Business North August 2015 by Waterford Press Limited

August 2015

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Blowing in the wind Page 4

Apartment developments take off Chris Hutching New apartment developments in Auckland are selling off the plans. A new apartment building in Mt Eden called Botanica has sold out within six weeks of launching. And a new development was unveiled this week for 438 Queen St on the Real Groovy site. More apartments are being sold in Auckland off-the-plans than for several years. There were 847 apartment sales sold in the first quarter of 2015, which is higher than the number of existing apartment sales in the same period.

Countdown supermarkets up for sale

The momentum has been rising steadily since 2013. Between August and October 2013 more than 1000 apartments were offered to the market and the majority were sold in following months. Sales were constrained in the early part of 2014 but have risen since then as several large projects have been launched and marketed. About 5700 new apartments are expected to be developed across the city’s fringe and suburbs by 2018, according to latest CBRE research. The developer of the 438 Queen St property is Conrad Properties which is one of the city’s most active apartment developers The building will be called Queens Square and

include 226 freehold strata title residences and nine shops on the ground floor. Real Groovy has been on site since 1991 and remains in its premises until January 2016 when it will seek new premises somewhere in the neighbourhood. Interests associated with the Webster family have owned the site for several decades. A sale recorded in 1991 was for $60,000. The property currently has a rating value of $6.7 million. Conrad Properties has a conditional agreement to buy it. Meanwhile, developer Residentiae has sold the 67 units in the Botanica development in Mt Eden. Residentiae is a joint venture of McDougall

Reidy and Haydn & Rollett which is setting up a residential arm to complement its industrial and commercial activities – another indication that more apartment buildings are likely to be developed in the near term than more office towers as the sector digests new commercial developments on the Auckland waterfront. Purchasers for Botanica include owner occupiers, first home buyers, investors and downsizers who all found something within the development, Colliers International says. Botanica’s Mt Eden location has Special Housing Area status for the site meaning that consent approvals are expected within shorter timeframes. The site was formerly an industrial property.

The

Chris Hutching One of the single biggest commercial property portfolios on the market for sale currently is comprised of 19 Countdown supermarket properties. Last year the supermarkets provided $18.9 million in rental income last year for their United Kingdom-owners. The Countdown supermarkets are owned by Antipodean Supermarkets, which was incorporated in 2006, and is a subsidiary of London-based William Pears Group and its joint partner, Jonny Berman. Individual property rent-rolls for the premises range from approximately $430,000 to $1.7 million. Most of the premises have 20 year leases and are being marketed for sale by an international private treaty sale process by Colliers International and JLL. The properties include six in Auckland, five in Wellington and three in Christchurch with the balance in regional areas gleaning turnover of about $800 million. The largest of the six Auckland based stores (by income) is the Countdown Greenlane property.

INSIDE

Workplace bragging rights up for grabs.... New Zealand’s largest cycle event, the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, is adding something new to its repertoire this year with the introduction of the ‘No Name’ Workplace Challenge. Event director Kay Brake says the new addition - so called because whoever wins will earn the naming rights for the 2016 Workplace Challenge - is responding to

Trans Tasman bounces back - PAGE 2

Chatham Rock stays confident - PAGE 2

the increasing amount of talk around encouraging healthy work places, activities, and social commitment. “The ‘No Name’ Workplace Challenge ticks the boxes in this space and will help get you, your team, and your work colleagues up and pedalling, both on and off the clock,” she says. See story page 6

Planning for emergencies - PAGE 3

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NEWS »

August 2015

Business North

Trans Tasman bounces back MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz

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Hugh de Lacy Never mind the knock-back from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) late last year, listed company Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) has bounced back into the game, exuding confidence over the future of both of its marine mining projects. TTR suffered a severe blow when the EPA turned down its marine resource consent application to mine ironsands off the west coast of the North Island. In the wake of the decision the company was forced to let go all but four of its 30 staff. But while it was exploring its further options on the ironsands project, it also took its marine mining model and expertise to the West Coast of the South Island, targeting heavy mineral sands which are situated close in-shore between Ross and Karamea. Earlier this year the company applied to NZ Petroleum and Minerals for a prospecting permit covering 4436sqkm of seabed, and, since the entire prospect is within the 12-mile limit, it does not require a marine resource consent from the

The South Island heavy mineral sands prospect is a natural fit with the ironsands project since both anticipated operating in a water depths of 50 metres. EPA under the Exclusive Economic Zone Act, but a standard resource consent under the Resource Management Act - from the miner-friendly Westland District Council. Meanwhile, the company said its ironsands project is back on track with a second application to be lodged with the EPA before the end of the year. TTR executive chairman, Alan Eggers, said that in the wake of the declining of the application last year, TTR first tried to appeal, only to find that the road back to EPA’s decision-making panel was blocked by the EPA’s inability to reassemble it within a reasonable timeframe. It took months to determine that the appeal “just wasn’t on,” Eggers said, and that the only alternative would be to apply again. In the meantime the company had further addressed the science behind the EPA panel’s

earlier concerns, and Eggers says he is now confident the second application would be able to dispel them. The South Island heavy mineral sands prospect is a natural fit with the ironsands project, he says since both anticipated operating in a water depths of 50 metres. More importantly, at 14 percent the West Coast’s sands held an unusually high proportion of heavy metals – particularly ilmenite, garnet, gold and zircon – compared to similar sands in South and West Australia which typically yielded in the 4-5 percent range. The area for which TTR is seeking the heavy minerals prospecting permit has previously been explored by both the global giant Rio Tinto and the since-liquidated Toronto-based Seafield Resources, but neither took the project any further.

CRP remains Taurus syndicates confident on childcare centres phosphate plan consent Chris Hutching

Hugh de Lacy Confident of the eventual success of its marine consent application to mine phosphate nodules off the Canterbury coast, locally listed company Chatham Rock Phosphate (CRP) is tapping farmers for fresh finance. The company has recently advertised in rural papers seeking $766,000 from farmers for a stake in the local supply of a key farm fertiliser product that otherwise has to be imported from the Middle East. CRP chief executive Chris Castle said the farmer inquiries are beginning to flow in, and he was confident the company will eventually get the consent which it was denied in a hearing at the end of last year. He said while date has yet been set for the new application, “we’re working with the Environmental Protection Authority [EPA] at the moment on how things will happen next time’. “We’re developing a collaborative relationship with them,” Castle said. Presently the parties are sorting out the process that will surround the second application, after CRP became the second of two proposed marine mining ventures – the other was the Trans Tasman Resources’ ironsands extraction project based off the West Coast of the North Island – that were unexpectedly declined by the EPA within months of each other. Castle said his confidence in the success of the next application is based in part on the fact that the first one was “turned down on quite limited grounds anyway.” Many of the outstanding issues could be dealt with “just by communicating better” with the authority. “We also need to identify some of the environmental benefits in our case that we missed out on before,” Castle said. CRP already has a 20-year mining permit to vacuum phosphate nodules off the seafloor between Canterbury and the Chatham Islands, mining at the rate of 1.5 million tonnes and 30 square kilometres a year.

Taurus Group is syndicating nine childcare centres operated by dual-listed NZX and ASX company Evolve Group. Evolve listed at the end of 2014 after raising $132 million with the aim of becoming a leading childhood education provider. Evolve operates the businesses of 96 centres under a variety of brands - but not the properties, which have different owners. About 60% of the shares in the listed company are held by Kiwis. They listed at $1 in December 20124 and are currently trading at 93c. The syndication offer is 200 interests of $50,000 each, with a minimum investment of $100,000 available only to eligible investors, or for a minimum investment of $750,000 under clauses 3(3)(b)(i) and 41 of Schedule 1 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. The childcare centres are spread around the North Island as well as the South Island. The syndicate is one of the first to be offered under the Act, aimed at ensuring such offerings are made to “habitual” investors. Investors will receive returns from the rental

payments on the properties leased to the operators of the childcare centres under 15-year leases with rights of renewal. Taurus has its own database of 500 clients who may receive the offering. The company has been operating for several years in the managed investment sector but over the past couple of years has become associated with the management and liquidation of the poorly performing SPI syndicates, which it took over from the original SPI promoters Allister Knight and Murray Alcock. The sell down of the SPI properties is continuing under Taurus management. Taurus director David Kitson says he has been evaluating several syndication opportunities and has a couple more likely prospects to consider. The projected pre-cash annual return from the Evolve offer is 8% in the first year. Total funding sought is $10 million with the balance of $8.6 million from bank borrowing. Establishment fees are $600,000 Cash distributions will be quarterly and the scheme will be overseen by Foundation Corporate Trust as supervisor. Legal title to the properties will be acquired and held by Artemis Nominees as bare trustee on behalf of investors in the scheme.

New look for Pasture trust Chris Hutching The Pasture Renewal Charitable Trust recently held a rebranding cocktail function in Wellington waterfront. According to its project manager Tim Wood it involves a web site re-launch and new marketing campaign. Wood says the beneficiaries of the trust include all New Zealanders as well as rural property owners. Fourteen agribusiness companies which sponsor the charitable trust, which they set it up in 2007 to promote more frequent pasture renewal. The companies pay an annual sponsorship to the trust to fund activities, including a communications strategy underpinned by market research with farmers, and a literature review on research on pasture renewal. The aim is to communicate why more frequent pasture renewal is

a beneficial investment for New Zealand’s farmers. In the publicity material farmers are requested to contact Dairy NZ for further information on the best approach and techniques for pasture renewal. In the 2014 end of year accounts the trust has $77,776 in funds. Expenses during the year for its activities took $44, 693. Sponsors provided income during the year of $99,855. It was a less active year than during 2013 because a project manager was employed for just half the year before Mr Wood stepped into the breach. The full sets of accounts can be found on the Charities web site. Wood says the trustees and legal advisers have “been all over” the trust’s deed because of the recent crackdown by the Charities Commission to cull out entities it deems do not have charitable purposes as defined in legislation. “Pasture renewal is for the good of the nation as a whole. “Currently the level of pasture renewal is low.”

Business North August 2015

NEWS »

Helping to plan for the unexpected Helping New Zealand firms to be better prepared when faced with emergencies is the motivation behind the development of a new online planning tool. Karen Phelps reports. Earthquakes, floods, fires, cyclones. These are the sorts of words that usually spring to mind when considering emergency planning for a business. But emergencies that can negatively affect the ability of a business to operate aren’t always so dramatic and may be something as simple as a staff member losing the keys to the company office or a vital supplier unexpectedly going out of business, says Andy Wisheart. Wisheart is business development manager for New Zealand software company Healthpoint, which has just developed New Zealand’s first online emergency planning tool, EmePoint, for Small to Medium Eneterprises (SMEs). “For example if a business operates in a competitive market and something happens they need to be up and running again as quickly as possible,” says Wisheart. “If not chances are their competitors will take over. It’s also about reputation management – if a business is consistent and reliable it will get business. That’s why emergency planning is a vital part of any business,” he says. While larger organisations have enterprisescale solutions for disaster planning he says that until now it has been cost prohibitive for SMEs to undertake effective emergency planning. “But it is something that could arguably affect an SME more than a larger company.” Wisheart says that EmePoint helps businesses to plan using a rules-based platform, guiding them

Andy Wisheart: “Emergency planning is a vital part of any business.”

through an intuitive process and streaming in relevant local emergency data. Wisheart says EmePoint helps businesses to identify risks specific to their business, to prepare for these and to produce their own individual plan. The cloud based software also notes a business’s priorities and capabilities and allows for easy updating of the plan across all scenarios when a business is restructured, moves to the cloud or goes mobile. It has been developed by experts in risk identification, emergency planning management and business continuity planning, working closely with many small businesses including law offices,

pharmacies, schools and design companies. Wisheart says that while there is growing recognition that SMEs need to undertake emergency planning, with disasters such as the Christchurch earthquakes, many SMEs are still not taking action. “While most companies understand that there are factors that they can control to reduce risk (training staff, maintaining vehicles etc) they do little to prepare for factors that they can’t control, both large and small, in order to reduce their impact.” He says that part of the problem is that Kiwis tend to take natural disasters in their stride, building back up again after the incident. But if overseas figures are anything to go by 25 percent of small businesses will not reopen following a major disaster. Wisheart says planning helps businesses to reduce the impact of a disaster, recover faster and

sometimes even avoid adverse consequences entirely. “Businesses that have already outlined their emergency contacts, such as what to do in the event of a power loss or loss of key personnel, are able to respond more quickly to an event they couldn’t avoid but could still foresee. “They are back in business and back to making profits while their counterparts continue with closed doors. “Emergency planning also has benefits in terms of compliance with many government organisations, and increasingly private sector organisations, requiring their suppliers to meet contractual obligations around emergency planning to avoid disruptions caused by disasters, which pose a risk to the supply chain. “There is also interest around insurance companies requiring emergency planning to reduce premiums.” Wisheart says that although the Small Business Advisory Group Report April 2012 recommended government assistance for SME owners to plan for and recover from disasters by working with businesses and relevant professional bodies to develop a one-stop disaster planning and recovery kit nothing has yet been done to assist SMEs. Wisheart says EmePoint allows businesses in any sector to develop their own customised plans – often within a day. Specific emergency planning activities addressed by EmePoint include loss of power supply, disruption of water, gas supply or telecommunication systems, loss of IT systems or data, supplies, equipment and furniture, complete or partial loss of premises, communication during an emergency response, loss of or non-availability of key staff and business continuity planning. EmePoint is now available to organisations worldwide and Wisheart says huge potential for this Kiwi first innovation. “Small New Zealand businesses generally don’t have plans to help them recover from emergencies. They feel they don’t have the time, expertise or money. EmePoint is an affordable solution that provides SMEs with the expert advice they do not have in-house.”

KEY POINTS • In New Zealand 97% of businesses are SMEs. • Most still do not plan for emergencies, which can have a huge impact on their businesses. • According to figures supplied by the US Business Administration 25% of SMEs will not reopen following a disaster. • The main factors to consider in developing an emergency plan is identification of controllable and uncontrollable risks then break these risks down into core functions.

The Christchurch earthquakes were a reminder of the need for businesses to have a plan in place for dealing with unexpected events.

• A subscription to EmePoint is $28 per month. There is no setup cost and the initial plan can usually be completed within a day. Companies can trial EmePoint free for 14 days by registering at www.emepoint.com

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ENERGY » New Zealand Wind Energy Association

August 2015

Business North

Plenty of capacity - the Westwind Windfarm near Wellington.

Wind - blowing into the mainstream Karen Phelps The world is going through an energy revolution as we move from reliance on fossil fuel electricity generation to renewable energy, says Eric Pyle, chief executive of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association. “Every year since 2011 more renewable electricity generation has been built globally than gas and coal plants combined,” says Pyle. “Wind has been the main source of renewable generation, although solar generation is starting to catch up. “China builds the equivalent of a coal-fired power plant in wind generation every two weeks. “Wind generation is now a serious global industry that is doubling every six or so years and is rapidly growing,” he says. Pyle Says in 2014 some 51,000 Megawatts (MW) of wind generation was installed globally. “To put it in perspective that is five times all the electricity generation from all sources (dams etc) in New Zealand. Every eight minutes 24/7 a wind turbine blade over 40 metres in length is produced somewhere around the world.”

“The data from wind turbines show that New Zealand has the best wind regime in the world.”

In order to keep up with demand turbines are also getting bigger. Pyle says that the latest turbines being installed in Europe have a rotor diameter of over 160 metres compared with turbines near Wellington, which have a rotor diameter of 80 metres. New Zealand currently has 19 wind farms either operating or under construction. These presently have a combined installed capacity of 690 megawatts and supply about 5% of New Zealand’s annual electricity generation. Pyle says that this is about the same amount of electricity as 300,000 homes in New Zealand use in a year. As New Zealand is a windy country he says that New Zealand has a distinct advantage in terms of wind energy generation. “For example some of the wind turbines in the Manawatu have produced more electricity than any other land-based turbine in the world and they were only installed in 2007. “The data from wind turbines shows that New Zealand has the best wind regime in the world.” And according to Pyle interest is growing. There is currently 2500MW of wind generation consented in New Zealand and developers are exploring sites throughout New Zealand for new wind farms. He says renewable energy is not just of economic importance but is vital for the future of the planet. “Climate change is not an environmental issue; it is about the future. We only have a few more decades before we need to drastically reduce fossil fuel use. A few decades may seem a long time but a fossil fuel power station lasts 40 or more years. So we need to start replacing fossil fuel power plants with renewable ones quickly.”

And Pyle says there are now encouraging signs that “we will do something about carbon dioxide emissions before it is too late”. “Coal imports into China reduced by 38% last year. That’s tough on the Australian economy and the mining community but it is very good news for the future. “A number of countries are also starting to seriously contemplate what a 100% renewable electricity system might look like.” He says electricity can be 100% renewable. “Wind, for example, is a very reliable source of electricity.

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“On an annual basis it is much more reliable than hydro. Sure it varies on a short time frame but that is where hydro comes in. Batteries will help in the mix in the future also.” He says the transition to renewables would happen more quickly if it were not for the subsidies. “The fossil fuel sector currently receives hundreds of billions of dollars each year in subsidies. In New Zealand, for example, we still subsidise exploration for fossil fuels. “But despite the massive subsidies to the fossil fuel sector global trends in energy are starting to head in the right direction.”

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LEISURE » Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challange

August 2015

Business North

Challenge on for workplace riders Kelly Deeks New Zealand’s largest cycle event, the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, is adding something new to its repertoire this year with the introduction of a new initiative, the ‘No Name’ Workplace Challenge. With entries now open for the event, organisers are mindful that as it celebrates its 39th consecutive year, it’s important to always be looking to refresh what’s on offer as well as listening and responding to suggestions and feedback. Event director Kay Brake says the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is responding to the increasing amount of talk around encouraging healthy work places, activities, and social commitment. “The ‘No Name’ Workplace Challenge ticks the boxes in this space and will help get you, your team, and your work colleagues up and pedalling, both on and off the clock,” says Brake. “It will be a great team building exercise that can involve everyone in your wider work community,” she says. “We reckon you’ll energise your staff, create a more connected team environment, become fitter, healthier, and maybe even discover some leaders you didn’t realise you had.” The ‘No Name’ Workplace Challenge is so called because whoever wins will earn naming rights for the 2016 Workplace Challenge. The winner will also get to show off a stunning trophy and enjoy sharing some product with team mates from event partner Forrest Wines. “To add a bit of spice to the whole thing, entrants get the opportunity to challenge other businesses to enter as well,” Brake says. “It might be another branch of your company, a competitor, a supplier, or the floor downstairs. “The more workplaces who take up your challenge, the more chance there is of winning.” And she says it’s not just the biggest or fastest that will be recognised. There’s also a cunning plan so that every workplace has the chance to win, with workplace

Get into it: the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is responding to the increasing amount of talk around encouraging healthy work places. teams getting points for the number of entrants in their workplace challenge team, how many other workplaces accept their challenge, funds raised for the event’s official charity, Heart Kids NZ, and a top three finish among workplace challengers in all categories at the event. The ‘No Name’ Workplace Challenge is the first of a number of new initiatives which will be introduced in the lead up to this year’s event on Saturday, November 28.

