit, with an overall aim of reducing operating costs,” says Howell. He says forklift leasing is also a popular option these days, offering quality products, hassle-free maintenance, and the ability for a client to change equipment as their business grows or requirements change. A leased machine offers SIF customers the benefit of not tying up capital, while still providing new machines tailored to specific requirements. Leases are paid monthly, include all maintenance costs, and ensure a suitable replacement if necessary in the unlikely event of a breakdown. SIF’s parts department has a proud reputation

for providing the right part at the right time which is essential for keeping forklifts on the move. From a comprehensive stock holding, SIF supplies, or if necessary rapidly sources parts including forks, tyres, and attachments for most makes and models of forklift. SIF is the only genuine TCM and Jungheinrich forklift spare parts supplier for New Zealand’s South Island, and also supplies after-market parts for most makes and models as well. With its workshop and sales base in Christchurch, SIF has also for a number of years also delivered workshop servicing into other parts of the South Island including the West Coast, Ashburton, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. “The first 15 years have been great, but we are even more excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, which we plan to take full advantage of,” says Howell.

Proud to be the supplier of Heli Forklifts for South Island Forklifts

NEW ZEALAND

Heli is a top 10 world supplier & offers fantastic value for money!

Leading the world in quality material handling products for lift trucks

Ph 09 273 9136 Fax 09 273 9137

Heli proudly imported by Central Group since 2005.

Email cnewzeal@cascorp.com www.cascorp.com

Proud suppliers to FORKLIFTS NZ

24 hours, 7 Days Phone: 0800 538-735 www.centralgroup.co.nz enquiries@centralgroup.co.nz

Business South December 2014

TRANSPORT 損 South Island Forklifts

| 55

As the leading independent forklift company in the South Island, SIF has an unsurpassed reputation for offering the best equipment to suit all applications at competitive prices.

20 Parkhouse Road, Christchurch Tel: 03 348 2060 Fax: 03 348 2078 Email: info@siforklifts.co.nz www.forkliftschristchurch.co.nz

We are proud to support South Island Forklifts

ITS are pleased to support South Island Forklifts Group

Specialists in all aspects of commercial tyres; trucks, forklifts, loaders and agriculture tyres with full fleet service provided. We can supply, fit and balance your car or SUV while you are at home or at work, with an experienced team who can provide you with friendly professional advice.

Mobile TyreLAND Christchurch Ltd Family owned business and part of the South Island wide TyreLAND Network Phone 389 5005 We are on call 24/7, 365 days per year

Email: hamish.gerard@mobiletyreland.co.nz Address: Unit 3 18A Taurus Place, Bromley

Need parts? Freephone 0800 459 662

December 2014. TVH速,TotalSource速 and Bepco速 are registered trademarks.

SIF are the proud distributor of TCM Unicarriers and Jungheinrich Forklifts and material handling equipment

56 |

TRANSPORT » Christchurch Removals

December 2014 Business South

Business is booming for city firm Karen Phelps Christchurch Removals has plans to expand internationally and has its sights set on the Australian market in 2015. One of the company directors Steve Taylor says that the company has experienced huge growth in the past four years. It has progressed from being operated out of a Christchurch garage and employing five staff to five branches in New Zealand employing 60 staff. While some growth has come as a result of demand since the Christchurch earthquakes – the company is a preferred mover for Southern Response, State Insurance, IAG and AMP among others - it has more been the result of smart business moves and planning. It was in 2011 that Taylor and the other company director Daniel Rushton, who were both operating small removal businesses, decided to join forces. “Instead of two small companies competing against each other we decided to merge the businesses and become a larger player,” says Taylor. “This was important as when the earthquake hit insurance companies wanted to deal with larger removal companies capable of taking on a lot of work.” Christchurch Removals is now the largest locally owned removal company based in Christchurch. It offers three depots in Christchurch and two depots in Auckland. Taylor says that employing a general manager, Frank Brett, who has over 30 years industry experience, has been a key factor in the management of the huge growth the company has experienced in a short period of time. Christchurch Removals offers a comprehensive range of services including moving, packing, secure storage and even cleaning and gardening services and finance options to help take the hassle out of shifting. The company offers customers a number of key points of difference in the marketplace including some guarantees Taylor says are unique to the industry.

