8 | Hastings: BBI Wood Products - Tumu Developments REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Irongate development boon for area Sue Russell Tumu holds various parcels of vacant land at Irongate, where it intends to develop, design and build facilities for businesses to lease. One thing the team at Hawke’s Baybased Tumu Developments all have in common is a passion for the region, which drives a desire to see it thrive. Tumu Group, of which Tumu Developments is a member, was established by Hugh O’Sullivan in 1975 – growing from humble beginnings to today being one of the largest privately owned businesses in Hawke’s Bay. Diversification and reinvestment have underpinned Tumu Group’s success and today the group encompasses 25 operating businesses and employs over 900 people. Tumu Developments is the property development arm of the group, specialising in residential, industrial, and aged care developments. Ben Hamelink, Development Manager at Tumu Group, has been with the business for three years. A registered valuer who was born and bred in Hawke’s Bay, Ben says the chance to be part of a company at the forefront of creating business development opportunities was what drew him to Tumu. “I manage the commercial property portfolio and have been heavily involved in some key development projects. “We have recently developed over 17ha of industrial land at Irongate – five minutes south of Hastings City – surrounding Tumu Timbers’ main processing site”, says Ben. Irongate offers businesses ease of access from both north and south via State Highway 2, making it the perfect location for businesses engaging in manufacturing, transport, storage, wholesaling, and distribution. Tumu holds various parcels of vacant land where they intend to develop design and build facilities for businesses to lease. “We have established a construction sector precinct within the Irongate development with businesses that include Tumu Building Supplies, Tumu Timbers, BBI Wood Products, MCL Construction, Ironclub and Building Futures. These will soon be joined by Lattey Group, Archant, and Venta Aluminium Joinery and Glazing who have all committed to Irongate. We actively promote the use of mass timber construction in our projects – a more sustainable, cost-effective building system with a lower carbon footprint compared to steel and concrete alternatives”, Ben adds. Ben says the council’s positive view toward economic development has contributed hugely to realising Hawke’s Bay’s potential, by encouraging existing large-scale industrial, warehousing and distribution businesses to relocate or expand their operations into the region. “With horticulture being a key driver of local economic activity, post-harvest processing and storage is a high user of industrial land. Council is supportive of development that provides infrastructure and unlocks sites for this sector to expand. Tumu has interests in companies that support the horticulture industry by supplying wholesale timber, bins and pallets, building supplies, roundwood and fencing products, and now by developing property.” Asked what he enjoys most about working within the small, committed team of six that makes up Tumu Developments, Ben says it is seeing under-utilised vacant land transform into spaces that will bring lasting benefit to businesses and consequently the whole region. “Hawke’s Bay is an attractive place to live and work and over the last few years we’ve seen a lot of people relocate here from the larger centres. Having an active and accessible port, great infrastructure including roading to move freight in, through and out of the region, and a growing workforce are key reasons why Hawke’s Bay is a serious contender for largescale industry to settle in.” 11 Ossian St, Ahuriri info@surveyingthebay.co.nz www.surveyingthebay.co.nz 311 Eastbourne St West, Hastings SUBDIVISION | SITE SURVEYS BUILDING SET OUT | BOUNDARY SURVEYS Active Refrigeration Hawkes Bay is proud to support BBI Wood Products “With horticulture being a key driver of local economic activity, post-harvest processing and storage is a high user of industrial land.”
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