56 | EAS Waikato Sue Russell EAS - leading the way in culture and community CONTRACTING Hamilton business EAS (Electrical & Automation Solutions) has carved out an enviable reputation as specialist industrial electricians. Led by founder, Carey Penn, the business, located in Frankton, offers turn-key electrical solutions to food and beverage manufacturers, councils, industrial companies and the rural sector; anywhere, in fact, where an electrical system supports a process. Sarah Johnston, Marketing Manager at EAS and she says there’s lots of solid reasons why the business has succeeded. “We’re not a big company but the team are all on the same page, with a shared culture and passion for delivering excellence for our customers. “Carey leads by example. He’s very solutions focussed, loves the challenge of a problem to solve and he’s built really strong relationships with our suppliers, customers and our team. EAS is an honest company that operates with integrity and understands what service is all about.” Recently EAS has been involved in assisting a customer on their journey to a more sustainable future, with the implementation of electric forklifts for one of their distribution centres. This wasn’t just a matter of installing the charging units, but looking further into the switchboard’s capability to cope with the increase in demand and ensuring the customer could effectively plan and budget for their long terms plans as they increased their fleet of electric material handling equipment. “Everybody has a role to play to reduce carbon emissions. At Connetics, we are committed to continuing to work on sustainability initiatives that incorporate education and improving our ways of working.” This year, EAS were announced winners of the People & Culture awards at the Waikato Business Awards Gala Dinner. Asked to explain a little more about the People and Culture award, Sarah says there are a number of key values that underpin how EAS operates. • Do better, be better – we’re constantly stirving to find ways to improve how we do things for the business and our customers. • Take ownership, be accountable – we take responsibility for our actions and their impact on others • You get out what you put in – the whole team contributes to the success of EAS • People matter. People are at the heart of everything we do. EAS’s success is built on the quality of our relationships • Grow together. – EAS is not striving to be the biggest industrial electrical company, but the best supporting our staff to develop and grow along the way. “Carey is always looking at ways he can benefit the team. “We have four awesome team days a year, we have a company share scheme and we make sure we’re regularly checking in on the team so we can provide them with any support they need inside or outside work.” Giving back to the community is just as important for the EAS team. Carey underwent a kidney transplant last year and the business now firmly supports Kidney Health NZ and the team have undertaken various fundraising activities in support of this charity. Revolutionising the way services are delivered from page 55 The company has been based in Waterloo Business Park since 2018 recognising a move from its previous location in Hillsborough would give increased resilience in the event of a natural disaster. The new building is seismically strengthened, and the new location gives Connetics a better connection with its customer base within Christchurch, which stretches from the Waimakariri River to the Rakaia River. Connetics’ largest depot is conducted from Waterloo Business Park with smaller depots in both Tawa and Cromwell. Sustainability Connetics remains committed to sustainability and, alongside Orion, has set an ambitious target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from FY20 emissions by 2030. Connetics Head of Finance and Digital Stephen Spence says that after identifying its fleet as the main area where improvements could be made Connetics has recently started investing in Smart Power Take Off (PTO) vehicles. A Smart PTO is an electric power take-off that uses batteries to supply power to the elevated work platform (EWP) to eliminate idling and reduce noise during operation. After an easy installation and simply connecting the unit to the hydraulic system, the Smart PTO is ready to go. This allows the vehicle to be turned off and therefore eliminates the carbon emissions caused by the high idling otherwise required to operate the EWP. Each Smart PTO vehicle saves more than 5 tonnes of carbon equivalent a year. Connetics has also recently become a Toitū ‘net carbonzero’ certified organisation. “To receive this certification, Connetics is independently audited annually, and we continually measure, manage, and reduce our carbon footprint in line with our reduction targets,” says Stephen. Connetics is also gearing up to install solar on the rooftop of their Waterloo Business Park Headquarters a project, which has been designed in-house by their team of specialist design engineers. With plans in place to replace their light fleet with plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, Connetics is showing how to walk the talk. “Everybody has a role to play to reduce carbon emissions. At Connetics, we are committed to continuing to work on sustainability initiatives that incorporate education and improving our ways of working,” says Stephen. “We are excited to take this journey in a way that is transparent and backed by science.” Connetics Proudly supporting Connetics 027 275 4314 / 0508 RS CABLING admin@rscabling.com 25 Brokven Hill Rd, Porirua 04 236 6142 enquiries@atmsnz.co.nz www.atmsnz.co.nz • Traffic Management • Traffic Management Plans • Construction & Events • Sign & Gear Hire • Asphalt Reinstatement r ffic ear Hir ATMS’s core focus is on safety for their staff, clients and the public. ATMS knows that safety is measured by the reduction of risk through careful planning, preparation, highly trained staff, using state of the art plant and equipment, effective management and clear communication. ’ f i f f ir ff, li li . f i i f i f l l i , i , i l i staff, using state of the art plant an i , ff i l i i . Switchboard & Controls Electrical Engineers and Manufacturers We are proud to be associated with EAS Waikato & be a supplier to many of their large projects in Waikato 10-12 Northpark Drive Te Rapa, Hamilton Ph 07-850-9977 Email admin@gaelswitchgear.co.nz Website www.gaelswitchgear.co.nz
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