Christchurch Removals is the largest locally owned removal company based in Christchurch. It has three depots in the city and two depots in Auckland. “Our customers receive a no-quibbles money back refund if they are not satisfied overall with the quality and efficiency of our removals service. “Typically removal companies don’t want to be liable for any damage that occurs to items but our customers get a full replacement of any items lost or damaged either in transit or storage – something we believe should never happen,” he says. Office and home relocations have been huge business for the company in Christchurch. It was in huge demand moving businesses out of the

Red Zoned CBD. Taylor says it was relocation and removal work that no company was prepared for due to the nature of the disaster: “There were a lot of safety aspects. We had to have Red Zone passes, employed crane operators because lifts and stairwells were unsafe and items had to be lifted out of windows,” he explains. “We had to adapt quickly and we did a lot of work through structural engineers.” Now that the city is into the stage of the rebuild the nature of the work has changed for Christchurch

Removals as the company shifts businesses into new premises as well as moving items such as furniture and joinery for builders to install. The company currently moves around 60 houses per week in the South Island. It offers line haul services between Christchurch and Nelson, Christchurch and Central Otago and Christchurch and Dunedin. “We’ve come a long way in the last four years and our aim is to keep expanding and to take the industry to a whole new level. It’s a whole new approach to removals.”

“Our customers receive a no-quibbles money back refund if they are not satisfied overall with the quality and efficiency of our removals service.”

BROOK TRUCK SERVICES LIGHT & HEAVY TRUCKS | TRAILERS | MOTOR HOMES • COF Repairs • Full Mechanical Repairs • Hydraulic Hose Repairs • Breakdown & A/H Service - 24/7 307 Flaxton Road, Rangiora [ Behind Hunting & Fishing ] Ph: 03 313 6361 | Cell: 027 520 0711 | brooktrucks@xtra.co.nz

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Business South December 2014

TRANSPORT » McNulty’s Transport

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McNulty’s stays on top of its game Kelly Deeks As a family-owned business dating back more than 130 years, Cromwell’s McNulty’s Transport has established extensive experience and a reputation for excellence in providing professional transport services. For the past two-and-a-half years McNulty’s Transport has been owned solely by Brian McNulty, who also owns Cromwell Certified Concrete in a 50/50 partnership with Firth Industries. He says it is still the same family-owned, local business, with 14 permanent staff and plenty of loyal customers. McNulty’s Transport’s main area of business is carting construction materials, and roading and concrete aggregates from Amisfield Quarry to concrete plants in Cromwell, Wanaka, and Queenstown. The company also transports and carts machinery, shipping containers, building supplies, and transports large concrete panels. Transport services are provided locally throughout the region, and nationwide for commercial, domestic, and industrial clients. McNulty says the construction industry in Central Otago has picked up in recent years, in particular with large scale developments such as the multi-use Remarkables Park and retail development Five Mile in Queenstown now under construction. To keep up with the increase in local demand, McNulty is focused on updating his fleet to ensure he can provide an efficient service, as well as keep up with the ever changing rules and regulations from the Ministry of Transport. “We’re now able to put heavier trucks on the road, but you have to have a five axle trailer instead of a four axle trailer,” he says. “I’ve just done that recently, and I’ve also bought a 47m ton hiab truck, to complement the 28m ton hiab truck we had already.” His next goal is to update the rest of the fleet, including replacing some of the concrete trucks with the latest models, to ensure McNulty’s Transport can continue to offer a wide selection of modern and reliable vehicles and equipment

McNulty’s Transport’s main area of business is carting construction materials, and roading and concrete aggregates from Amisfield Quarry to concrete plants in Cromwell, Wanaka, and Queenstown.

for hire. These include bulk cartage trucks, flat decks, a transporter, a concrete panel trailer, forklifts, tip truck and trailers, container trailers, and hiabs. Meanwhile, Cromwell Certified Concrete is one of the leading suppliers of all grades of certified concrete in the Central Otago district. “We strive to provide the very best service and the most competitive prices,” McNulty says. “Whether a professional builder or a home handyman, we’ve got the concrete to get the job done right.”

Cromwell Certified Concrete supplies and delivers ready mixed concrete that is perfect for everything from driveways to paths, and buildings to decorative features.

There is also a wide range of precast concrete products available which can help construct structures faster, easier, and with a high degree of safety.

“We’re now able to put heavier trucks on the road, but you have to have a five-axle trailer instead of a four-axle trailer.”