“So whether you’re a keen cyclist, a mountain biker, cycle the café circuit with your mates, looking for some family fun, an excuse for a get together with the girls, or just a great weekend away, there’s something for everyone to take part in and enjoy,’ says Brake.” About 8000 riders - coming from throughout New Zealand and more than 20 countries - take part in the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge each year.

The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is best known for the gruelling 160-kilometre Bike Barn Solo event, the one-lap circumnavigation of Lake Taupo. But this is just one of 18 categories on offer, with both road cycling and mountain bike options for individuals and groups, catering to all levels of cycling and fitness abilities. • For event entries visit www.cyclechallenge.com

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Business North August 2015

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About 8000 riders from around New Zealand and more than 20 countries take part in the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge each year.

PROPERTY » Black & White Property Management

August 2015

Business North

Helping firms find the right space Karen Phelps Black and White Property Management Ltd has focused its business on specialising in placing cool companies into unique, quirky and bespoke spaces, not the usual boring corporate office. “Tenants want spaces that invigorate and inspire them, somewhere that their team want to come to everyday and that showcases the dynamic companies they are,” explains Black and White company director Carolyn James. The types of buildings the company sources for tenants (who include creatives such as Karen Walker and Zambesi) include anything from old buildings to grungy warehouse conversions and new builds which offer tenants a distinctive creative edge. “There are some great developers in Auckland that we work with who understand that a new build can be just as enticing to the creatives by using a mix of timeless materials such as exposed concrete, steel and wood and creating a feeling of open lofty style spaces by producing high stud spaces,” says James. “The mix of different textures and the height produces the perfect canvas for the creatives to perform their arts in.” James and business partner Kylie Pridham started Black and White in 2011 after identifying a gap in the market for a real estate company specialising in character and distinctive buildings for commercial tenants. James’ passion for property stems from her father who was a craftsman builder and developer and she has worked in commercial property management for many years. Pridham had owned and ran a successful real estate business in Australia before moving to Auckland. James says demand is growing for Black and White’s services with tenants as far away as London approaching them. She says that cool spaces attract cool people, sometimes vital for the creative industries that their tenants, who include ad/branding and digital agencies, designers, architects and film companies, work in. “Creative people want to work in a fun workplace. “We only list properties that we are excited and passionate about and that we ourselves would want to come to work in everyday.”

Black and White Property Management specialises in sourcing buildings for clients wanting a distinctive unique space. Suburbs in Auckland in demand by her customers include Ponsonby, Herne Bay, Grey Lynn, Freemans Bay, Victoria Park, Parnell and Britomart. She says getting the tenants involved early in the process, especially when the project involves the landlord converting a space, is preferable. Black and White is often heavily involved in the refurbishment process. “This means we can liaise between the landlord and tenants to ensure the development is going

to suit the needs of the tenant, something that is advantageous for both parties,” she says. “At Black and White we offer a very personalised service and are very hands on. “It’s about nurturing a harmonious business relationships between tenants and the landlords to ensure a smooth and happy environment for all.” With all the property management services the company offers James says that rather than taking a one size fits all approach, Black and White offers a tailor made, customised package to suit the

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client’s individual needs. “They can be involved as little or as much as they would like on the day-to-day management or leasing of their property. “We understand that each owner needs a customised solution with some owners preferring a lot of involvement in the day to day management while others are more relaxed with a stand back approach and others sit somewhere in between. “We can adapt and cater to their specific needs.”

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Business North August 2015

PROPERTY » Black & White Property Management

Black and White Property sources all types of buildings for clients, ranging from old buildings and grungy warehouse conversions to new builds which offer tenants a distinctive creative edge. As New Zealand is a young nation with a limited number of character buildings, James says that it can often be a challenge to find the right building for her tenants. “I have literally gone and knocked on doors to find the right space for one of my tenants before. “I love putting a company into a space that they are excited about and listening to their plans on how they will use the core character of the space as their canvas to build on as an artist does, to produce something fresh and exciting and personalised by them.

“It is great to go back to some of the spaces which we have leased and see them transformed by their new occupants. “And to hear the appreciation that is voiced on helping them to find their perfect canvas.”

Black and White Property Management Auckland 021 734 189 www.blackandwhite.net.nz

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DEVELOPMENT » Countdown Waiheke Island

August 2015 Business North

Work underway on new supermarket Sue Russell Since April substantial ground work has been underway on the site of what will be a brand new Countdown supermarket in Ostend on Waiheke Island. Adrian Walker property general manager of Progressive Enterprises, the parent company that owns the Countdown chain, and development manager Will Ellison are pleased with the progress that has been made so far on the Belgium Street

site and fully expect to have the new $35 million supermarket completed on time in the second quarter of 2016. “It has been quite an involved and lengthy process to get to the point of construction of the building itself due to the fact that we are required to provide for our own waste disposal on the site and adding to that we will not be accessing town water supply, so a great deal of thought has gone into catering for waste and water,” says Walker. Once completed, the waste processing systems will be covered in substantive plantings at the rear

“This community has been anticipating the building of a new modern and spacious supermarket for many years....” of the building, giving it an open park-like feel and adding to the village feel of the township. In order to gain consent from Council, Progressive Enterprises had to meet stringent building standards that apply to substantial buildings on the Island, including using materials Walker describes as more ‘sympathetic’, such as alot more timber than would normally be used in a building of this nature. “Council also required that the building was constructed right up to the paving next to the road, what they call ‘Street Activation’ unlike most supermarket situations that have car-parking at the front,” Ellison explains. The new store at 3490sqm will dwarf the existing Countdown store operating a short distance away on the same street. It will include seven specialty retail shops next to the footpath with the supermarket positioned in behind. “Because the building is right up on the road, it will also have a partially underground car park which will have 179 car parks,” says Walker. Building a structure the size of the supermarket and additional stores on an Island where most of the materials and labour support are sourced on the mainland has added to the logistical complexities of the project, however Walker says he’s delighted that work is now well and truly underway. “This community has been anticipating the building of a new modern and spacious supermarket for many years, but there was a great

deal to work through in the planning stages around finding the best site, dealing with the typography and compliances while ensuring it was a financial sound investment for the company.” Water will be collected from the roof and delivered to storage tanks with back-up access to a bore as well. Each day 7000 litres of water used will be retained, treated and irrigated on the waste disposal area which will be covered with 6000 plants. Along with all the benefits that will come to consumers on the island, the new supermarket will be a major employer adding up to 50 additional jobs to the existing work force employed in the existing Countdown located on Ostend Road. “It is very significant in terms of the whole economics of the island from the employment perspective alone.” Inside the supermarket will house state-of-theart refrigeration, cabinetry and signage along with energy efficient LED lighting throughout, while the size of the car-park will allow space not only for customers but for staff employed as well as tenants of the specialty shops. “There’s a whole eclectic mix of tenants who will take up residency in the specialty shops which we’re really pleased about, including a café, insurance business, a home-ware retailer and a real-estate agent. That mix is indicative of the make-up on Waiheke and its very appropriate this new facility reflects just that,” Ellison says.

The waste processing systems will be covered in substantive plantings at the rear of the building, giving it an open park-like feel and adding to the village feel of the township.

Business North

August 2015

DEVELOPMENT » Countdown Waiheke Island

| 11

Substantial ground work has been underway on the site of the new Countdown supermarket in Ostend on Waiheke Island.

Providing specialist Civil, Geotechnical, and Water Resource Engineering advice and expertise to enable development of the new Countdown Ostend Supermarket for Progressive Enterprises Ltd

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Geotechnical investigation · Environmental assessment Stormwater management · On-site water supply On-site wastewater disposal · Detailed design and construction supervision

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12 |

CONSTRUCTION » Holcim New Zealand

August 2015 Business North

Holcim’s new cement storage terminal in Timaru is taking shape - the state-of-the-art dome silo is a “first” for New Zealand.

Holcim cements New Zealand role Jo Bailey Construction of Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd’s new eye-catching “dome silo” cement storage terminal at PrimePort Timaru is progressing well, says Holcim New Zealand’s Country Manager, Glenda Harvey. “We expect the Timaru dome silo to be up and running in the first quarter of 2016, with a second new storage terminal operating in Auckland by the end of the second quarter 2016.” When complete, each dome silo will have a 30,000 tonne capacity, although area constraints in Timaru and height restrictions in Auckland mean they will not be identical. Holcim is investing $100 million in the facilities, which will store globally-sourced cement that will supply the domestic market once the company’s 58-year-old cement manufacturing plant in Westport closes later in 2016. “The decision to invest in the terminals was to ensure Holcim customers continue to be supplied with high quality cement suiting New Zealand conditions under the new business model,” she says.

Construction works commenced at Timaru in September 2014. The consultants on the project including designers BECA; main contractors Downer New Zealand; and major equipment supplier Van Aalst Bulk Handling of the Netherlands. Harvey says the state-of-the-art storage domes, supplied by US company, DOMTEC, are a “first” for New Zealand. The domes are being formed from an outer PVC layer, which is inflated and sprayed on the inside with polyurethane which acts as a stabiliser and insulator. Approximately 450 tonnes of steel reinforcing and “shotcrete” (sprayed concrete) is then applied to construct the dome from the inside. A fully aerated floor will then be installed to fluidise the cement for ease of flow and to ensure the dome can be fully emptied. Each dome takes around three months to construct and will consume around 1500 tonnes of shotcrete and 750 tonnes of cement. In addition to the new dome storage facilities, each terminal will also feature “leading edge” ship unloading and transportation technology.

“Cement will be unloaded by a pneumatic suction arm and transported pneumatically to the storage silo.” Holcim has entered into a long-term cement supply agreement with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC), a strategic partner from Japan that already supplies other Holcim companies in the Asia Pacific region. Harvey says the cement from Mitsubishi is recognised by engineers, architects and construction companies as being “extremely reliable” with the added benefit of Holcim being able to supply expertise in many different areas of cement and concrete applications. “As a global company dealing in cement for 127 years, we can benefit from the strong relationships Holcim has built with other companies around the world. “We understand security of supply and quality is important to our New Zealand customers and can assure them MMC is part of a well-respected global company whose reputation and performance is top class.” Ms Harvey says Holcim continues to work closely with its team at Westport through the

closure process of its manufacturing plant. “The plant is reaching the end of its economic life, and since the closure was announced in August 2013 we’ve done lot of work with our team in Westport to negotiate this difficult process. “We are pleased our staff in Westport remains engaged and motivated and the cement plant continues to perform well in its last years.” She says Holcim plans to exit the site in a “responsible manner” once production ceases, and is currently looking at a range of proposals being put to the company by various parties. “We will continue to oversee the site at Westport during the de-commissioning process, and expect that a few employees will move into other parts of the Holcim business.” Ensuring a smooth changeover to the new regime will continue to be a major focus, says Ms Harvey. “We continue to keep staff, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders regularly informed on the progress towards the new business model, and are working closely with customers to ensure a seamless changeover to the new supply arrangements.”

“As a global company dealing in cement for 127 years, we can benefit from the strong relationships Holcim has built with other companies around the world.”

Holcim New Zealand For all your cement, aggregate and concrete supplies Phone 0800 HOLCIM (465 246) Trusted for over 125 years in New Zealand

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Business North

August 2015

CONSTRUCTION » Detail Connect

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Steel specialist taps into technology Karen Phelps Detail Connect has just moved into new premises in Mt Maunganui. Company managing director Luke Fahey says it is a sign of the growth the company has experienced since it started in 2012 specialising in the production of shop drawings for steel fabricators throughout New Zealand. “The new office is located closer to key clients and we are fully cloud based so we now have a faster internet connection to enable backup and remote access into the office,” explains Fahey. Fahey, 30, is a steel detailer with a construction management qualification. He brings over a decade of experience including working for companies such as Calder Stewart. In under three years Detail Connect has grown from a simple home office based organisation to employing one staff member plus contractors as required. Fahey says the company differentiates itself from competitors due to its young, tech savvy staff. “Our age means we all know how to utilize the software we use for the shop drawings to its full potential. I thought I knew a lot already but when I employed my staff member, who is 25 years old, I discovered he knew how to use it on a whole different level. This is the kind of expertise we bring to projects for clients,” he says. The software the company uses is called Tekla Structures. Detail Connect has already won an honourable mention in the steel category of the 2014 Tekla Building Information Modelling awards demonstrating the expertise staff has in using the software.

Detail Connect specialises in the production of shop drawings for steel fabricators throughout New Zealand.

Fahey says that although larger steel fabricators often have detailers who work in-house (although Detail Connect does work for some of these companies as well to

supplement their staff during busy periods) it is smaller fabricators who can really benefit from the company’s services and that proper shop drawings create efficiencies on many levels during a project. “The 3D modelling allows for any errors to be picked up before manufacture. It allows jobs to be staged so projects can be managed more efficiently. “This is especially important for small fabricators, as they may not be able to manufacture the whole project in one go. “It means smaller fabricators can now take on the bigger guys,” says Fahey. As well as 3D structural steel shop drawings for residential, rural, commercial and industrial projects and production of 2D deliverables for pricing, ordering, manufacture and erection, Detail Connect also provides complementary services. The company can complete building consent documentation for the structural steel aspect of projects and third party quality assurance checks.

A newer service being offered by the company is training in Tekla. “We go into companies and train their staff in Tekla. We look at it this way – if their business grows then our business grows.” And Fahey has continued growth as his focus. He hopes the new office will help to attract more good staff to the growing business. “We offer a flexible working environment so if someone wants to go and surf at lunchtime and make the time up later they can. “Having the best staff will be a key point in taking the business forward,” he says. Key clients the company has worked for include Grayson Engineering (a new Bunnings at New Lynn, Auckland), Jensen Steel Fabricators (Fonterra Pahiatua) and Phoenix Steel (a development at 254 Montreal St, Christchurch). “We’re a small company so we can offer a very personal service. Our clients can talk to the detailer working on their project. “Working with clients one-on-one is an aspect that I really enjoy about the business.”

“The 3D modelling allows for any errors to be picked up before manufacture. It allows jobs to be staged so projects can be managed more efficiently. This is especially important for small fabricators....”

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Our business is structural steel fabricating and erection, our company draws experience from over 30 years in the structural steel industry, with great partners in painting and hot dip galvanising we can complete your project to the highest standard whether its a single house beam to a multi level building. Our quality control team closely inspects each job before and after welding to make sure even the smallest details meet our rigid requirements, and yours.

14 |

CONSTRUCTION » Henderson Timbers

August 2015 Business North

Timber firm doubles production Karen Phelps In the past two years Henderson Timbers has more than doubled production. Based at The Concourse in Henderson, Auckland, Henderson Timbers is a 100 per cent New Zealand company and it was in 2013 that the company purchased a second factory in Ranui, Auckland, to meet company growth resulting in the huge increase in output. Company director Eric Martin admits it has been challenging to manage the huge growth but he sees potential yet. “The quality of the timber is everything in what we do,” he says. “The quality of the grading in New Zealand has pretty tight constraints on it so we consider that the framing timber here is superior to imported products. “We’ve even had orders from overseas from places such as Hawaii because the Kiwi builder who moved there thought our products were so much better than what he could get locally.” That’s why Henderson Timbers only accepts timber from reputable, reliable suppliers and also has strict grading processes in place once the timber reaches the factories to ensure that all timber used in timber products is top notch, says Martin. Martin owns the business with Blair Dunn. The company was originally founded in 1974 as a supplier of timber, building materials, and wall frames to local customers. It later began manufacturing roof trusses in association with Pryda NZ, an autonomous division of Fortune 500 company Illinois Tool Works Inc. Henderson Timbers manufactures a range of prenail frames and trusses and timber products including decking, fencing, framing, moulding, post, retaining, trusses and bagged concrete. “Because we’re an independent company, we feel we can be more flexible and adaptable,” says Martin. “We’re big enough to deal with the big brandname builders and just the right size to mentor

Henderson Timbers only accepts timber from reputable, reliable suppliers and also has strict grading processes in place once the timber reaches the factories to ensure that all timber used is top notch.

the couple looking to build their first home. “The personal service we offer at Henderson Timbers results in long-term repeat business. Word-of-mouth recommendations from our many satisfied customers also play a big part in our success.” Eric Martin says that one of Henderson Timbers latest projects - an aged care facility built last year in Kumeu, Auckland - shows off the company’s many strengths and that it is not

“The personal service we offer at Henderson Timbers results in long-term repeat business. Word-of-mouth recommendations from our many satisfied customers also play a big part in our success.” only capable of producing standard residential projects to an exacting level of detail but also has the ability to handle large-scale timber frame projects. Eric says that the project had some interesting statistics with approximately 180 cubic metres of timber in the wall framing and approximately 120m3 of timber going into the detailing. Henderson Timbers designed and supplied possibly the largest trusses manufactured in New Zealand that year with the trusses spanning the central open plan area measuring 30 metres long. “These had to be divided into three sections for ease of transportation and manufacturing,” explains Martin. The trusses were designed and detailed using

the Pryda Build software and reassembled on site. Eric says the software is an integral part of business. “Pryda Build provides us with fully integrated software and production systems, access to leading-edge manufacturing equipment and sophisticated technical support for timber truss and frame prefabrication.” Henderson Timbers is also a member of the New Zealand Frame and Truss Manufacturers’ Association, the Certified Builders Association of NZ and BCITO, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation. “Henderson Timbers is interested in one thing – good product on time,’ says Eric. “It’s about the consistency and quality of service our customers get from dealing with a well established company.”

Leading the Market with Innovatine Solutions JSC Timber is a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality hardwood and exotic soft wood timber products and is committed to the ongoing development on INNOVATIVE SYSTEMS and SUSTAINABLE TIMBER for the Architecture, building and construction industries. We pride ourselves in supplying quality product and service.

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Business North

August 2015

CONSTRUCTION » Henderson Timbers

| 15

Henderson Timbers manufactures a range of prenail frames and trusses and timber products including decking, fencing, framing, moulding, post, retaining, trusses and bagged concrete.

