14 | Crane co sees pick-up ahead Services include drilling rig maintenance and shifting, building removals and tiny home placements, site maintenance, truck and boat salvages, tree removal, structural steel placement, pre-cast panel work, and over-dimensional transport. Ian Roebuck Crane Hire T T Hugh de Lacy REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Age hasn’t wearied New Plymouth crane industry identity Ian Roebuck who, at 83, is still the hands-on General Manager of his two companies, Ian Roebuck Crane Hire in New Plymouth and Todd McPhee Crane Hire in Tokoroa. Ian is at work every day, handling the two companies’ financials, and sharing his 45-plus years of crane-industry knowledge with his highly skilled teams. The New Plymouth-based company that bears his name was founded by Ian back in 1979, and today has 23 staff operating 11 cranes ranging in capacity from 13 to 250 tonnes. The Tokoroa firm was acquired 18 years ago and, still carrying its own founder’s name, fields six cranes ranging from 13t to 130t capacity, operated by seven staff. Taranaki’s oil and gas industry, which looks to be headed for further expansion as the National-led Government encourages new drilling for oil, provides several of Ian Roebuck Crane Hire’s major clients, with that work bolstered by the current building of the Mt Messenger by-pass, Te Ara o Te Ata, and by the construction industry in general. The Mount Messenger project, due for completion at the end of next year, has particularly exercised Ian Roebuck Crane Hire’s skills and technology. The market has not been all that kind to the crane industry over the past couple of years, but Ian reckons that things are starting to brighten up. “As is widely known, New Zealand is going through a major monetary depression on top of the Covid pandemic disruption, but thankfully, things seem to be looking up for both companies going forward,” Ian says. “The lack of progress on a range of central and local government projects has impacted the sector since the last election, and the subsequent scrapping of many of those projects hasn’t helped. “Happily there are signs that the moths are being shaken out of local and central government pockets, and they point to a pick-up in business this year.” Ian started his working career in 1968 with the family-owned company, Roebuck Construction, in New Plymouth, where he managed a fleet of 54 items of mobile plant, including cranes. Eleven years later he saw a gap for new craneage in the then-vigorous Taranaki petro-chemical and construction markets of the late 1970s, and he set out to fill it, initially with just two cranes. The later purchase of Todd McPhee Crane Hire brought Ian the opportunity for involvement in the Taupo region’s equally expansive hydro-electric industries, backed up by demand from the general construction sector. Klenner Consulting are specialists in industrial services, project supervision, and rental equipment. We can help those involved in water treatment and power generator services. We provide technical services and competent personal to carry out all industrial duties to accommodate equipment and support for solids control and dewatering. 027 241 3955 graham@klennerconsulting.co.nz www.klennerconsulting.co.nz 158 Powderham St. New Plymouth | P. 06 758 1199 | E. info@mcdev.co.nz | www.mcdev.co.nz Protecting what matters most - your business, home, contents and vehicles. “Proud to help protect the business of Ian Roebuck Crane Hire” Smart insurance solutions, powered by local expertise.
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