Servicing Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell and Alexandra McNulty Road, Cromwell Phone 03 445 0746 • Mobile 029 445 0746 • Fax 03 445 0747

TRANSPORT

8 ROGERS STREET, CROMWELL Ph (03) 445 0536 Fax (03) 445 0847 Email mcnulty@xtra.co.nz Brian 027 435 6602

Proudly Supporting McNulty’s Transport

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TRANSPORT » Riverlands Roadhouse

December 2014 Business South

Riverlands Roadhouse is based on an American concept and is the only purpose-built truck stop in the southern hemisphere.

Transport hub an exciting prospect Jo Bailey Chris Wagner’s vision to develop a commercial transport and logistics hub for the top of the South Island is coming to fruition. Wagner has earmarked the remainder of the 4.5 hectare site of his thriving truck stop, motel and café operation, Riverlands Roadhouse near Blenheim, for the development. Livestock carriers Stocklines have already sited their local branch office at Roadlands Business Park, and sometime early next year heavy transport servicing firm VENT Ltd will move into a three lane truck workshop which is about to be constructed. “Another company is looking at putting in a 4500 square metre yard with storage and offices, with another couple of firms also considering developing yards at the site,” says Wagner. Riverlands Roadhouse already has secure parking for 25 trucks, a 16-room motel complex (with another three units under construction), a

24-hour cafe, Caltex fuel depot, truck wash, weigh bridge, stock wash facilities, laundromat, showers, kitchen facilities, a mini golf course, and a waste disposal unit for campervans. “We already have the purpose-built infrastructure in place to meet the drivers’ immediate needs. “This makes it a viable option for any related service provider, transport, logistics or distribution firms to attach to our existing operation as they don’t have to invest in these additional costs themselves. “We’re open to expressions of interest from companies from these sectors keen to be part of the development.” He says a transport and logistics hub would also have spin-off benefits to the local community. “We pay a premium for products in Marlborough as everything goes through Christchurch first. “Having a distribution centre would bring costs down, and also make it more seamless for goods leaving the region as the truck drivers could log

off, and after they’ve had a rest, find their truck is loaded and ready to go.” Vaughn Marsh of VENT says the development is the best location for his business, which services heavy vehicles and plant equipment and is the Scania service dealer for Marlborough. “We can’t wait to get in there. A lot of our customers travel between the islands and use the ferries so the location on State Highway One is ideal. “We think the development will help to solve the problem transport companies have with downtime. “Hopefully while the drivers are sleeping we can give their truck a service or do some maintenance, so when they get back to their home depot the next driver can get going straight away.” Riverlands Roadhouse is based on an American concept and is the only purpose-built truck stop in the southern hemisphere. It was originally developed by Wagner’s father, David, still owns the land surrounding the truckstop. However, Chris Wagner bought the Riverlands

Roadhouse business off him over a year ago. The complex is not just all about trucks. The general public and tourists are welcome to stay in the motel units with campervans and motorhomes regularly taking advantage of its facilities. “We’ve got a pretty good name and the business is growing really fast. “We’ve had to build the new motel units to meet demand and are in the process of taking on more staff in the café.” Wagner is excited by the prospect of developing a new commercial hub for the region and hasn’t lost sight of the core Riverlands Roadhouse operation, which has also caught the eye of some Australian investors. “There are already thousands of truck stops in Australia but these are either petrol stations or motels that can accommodate trucks. We are now looking to franchise the Riverlands Roadhouse concept in Australia, starting with five truck stops. It is another exciting development for the company.”

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CABLEPRICE CAN ENSURE YOU’RE POWERED TO SUCCEED

Business South December 2014

TRANSPORT » Riverlands Roadhouse

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Riverlands Roadhouse has a 16-room motel complex, a 24-hour cafe, Caltex fuel depot, truck wash, weigh bridge, stock wash facilities, laundromat, showers, and kitchen facilities.