Pryda New Zealand A Division of ITW New Zealand Ltd Pryda is a proud supporter of Henderson Timbers, providing them the leading innovated 3D Software packages for the manufacture of frames and trusses to the New Zealand building industry. We are pleased to be a New Zealand home grown timber fixing company that is still a leader in our field after 50 years. PO Box 305290, Triton Plaza, North Shore 0757 | 8 Orbit Drive, Rosedale, Auckland Freephone 0800 88 22 44 | Freefax 0800 277 932 | www.pryda.co.nz

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for more information please refer to our website: or call us on 0800 800 649

16 |

August 2015 Business North

CONSTRUCTION » Formsteel

Focus on customers key to success Karen Phelps Formsteel has forged its point of difference in the market by engineering solutions rather than making customers fit their ideas around a standard product, says company sales manager Lawson Suckling. “We like to think of Formsteel as a solutions company not a products company,” he says. “Formsteel helps clients by working alongside them and their architects, engineers and construction companies, providing solutions and flexibility that add value to any project.” With a history spanning over 40 years Formsteel is an independent family owned company and the only non-franchised company of its kind in the New Zealand market. Suckling says the company’s high strength steel system utilises unique interlocking connections, which make Formsteel products strong as well as quick to build. He says that Formsteel was the first New Zealand manufacturer to use cold-formed sections and join them together using Tek-screws to achieve large and very economical spans. “Formsteel can span further and build higher than all other lightweight building systems - up to 8.5 tonne gantries supported across 50 metre clear spans. The need for less internal support posts creates more flexible and spacious interiors in a building, something that is proving popular with architects and their clients.” Sucklling says a big part of the company’s ability to offer such a “customer-centric service” is because Formsteel manufactures all the components it needs in New Zealand. “Getting orders designed, completed and delivered on time is a streamlined process. “We can undertake full design builds and also take care of aspects such as foundations.

Formsteel’s high strength steel system utilises unique interlocking connections, which make its products strong as well as quick to build.

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Business North

CONSTRUCTION » Formsteel

August 2015

| 17

Formsteel can take on any project from the smallest carport all the way up to major industrial buildings, tailoring solutions to match client needs. “Each component in a Formsteel building is manufactured in our own workshop, from the main frame and plates through to the purlins and roofing. “This ensures we can control the quality and deliver the entire building to site precisely when required,” he says. Where possible the steel coil material is sourced from local New Zealand steel mill using iron sand from the West Coast as the base raw steel component. The company further supplements its supply from overseas steel mills, when local product is either not available or where the pricing will be beneficial to the end user without compromising the quality, says Suckling. “We use rolled steel, which is cheaper than structural steel because you only pay for the stock you actually use as the steel starts as a coil and is rolled into profile. “We can also produce the largest roll forming sections in the country. This means we can span further for a better price compared with structural steel putting more solutions within the reach of our customers’ budget.” Formsteel manufactures a number of different product lines. Purlindek is a cold-rolled, loadbearing roof profile that can span up to six metres with a 1.8m overhang. It can also be used for unsupported internal walls up to 10m high. Smartdek is used for longrun roofing and

cladding. Its trapezoidal profile gives it a much stronger and more rigid shape than the profiles other companies commonly use. Composite Tray Flooring is a system designed to interlock and act as core reinforcing elements within a building once the steel and concrete bond together. Formsteel also manufactures a range of standard and custom cold rolled steel components. Suckling says Formsteel can take on any project from the smallest carport all the way up to major industrial buildings, tailoring solutions to match client needs. Formsteel products have been used in thousands of constructions all over New Zealand. Formsteel exports to countries around the world including Australia, Argentina and the South Pacific. Suckling says that Formsteel is always open to the challenge of a new design that requires some thinking outside the box. “When companies need the strongest steel structures, whether for an oil rig in the middle of the ocean, a building in the Pacific Islands that has to stand up to tropical storms or even an affordable warehouse on dry land, Formsteel can help. “Our products, technology and approach are all geared towards helping clients to build on Formsteel’s strength. “Our commitment is to create a working relationship with our customers that will last for decades, not just a matter of months.”

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Formsteel are not lightweights in their design, components or service. Many other shed manufacturers have had their sheds fail due to extreme weather conditions. Formsteel provide solutions outside the box ensuring all of your needs are met from start to finish. Comprehensive assembly instructions for the handy man or a fixed price for a complete turn-key shed on your site. - Jonathon Wilkinson Owner and Manager of Wilkinson and Sons Construction Engineers Translucent Roofing

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18 |

CONSTRUCTION » Kalmar Construction

August 2015

Business North

Hurstmere Green scoops awards Karen Phelps A project that was started back in 2006 has just won a national and gold award in the 2015 Commercial Project Awards. Hurstmere Green in Takapuna, Auckland, was an award winner in the commercial projects $2m-$5m section. Designed by Sills van Bohemen Architects, the redevelopment project was the rejuvenation of what had become an overgrown and under utilised park into an accessible community facility. The design includes carved elements by sculptor Brett Graham that recall the myth around the creation of Lake Pupuke and Rangitoto Island. Kalmar Construction Limited project manager Luder Stock says that the project provided some unique challenges, which would not normally be encountered in the day-to-day running of a site. The site is bound by Hurtsmere Road, Channel View and The Strand and is adjacent to busy traffic and pedestrian routes and in the vicinity of a busy mixed-use precinct. “Fortnightly site meetings were held to ensure the client and the design team were kept fully informed of the key issues and disruption of day-to-day activities around the site were kept to a minimum. “It was imperative that the local residents, the local community board, the general public and neighbouring businesses were constantly kept up to date and informed of any significant upcoming construction activities. “This resulted in turning opposition at the start into overwhelming support as the project progressed,” he says. Stock says that Kalmar was methodical and innovative in approaching and resolving complex issues while managing all construction activities on site, completing tasks safely and on time, manoeuvring large trucks through pedestrian areas, and ensuring there was absolutely no runoff pollution to Takapuna beach. One of the construction challenges was preserving many existing trees on the site. Stock says that Kalmar worked closely with an arborist throughout the project ensuring site workers were briefed on correct excavation methods, rules of work around trees and how to preserve exposed roots. “We sought to adopt a collaborative and constructive approach at all times, working to a very tight project timeframe with meticulous attention to detail.” The design includes carved elements by sculptor Brett Graham that recall the myth around the creation of Lake Pupuke and Rangitoto Island.

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Business North August 2015

CONSTRUCTION » Kalmar Construction

| 19

The Hurstmere Green site is bound by Hurtsmere Road, Channel View and The Strand and is adjacent to busy traffic and pedestrian routes and in the vicinity of a busy mixed-use precinct.

Success built on staff The success of Barry Satchell Consultants comes from its people. Company director Paul Wilson says that it is the unique mix of staff who work for the company, with previous experience as developers, contractors, licensed surveyors and chartered engineers, which sets it apart: “This enables us to bring a good understanding to any project. “For example when undertaking construction surveying we have knowledge from a construction perspective as we have staff that have built or developed projects themselves in the past. “We can also bring projects into the council coordinate database meaning no third party has to be involved in the project. Our services streamline the process for our clients,” he says. Barry Satchell Consultants has over 45 years experience of providing development consulting throughout New Zealand ranging from small residential projects to large commercial developments. The company is a leading infill development consultant and recognised experts in the fields of engineering, surveying, construction surveying and resource management. The company is part of the Fraser Thomas Group, which offers geotechnical, structural and civil engineering services over a large variety of projects in Auckland, Christchurch and a number of offshore locations. As Barry Satchell Consultants are part of the Fraser Thomas Group, it offers an allinclusive service with survey, engineering and planning services. “Our multi-discipline consulting practice ensures that we can service and coordinate

all project requirements in-house, delivering a result for our clients projects that is faster, smarter and makes more sense.” An appropriately-sized team is assembled for each project with hands on involvement from a senior professional ensuring a personalised service: “We take time to understand our client’s goals and develop a professional plan to find solutions and achieve the best result possible, delivering success for all stakeholders. Our goal is to add value to our clients’ projects and consistently deliver results above expectation.” When construction surveying, the company’s ‘free station’ methodology allows it to move people and equipment around sites as required. The experienced team is supported by a full range of modern surveying equipment such as Sokia real-time Global Positioning Systems and Sokia Electronic Total Stations in the field integrated with the use of major surveying and design software, like Civilcad and AutoCAD in the office. 3D scanning has recently been added providing new opportunities for rapid data capture in complex environments, heritage and BIM projects. Barry Satchell Consultants typically works for building companies, such as Kalmar Construction, which is a significant client. Barry Satchell Consultants was involved in Kalmar’s Hurstmere Green and Unitec Wharekai projects. Other recent projects completed by Barry Satchell Consultants include services provided for the St Martins 18 storey apartment complex, Whisper Cove development in Snells Beach and the North Shore Police Centre.

Barry Satchell Consulting Engineers and Surveyors Construction survey and development consulting 3D scanning for complex projects and BIM - Part of Fraser Thomas Group -

Experience | Innovation | Excellence Its all about understanding your goals, ﬁnding solutions and achieving the best results

409 Dominion Road

Ph 09 623 4573 Email: admin@bscl.co.nz

www.bscl.co.nz

20 |

CONSTRUCTION » Kalmar Construction

August 2015

Business North

Unitec Wharekai combines low-impact, sustainable design and construction, with locally sourced materials.

Complex project reflection of skills Karen Phelps Cultural significance and a challenging design were the hallmarks of Unitec Wharekai which saw the project win a silver award in the commercial and civic projects section of the 2015 Commercial Project Awards. The wharekai is a 200-seat capacity dining room and state-of-the-art kitchen, which allows the marae to host visitors in the proper manner. The concept of the project, designed by Kay & Keys, is a bird-headed Manaia (mythical creature)

reclining on the land, a communicator between the spirit world and the earthly world and a guardian against evil. The building supports the existing whare and education wings between which it sits. Constructed by Kalmar Construction Limited the wharekai combines low-impact, sustainable design and construction, with locally sourced materials. Kalmar project manager Graham Hawkins says the design was challenging both in terms of materials and construction. “For example no wall is square or traditionally designed.

”The building is made from complex shapes and a variety of materials including cedar, pine and southern beech, which all had to blend seamlessly together. “Because of its position in an existing complex it had to fit in with the other buildings to which it is connected by landscaped swales and bridges,” he explains. The wharekai has a concrete slab foundation and floor with 250mm small end diameter poles running through the centre of the building. Exposed rafters support the roof. Hawkins says the project required a high degree of craftsmanship

and Kalmar only assigned very experienced carpenters to the project. At the peak of the project Kalmar had 55 staff on site. Hawkins cites the high levels of craftsmanship combined with the originality of the design as factors in the project winning an award. “The project was an amalgamation of top tradesmen pulling together to produce a highly complex building. ”We had to work closely with the architect and other subcontractors to produce such a high quality end result.”

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Business North August 2015 CONSTRUCTION » National Association of Women in Construction

| 21

Awards recognise leading women Jo Bailey The outstanding achievements of women who are passionate about changing the construction sector have been recognised at the inaugural Hays National Association of Women in Construction Excellence Awards. Cathy Tracey, president of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) said the association and its awards partner Hays Recruitment were delighted with the positive response to the initiative. “We had loads of entries and the calibre of nominees was amazing. It made choosing the winners extremely difficult.” Wellington-based architect Deborah Cranko who has run her own architectural firm for 28 years, won the Professional Woman of the Year Award; with Mary Bartlett, who owns and runs 20-year-old painting business Tickled Pink, named Tradeswoman of the Year. Lianne Cox of Studio Pacific Design and Sarah Neill of Beca were named joint winners of the Outstanding Achievement in Design award; with the SCIRT Women in Construction initiative winning the Helen Tippett Award for actively promoting the participation of women in construction. Other awards went to Kristina Wyschnowsky of Corbel Construction (Excellence in Construction Administration); and Gail Royston (Apprentice and Student Award). Tracey says women are joining the construction sector in greater numbers than ever before, with NAWIC predicting a 10 percent yearly growth rate through to 2019. “The number of women in the construction industry has grown exponentially in recent years with opportunities in just about every construction job. Women are realising they can take their skills and utilise them in an industry that is exciting, and moving ahead.” NAWIC is an international organisation, founded in Texas in the 1950s, which encourages, informs and upskills women in construction while promoting networking and information sharing. It has been active in Wellington since 1996, with chapters in Auckland and Canterbury established within the last five years. “Our vision is to be the leading voice for our members who represent a wide range of professions, whether onsite or in organisations which provide services to the industry,” says Tracey. Quantity surveyors, project managers, suppliers, planners, designers and architects, engineers, tradespeople and lawyers are among NAWIC’s members. Each chapter runs a varied programme, including site visits, professional development opportunities, industry speakers and networking events, often in partnership with other industry related groups. “All three chapters offer some really interesting site visits, with members able to get the inside running on some key, often award winning commercial projects under construction.”

On the rise - women are joining the construction sector in New Zealand in greater numbers than ever before. Tracey says one of NAWIC’s key goals is increasing the organisation’s visibility by promoting the construction industry as an exciting career choice for women. “It is important we create a pathway so young women are aware of the options available to them within the construction sector. “The Canterbury rebuild, Auckland building boom, and strong Wellington market are providing great opportunities for women across a range of fields.” Tracey says the growth and development of the North Island, particularly around the greater Auckland and Wellington regions has brought an increase of women into a variety of constructionrelated roles. “The Kapiti Coast roading development has seen an increase of women working in structural engineering, project management and related trades. These women represent a new generation of construction workers who are bring new skills to the industry and are inspiring young women to consider the exciting range of career options available to women in the construction industry.” NAWIC Auckland president Jenny Parker echoes this sentiment and says there are plenty of exciting opportunities for women to get involved in Auckland’s residential building boom.

Each NAWIC chapter runs a varied programme including site visits, professional development opportunities, industry speakers and other networking events.

“With around 5500 new homes required for new residents in Huapai, Kumei and Millwater to Silverdale female project managers, geotechnical engineers and sales and marketing roles are all needed, says Parker.

“NAWIC Auckland is keen to introduce women to these types of roles, especially those women who are looking to re-enter the workforce after maternity leave as this proves to be a much more cost effective solution to hiring staff from overseas.”

22 |

CONSTRUCTION » CBC Construction

August 2015

Business North

Company forges strong reputation Sue Russell Since establishing in 2006 CBC Construction has positioned itself well in the competitive commercial and industrial construction sector. The Tauranga-based company is part of the Classic Group, which includes Classic Builders and Classic Developments. Managing director, Drew Beekie, one of CBC’s founders, says he is very proud of what the company has achieved in the last decade. “The new ANZ Business Centre building is the first large office development carried out in Tauranga for some time. “It’s a really iconic building, with A grade office specifications throughout; just a really nice looking building,” says Beekie. The building, located on the corner of Cameron Rd and Elizabeth Street in Tauranga, earned for CBC a prestigious Property Council NZ excellent award, one of only 18 handed out each year from projects throughout the country. To qualify for consideration for the award a rigorous judging process takes place. Criteria assessed include economic and financial factors, the project’s innovation and vision and degree of difficulty, design and construction elements, sustainability along with owner and user satisfaction. Beekie says the company has a good reputation in the local market based on strong relationships with clients and equally strong relationships with sub-contractors. “Because we are so established in this area, with many high profile builds under our wing, our clients know they are going to get the very best of care and attention to exacting standards from us.” A current project, a 5500 square metre warehouse at the Tauriko Business Park, is due for completion at the end of the year. Additional to this area is an architecturally designed new two-storey head office and showroom facility. The structure is clad in shopfront glazing, Zinc and Cortean metal.

CBC Construction was awarded a Property Council NZ award for the ANZ Business Centre building in Tauranga. The architecturally designed Trustpower building in Tauranga is another project currently underway. The building on Durham Street has two internal bridges, a stand-out feature in the atrium. The bridges also cleverly add to the structures integrity. Last year CBC took the inaugural Tauriko Business Design Awards for the Jenkins Freshpac’s headquarters at the business park it completed in September 2013.

The judges were inspired by the overall “feel good factor”, the attention to detail, and the inherent functionality of the 1290sqm structure. A $3.6m project for Te Wananga o Aotearoa opposite the Historic Village at Tauranga’s 17th Avenue Business Park will be completed by the end of this year. The 2000sqm building will accommodate more than 800 students. For Beekie the satisfaction of seeing the end product, meeting the expectations of clients and knowing they are happy with the outcome is a big part of what he loves about the challenging industry he is immersed in. “Many of our projects are long-term big budget

commitments and during that time strong and important relationships evolve, particularly with our clients who have used our services before. “I feel a real obligation to always deliver on our reputation.” CBC Construction’s vision, ‘By any measure, to be, and to be recognised, as the most professional commercial building company in New Zealand’ says it all when it comes to the standards and values the company operates from. Beekie says that a key reason the company has acquired such a strong reputation is that as part of the larger Classic Group it has access to the infrastructural capacity of the whole group.

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Business North August 2015

CONSTRUCTION » Holmes Construction

Making their mark in the Wairarapa Kelly Deeks With a 58 year history of completing building projects around the Wairarapa, and for the past 18 years in Wellington, Andy and Tim Holmes of Greytown’s Holmes Construction see a lot of buildings they can be proud of as they travel around the region. Holmes Construction was first established by Will Holmes, who worked as a sole trader around Greytown. He built up his business, got into Ministry of Education work, and by the time his two sons started their apprenticeships with him, he had about a dozen builders on staff and was completing small commercial projects, new houses, and renovations. As demand increased,Will Holmes decided to start up his own joinery division, so established a small factory in Greytown, with about five employees. These included a joinery manager who had been born and bred in Wellington. He brought with him a large amount of business contacts in Wellington, and Holmes Construction soon started working in the city. Tim and Andy Holmes eventually bought their dad out of the business. When the opportunity came up to build a 64 unit apartment block in Courtney Place in Wellington, the brothers decided to establish Holmes Construction Wellington to handle projects in the city. “That has certainly triumphed, and we’ve completed a number of builds in the Wellington area over that time, including the Soho Apartments and the Kate Sheppard Apartments,” says Andy Holmes.

Around the same time as establishing Holmes Construction Wellington, the brothers also purchased Carterton business Renalls Joinery, combined it with their own joinery division, and now run it out of two locations in Greytown and Carterton. Renalls Joinery can be seen at various high profile locations around Wellington and the Wairarapa, including the parliament buildings and Victoria University. The company has also supplied joinery to many category winners of the Registered Master Builders Awards. Meanwhile, the Greytown office of Holmes Construction is still called upon to complete projects in the Wellington area, with its builders and project managers having established longstanding working relationships with Wellington architects, designers, and clients. Both the Wellington and Greytown branches have worked with a number of architects and designers within the Wairarapa and Wellington regions. Holmes Construction has been involved with some high profile projects over the years. These include a renovation and extension to the historic, boutique Martinborough Hotel, and the construction of the first civic building to be built in Carterton for more than 100 years, the $6 million Carterton Events Centre. “There are some lovely projects we’ve done, and lots to be proud of,” Holmes says. “Our staff are really the key to our success.” One of Holmes Construction’s carpenters completed his apprenticeship with the company about 48 years ago, is now 62 years old, and still building. A number of the company’s 40 to 50 staff have been there for 20 or 30 years.