Maintenance Solutions for your Business VENT Limited are excited to support The Riverlands Roadhouse and will be moving to their facility in February 2015! ·

Local Scania Service Agent

Latest state of the art Diagnostic equipment

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If you are looking for a fast, reliable & friendly service, call the VENT Limited Team

Phone: 03 578 9574 After Hours: 021 982 515 Address: 7 Seafair Close, Riverlands · PO Box 400, Blenheim 7240 Email: accounts@ventlimited.co.nz or Vaughan@ventlimited.co.nz

www.ventlimited.co.nz

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AUTOMOTIVE » Complete Automotive Repair Services

December 2014 Business South

Regular maintenance all important Jo Bailey Preventative maintenance is the key to getting the most out of any vehicle, says Aidan Don of Complete Automotive Repair Services. “People need to understand that if they look after their vehicle, their vehicle will look after them. Preventative maintenance really is the cure for a lot of issues.” Aidan started the company at 10 Hands Road, Middleton nearly five years ago which specialises in providing “a good job and good service at a reasonable price”. “We’re not the cheapest or most expensive in the market but will definitely get the job done properly. We discuss our clients’ repairs with them before we proceed so they are fully aware of what needs to be done and the time-frame required. “We also provide them with an estimate of what the repair is going to cost. Our focus is on delivering a high quality job and keeping our customers happy.” Complete Automotive Repair Services carries out a full range of mechanical repairs on a wide range of vehicles of any age, including Japanese, European and American makes. “We also do some more specialist work including engine building and working on Classic cars, particularly the older American models. “Ultimately they are all cars no matter what badge they have on them, and we like working on them all.” Before starting the business, Aidan worked for a leading Christchurch dealership which provided him with particular expertise in the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. “I have a comprehensive knowledge of servicing these vehicles and as MTA members we can provide after-market warranty servicing and repairs.” Complete Auto Repair Services has two loan cars available for its customers’ convenience while their vehicle is being repaired, and recently invested in a new Launch diagnostic scanner which has been added to its already wide range of special diagnostic tools. “If we happen to diagnose a specialist issue we can’t fix, such as some automotive transmission or electrical problems, we can refer our customers straight onto specialist providers we have built relationships with. “We would rather see their vehicle fixed in a timely manner than them having to waste time accessing these services themselves. Plus we don’t charge for the diagnostics if we can’t repair the problem.”

Complete Automotive Repair Services carries out a full range of mechanical repairs on a wide range of vehicles. Aidan says he has always had a passion for fixing vehicles but started working on dairy farms before he became a mechanic 15 years ago. “I did my apprenticeship with a Christchurch firm, Allan Autogas, where I received an excellent grounding in automotive repairs. ‘This firm was also very well know for LPG conversions.” Aidan employs a full-time mechanic, Andy Jackson, in the workshop and a part-time administrator to assist him in the business. He is on the tools most of the time himself. “We also have an unproductive staff member called Trev, the workshop dog. “He doesn’t do much apart from lie around in the sun and lap up attention. But he’s a great addition to the team.” Aidan says he would eventually like to expand the business to larger premises in the future to meet a growing workflow, but is content with the current position of the business. “We’ll just continue to focus on providing a top quality job and take the opportunities to grow as they come.”

Andy Jackson, left, and Aidan Don - plenty on the go.

Award Winning Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Specialist W OF , Ca mb elt s, Tu ne -u ps , Br ak es & Fu ll Me ch an ica l Re pa irs at Co mp eti tiv e Pr ice s

Phone: 03 339 0028 Complete Automotive Repair Services

10 Hands Rd, Middleton, Christchurch e: aidan.cars@gmail.com

Read More Online VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.waterfordpress.co.nz FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SEE OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS

MARINE / AUTOMOTIVE » Elite Refinishing

Business South December 2014

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Marine experts enjoying busy time Jo Bailey It’s a busy time of year for Picton marine and automotive paint specialists Elite Refinishing Limited, as people get their boats ready for the summer holiday season. “We’re flat out at the moment. However things usually quieten down a little in January and February when a lot of our clients are out on the water enjoying their boats,” says Sarah Williams, who owns Elite Refinishing with her partner Vaughan Hall. The couple started the firm in 2010 which provides a range of services including marine painting and repairs; repaints, touch-ups and varnishing; brush, roll or spray finishes; non-skid applications; and re-sealing of leaking boat windows. They can provide in-water or out-of water maintenance, either at Picton Marina where they is based, or at Waikawa and Havelock Marinas when required. Around 70 percent of the firm’s work is servicing the marine industry with the remaining 30 percent being automotive paintwork, mainly on classic cars and restorations. “I started out as a car painter, and worked in the automotive industry for 16 years before moving into marine,” says Vaughan, who is fully qualified in both industries. Elite Refinishing employs two qualified tradesmen, who both have marine and automotive painting expertise. Most of the company’s clients are private owners, although the firm does work with a few boat-builders and sub-contracts to other yards at times. “We don’t have a huge client base but every single one of them is a repeat customer,” he says. Elite Refinishing recently became an approved applicator of Marine Shield which provides UV protection to marine fabrics and can dramatically improve a boat’s appearance. This revolutionary paint coating system can

Elite Refinishing provides a range of services including marine painting and repairs; repaints, touch-ups and varnishing.

be applied directly to vinyl fabrics on seats, fenders and hood linings, and comes in a range of colours and finishes including clear, fluorescent, pearl and metallic. “We recently applied Marine Shield to the interior seats of a client’s boat using a clear protective finish and he was over the moon with how it has come up,” says Sarah. She says a few people have been sceptical about Marine Shield being a spray-on product.