“That has certainly triumphed, and we’ve completed a number of builds in the Wellington area over that time, including the Soho Apartmens and the Kate Sheppard Apartments.”

Holmes Construction has been involved with some high profile projects over the years.

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| 23

24 |

BUILDING » Pepper Construction

August 2015

Business North

Exciting project for New Plymouth Sue Russell An ambitious project to bring a new physical, articulation of what sustainable and socially responsible housing is all about is well underway in New Plymouth. For New Plymouth-based Pepper Construction (2013) Ltd’s owner, Andrew Pepper, the six-unit ‘Pocket Neighbourhood’ precinct has very much been a labour of love. With two units now on the market, and a third one closed-in, he says the most challenging aspect of this build was its infrastructure. “I knew we had the capability to take on a project of this nature, which is quite groundbreaking; a new way of seeing housing in its social context,” Pepper says. He has always been interested in other ways of expressing a community approach to sensible and sustainable housing, especially one that brings added value to its residents. A happy balance, between preserving privacy and creating a shared social centre, has been found in the design layout of the subdivision. Even the central driveway is configured to slow traffic through careful planting, hedgerows and the placement of courtyards. Since work began on the site, on the corner of Whakawhiti and Poharama Streets in New Plymouth the company has continued to grow, pretty much doubling in size since being formed. “Helping achieve this measured growth has been a challenge,” says Andrew. “The appointment of a full-time business development manager, quantity surveyor and office/accounts administrator have further evolved out management structure and we’ve also implemented a clear pathway for employees.” Pepper says that he is particularly proud of the recent achievements of four of his apprentices who were judged the best builders’ team in last month’s Taranaki Health and Safety Construction Group’s ‘2015 Taranaki Apprentice Challenge’. Recent projects have varied greatly; school refurbishments and new builds, office refits,

Recent projects have included school refurbishments and new builds, office refits, seismic strengthening, additions and alterations.

seismic strengthening, additions and alterations, and ‘Enable NZ’ remodellings, i.e. future-proofing areas like bathrooms for those with special physical needs. “The advantage of this variety of work is that it keeps our skill-base right up there.” With business growing Pepper now handles a wider range of business disciplines, including strategic planning, budget allocation, staff/client management, contract negotiation, health and safety monitoring, project programming and anything else it has to offer. “I especially enjoy visiting the sites. “It’s important for the team to see me not just in management but still very much there on the ground with them.” With 22 staff Andrew Pepper says he is

happy with the current size of the business and while recognising the company certainly isn’t the operating in the largest in the region his key aspiration is to look after his staff and provide them all with good working conditions and continued employment. “We’re still small enough for me to know my people by name; once you lose that, it changes your relationship to the business. “This is a third-generation company and

I’m proud to have taken over the reins from my father, who in turn took them over from my grandfather; that’s a legacy of great value to me,” he says. The next step in the company’s sustainable housing evolution is the launch of an exciting new ‘breathable’ house system. “Let’s just say we are very excited about this new development and its impact on how the future of healthy living will look.”

“We’re still small enough for me to know my people by name; once you lose that, it changes your relationship to the business.”

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Business North August 2015

BUILDING » Mitchell Builders

| 25

Firm expands into ‘heritage’ homes Karen Phelps Mitchell Builders is about to franchise nationally a new range of heritage homes, marketed under the brand Heritage Buildings & Homes, that have all the looks of an historic building with all the functionality of a modern home, says company owner John Mitchell. “The homes, which utilise modern building materials, are made using traditional techniques and have all the charm and beauty of an older home but with modern specifications for warmth and comfort such as double glazing. “We aim to replicate as closely as possible traditional elements such as high studs, timber overlay floors and large stairways,” explains John Mitchell. The new range of homes will be available nationwide while Mitchell Builders will continue to focus on building all manner of homes – both modern and traditional – in the Whangarei and Northland regions. John’s father Keith, a third generation carpenter, started Mitchell Builders, in 1972. Based in Whangarei from the outset the company has specialised in high quality construction of all types of buildings including large and small homes, specialised renovations and commercial projects. “We’ll tackle any project from a multi-million dollar home to a bathroom renovation,” says John. He says the company offers an open transparent policy working as a team with the owner to ensure the building process is enjoyable. Mitchell Builders offers a range of plans as well as a full design and build service. “Design and build is the most favourable option with Mitchell Builders. “It gives clients the complete flexibility with a blank canvas to create exactly what they want, reflecting their personality, style and everyday living.” The company offers a range of ten different series of plans and each year releases new designs. The latest release is contemporary with the typically high specifications the company aims to offer including Bosch appliances, oak timber flooring and a minimum 2.7 metre stud. John says that plans are typically altered to suit the individual client. Mitchell Builders also offers house and land packages and at present has packages available in Greenwood Estate, Kamo as well as Marsden Cove, Waipu, Waipu Cove, Langs Beach and Oakura. Mitchell Builders typically works on a few projects at a time and employs 12 staff including an architectural designer. The company has won a number of Master Builder House of the Year Awards over the years demonstrating the expertise that it offers to clients. Mitchell is presently looking for builders in different parts of the country to build Heritage Homes & Buildings under license. “We are looking for other builders like us, who are family owned. Heritage Homes & Buildings can work alongside their present building

Mitchell Builders offers a range of plans as well as a full design and build service.

business and gives them a point of difference in the market place as the designs have been very popular since we released them.” He says that a significant part of

the company’s work is undertaken by recommendation from previous customers, local, national and overseas architects, building supply companies and local authorities.

He doesn’t aim to grow too big too quickly though: “It’s about being the best not the biggest and no matter what the project making sure the customer is getting the best of everything.”

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26 |

BUILDING » Modcom Portable Buildings

August 2015 Business North

Portable buildings in strong demand Sue Russell Although based in Tauranga, Modcom Portable Buildings, part of the Super Mac Group is busy doing business throughout New Zealand. For Modcom’s manager, Brendon Cole, the continued high demand for the products and services the company offers means no two days are the same and that’s just how he likes it. “There are lots of different things I manage, from hands-on piloting of portable buildings on to sites, to pricing and negotiating with clients and especially making sure we continue to service our repeat and new clients to the highest possible standards,” Cole says. The company was established in 1998; manufacturing, transporting and siting a large range of transportable buildings for hire and sale. Products extend from small to large office complexes, lunchroom facilities, on-site accommodation blocks, ablution units, site control rooms, through to residential cottages. “Our floorplans can also be easily modified to meet the needs of the client,” says Cole. Because Modcom is part of a larger company it can respond easily to spikes in demand for products by ‘juggling staff’, as Cole describes it. “This ability is a huge positive for us. As you can imagine we operate in a very dynamic environment, moving buildings on to sites all over the country, responding to new orders in real time. “We’re also geared to provide turn-key solutions, taking care of consent, ground work, and services supplied to the buildings.” Modcom has its own fleet of trucks and cranes so the whole operation of delivering buildings on to sites is controlled from within, something Cole says gives the company a real competitive edge. As an indication of just how busy the company is, when interviewed by Business North, only 5% of buildings the company has for hire were on its site in Te Puna, Tauranga. Orders for classrooms from the Ministry of Education have markedly increased in the last six months and many of these are quite substantial structures.

Modcom Portable Building’s products extend from small to large office complexes, lunchroom facilities, on-site accommodation blocks, ablution units, site control rooms, through to residential cottages.

For Cole it is a real feather in the company’s cap that the Ministry has selected the company as a preferred supplier. Each fully insulated building constructed at Modcom’s workshop in Tauranga is structurally engineered, conforming to the New Zealand Building Code and carrying a Code of Compliance before leaving the factory. The company’s Minicom buildings are popular extra single-room spaces offering permanent or temporary accommodation.

As the units are under 10sqm a site permit is not required. They come complete with carpet or vinyl floor covering over a timber base, full wiring for lights and power points and double glazed aluminium joinery windows and ranch-slider. There are six two-bedroom basic plan cottages with various size floor plans but Cole emphasises these are just the start and they welcome responding to individualising a plan to meet individual taste. Prices range from the one bedroom “Sleepout” series from $31,813 plus GST through to the substantial 72sqm “Finch” two-bedroom selfcontained cottage at $126,919 plus GST and beyond.

These prices do not include transporting, settling and hooking up services on site, says Cole. “This is a competitive market we operate in but the reason we have grown to the capacity we are at now is that we’ve built a solid and trusted reputation to deliver on time and take care of the whole process in-house. “That gives us definite efficiencies that we can pass on to our clients and that’s why they keep coming back.” Cole and his team, many of whom have worked for the company for many years are only too happy to discuss the portable building requirements of the private, commercial and industrial sectors.

“...the reason we have grown to the capacity we are at now is that we’ve built a solid and trusted reputation to deliver on time and take care of the whole process in-house.”

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Business North

BUILDING » Matrix Homes

August 2015

| 27

Modular system geared to savings Kelly Deeks New houses being built in an Upper Hutt factory could save New Zealanders millions of dollars they overspend on housing due to inefficient practices and markets. Matrix Homes opened its 8000sqm Trentham factory in February, at the old GM Manufacturing site, where it is now building modular housing at two thirds the cost of traditional building methods. The company was established last year by Wellington entrepreneur Sean Murrie and designer Graeme Farr, who believe New Zealanders pay millions of dollars more than they should for housing. “Our mission is to put that right by redesigning the build process,” Farr says. “We set out to drastically reduce the cost of a new home without sacrificing the quality you expect in what is most people’s largest investment. “By re-engineering the whole build process from the ground up, Matrix Homes has made a quantum leap forward in affordability and quality.” Deputy Prime Minister Bill English officially opened the factory and Matrix Homes’ first show home, a three bedroom home costing $185,000, in February. At the opening he said in the developed world, only Norway currently has more expensive housing than New Zealand, with most of the new housing being built here in the $500,000-plus bracket. “Most people don’t want to have a half million dollar-plus mortgage, even if they could get the funding for it,” Murrie says. “ “We can do a lot about that.” Matrix Homes are not built on-site, but under cover in the Trentham factory. This enables work to continue irrespective of the weather. The cost-savings are achieved through greater efficiencies - economy of scale in sourcing

Matrix Homes wood-framed houses feature timber weatherboards, gib lining, and a galvanised iron roof.

building materials, standardised modular construction, and no down time. “It’s actually quite appropriate that we’re in the old GM factory because our way of building is like an assembly line, we just happen to be building houses rather than cars,” Farr says. Unlike traditional affordable housing, which focuses on reducing the cost of materials and results in a home that looks cheap, Matrix Homes are wood-framed houses with timber weatherboards, cedar cladding is an option, gib lined, and with a galvanised iron roof.

• to page 28

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28 |

BUILDING » Matrix Homes / Competitive Homes Wanganui

August 2015 Business North

Making quality homes affordable Karen Phelps

A range of sustainable options are also available, including a full off-grid package.

Modular housing system offers massive savings • from page 27 A range of sustainable options are also available, including a full off-grid package including solar hot water heating and a self-contained wastewater system, and homebuyers can personalise their home by selecting options including decks, garages, heat pumps and the like. “With Matrix Homes you get factory quality control and eliminate ad hoc on-site improvisation,” Farr says. “Our design incorporates standardised window sizes which enable phenomenal savings,” he says. “Assembling floors and walls on pre-built jigs has virtually eliminated the tape measure the biggest single source of time and material wastage. Materials are pre-cut and perfect with each component optimised and identical.” Prices range from $89,000 for a onebedroom home of 51sqm, $99,000 for a 70sqm two-bedroom home, to $198,000 for a fourbedroom, two bathroom home of 140sqm. Pricing includes all internal fittings, but excluded delivery, piles, and installations costs. Modules are able to fit on the back of a truck and on the Cook Strait ferries.

“With Matrix Homes you get factory quality control and eliminate ad hoc on-site improvisation.” Murrie says with the show-home completed, the concept has attracted considerable interest from home buyers and property developers, and Matrix Homes is now completing the final design details for a large number of customers. “By the end of 2015, we expect to be building one house per day, and we are aiming for 1000 houses per year when the factory reaches full production,” he says. “Realising this goal will help contribute to lowering the cost of new housing and develop a sustainable manufacturing business in the Hutt Valley.” When the factory reaches full production, economies of scale will enable the costs to be further reduced to around half that of a same sized house build on-site. The factory currently employs more than 20 people full time, with that number expected to grow to 70 by the end of this year.

Since they started selling Competitive Homes three years ago Wanganui based builders Geoff Davies and Shane Stone have seen their residential building business grow. Competitive Homes Wanganui offers a range of homes at affordable prices but operates a little differently from most other group housing companies: “Competitive Homes is not a franchise,” says Davies. “It is a cooperative of home designers, independent family owned builders and suppliers,” he says. “It enables us to offer our customers all of the advantages of a group builder but without the overhead costs and franchise fees. “Our customers get the advantage of dealing with local people backed by the resources and buying power of a large national group. “This means that they deal directly with the person building their new home,” says Davies. The Competitive Homes range of designs is quantity surveyed, priced and reviewed to ensure they meet or exceed the building code. A 2550mm stud height is standard providing

a sense of space to smaller rooms and giving an airy feeling to larger living areas. All double glazed aluminium joinery is full height up to the soffit, which allows maximum natural light. All Competitive Homes are made from J-Frame, a pinus radiate laminated framing timber that gives all the advantages of steel framing, in that it remains straight and true, but retains the convenience of timber, says Davies. Davies says that he and Stone were attracted to the Competitive Homes model, as they had just jointly purchased a parcel of land in Wanganui on which they were looking to build affordable homes for clients. Both still also operate their own independent building firms in the area (Geoff Davies Builders and Shane Stone Builders), which focus on building higher end architecturally designed homes. Davies says this means they know what it takes to provide a quality product without the stress and hassle which are often involved with building a new home. The pair are Registered Master Builders and Licensed Building Practitioners. They employ their own builders on staff, which they say gives them greater control over project

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Business North

BUILDING » Competitive Homes Wanganui

August 2015

| 29

The Competitive Homes range of designs is quantity surveyed, priced and reviewed to ensure they meet or exceed the building code. timing and quality. The house and land packages they have offered clients in their subdivision in Brougham Place, Wanganui, have virtually all sold with just three still available. Due to the wide variety of plans offered by Competitive Homes Davies says each home still retains a distinctive, individual look. Competitive Homes Wanganui operates from a showhome located in the Brougham Place subdivision. The showhome is a custom designed threebedroom home with office and two living areas. The pair also offers design and build homes under the Competitive Homes brand.

Davies says that every home they build comes with a Master Build Guarantee and they also personally back their products and construction methods. “If something’s not right we’ll fix it.” Davies says that the market is buoyant in Wanganui and that the future is looking bright for the Competitive Homes brand in the wider region: “Competitive Homes has worked really well for us. Now that the subdivision is nearly completed we are looking to start building “Competitive Homes in other parts of Wanganui. We’ve just signed up our first contract outside the subdivision and are talking to several more clients.”

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30 |

August 2015 Business North

BUILDING Âť Leuschke Group Architects

The design of the new Rotorua Police Station is very much about reflecting and celebrating the community it serves.

Rotorua station breaks new ground Sue Russell Fine architecture is about reflecting social context in a contemporary and engaging way according to Colin Leuschke of Auckland-based company Leuschke Group Architects. His commitment toward designing with this principle in mind has recently been recognised by an award from his peers in the NZ Institute of Architects for the quite remarkable Rotorua Police Station which he says â&#x20AC;&#x153;is like no other police building youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find in the worldâ&#x20AC;?. Unlike the more common fortress look one usually associates with police stations, the Rotorua Police Station is very much about reflecting and celebrating the community it serves. As Rotorua showcases Maori culture to the world the design brief for Rotoruaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s police station and regional policing headquarters also focused on maori culture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We approached the design with the principle that the building must sit well within its environmental and social/cultural context,â&#x20AC;? says Leuschke. He says that fundamental to guiding the designing process was the appropriateness of the building in strongly reflecting Maori culture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rotorua is all about marketing Maori culture, yet many of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing buildings pay

lip-service to this by simply placing a couple of carvings out the front. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We approached the design from a very holistic, anthropomorphic perspective, because a basic tenet of Maori architecture is to treat a building as though it was a living organism.â&#x20AC;? Many of the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design features are reminiscent of a Wharenui/meeting house including the ridge beam, which is the spine, and rafters representing ribs, a centre post and smaller than might be expected off-set entrance. The most stunning feature is the laser cut aluminium korowai/cloak draping its length designed by a local Te Arawa carver depicting the culture and stories of the region. When the company presented the design concepts to members of Te Arawa Leuschke says there was a clear division of attitudes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Older Maori said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no wayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; while those under 60 said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;this is fantasticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but they also said how important it was that a Te Arawa artist do the patterning of the cloak shrouding the building.â&#x20AC;? Famous Maori artist and master carver Lyonel Grant was chosen by Te Arawa to depict the iwiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mythology into the contemporary, laser cut, powder coated, aluminium Korowai. The new station is the working home for just over 200 sworn and non-sworn staff and its 3745sqm includes five ground floor interviewing rooms, five meeting rooms and 14 breakout rooms.

Reflecting beyond the Rotorua project to the broader context of architecture in this country, Leuschke says very often architects set about designing what he describes as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;screamersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. By this he means â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;statement architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; designed to stand-out from its context to proclaim the skill of its designer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Context is much more important. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about subtlety and understanding the values of the society the building will live in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We see all the time examples of inappropriate design settled in the middle of a landscape they really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t belong in.â&#x20AC;? Leuschke and his two fellow company directors, wife Lindy and Brian Cocker, employ a team of highly experienced staff. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have 20 very competent long term employees and at the size we are at, the directors

are extremely hands-on which is what we all want to be. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My experience of controlling a practice with significantly more staff than this is that you end up being a manager of people and politics begins to get in the way.â&#x20AC;? Leuschke describes the company as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Architectural General Practitionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who have tended to follow clients through their various building projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do not limit our typologies, we service the client rather than a typology, though of late we have been very busy designing apartments.â&#x20AC;? While most of the firms current project are large scale, his firm has just completed a boutique apartment building in Ponsonby Road, which he says, just like the Rotorua Police Station is highly in tune with the environment it inhabits.