However it is fully flexible meaning it doesn’t chip or crack. As well as blocking UV rays and updating tired marine fabrics, Marine Shield makes cleaning easier and is resistant to a variety of chemicals such as oil, diesel, grease and turpentine. “We haven’t really advertised the product yet but are already getting good interest. It can also be applied to inflatable dinghies or a range of other products such as motorbike seats, spa pool covers, car interiors, or any PVC item,” she says. The couple have a passion for the water and both hold their Commercial Skipper’s License. Vaughan learned his skills from his father who was a commercial fisherman, and

Sarah worked on yacht charters and other tourism businesses. She does all the office administration and accounts for Elite Refinishing and is responsible for taking step-by-step photographs of every project they undertake. “The owners are welcome to have digital copies of the photos if they wish, and a lot of people do. It’s a great record for each project, particularly when it comes to restoration work. We might end up with over 1000 photos for some of the bigger jobs.” The couple have their own small runabout and like to get out on the water as much as possible, says Vaughan. “We don’t get out as much as we’d like but hopefully will have more opportunity when things quieten down a bit after Christmas.”

• • • •

Marine Painting and Repairs Marine Shield Application Marine Varnishing Plastic Welding

E: sarah@eliterefinishing.co.nz P: Vaughan 021 36 10 86 3 West Shore, Lagoon Rd, Picton Facebook: Elite Refinishing Picton www.eliterefinishing.co.nz Around 70 percent of the firm’s work is servicing the marine industry.

Pleased to work alongside Vaughan, Sarah and the team at Elite Refinishing

• Full service slipway • Full metal fabrication & engineering • Blasting, antifoul and marine paint services • Design & construction of custom vessels, jetties, boat sheds, floating pontoons, linkspans, moorings and more

Tory Channel Contracting Ltd www.tccboats.com Ph: 03 573 7975

62 |

AUTOMOTIVE » Grant Ward Nissan

December 2014 Business South

Diversity helps business to thrive Kelly Deeks A new owner at Alexandra’s multi-faceted motoring services provider Grant Ward Nissan, has seen the already well-performing business grow its new car sales by 28% in the past year. With the establishment of a second location currently under development in Queenstown and due to fill the new showroom with new Nissans in the new year, the business is expecting another 30% growth in new car sales for the next 12 months. Dealer principal Grant Constable says Grant Ward Nissan had been in business in Alexandra for 42 years before he bought it two years ago. “He started out as a man in a van, and built the business up to a very well performing Datsun/Nissan dealer,” he says. “It was a very diverse business and held a good market share.” As well as selling new and used vehicles, Grant Ward Nissan has a factory equipped service workshop servicing all brands of vehicles, a fully stocked parts store, a fully equipped tyre store with four laser wheel alignment machines, a rental car business, and a BP service station on site. “We’re lucky with this business because it’s so diverse in every aspect,” Constable says. “We do have competition from other workshops, but they don’t all have factory trained technicians, trained by Nissan and up to date with the latest technology, or they don’t have in house wheel alignments and tyre fitting.” Constable has been in the motoring industry for nearly 18 years, running dealerships and getting involved in importing and wholesaling. He also has a hospitality background, which he says complements his passion for the motoring industry with a passion for excellent customer service.

As well as selling new and used vehicles, Grant Ward Nissan has a factory equipped service workshop servicing all brands of vehicles, a fully stocked parts store, a fully equipped tyre store with four laser wheel alignment machines, and a rental car business.

In saying that, the BP service station component of Grant Ward Nissan has been a learning curve for Constable, but he says it presents a great opportunity to keep in touch with his customers on a regular basis.