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Business North

BUILDING » Xsite Architects

August 2015

| 31

Farmhouse ‘pushes the boundaries’ Karen Phelps A farmhouse built in Thames using building principles and materials traditionally used in commercial construction ,demonstrates alternative cost effective methods for residential housing construction, says Malcolm Taylor from Xsite Architects who designed the home. Taylor says the project is “outside the box” in terms of how residential construction is typically approached in New Zealand but says the project clearly demonstrates the benefits for the client of a different approach. “It’s not re-inventing the wheel but it is about not being afraid to push the boundaries and try something different,” he says. “In this case the result was a robust home and cost savings for the client with the build costing around $2000 per square metre.” The farmhouse was based on the design, materials and construction methods typically used when building a cowshed. The project took three years of planning before the client walked the site with Xsite Architects. Taylor says the client wanted a house made of concrete, timber, steel and glass. The home needed to be affordable and the client was open to new construction techniques and commercial detailing to achieve this, which meant that the design moved outside of the New Zealand Building Code acceptable solutions requiring special permits. With the use of Metalcraft composite panels, the house roof and walls became a key to meeting the budget, says Taylor. “This allowed the construction program to be reduced through prefabrication. This also has allowed the house to remain simple in form, warm and quiet, with double the required insulation required, and also meant no thermal bridging issues. It’s basically like a chilly bin,” he explains.

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The farmhouse was based on the design, materials and construction methods typically used when building a cowshed. He says the fact that the clients were brave enough to try a new process was a key factor in the success of the project backed up by the competency of Xsite Architects and local company Matt Walker Builders to bring the ideas to fruition. The project won two Waikato Bay of Plenty branch awards in the 2015 New Zealand Institute of Architecture Awards in the interior and residential sections. “This project proves that other construction methods outside the standard building code can be successful and cost effective.” Xsite Architects was started by Taylor in 1997. The practice team is made up of registered and graduate architects and architectural technicians. Taylor says that the company’s expertise extends beyond architectural design to encompass a range of disciplines required in boat interiors, sound studios, space management, landscape design, lighting design, graphics, urban planning, retail, office interiors and refurbishments, commercial redevelopments, industrial buildings and residential projects. The company works New Zealand wide and internationally. Another recent project include an all timber home in Ngarimu Bay, Thames reflecting the company’s diversity. “Our key point of difference is that we are not afraid to employ different construction and design methods if necessary.

“A good architect should save the client money not cost them money. “We are firm believers in this ethos and sometimes this involves taking risks and this farmhouse project is clear example of this,” says Taylor. As yet another example of the company’s

innovation Taylor says that Xsite Architects is currently working on a complete new construction method made entirely from concrete and poured on site. The product called Solid Wall Systems is just in the process of being released to the market and will be franchised through building companies.

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32 |

BUILDING » Fraser Cameron Architects

August 2015 Business North

The award-winning lakeside holiday house in Taupo features extensive glazing on two long sides, maximising the opportunities for views from south and north.

Awards recognise firm’s versatility Karen Phelps Fraser Cameron Architects has won two awards at the 2015 Waikato-Bay of Plenty New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Awards. The company won awards in the Interior and Housing sections of the awards demonstrating the company’s excellence over all facets of architecture, says company representative Belinda Ellis-Cameron. The two entries were among 21 short-listed from 43 entries over a range of categories for this regional section of the awards. The project the company submitted, which won an award in the housing section, was a lakeside holiday house in Taupo perched on the edge of a cliff. One main challenging aspect of the project was that the sun and views occupied opposite ends of the site, says Ellis-Cameron. Fraser Cameron Architects solved the problem through extensive glazing on two long sides, maximising the opportunities for views from south and north, while providing a sun-welcoming living court protected from the cold southerly wind. “Everything we do starts with the site and in this case the building platform on the site was quite small as it is a bush clad area. “The client had a big requirement in terms of brief for a small building platform available so what we have delivered was challenging but ultimately met that brief,” says Ellis-Cameron. She says the building design drew inspiration from a traditional boatshed concept with exposed interior white ceiling beams and walls, dark wooden floors and open plan kitchen and living areas to give a light, airy feel. Fraser Cameron Architects also provided the client with a complete set of interior drawings detailing fittings, finishings and cabinetry.

Adding to the complexity of the project was the fact that the clients resided in Hong Kong demonstrating the high levels of communication that Fraser Cameron Architects facilitates with clients, says Ellis-Cameron. The company’s work on an extension and interior fitout of a Kaiwaka Point terrace apartment won an award in the interior category. The client’s brief was to extend and refurbish the tired two level 1980s apartment to the highest standards to create an open light filled interior. Very strict unit title constraints that would not allow any alteration to the exterior cladding was the

main challenge of this project, says Ellis-Cameron. “The extension had to look as if it was a seamless part of the original building. There was extensive consultation with the body corporate over several years and then council to gain the necessary approval,” she says. Inside dark stained American oak timber finishes to cabinetry and feature walls reflected the acacia trees outside and provided a dramatic contrast to the white walls and ceilings. Judges found that the project demonstrated a high degree of design and material resolution, well-defined spaces within an open-plan public area

and careful use of lighting. Although sophisticated and pared back, Ellis-Cameron says the aim was to make the interior welcoming and comfortable. She says because floor to ceiling height was relatively low this presented an additional challenge. Focusing on views of the nearby lake helped to give a feeling of more space to the design. A new bay window in the living room and skylight in the kitchen bring additional light into the interior. A unique folded copper wall is used to conceal service cupboards but also reflects light back into the apartment.

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Business North

August 2015

BUILDING » Fraser Cameron Architects

| 33

The use of dark stained American oak timber finishes to cabinetry and feature walls in the Kaiwaka Point project provide a dramatic contrast to the white walls and ceilings. The wins come on the back of nine previous NZIA Awards. The company has also been the architect for projects which have won over 30 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards, including a number of national category awards and supreme overall national awards. Ellis-Cameron started the practice with her husband Fraser Cameron 18 years ago. The couple have since established a solid reputation for their ability to interpret client wishes and create designs that work within clients’ timeframes and budgets. Ellis-Cameron says a focus for the pair is on designs which reflect the landscape and a love of using natural materials.

“We’ve deliberately kept the company small because we like to have a very hands on approach,” she says. It’s often us who answer the phone and we are the main point of liaison for our clients, which means they have the principals of the practice actively engaged with their project from beginning to end.” Ellis-Cameron says clients often hear about the company by word of mouth referral. Fraser Cameron Architects mainly completes residential projects and offers a full range of services including design, documentation, interior design and contract administration. Based in Taupo, the company works throughout New Zealand.

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34 |

ENGINEERING » Grayson Engineering

August 2015 Business North

Company builds on major contracts Karen Phelps Grayson Engineering has increased staff levels to keep up with current levels of demand from the commercial building industry in Auckland and Christchurch. Company director David Moore says that the company has employed 17 more staff giving the company a total of 120 staff. “Some of the work we are tending for is six to twelve months away so that’s quite encouraging,” says Moore. “We are trying to ensure we are resourced sufficiently to meet customer demand.” Moore says the biggest challenge as the business grows has been finding enough skilled staff. When unable to find talent within New Zealand the company has sourced it from offshore in countries such as South Africa, China and the Philippines.

Grayson Engineering is also continuing to invest in technology and last year purchased a beam line machine to replace existing equipment and a beam-marking machine, which was a new acquisition for the company. Moore says that the beam-marking machine will allow the company to complete this part of the process, which was previously handled manually, more quickly and with greater accuracy on certain projects. Earlier this year the company was restructured when Moore and business partner Colin Berger purchased the plant from Moore’s parents Patrick and Helen who started the business in 1972 and still own the land and premises. With qualification in engineering and business David Moore came to work in the business in 1994 after time spent working overseas and then took on the day-to-day running of the company. “We’ll stick to what we’ve been doing so well for so many years. “We have good solid relationships with people

“We have good solid relationships with people all through the supply chain who we have been working with for many years.” all through the supply chain who we have been working with for many years.” The company was initially established completing small-scale fabrication jobs but over the years Grayson Engineering’s reputation has grown and it has secured many significant contracts. These include the Britomart East project in Auckland, which saw it erect 2,800 tonnes of structural steel, ASB head office at Wynyard Quarter, the Amot National Aquatic Centre on the North Shore and Dunedin’s Forsythe Barr Stadium. With a project value of over $30 million, Moore says the stadium was one of the most significant

projects the company has ever completed both in terms of profile and dollar value. The project was completed in conjunction with Pegasus Engineering and won a 2013 Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) Award for excellence in steel construction. The company has also won SCNZ awards for its work on the University of Auckland Business School and Auckland Museum. Grayson Engineering has also won a number of AceCad International Drawing Competition Awards including first place overall for the Forsythe Barr Stadium demonstrating the company’s high levels of excellence in all facets of the business, says Moore.

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Business North

ENGINEERING » Grayson Engineering

August 2015

| 35

Grayson Engineering’s services include shop drawings, plate cutting, section cutting, plate and section rolling, painting, transport to site and erection.

Based in Manukau, Grayson Engineering operates from a purpose-built 12,000sqm fabrication facility, which Moore says is one of the best equipped in the country. Grayson Engineering offers a structural steel detailing service, fabrication and erection. The company’s services are comprehensive and include shop drawings, plate cutting, section cutting, plate and section rolling, painting, transport to site and erection. Moore says the company prides itself on the quality of its workmanship and its ability to produce large quantities of steel in a timely and cost effective manner. Emphasis is placed on trial assemblies, which are often completed in-house to ensure the accuracy of the fit up on site. For example on the Forsythe Barr Stadium project the company assembled the main truss in the workshop which stretched the whole length of the floor area and contained approximately 125 metres of steel. Grayson Engineering also manufactures cellular beams under license to Westok UK.

Grayson Engineering has formed a subsidiary company, Cellbeam NZ Ltd, for the promotion and the fabrication of cellular beams in New Zealand. Grayson Engineering has also partnered with the National Centre for Research on Earthquake Engineering in Taiwan for the promotion and fabrication of Buckling Restraint Braces in New Zealand. The product is being promoted as a new revolution in the seismic strengthening of existing and new buildings and have been used by the company in rebuild work in Christchurch. For Christchurch projects all steel is manufactured in the company’s Auckland facility then shipped to the South Island and assembled on site by a dedicated Grayson Engineering crew based in Christchurch. Grayson Engineering is also presently working on a variety of warehouse projects as well as the University of Auckland Science Building. Moore says that the booming economy has been positive for business: “It’s satisfying times at the moment. Things are going well and there’s plenty of work. It’s a good position to be in.”

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36 |

ENGINEERING » Robert Page / Amediate Engineering

August 2015 Business North

Marine-related work Firm steps up to bigger contracts drives expansion Sue Russell Kevin O’Dea, managing director and owner of Robert Page Engineering, is passionate about the industry he has had a connection with for 30-plus years. He bought the business - which is based near the port in Tauranga - in 2006, having qualified as a machinist in the 1980’s preceding an extensive stint overseas, working for companies like Rolls Royce in the UK. “Located where we are we have a lot of business coming from the port,” says O’Dea. “We’re very much marine oriented repairing ships and undertaking engineering repairs and fit-outs to maintain the general operation of the port and surrounding industries.” He describes the company as a medium size operator, currently employing 23 staff, and while many have been with the company for a considerable period of time, he has recently taken on new staff given an increase in workshop floor space through a major extension to house new equipment. Kevin is proud of his track record retaining staff. He puts this down to taking good care of them, paying well and offering a good variety of work. “We are always keen to see our staff multiskilled and taking on a wide variety of projects. “It keeps them interested and adds capacity through the whole company and I think this is why we’ve maintained such a successful presence here in the Bay of Plenty.” While other engineering companies may have felt the pinch during the recession of the past few years, this wasn’t the case at Robert Page Engineering, due to so much work coming through the Port of Tauranga. O’Dea says he doesn’t get himself so involved in the day-to-day operation of the business these days, with work-shop managers and a quality assurance 2IC employed.

“I tend to keep busy running the business, looking at the cash-flow, new opportunities and seeing clients before and after a project. “We’re also very big at being loyal to our suppliers.” The recent expansion of premises 18 months ago was driven by a desire to take on more offshore machining work. A major contract with an offshore company has been secured prompting the need to bring in new technologies. Beyond the core marine related work, the company is connected with supplying and maintaining to major infrastructure industries such as power generation, forestry, manufactures of road kerbing machines, onsite portable machining equipment, and non destructive testing to name a few. Every two years a new apprentice is brought in so at any one time there is likely to be three fitters or machinists at various stages of their apprenticeship pathway on the shop-floor. Kevin says this works well. “They feed off each other and it’s a good space for the workshop manager,” says O’Dea. “We especially like it when they do their pretrade course work-experience with us because they have positively decided this is what they want to do as a career.” He has even gone so far as to make the suggestion at the local polytechnic to get existing high school students having day work-experience opportunities and doing field-trips to see just what is available for those with an interest in engineering. The ideal, he says is to see an overlapping of skill-sets between fitter-welders and fitter-turners in the industry, giving young ones more capability. In the past year over $1 million has been invested in new CNC machinery, something Kevin describes as a win-win, future-proofing the company, the employment of its valued staff while delivering top engineering capability to clients here and overseas.

Kelly Deeks Completing one of its largest projects to date at the end of last year has seen Auckland’s Amediate Engineering, as a medium-sized business, recognise its ability to handle the big jobs. Amediate Engineering is a specialist fabrication engineering company, founded in 1992 by qualified fitter and turner Ken and Tania Brown-Bayliss. The Amediate Engineering team comprises specialist tradesmen with more than 250 years of combined experience, covering boiler making, sheet metal fabrication, stainless steel welding, site installations, as well as a range of other trade related services. “We have such a big range of different trades within our business, and even though as a team

everyone thinks the same, they all have different ideas,” says Ken. “They all get together on a project with their ideas. We have a team approach.” For the last four months of 2014, Amediate Engineering was working on the design consultation, fabrication, and installation of multiple state-of-the-art, high resolution LED technology digital billboards at Auckland Airport. Amediate Engineering worked closely with the draftsman in design consultation before completing 100% of the fabrication of eight road side billboards, and one overhead gantry billboard, then transporting, installing, and commissioning the billboards on site. “Although the project started two and half months late due to design and council issues, we got it finished on time, even quadrupling our work force at one stage,” he says.

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Business North

ENGINEERING » Amediate Engineering

August 2015

| 37

The Amediate Engineering team has expertise in boiler making, sheet metal fabrication, stainless steel welding, site installations, as well as a range of other trade related services. After completing the billboard project, Amediate Engineering more than doubled its turnover last year from 2013, and is now investing back into the business with the purchase of some new plant and machinery which will increase the company’s capabilities going forward. In particular, a new hiab truck will allow for some of those larger projects to be handled with ease. Amediate Engineering has grown since it shifted to a larger premises at East Tamaki about six years ago, moving with three employees and now employing 12.

“Our ability to get on with the job and make it happen ensures we handle the job from start to finish, providing our clients with an easy, quality solution for all their engineering problems.” “We don’t want to grow the business any bigger as 12 is a nice size,” says Ken. “We’re all mates here and a lot of the guys have been here for a while. We often get comments from people coming in that they can’t believe how happy everyone is.

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“That’s our whole business. When we employ new staff, if they’ve got the qualifications we get them to work here for a week, then we’ll ask the guys what they think.” Quality is key for the Amediate Engineering team with every metal fabrication.

“We help with cost effective solutions from design to final product and install. “Our ability to just get on with the job and make it happen ensures we handle the job from start to finish, providing our clients with an easy, quality solution for all their engineering problems.” As one of few medium-sized engineering businesses in Auckland, Amediate Engineering is able to take on both large and small projects. “I’ve said ‘no’ once, when we were asked to provide 500 tons of steel,” he says. Odd requests and challenging designs are a favourite for the Amediate Engineering team.

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38 |

AVIATION » Air Chathams

August 2015 Business North

Airline eyes growth opportunities Karen Phelps Air Chathams is set to change its morning flight schedule on its Whakatane to Auckland route with an earlier departure time enabling corporate clients to get in a full day’s business in either Auckland or Wellington. “Feedback was that customers were finding the schedules were cutting into their business day, especially if they were travelling on to Wellington from Auckland,” says company airline and charter general manager Duane Emeny. “Morning departures will now leave at 6.45am from Whakatane. Auckland departures back to Whakatane will leave at 6.50pm enabling better

connections and more time in their chosen destination for corporate clients,” he explains. Leisure clients will also benefit from changes with an additional morning flight getting passengers to Auckland before midday meaning they don’t have to wake so early to catch their flight, says Emeny. The flight will now depart at 11am and the return flight from Auckland at 3pm. The route takes just 35 minutes. Air Chathams, which Emeny says is now the largest privately owned scheduled airline in New Zealand, took over the regional route in April after Air New Zealand announced plans to cease its flights. Typically around 35,000 passengers were carried annually on the route and Air Chathams has

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plans to capture this market as well as increase potential. Emeny says that figures so far have been encouraging with good forward bookings already occurring into summer. “We know the price point needs to be right and so we need to be on top of our game in terms of this and frequency of flights,” he says. Air Chathams has been working closely with the Whakatane District Council, who were also instrumental in helping the company to take over the route in the first place. He says opportunities have been identified to assist company growth and facilitate tourism in the region. Air Chathams was started in 1934 by Duane’s father Craig Emeny.

Craig’s background included working as an engineer for the Air Force before training to fly. He worked as a commercial pilot in the Chatham Islands before seeing the opportunity to start his own airline based around transporting live crayfish from the Chathams to mainland New Zealand. Duane says at the time people used to take crayfish tail meat and freeze it before exporting it via ship. The company now carries 700 tonnes of seafood (including 300 tonnes of live crayfish) off the Chatham Islands each year and he says the family sees similar opportunities in Whakatane around the mussel industries operating around Opotiki. The Chatham Islands to mainland New Zealand routes are still the company’s mainstay of business.

Business North

AVIATION » Air Chathams

August 2015

| 39

The Air Chathams fleet includes three Convair 580s, one Fairchild Metroliner, Douglas DC-3 and two smaller aircraft. Flights are scheduled six days per week to main centres including Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, over the summer months dropping to four days per week over the quieter winter period. Duane Emeny says the routes are a vital link for those living on the Chathams Islands back to the mainland. An area of growth for the Chatham Islands is tourism. Air Chathams now carries around 1500 tourists from the mainland to the Chatham Islands each year. Emeny admits it is an area of the market the airline would like to develop further and says growth is only hindered by the availability of facilities for tourists such as accommodation. Another growing facet of the business is charter flights. The company’s DC3 provides a unique point of difference for clients, as it is the only surviving RNZAF World War II veteran aircraft still operating today in frontline service. The warbird was built by the US Defence Force in 1945 but as the war had already finished the

craft was gifted to the Royal New Zealand Air Force and operated until 1952 before being sold to the National Airways Corporation (NAC), what is now Air New Zealand. It was owned by NAC until 1972 before being used as a top dresser, freighter and passenger aircraft. The Emeny family eventually purchased the aeroplane, restored it and now plans to turn it into a tourist draw card. Duane Emeny admits that flying is in the blood for his family. His grandfather Clifford was a WWII bomber pilot. Duane is a qualified commercial pilot and younger brother Matthew is currently completing his commercial training and will start flying for the company shortly. Air Chathams started with a single Cessna 337 and now boasts a fleet, which includes three Convair 580s, one Fairchild Metroliner, Douglas DC-3 and two smaller aircraft. Emeny says the family aims to continue to grow the business as well as keep updating the fleet. “We love what we do and we see big potential for the company and new Whakatane to Auckland route will play a significant role in this growth.”

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40 |

MARINE » Sealegs

August 2015 Business North

Next step in Sealegs growth strategy Karen Phelps A new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) strategy by Sealegs will focus on selling the company’s technology to existing boat builders internationally, says company director David McKee-Wright. “In order to continue expanding the company we realised we needed to enable existing boat builders, as the market demands numerous models and sizes to accommodate the thousands of marine applications performed by a boat,” says mcKeeWright. “By licensing our technology to boat builders we can benefit from their proven hulls and designs and quickly enter new markets,” he says. The patented Kiwi innovation allows boaties to stay dry as their boat enters the water. Sealegs consists of motorised, retractable and steerable wheels, which are fitted onto specially designed Sealegs boats. These powerful motorised wheels give a user variable speed of 0-7KPH (forward and reverse) powered by an on-board 22hp Honda driven hydraulic power-pack. This means a Sealegs boat can be driven from a storage location and into the water with the occupants staying in the boat the entire time. Afterwards when approaching land again, the Sealegs wheels are simply lowered into the ‘down’ position while still moving in the water and the boat is driven onto land. Sealegs will market the new strategy to boat builders internationally. Existing boat builders interested in becoming a Sealegs Accredited Technology partner are able to purchase the company’s Amphibious Enablement Kits to be fitted to their boats. McKee-Wright says Sealegs works closely with new partners to facilitate the accreditation process, which typically takes a minimum of three to six months before the partner is ready to undertake mainstream production. “We are looking for boat builders who are already be in the business of building boats in either composite or alloy and are able to demonstrate a strong history of sales and service,” he says. “The boat builder must also have a boat in their range that fits the requirements of either our OEM System 60 or 100 products.” Partners who have already become accredited include New Zealand companies Stabicraft Marine and Smuggler Marine. Sealegs is also working with Middle Eastern based company ASIS Boats. McKee-Wright started Sealegs with Maurice Bryham in 2001.

Sealegs boats can be driven from a storage location and into the water with the occupants staying in the boat the entire time. The two directors already had much success with founding start up businesses based on innovative ideas. The pair set up PC Direct with Sharon Hunter, which was subsequently sold for $30m then founded e-commerce software company Exonet, which was sold in 2000 for $37.5m. McKee says that for the past ten years Sealegs has been blazing the trail in terms of creating a market for the innovative system. The Sealegs system has registered patents in the US, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand with other international patents pending. The company is about to start actively marketing the new OEM strategy to boat builders internationally. “Now that we’ve sold 1000 boats in 40

countries and created millions of export dollars for New Zealand we’ve proved that amphibious boats are a credible product. “One of the keys to selling into a new market is to have a local partner. “This new OEM strategy will really allow us to

take Sealegs to the world and expand the company internationally. We liken it to a computer that has an Intel processor chip inside it. “When people buy any sort of boat we hope that one day customers will be asked ‘Would you like Sealegs with that Sir?’ ”

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Business North

CONTRACTING » Twoman Structures

August 2015

| 41

Young firm has eyes on expansion Kelly Deeks Civil construction company Twoman Structures is spreading its wings after establishing in Christchurch three years ago, and now has its sights set on the booming Auckland market with plans to advance its specialisation in hardscaping. Twoman Structures was founded by qualified carpenters Patrick Twomey and Vincent de Man in 2012. After completing their apprenticeships, the pair went on to work in civil construction, both becoming leading hands and then foremen and working on many large-scale infrastructure projects around the North Island, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. After the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, Twomey made his way to Christchurch to assist with the rebuild. He saw an opportunity for a new civil construction company and invited de Man to join him in setting up Twoman Structures. “We started out with a ute full of tools and the goal of going from day rating to contract works,” Twomey says. “One of the biggest challenges we found was having continuity of workload. “HEB Construction has been good to us and we started doing contract works for them, also joining Civil Contractors New Zealand helped us cement the local contacts we needed.” As it has grown, Twoman Structures has focused on having good skilled crews which can produce fast quality jobs. “We try to have skilled and happy workers, stick to the fundamentals and do our work quickly and tidily,” Twomey says. “We never take on work we can’t do or stretch our resources too thin. For now, having a good reputation is important.” Twoman Structures’ capabilities include concrete placing, earthworks, infrastructure, and commercial projects. A notable achievement for Twoman Structures is the recent completion of Albion Square in Lyttelton for the Christchurch City Council. Albion Square features a carved entrance way, a stage and terraces, play areas, the Lyttelton

Twoman Structures has focused on having good skilled crews which can produce fast and quality jobs. War Memorial Cenotaph, and the 160 year-old St Joseph’s Catholic Church bell. The design uses local materials including timber beams from the wharf, seats and planters made from reclaimed timber, a hand-operated pump, and paving designs based on a flounder weaving pattern. “We enjoy doing complex landscaping jobs like Albion Square,” Twomey says.

“They are generally unique and tricky designs and they require a good understanding of all construction disciplines, which is our strength.” Twoman Structures is now taking that strength to civil infrastructure projects in Auckland. Twomey says while the company is still working full time on Christchurch projects, he and de Man hope to get ahead of the exodus of civil construction companies leaving the region

as the earthquake rebuild work gets completed. Work is already underway for Twoman Structures in Auckland with a retaining wall project at Wero Whitewater Park in Manukau City. In Christchurch, Twoman Structures is currently working with Fulton Hogan on the Christchurch Art Gallery repair programme, and with HEB Construction on the mountain bike track for the new $25 million Port Hills Adventure Park.

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42 |

CONTRACTING » NZ Equipment Suppliers Association

August 2015 Business North

Keeping up to date with machinery Kelly Deeks As New Zealand’s construction industry continues to grow, new heavy equipment suppliers are entering the market all the time, and as such the New Zealand Equipment Suppliers Association (NZESA) is now recruiting new members looking to take advantage of what the association can offer. The NZESA is an Incorporated Society formed in 2000 to represent companies that serve and supply the civil construction, forestry, mining, and quarrying industries. It serves to represent, protect, and enhance the collective interests of its member organisations that are involved primarily in the supply of equipment and machinery to the New Zealand market. To achieve this, the NZESA seeks to foster and maintain good relationships with those organisations that have influence on the livelihood of its members. These are principally the contractors and hire companies that purchase machines, the companies that provide services to the association’s members, the trade magazines that advertise their wares, and the regulatory authorities, such as Worksafe New Zealand. The NZESA provides a forum for its members to discuss, and a collective voice on a wide range of issues affecting the industry, from regulation and safety standards to industry trends, opportunities, and challenges. NZESA president Mark Keatley says ongoing changes to legislation can affect the build requirements of the association’s members’ machines, and in regards to that the NZESA is in active contact with WorkSafe New Zealand and Standards New Zealand to keep up with current and upcoming standards. “We also sponsor a New Zealand representative to attend global International Organization for Standardization (ISO) planning meetings to provide a voice for the whole of New Zealand on ISO standards that affect earthmoving machinery,” he says. “As well as this, the NZESA aims to monitor any moves to modify regulations covering the design and use of construction and forestry equipment in New Zealand, to ensure that any such changes are necessary, practical, and cost-effective.” The association also coordinates a voluntary exchange of sales information between those full members who wish to participate. The consolidated reports are distributed to those contributing members monthly. A comprehensive analysis of sales by machine

The NZESA provides a forum for its members to discuss, and a collective voice on a wide range of issues affecting the industry. type, size, location, and industry is also issued to those participating members. “Members contribute to an exchange of information on sales of new machinery, so we can each understand our market and how machinery sales are trending in the New Zealand market,” Keatley says. The NZESA also plays its part in promoting and supporting the ongoing development of the construction and contracting industries in a broader sense through the sponsorship and advisory of trade shows such as The Transport and Heavy Equipment Expo (THE Expo) which takes place periodically at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand. NZESA is one of the principal sponsors and part of the management advisory team for THE Expo. “This event is New Zealand’s only transport and heavy equipment exhibition and a premier forum

“The NZESA aims to monitor any moves to modify regulations covering the design and use of construction and forestry equipment in New Zealand, to ensure that any such changes are necessary, practical, and cost-effective.” for the industry to meet and promote new product developments and technologies all in one place,” Keatley says. “The event showcases the diverse nature of the industry and includes numerous machinery demonstrations, a training, recruitment, and seminar hall, power and performance zone, vintage and classic trucks, the Show ‘n’ Shine competition, and much more.” THE Expo will return to Mystery Creek Events

Centre in March 2017. There are two classes of membership to the NZESA. Full membership for New Zealand companies engaged in supplying machines to the civil construction, forestry, mining and quarrying industries, and associate membership for New Zealand companies engaged in supplying goods and services to full members.

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Business North

August 2015

CONTRACTING » Civil Contractors NZ

| 43

Membership of Civil Contractors NZ is open to contractors engaged in both civil engineering construction and general contracting.

Health and safety a priority for body Sue Russell When asked why helping lead Civil Contractors NZ is such a rewarding role, Executive Officer Malcolm Abernethy says it all comes down to making a difference for the thousands of workers engaged in the industry. “A lot of my time is spent in the political sphere, engaging with select committees through the submission process to affect constructive outcomes for our member organisations, providing their opinion on key issues to the law makers,” Abernethy says. The review of health and safety codes of practice and regulations, in the wake of the Pike River mining disaster is an area Abernethy is especially passionate about. “We are aiming for a really safe industry. “Given the work our contractors do, the sort of machinery their staff use and the fact that a construction site is a dynamic space, serious accidents can happen.” Building significant on-going relationships with organisations such as the New Zealand Transport Agency and WorkSafe, assisting them to develop

“We are aiming for a really safe industry. Given the work our contractors do, the sort of machinery their staff use and the fact that a construction site is a dynamic space, serious accidents can happen.” contracts which Abernethy says over time will save them money is another key role. Since taking on the role of Executive Officer in 2000 Abernethy’s interest has been about continuing to build capacity and to see the membership evolve. A good example of this is the experience of the Bitumen Contractors Association which was at one time a member of Civil Contractors NZ and evolved out of it to then come back into association with it on an equal relationship basis. “It was about avoiding duplication of roles yet allowing each organisation to further their own pathway.” Membership of Civil Contractors NZ is open to contractors engaged in both civil engineering construction and general contracting and it currently

has over 400 members spanning a range of service providers in both the public and private sector, including transport, energy, communications, public health, industry and commerce to name a few. Breaking down false perceptions about the skill levels required to work in civil construction is something Abernethy is passionate about and a key way this is being achieved is through development of a new Trade Certification programme; a nationally recognised accreditation pathway for civil contractors. “Here’s an example of what I mean by the real skill base of our experienced contractors. “On a multi-million dollar construction project in Wellington a couple of our member companies senior foremen/supervisors were actually advising the professional engineers on some aspects of

practically working through a process and one of the engineers said to us ‘we have got to do something about this’, so this trade certification qualification pathway is the answer.” The civil construction trade cert will involve an 8000-hour apprenticeship process for those new coming into the industry. For existing workers, many of whom have worked for decades on the machines in highly complex construction a recognition of prior learning pathway will also be established. The sorts of projects civil contracting companies undertake often means their workers spend months, even years seeing the project through. By the end of this time, Abernethy points out, they carry away with them a real sense of pride in what they have achieved for the country. “When the Victoria Park Tunnel was completed, those who had actually built the tunnel, worked on the machinery to create it, had a celebratory dinner in the tunnel, before it was open to anyone else; that’s the level at which the workers commitment to the project was recognised by NZTA and Council.” As from July 1, working alongside Abernethy and forging the next evolution in the organisation is new chief executive Peter Silcock.

44 |

CONTRACTING » Diamond Civil

August 2015 Business North

Victoria Street upgrade done in style Kelly Deeks The team at underground network infrastructure specialist Diamond Civil has recently completed some “nothing short of incredible” work on Wellington’s Victoria Street upgrade, according to company managing director Ian Wood. The Victoria Street upgrade, under taken between November 2014 and July 2015, has transformed the southern end of the street with wider, tree lined footpaths, southbound cycle improvements, and two new paved parks. Diamond Civil was charged with the installation of service ducts in the midblock section of the project, which required most of the underground services to be moved. “In the Wellington CBD, that’s a seriously big

mission,” says Wood. “The amount of services in the ground is nothing short of staggering, and the work my guys have done is absolutely incredible. They have managed to get a lot of stuff into a tight space, and have been working day shifts and night shifts to get the project completed on time.” Wood says Diamond Civil is a small but focused business. He has owned the company for six years, and has been in the telecommunications and electricity industries in Wellington for 30 years. Wood has extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of Telco outside plant work, specialising in fibre optic network design and construction, in both the rail and road reserve environment, plus business, contract, finance, and project management experience in

“The amount of services in the ground is nothing short of staggering, and the work my guys have done is absolutely incredible.” the telecommunications and electrical network industries. Diamond Civil has specialty fields in the construction of underground telecommunications networks, the construction of underground power distribution networks, telecommunications outside plant (OSP) network design and maintenance, plus contract and project management.

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Business North

CONTRACTING » Diamond Civil

August 2015

| 45

Diamond Civil was charged with the installation of service ducts in the midblock section of the Victoria Street upgrade project, which required most of the underground services to be moved. ensure their requirements and expectations are exceeded. “We make no compromises on safety and quality, and our well maintained plant and equipment assists in ensuring this is achievable.” Another of Diamond Civil’s specialist fields is the construction of fibre optic networks. The company is fully equipped to splice and test single mode OSP fibre networks. This specialisation came in to play on a recent project for Vocus Communications (formerly FX Networks), when Diamond Civil installed fibre optic cables into 16 railway stations around Wellington for a Real Time Information system for Greater Wellington Rail.

“The rail environment is always challenging to work in, with difficulty of access and safety two major concerns,” Wood says. “We had to get into the middle of each platform by use of directional drilling, which was difficult.” With restricted access to the rail corridor making it difficult to get equipment in to the job sites, as well as a tight, six week time frame to complete the project, Diamond Civil changed the initial design to come up with a more direct route for a cable build. “There was 200m of directional drilling at many of the sites on the initial design, but I managed to do it with about 12m of drilling. “It was difficult but it saved a lot of time and allowed us to get the project delivered on time.”

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46 |

CONTRACTING » PW Wright Contracting

August 2015 Business North

Still going strong after 58 years Kelly Deeks

Colin Wright purchased a Willy Jeep-a-Trench in 1957 - the versatile machine could lay not just tile drains but also cables and water pipes.

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For 58 years, Marton’s PW Wright Contracting has been servicing the greater Rangitikei rural sector’s drainage requirements. Company director Paul Wright says without the tile draining and mole draining done by many past and present farmers and drainage contactors, the agriculture industry would not be where it is today. “There is still more room for improvement as stock numbers increase and climates change,” he says. PW Wright was originally established as CW Wright Farm Drainage Contractor by Paul’s father Colin, who is now 80 years old and still working in the business with his son, one other employee and extra labour when needed for larger projects. On starting his business, Colin Wright saw a Willy Jeep-a-Trench at work in Auckland, a versatile machine which could lay not just tile drains but also cables and water pipes. He decided to import his own from the US in 1957. He later purchased another local contracting business with a rotavator digger, then in 1972 he designed his own trencher which was manufactured by local engineer Gordon McPhee. “We needed to be able to dig to a very accurate grade and the current gear wasn’t capable,” says Colin. “After using both the Jeep-a-Trench and the rotavator, I worked out what I needed and with a few modifications over the years, that trencher we built in 1972 is the same one we use today.” In 1977, Wright patented a grading system which he attached to his purpose-built trencher, making CW Wright Contracting one of the earliest contracting companies in New Zealand to use laser control. The trencher was pulled behind a Fordson Major tractor until 1984, when CW Wright Contracting purchased one of the few MercedesBenz tractors in New Zealand which is still used by the company today.

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Business North

CONTRACTING » PW Wright Contracting

August 2015

| 47

Paul Wright has expanded the business into mole draining, water reticulation, and landscaping services, but also remains dedicated to using the tried and proven terracotta clay fired field tiles. Paul Wright got involved in the business 20 years ago, and says it has been a privilege to work with and for his father, who believes in doing the job once and doing it right. “Dad is very practical and he has earned a lot of respect from his clientele over the years,” he says. “We’re now working for the third generation of local farmers.” Paul Wright has expanded the business into mole draining, water reticulation, and landscaping services, but also remains dedicated to using the tried and proven terracotta clay fired field tiles, as opposed to cheaper and less labour intensive plastic pipes.

“It’s ultimately the farmer’s choice and we offer our advice, but our regular customers prefer tiles,” he says. “Terracotta field tiles are indestructible in the ground.

“I can dig up tiles which Dad put in 40 years ago and they’re still running. I’ve even dug up tiles that came out from England on the sailing ships 150 years ago.” Today, PW Wright completes projects five

“Dad is very practical and he has earned a lot of respect from his clientele over the years. We’re now working for the third generation of local farmers.”

times the size of its jobs from the early days. As farms become larger and fewer, the company is now installing 10,000 tiles on its average project, which used to be 2000 tiles. Both Colin and Paul agree some of the most satisfactory jobs they have done are tiling rough, virtually useless land which has then been ploughed and cultivated, then a crop taken out, regrassed, and now grows more productively. “You can more than double production from land by installing a drainage system,” says Colin. PW Wright Contracting uses clay tiles produced at Marton Brick and Tile Co, one of the last remaining field tile works in the North Island.