He also believes the growth in new car sales he has achieved has come from a combination of his fresh enthusiasm and business philosophy, as well as the fact he has had a new product hit the showroom floor every six weeks for the past 18 months. “Through the recession, Nissan suffered through having some of the oldest product in the market place,” he says. “Now we’ve got New Zealand’s largest range of SUVs and we’re a top performer in light commercial vehicles.” To keep up with the growth, Constable has purchased Quickstop Auto Service on Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown, a business with an 18 year history, a team of very skilled technicians, and diversity in its operation with general workshop services, tyre fitting, and wheel alignments.

“It was a great opportunity to add a new and used car dealership to the operation,” Constable says. The opening of the new show room in Queenstown in the new year coincides nicely with the release of the new model Nissan Navara, which is due to come out in the first quarter of 2015. “The current Navara is eight years old,” Constable says. “It has sold 35,000 units, and we’re ready for a new one. “The 2015 Navara is a whole new vehicle and a whole new style, refreshed in every aspect,’ he says. “There will be more technology involved, and a more diverse line up within that model range.” Constable says that he has pre-sold quite a few already.

0800 887 139

Business South December 2014

AUTOMOTIVE » Southland Honda

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Honda keeping up with changes Kelly Deeks Thousands of riders learnt to ride on a 250cc or smaller motorbike before moving up to bigger, higher-spec machines. But the introduction of the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) on October 1, 2012 now means for many riders, the motorbike they learn on can be the one they continue to ride for years. Honda has this year released a CB500 range of LAMS approved bikes, now available at Southland Honda. Southland Honda is proud to be one of New Zealand’s longest running Honda dealers. The company is now owned by Gary and Liz Holmes, with Gary having worked for the original company, including learning his trade as a motorcycle mechanic with company founder Vernon Russell in 1971. The Holmes’ took over sole ownership of Southland Honda in 1997, and their son Jeremy became a shareholder in 2011. Southland Honda has on offer a full range of Hondas from farm bikes and all terrain vehicles, to trail and Moto X bikes, road bikes, scooters,

kids’ bikes, and second-hand Hondas. A good seller at Southland Honda this year has been the new CB500 range of LAMS bikes. “The CBR500R boldly redefines the middleweight class and opens up a completely new category,” says Jeremy. Reliable, efficient and fun to ride, this commuter has a clear sporting heritage behind it. “Although narrow and lightweight, its low riding position and lower seat height gives it a genuine big-bike feel,” he says. “With good-looking full-fairings like its bigger brothers, riders won’t need to trade it up for a long while.” The CB500X is Honda’s newest adventure bike with its biggest point of difference being its upright and relaxed riding position. It’s lightweight and a breeze to manoeuvre with a fuel tank carefully shaped to give the rider an unrestricted rising position. The CB500F offers everything you need in a thrill ride, commuter, and weekend companion, with nothing that you don’t. “It’s the brother of the Sport CBR500R and the Adventure CB500X, but without the frills,” says Jeremy. It has high handlebars, a balanced riding

Southland Honda is proud to be one of New Zealand’s longest running Honda dealers.

position together with a low 785mm seat that suits a wide range of riders’ heights. It also has a weight that’s light and easy to flick around corners. Although simplified in style, the power is all there with a brand-new, liquid-cooled 471cc DOHC parallel-twin engine and Honda’s Programmed Fuel Injection system. Southland Honda’s vehicle sales department is supported by parts and service departments. “We keep a great selection of Honda genuine parts, as well as a big selection of accessories for anything a client’s bike may require,” says Holmes.

“Our parts guru Robin has a wealth of experience. Not only is he a fully qualified motorcycle mechanic, but he has worked at Southland Honda since 1980!” The service department has a fully equipped workshop and six qualified mechanics on staff. “We understand Southland conditions are very tough on gear, particularly farm gear, that is why we take pride in the service we deliver to keep our customers’ bikes in tip-top shape whatever the season,” Holmes says. “We will even pick up and deliver bikes anywhere around Southland.”

“We understand Southland conditions are very tough on gear, particularly farm gear, that is why we take pride in the service we deliver to keep our customers’ bikes in tip-top shape....”

28 Otepuni Avenue, Invercargill, P.O. Box 526 Phone 216 7771 (24 Hours) Fax 216 3948

SOUTHLAND HONDA NZ’S SOUTHERN MOST HONDA DEALER

Proud to be Associated with Gary, Jeremy & Team at Southland Honda

Ewan Hilston

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Available 24 hours for Accident and Breakdown Service

03 - 216 2903 PO Box 526 • Invercargill

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www.southlandhonda.co.nz

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