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48 |

CONTRACTING » Groundfix

August 2015 Business North

Experienced team offers top service Sue Russell Silverdale-based geotechnical contracting company Groundfix has established itself as a main player in the industry since incorporating in December 2013. Co-director Justin Wilson, says there are several solid reasons why demand for the company’s services continues to increase. “While we are a relatively ‘new’ company our combined staff have many years of contracting experience at an international level within the highly specialised industry we operate in,” says Wilson. “On top of this, experience in Geotechnical Consultancy and Early Contractor Works places the company in a prime position to understand project works from multiple aspects,” he says. “Our track-record is known and the company’s we contract our services to know we can take on complex and demanding projects and deliver,” says Wilson. His role is to oversee the overall business management, technical and commercial processes while colleague and co-director Simon Bourke’s main focus is on the day to day running operations and on project delivery. With the combined skill-set and coal-face experience of the Groundfix team dealing with ground and roped access based engineering projects the company offers a comprehensive range of services to its clients including slope stabilisation and rockfall protection, anchored retaining walls, mini/micro piling, soil nails, construction blasting along with budgeting, alternative solutions and constructability advice to name a few. “We have made sure we have the infrastructural capability to meet today’s large scale civil projects by investing in and maintaining up to date specialised pneumatic and hydraulic powered drilling equipment,” Wilson says. The company has been and involved in a number of projects of national importance, something Wilson says is due to establishing key client relationships and creating repeat work by performing consistently and above expectation. Wilson says one of the key elements working as a Geotechnical Contractor he finds most appealing is that the work combines technical and practical processes and great teamwork. “It’s fair to say we like to see things constructed and to overcome obstacles and deal with really complex problems. While we are a relatively small company in terms of staffing we have a really great and highly experienced team.”

Groundfix offers a comprehensive range of services including slope stabilisation and rockfall protection, anchored retaining walls, mini/micro piling, soil nails, and construction blasting. He’s proud of the fact that the company has developed much of its own bespoke drilling gear designed to enable real flexibility of application. Groundfix has just become involved in what is New Zealand’s biggest construction project, Auckland’s Waterview Connection working for the Well Connected Alliance. The epic 48km motorway route will eventually link Manukau, Auckland, Waitakere and North Shore, creating a vital link between the existing SH20 and SH16 motorways. “We’re delighted to be involved in this hugely significant project for the region. “It is the most expensive construction project to have ever been undertaken in New Zealand, has a world wide interest and is as defining as the construction of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.” Alongside the Waterview Tunnel project, Groundfix is also currently involved in constructing

retaining walls in Northland and a significant rail bridge upgrade in Taumarunui. The company also specialises in low headroom piling within the civil construction industry but Wilson says looking into the future there is a real goal to expand the company through diversification. Groundfix take Health and Safety very seriously, “We invest in training and our guys are ticketed correctly to operate to exacting H&S standards. To date we have maintained our zero significant and serious injury goal.”

Wilson says the company has established a bench-mark recruitment policy only employing staff with a proven track-record doing great work, prepared to work hard, absolutely honest in the way they go about their work and especially being prepared to learn. “We are very proud of the work we do and the team we have. “While there are always challenges in the ground, always unknowns and sometimes unforeseen conditions we find the best way to deal with these for the client.”

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Business North

CONTRACTING » Kaitaia Plumbing

August 2015

| 49

Busy firm has Northland covered Karen Phelps Nearly four decades down the track the main reason Graeme Foster is still operating his busy plumbing business Kaitaia Plumbing is simply because he enjoys the challenges each day brings. “I like to be hands-on. I’m out on the road all the time. I’m here in the morning, load up and go,” he says. Kaitaia Plumbing completes projects for residential, commercial and industrial new builds. The company’s range of services includes plumbing, drainage, solar and roofing and it is also an accredited butynol applicator. The company works throughout the Northland region. Although Foster operated the business to several decades by himself a few years ago Ryan Wild bought into the company. Wild had worked for Kaitaia Plumbing for around 15 years and was ready to take the next step. Bringing new blood into the business has been a positive step, says Foster. The pair are joined by apprentice Harrison Bell who joined the team in February. Foster says that Kaitaia Plumbing focuses on new work rather than repairs and maintenance due to its tightknit team. “Because we are only small it’s more difficult to do on-demand work. We can plan better with new builds. It’s a niche we decided to focus on.” Kaitaia Plumbing is currently working on a warehouse project and has been invited to price a new McDonald’s opening soon. Some high-profile projects the company has completed in the past include the Te Ahu Centre and Pukemiro School, one of the largest jobs the company has ever completed.

The majority of the work Kaitaia Plumbing undertakes is residential new builds, alterations and renovations. It has also completed work at Otangaroa and Horeke maraes. The company also completes designs and installs sewer and storm water systems including full treatment plants and septic tanks for new subdivisions and rural homes and

buildings. As approved designers of drainage systems for the Far North District Council the company is also able to complete the necessary paperwork required by Council. But the majority of the work Kaitaia Plumbing undertakes is residential new builds, alterations and renovations. Foster says that the company is experienced in all aspects from small projects to large, complex housing. He says the company often works long hours because building schedules for new builds can be tight time-frames. Foster says solar options are becoming more popular. Kaitaia Plumbing offers all solar brands but tends to recommend tried and trusted brands. Work is steady for Kaitaia Plumbing and the company is scheduled to complete three new residential housing projects.

“There is a lot more confidence as far as new builds. Council has encouraged development work in the Far North and relaxed contribution fees so in the last two months we have been extremely busy pricing work.” Unlike many business owners Foster and Wild have no intentions of huge growth for their company. “We give our customers the assurance that their business will be appreciated,” says Foster. “We guarantee that they will be provided with competitive pricing, comprehensive service and experienced workmanship from our team of skilled, licensed plumbers. “Our pledge is total customer satisfaction. We want to stay small, stay personal and do the best job for our clients we can.”

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CONTRACTING » Keegan Electrical

August 2015 Business North

Jono has Taranaki region covered Sue Russell Jono Keegan has been in the electrical industry for more than three decades servicing the Taranaki residential, commercial and dairying sectors. With a team of two administration staff, an apprentice and five qualified electrical staff who have worked alongside Keegan for many years he says the aspect of his role he enjoys most is balancing running a busy business with spending time on the tools. “It’s important in this industry to keep absolutely up to speed on changes in technology and to be hands-on. Along with this, I am a licenced electrical inspector,” says Keegan. The company is actively engaged in undertaking a variety of work for dairy farmers, including installing the electrical systems driving new cow sheds, upgrading systems to futureproof existing structures, installing alternative energy supply systems such as solar and wind and diesel power generators. “I like to specialise within the team I have with a couple of guys concentrating on the solar power work and a couple involved in heatpump installations also testing and data logging cowsheds, there is a lot of misinterpretation about stray voltage in cowsheds,” he says. Because the company has evolved such strong links supporting the dairying industry it means they are always on call should electrical problems occur and for Keegan this ability to be accessible to his clients is key to the company’s success. “You are always on-call for milking machines and pumps and where we are situated in Stratford it is really central to this part of Taranaki. It’s a good location to be in. “Alternative energy generation is an expanding part of the company’s operation, we have observed how much ‘smarter’ the electronics have become in this part of the world of electrical engineering. He recalls that 15 years ago with solar panels and inverters it cost $10 to produce a watt whereas today that figure has shrunk to about $1 a watt making solar and alternative power generation much more worthwhile for those in the

Installing alternative energy generation systems - such as solar panels - is an expanding part of Keegan Electrical’s business. rural sector to consider installing. “There is also the ability now for power retailers to purchase any excess power generated from the customers solar system and put that back into the main grid. “The battery technology used in solar power is getting better and better.” Keegan’s concerned about the lack of appropriate compliance certification on electrical

“You are always on-call for milking machines and pumps and where we are situated in Stratford it is really central to this part of Taranaki. It’s a good location to be in.”

products available on sites such as TradeMe, with no documents of conformity attesting to their being safe to install. “A significant percentage of electrical gear coming from China doesn’t comply and this is something the agencies controlling the industry need to address.” While 80% of the work Keegan Electrical do is directly connected with farming the experienced team are also qualified to undertake a wide range of projects, from full wiring of new homes, re-wiring,

undertaking alterations and automating homes. “That’s been a real growth part, the level of automation that’s being installed inside homes and it has been exciting to see this evolve to highly sophisticated levels,” Keegan says. All the work Keegan and his team do is guaranteed by the Master Electricians Association, part of the Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand, an organisation dedicated to ensuring the highest possible standards of workmanship and safety exist in the industry.

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Business North

CONTRACTING » Hammerking Rollers

August 2015

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Innovation leads to firm’s success Kelly Deeks Innovation developed into commercial success has seen Hammerking Rollers named as a finalist in this year’s Air NZ Cargo Auckland New Zealand Export Awards. Hammerking Rollers’ highly specialised and world leading roller technology provides polyurethane and rubber rollers to the industrial market. Recent innovations have seen the company develop a unique coating for large rollers that apply paint to metal. These are known as metal coating rollers. Hammerking Rollers was formed in 1976, initially known as Printing Roller Specialists, producing rubber rollers for the printing market, then moving into polyurethane rollers and products, including a wide range of polyurethane small parts. Some 40 years on, the company now produces a wide range of polyurethane and synthetic rubber rollers for a wide variety of market sectors. In 1999, founding director Lindsay Farr was joined in the directorship of Hammerking Rollers by Mark Slane and Selwyn Pratt. “During the early 2000’s, we were approached by some large metal coating companies to develop better performing polyurethane rollers with respect to metal coating,” Pratt says. “They came up with a large wish list which we worked through and developed what we were asked to, a fully unique range of polyurethane roller elastomers.” Word got around about Hammerking Rollers’ innovation, and the company was asked to quote on similar roller types and products for plants in India and Indonesia. These were both new high speed plants, which produced a new set of challenges for Hammeking Rollers. “We went through some tough times doing it, and we filled a lot of rubbish bins getting it wrong, before we got it right. These rollers we developed are quite different from the current metal coating rollers we use in New Zealand. The New Zealand market relies more on water based paint, while the

Hammerking Rollers’ highly specialised and world leading roller technology provides polyurethane and rubber rollers to the industrial market. Asian market uses a lot of solvent based paint so there are a lot of differences in paint chemistry. We had to apply a huge amount of innovative chemistry and improvements in our plant to make them economically, competitively, and to perform to customers’ expectations. Hammerking Rollers continues to maintain its export market to these larger Asian customers.

Pratt says Hammerking Rollers is defined by innovation, because the small team are very innovative, focused, and market driven. “Everyone here is a free thinker,” he says. “As they say, necessity is the mother of invention and we certainly define that.” There was a very large amount of research and development undertaken during the development of these rollers, and this continues on today. When the printing market went digital, there was a huge change in Hammerking Rollers’ market and because of this, the company launched and expanded a range of rubber rollers, materials, and components for the industrial market. In addition to this, the company produces a wide range of polyurethane small parts for its New Zealand

customers, and is also a supplier for original equipment manufacturers to export around the world. Today, Hammerking Rollers’ customers throughout New Zealand and Asia Pacific benefit from proven product performance, in both the roller markets and a wide range of polyurethane moulded parts. Hammerking Rollers is a part of The Hammerking Group, which includes Hardwood Technology, one of New Zealand’s largest timber flooring companies providing sports and domestic flooring, and Maxwood Manufacturing, with branches in New Zealand and Australia, providing a range of seating products and services for the education, auditorium, and sports markets.

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CONTRACTING » Thermal Solutions

August 2015 Business North

Service a guarantee of satisfaction Karen Phelps

Thermal Solutuion’s expertise spans three main areas - refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) and electrical controls.

Specialists Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Wholesalers

Refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation company Thermal Solutions has established its point of difference in the marketplace by continuing to offer customers an extremely personal service, says company director Jarrod Harris. “We’ve grown but we still remain really accessible to our customers. We’re not and never will be a faceless corporate,” he explains. The company was started in 2004 by the company’s other two directors Brent and Paul Evans. Jarrod, a qualified electrician and refrigeration engineer, was one of the company’s first employees and bought into the company in 2013. His skills complement those of Brent, who is an NZCE level engineer, and Paul, who is a qualified refrigeration engineer. A year ago company growth prompted the move into new premises in Silverdale. A branch was opened in Christchurch in 2011 and an almost fulltime presence is still maintained on Waiheke Island. Thermal Solutions now employs around 30 staff. The company’s expertise spans three main facets: refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) and electrical controls. With regards to refrigeration Thermal Solutions specialises in the design and construction of walk-in cool stores and freezer rooms from large distribution facilities to small restaurant cool rooms. “We utilise modern installation and engineering techniques to provide a custom solution with excellent cost structures to both install and run over the lifetime of the asset,” says Harris. “Over the past ten years we have also developed multiple design options with the environment and energy conservation firmly in mind, working in conjunction with EECA NZ guidelines to keep running costs to an absolute minimum without compromising product quality. “Our bespoke control systems and overall design knowledge have saved some of our clients thousands of dollars.” Thermal Solutions is presently building a software platform called Thermal Watch to enable considerable energy savings by monitoring and

controlling refrigeration systems offering features such as automatic sensing and switching off items that don’t need to be running. Harris says that a case study the company has just completed for one client’s business had indicated the system would save around $6000 per year in energy savings on a very modest overall footprint. Thermal Solutions has extensive experience in offering solutions for the wine industry as well as providing 24-hour service response for systems that require incredibly accurate and constant temperature maintenance. The company also offers comprehensive tailored planned maintenance programmes and complete facilities management in some cases. Air conditioning systems are supplied to commercial and industrial industries including design, consultation, installation and project management. Thermal Solutions is also heavily involved in air movement and commercial ventilation. “Whether it is a production area that needs air change, or a restaurant kitchen environment, we find the best solution for the customer ensuring compliance with the relevant codes and also address all heating or cooling requirements. “We are trained and registered to provide producer statements for design and commissioning for building consents. All of our designs factor in cost management, minimum noise, quality filtration and comfort of occupants,” says Harris. The company also supplies and installs Daikin heat pumps for the domestic market from high wall to fully ducted systems. Jarrod Harris says that from concept and design to CAD drawings, managing subtrades, project management and commissioning the company can take care of the entire project, big or small from start to finish. Thermal Solutions also has a dedicated services division completing repairs and maintenance. Thermal Solutions predominantly works in the greater Auckland and Christchurch regions but with a dedicated subcontractor network throughout the country the company can service customers’ needs nationwide. Customers include Fonterra, Big Chill Distribution, Wilson Hellaby and Ryman Healthcare. “Our clients talk to one person when they call us with a problem and we solve it. It’s that simple.”

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Thermal Solutions A world leader in Heat Pump Technology

0800 20 90 10 www.daikin.co.nz

Business North

August 2015

CONTRACTING » Hiway Stabilizers

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New approach to health and safety Karen Phelps Hiway Stabilizers has implemented a zero harm improvement programme which has resulted in an 80 percent improvement in this area of the business, says chief operating officer Peter Metcalfe. “This programme means Hiway Stabilizers is now leading the way at a subcontract level when it comes to Zero Harm,” says Metcalfe. “The programme goes well beyond a compliance approach focusing on thought and behaviours towards Health and Safety with all company employees going through the interactive programme,” he says. “What we’re trying to do is get into the hearts and minds of employees so they think safety all the time not just at work. “Safety becomes a part of their life rather than something they are told to do at work.,” he says.

Metcalfe admits that it has been a significant investment by the company, but says that Hiway Stabilizers identified it was vital that staff carried on the safety message while out of the workplace. It was also something that was becoming increasingly important to the company’s clients such as Downer, Transfield and Fulton Hogan who seek subcontractors leading the way in the Zero Harm space. However he admits that staff were “extremely sceptical at first”. “This has always been a challenge in any operation – how do you get the operational staff to fully embrace safety? “When they have been doing things a certain way for a long time they have become desensitised to risk. “The programme has helped us to solve this problem.” As well as a focus on safety, Hiway Stabilizers has been extending its scope of

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services to provide further value to its clients with investigation and pavement design now complementing its stabilising capabilities. “In the past we haven’t offered these services to clients, we’ve just done the physical work. But contracts for certain projects are changing. “For example, the new generation of Network Outcome Contracts for NZTA requires a single team lead by a primary supplier, which includes both contractor and consultants. It’s a more

collaborative style of contract designed to give better value to the ratepayers.’ “By offering a more comprehensive service we can now support our traditional customers in these new contracts and provide design, which is better connected to constructability and ensure optimal and cost effective treatment options are selected on a best for network basis.” • To page 54

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54 |

CONTRACTING » Hiway Stabilizers / Mount Insulation

August 2015 Business North

Skilled staff the key to success Sue Russell Leading industrial insulation and sheetmetal business Mount Insulation and Sheetmetals is now ranked within the top five companies working in this specialised field in New Zealand. John Hoggart, managing director for the past 12 years says, its solid position in a complex and demanding industry stems from the quality of skilled staff the company employs. “Our longest serving employee has been with us for about 25 years,” Hoggart says. “Our staff are highly skilled and adaptable to the range of services we offer.” When Hoggart took over running the company only had 4 staff and the turnover was quite low. Since this time the team has grown to 37 and turnover has increased seven-fold.

This growth has been due to expanding the company’s core activities from predominantly maintenance related work to full-on turnkey projects, which Hoggart says, has been achieved by building sound relationships with customers. “Industrial insulation is the core but we have now structured ourselves to deliver complete projects by putting in place specific roles including a dedicated contracts manager and a project manager, while a part-time sales position has evolved into a full-time business development / national sales role.” Hoggart says there is plenty of variety for the highly experienced team, something he says keeps everyone on their toes, up to speed with latest technologies and skill-sets and interested in coming to work every day. Based in Tauranga, the company also has another factory in New Plymouth which ensures

Hiway Stabilizers services include new pavement construction, road rehabilitation and maintenance, ground improvement, soil remediation, heavy compaction and concrete crushing.

Health and safety to the fore • From page 53 Metcalfe says that the residential sector is also going strong particularly based on growth in the Auckland market. Hiway Stabilizers is New Zealand’s largest residential stabilising contractor. The company offers New Zealand’s biggest fleet of vehicles with tracked stabilisation and spreader capabilities, says Metcalfe. “This allows Hiway Stabilizers to continue to work on residential subdivisions even in poor weather conditions,” he explains. Based in Silverdale, Auckland, Hiway Stabilizers is the stabilizing and pavement construction division of the Hiway Group and operates throughout New Zealand. Hiway Stabilizers offers a wide variety of services including new pavement construction,

road rehabilitation and maintenance, ground improvement, soil remediation, heavy compaction and concrete crushing. Road stabilisation is the company’s core business and Hiway Stabilizers has undertaken a wide variety of projects from motorways to subdivisions, clays to marine dredging, above and below ground. Other divisions of the Hiway Group include Hiway GeoTechnical (the geotechnical and ground improvement division, which provide Deep Soil Mixing and slope remediation technologies and in house geotechnical design solutions); Hiway Environmental (providing specialist services relating to environmental contracting); Hiway International (operating as a stabilisation and roading contractor, with a base in Fiji) and machinery hire company, Hiway Hire.

Proud to be associated with Hiway Group For your risk and insurance needs visit www.willisgroup.co.nz Auckland Lv8, 21 Queen Street 09 358 3319

Wellington Lv8, 139 The Terrace 04 472 2677

Christchurch Lv1, 2 Hazeldean Road, Addington 03 335 0412

Proudly Supporting Hiway Stabilizers

Mount Insulation and Sheetmetal’s core services include sheetmetal fabrication, ducting manufacture, refractory work, fabrication for light engineering, and engineering ventilation systems.

Business North

CONTRACTING » Mount Insulation and Sheetmetals

August 2015

the company can service clients throughout the North and South Islands. These days the business is busy meeting the needs of a wider and wider client base. Core services include sheetmetal fabrication, ducting manufacture, refractory work, fabrication for light engineering, engineering ventilation systems as well as dust, fume and odour control technologies. While the initial impact of the recession didn’t hit home due to the company having a large project already underway, Hoggart says it has been interesting to see how the last election affected business. “You could pinpoint to a week before the election things went very quiet and this lasted for about three months. “For us, valuing the staff we had, there was no question of reducing our human resources, instead we took on debt to see us through. “It was a prudent decision to preserve and keep secure our staff, many of whom have worked for us for a considerable number of years.” Hoggart says that he would like to see a greater emphasis placed by schools on encouraging students to enter the industry, rather than go on to tertiary education immediately. “In the last year we have had students coming through from school to see what we are all about. “At the moment we’re turning down work due to staffing constraints and that is frustrating.” In the last 18 months or so the company has turned its attention more and more to servicing the significant expansion within the dairy industry. Currently Mount Insulation and Sheetmetals is working on two new dairy facilities, one in Pahiatua, the other in Christchurch, and completing maintenance work at a further five plants. It has also picked up a major project in Australia for Grain Corp and currently has five staff working there.

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Mount Insulation and Sheetmetal has become involved with servicing the significant expansion within the dairy industry.

“When you’re dealing with a milk dryer that may be 12 storeys high you need a lot of planning and expertise in place to deal with any issues that may come up. “It’s very highly skilled work. “It’s also very satisfying, because every day

MOUNT INSULATION

SHEETMETALS

you can see what you have achieved.” Hoggart says that the success of the company is also due to holding true to a set of non-negotiable moral standards in terms of working with customers and supporting staff to thrive.

“It’s about professionalising the industry,” he says. “When you have sound systems in place and a proven track-record you get a lot of respect. Our future is secure and we are always interested in evolving our range of services.”

Design- Manufacture - Manufacture - Install Design - Install

Mount Insulation & Sheetmetals is proud to be associated with Page and Macrae Sheetmetal • Sheetmetal General Sheetmetal Work

Call The Insulation & Sheetmetal Team

Insulation

Insulation • Industrial & Commercial

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Ph: 06 756 8653 Fax: 06 756 8047

Unit 7, 44 Triton Avenue, Mount Maunganui 3116

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P.O. Box 9462 Greerton 3142, Tauranga

P.O. Box 192 Inglewood 4330, Taranaki

PO Box 4203, Mount Maunganui 3149

Phone 07 575 7117 Fax 07 575 7107 Email info@mountinsulation.co.nz

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August 2015 Business North

CONTRACTING » New Zealand Sign and Display Association

NZSDA celebrates 50th anniversary Karen Phelps The 19th annual New Zealand Sign and Display Awards

not only received the second largest number of entries in the history of the awards ,but also marked the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Sign and Display Association (NZSDA). Held in Rotorua, this year a total of 559 entries were judged resulting in the awarding of 15 gold awards, 25 silver awards and 23 bronze awards. There were 18 classes including digital and non-digital signwriting on vehicles, exhibition stands, glasswork, LED and neon illumination, dimensional signs and traditional handcrafted and lettered signs. The awards also acknowledged the country’s top apprentices. “There are outstanding entries every year,” says NZSDA secretary Brian Fairchild. “Because all awards are given on merit this means that each year we never know how many gold, silver or bronze awards will be achieved. “The bar is always lifted every year.” As 2015 is the association’s 50th anniversary the event was attended by founding and honorary life members. Fairchild says these guests commented on how far the organisation has come since its beginnings 50 years ago. The New Zealand Sign and Display Association was originally started in 1965 by a small group of signwriters. Fairchild says that although signwriting associations had existed in both islands since the 1930’s this was the first time a national organisation was formed to represent their needs. “Previously the Painters and Decorators Union had been the only place signwriters could join. The New Zealand Sign and Display Association saw the formation of a dedicated association to give signwriters a distinct voice,” says Fairchild. The NZSDA covers the whole spectrum of signmakers: neon, illuminated, handcrafted, technology, construction and design to name but a few of the range of mediums.

There was a great turnout to the New Zealand Sign and Display Association’s 50th anniversary - including many founding and honorary life members. Over the years the association has played an active and ongoing role as a forum for the exchange of ideas, the development of training, and the dissemination of information and guidance to its members. Fairchild says that the association has built an enviable reputation with many government offices as well as Standards New Zealand, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and other statutory

organisations and local authorities, acting as the official channel of communication between the industry and these bodies on matters of commercial, technical or economic policies affecting the sign and display industry. For many years the association has assisted with apprenticeship administration, approval of training establishments, training prescriptions and standards

and supporting the Industry Training Organisation to enable apprenticeship training to continue under the Industry Training Act. In more recent years Fairchild says that the association has been responsible for creating NZQA approved unit standards for a National Certificate in Signmaking including computer graphics, hand lettering and electric signmaking elective strands.

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Business North

August 2015

CONTRACTING » New Zealand Sign and Display Association

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The NZSDA awards categories included signwriting on vehicles, exhibition stands, glasswork, LED and neon illumination, dimensional signs and traditional handcrafted and lettered signs. Fairchild says that the NZSDA’s policy of quality and commitment to the customer is not only in the best interests of its members but also provides a safeguard for their clients. “To become a member a potential business is vetted and approved by its peers on the quality of its workmanship and business practices. “If the potential applicant fails to meet New Zealand Sign and Display Association standards then their membership application is declined,” says Fairchild. “This means that companies using the services of

any of the members of the Association may be assured that they are dealing with craftspeople who are subject to redress through the association in the event of any complaint.” Fairchild says that signs have existed since Roman times and are the original form of advertising giving the profession a rich history. “It’s a very diverse industry. And for the association to reach its 50th anniversary means the industry is just as relevant today as it was in the past and will continue to be in the future.”

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August 2015 Business North

CONTRACTING » Mayfair Pools

Focus on excellence delivers results Karen Phelps It’s one of the largest swimming pool companies in New Zealand having built over 10,000 swimming pools since 1973. The secret to Mayfair Pools’ success has been focusing on giving customers the right advice and consistently delivering high quality products, says company owner Keith Atkins. “Although the materials we use have changed we use the same tried and true system we have used for over 40 years,” says Atkins. “Our unique patented Mayfair Pools construction method results in a magnificently durable fibreglass surface applied to a concrete sub-structure and form work,” he says. “We have agents based around the country which enables us to deliver consistent quality no matter where our customers might be based. Mayfair Pools design and install custom fibreglass in-ground pools throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific. Over the years the company has built a wide variety of pools including heated pools, lap pools, plunge pools, salt water pools, infinity edge pools, and indoor swimming pools. Mayfair Pools advises on all aspects of swimming pools including steps, swim-outs, beaches, paddling pools, fountains, waterfalls, safety parameters and poolscaping. The company also renovates existing swimming pools, fixing cracks and making other necessary repairs for customers. Repairs can be completed on any type of pool – fibreglass, vinyl or concrete. “Our pool builders are specially trained designers, constructors and fibreglass applicators that create a Mayfair swimming pool,” says Atkins. New pools are all built in-situ not pre-moulded in a factory. Atkins, who has a background in fibreglass caravan construction, says that this ensures the pool fits the site and means the company is not limited in any way as to shape or size. “We can build literally any shape or size pool anywhere. “We’ve built residential pools, school pools and even pools on top of hotels. Often an architect will design the pool then the house around it. We work in with architects and clients to custom design a pool to suit their individual requirements.”

Mayfair Pools design and install custom fibreglass in-ground pools throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific. The company’s skills have even been sought internationally with Mayfair Pools completing projects in Rarotonga. Other notable projects in New Zealand include building pools for the Sheraton and the Michael Fay Centre in Auckland. Mayfair Pools assistance extends beyond the sale with the company offering a pool valet service as well as sales of chemicals so customers can keep their pools in tip top condition. Atkins says that community involvement is also important for the company. Mayfair Pools is a sponsor of Swimming New Zealand and each year Mayfair Pools sponsors the Mayfair Pools NZ Age Group Championships and Mayfair Pools Oceania Championships. Atkins says that the company is busy with new pool builds booked ahead into next year. Straight wall pools are a current trend as

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well as insulated pools, which help keep the temperature constant and offer savings on running costs. Newer technology allows for saltwater pools and ultraviolet sanitising for those that prefer to reduce the chlorine needed. To encourage high standards Mayfair Pools also runs its own Pool of the Year Awards each

year where suppliers and dealers vote for awards including best standard pool, best commercial pool and best renovation. “It helps people to reach for and attain excellence, which has been such an important part of our business since it started and will continue to be into the future.”

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Business North

NEWS »

August 2015

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Industry changes boost numbers Karen Phelps The Certified Builders Association of New Zealand (CBANZ) says it has seen a surge in members in the past year, as more builders look to keep up with changes in the industry. Association chief executive, Grant Florence, says its membership rose 15% in the past 12 months. The association’s recent 17th Annual Conference & Expo held in Christchurch in May had a record number of over 550 attendees and more than 75 trade exhibitors. And Florence says this follows the record attendance of the conference held the previous year. “There have been a number of regulatory changes in the industry and more builders are wanting to align themselves with a professional association based on trade qualifications as a minimum requirement,” says Florence. “Also members of the public are increasingly becoming aware of Certified Builders and what it stands for,” he says. Florence says that the conference provides a good forum for builders to learn. This year’s programme included a variety of educational workshops and motivational speakers on important industry topics including health and safety, building law, apprentices, customer service, business development and leadership. The conference was opened by Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith who launched new guidance on the standards of work expected for key aspects of new home construction written with input from industry bodies such as Certified Builders. The measures have been introduced to help mitigate any risk of standards slipping as the rate of home building increases in New Zealand to meet demand.

Industry leaders: from left, chief executive of Certified Builders Association of NZ, Grant Florence, Minister for Building and Housing Hon Dr Nick Smith, and CBANZ chairman Dave Brown.

“We have a skill shortage in New Zealand in the building industry so it is important to continue to foster and encourage young talent.” The resource complements the new consumer protection requirements that the Government introduced on 1 January providing for a defect period of 12 months with an obligation to remedy. Florence says the guidance gives better information on what constitutes an acceptable level of workmanship and that it was significant that the

Keeping up with contracts The seismic upgrading of earthquake-prone buildings, record net inward migration and the Canterbury rebuild are just some of the factors contributing to New Zealand’s current building boom. But for businesses involved in the building industry there are also legal issues to consider, says Nick Gillies from law firm Hesketh Henry. One concern is a rise in disputes in a sector, which Gillies says is already prone to this problem. While some steps have already been taken to improve the legal landscape in order to generate efficiencies and reduce the number of claims as construction activity rises, one obvious step businesses can take is having appropriate and carefully prepared contracts in place from the outset of a project, he says: “Unfortunately construction contracts are often ill considered, poorly prepared and sometimes never concluded, which creates ambiguity and leaves parties more prone to falling out. Three new building and civil engineering contracts NZS 3910:2013 (construction), NZS 3916:2013 (design and construct) and NZS 3917:2013 (fixed term) provide tailored provisions for the main types of procurement arrangements.” Gillies says there is an emerging trend towards the use of alliancing to procure infrastructure projects, which involves a different contractual philosophy: “Alliancing is an alternative approach to contracting that is currently favoured by the New Zealand Transport Agency for its larger and more complex projects. It aims to create a collaborative ‘win together/lose together’ project culture, which is a significant

departure from the traditional contractual approach to procuring construction works. Alliancing requires a different mind-set and contractual framework to achieve the necessary ethos and outcomes,” he explains. One big change for the industry looming in the near future will be the changes to the Construction Contracts Act 2002 (CCA). Gillies says that various amendments to the CCA are currently before parliament and are awaiting their third reading. Gillies says that the main amendments are likely to be extending the right of adjudication to design, engineering and quantity surveying work; largely removing the existing distinction between residential and commercial construction contracts; extending and speeding up enforcement of adjudication decisions; and requiring retentions to be held on trust. At this stage the amendments are unlikely to be passed until the second half of 2015. Hesketh Henry provides a comprehensive range of legal services to wide variety of domestic and international businesses and individuals. The company is experienced in construction law, employment law, insurance law, mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment, commercial leasing and commercial property acquisitions. Hesketh Henry’s services also extend to include personal services such as wills, trusts and estate work. Hesketh Henry, Level 14 PWC Tower, 188 Quay Street, Auckland, 09 375 8700, lawyers@heskethhenry.co.nz, www. heskethhenry.co.nz

conference was chosen as the vehicle to release the information to the industry. “It’s a reflection of the fact we have been involved in the guidance and that the Minister saw this as an opportune time to release it. This is a tool that the industry can use to work with customers,” he says.

A key focus of the conference was on Certified Builders’ work to support apprenticeships and included the final stage of the New Zealand Carpentry Apprentice Challenge. This year twelve finalists from twelve regions around New Zealand competed for the title which was eventually won by Lee Holloway (Hawke’s Bay) with Paul Maihi (Northland) coming second and Marcus Devereux (Otago) coming third. Florence says this year the competition attracted a record number of entrants. “We have a skill shortage in New Zealand in the building industry so it is important to continue to foster and encourage young talent.” Florence says another of the conference highlights was a live hook-up with ApprentICEs Blake McDonald and Peter O’Sullivan from Dunedin who have been working on New Zealand’s southern-most construction project at Scott Base, Antarctica since January 2015. Antarctica New Zealand and Certified Builders supported the initiative in conjunction with the Industry Training Association Building and the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation. McDonald and O’Sullivan answered questions about the harsh conditions, how their building tools cope, and how they manage working in the dark. Florence says networking is an equally important part of the event. “Many builders are owner-operators in the SME sector so they often don’t have too many other opportunities to network,” he says. Florence says that he expects in the next twelve months the main challenge facing the industry will be coming to grips with new compliance regulations while maintaining productivity: “The conference was a great opportunity for our members and the wider industry to get together and share best practice during a time of unprecedented demands on the building industry.”

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NEWS » Karori Event Centre

August 2015 Business North

The Karori Event Centre will provide a truly flexible venue for all of the community.

Plans for new centre taking shape Kelly Deeks The development of the new Karori Event Centre in Wellington is well advanced. Architectural plans have been drawn up, the resource consent and an agreement to lease the council owned land are in place, and more than $2 million has been raised towards the $2.4 million construction target. All that remains now is for the local community, businesses, and philanthropists to get behind the project and raise the remaining $400,000 so the Karori Community Hall Trust can get the tender documents out and start the build. Karori Event Centre Trust volunteer marketing advisor Inge Doig says this is an opportunity for locals to leave a lasting legacy that will benefit the community now, and well into the future. “If the community doesn’t come together and make this happen, in 20 or 50 years’ time, we still won’t have anything,” she says. “This venue will be an asset to the community, retaining life, vitality, value, and business in the Western Suburbs and bringing with it new opportunities for the arts close to home. “It will be a central place where community members can connect and it will keep our youth occupied in a safe place. “It also means we don’t need to travel out of the suburbs for our activities!” There are fewer venues available to cater for Wellingtonians in the Western Suburbs community,

and many are dated, earthquake damaged or uncompliant, or not fully available for the public to use. “And most of them are fully booked at key times,” Doig says. “Karori is one of New Zealand’s largest suburbs, and the largest in Wellington, and with the surrounding suburbs accounts for about 25,000 people, many of who come into Karori to use the facilities,” she says. “There is an urgent need for a public community hall for community members to use, and the Karori Event Centre will be available and affordable to all.” The history of the Karori Event Centre project dates back some time. In 2001, the Karori Town Centre Redevelopment project began, with key elements including a new community centre and a relocated and partially upgraded community hall. This relocation was abandoned in 2004 due to the cost of soundproofing the old wooden community hall. In 2007 this wooden hall was demolished and the Karori Community Hall Trust was established to develop, design, build, equip, and manage a multipurpose community hall on the land adjacent to the Karori Community Centre. Concept plans were complete in 2008, and resource consent granted in 2009. Fundraising began in 2011, and signatures and letters of support started coming in. Fundraising continues into 2015 with the goal of starting the build later this year.

Now the Wellington City Council has incorporated the Karori Event Centre project into its Long Term Plan 2015-2025. It is contributing $50,000 over and above the already planned $260,000 approved in 2001/02 as the cost of moving the original town hall, and the proceeds of the sale of the St Johns Hall land. The Council’s contributions are expected to account for approximately $1 million of the funding which is already in place for the construction of the centre. Doig says the new centre will provide a truly flexible venue for all of the community to use for activities, meetings, exhibitions, performances, events, and for civil defence purposes. The auditorium will be surrounded by event, display, and exhibition space, in a glassed foyer which opens up to a courtyard. Retractable theatre seating will allow for 218 people, and table seating in the facility will be able to accommodate 100 people.

Back of house facilities include catering kitchen, dressing, meeting, and storage rooms, and amenities. Project architect and theatre design specialist Shand Shelton has also ensured that the centre’s design features good acoustics, and a 16 metre wide stage. Doig says the project so far has received “amazing support” from many local families, individuals, and organisations, while Wellington City Councillor Sarah Free and Onslow-Western Ward Councillors Jo Coughlan, Andy Foster, and Simon Woolf have also all been strong advocates and supporters. “We are all looking forward to seeing the Karori Event Centre become a reality in the near future,” she says. Doig is urging people and businesses who wish to make a contribution to the project to contact the Trust as soon as possible, to enable construction to start this year.

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