| 55 T T Karen Phelps Breaking the cycle Eastbridge STEEL INDUSTRY New Zealand’s steel fabrication industry is enduring one of its most challenging periods in recent memory, with government fiscal restraint and re-prioritisation of projects creating a dual slowdown in both public and private sector projects, says Jayden Mellsop, general manager of Napier-based heavy steel fabrication company Eastbridge. “The current economic climate has definitely had an effect on the volumes of work. There are no larger anchor projects to provide certainty of workload to companies, so most are functioning on small to medium-sized projects,” he says. According to Jayden what makes this downturn particularly unusual is that unlike previous recessions both public and private sectors have simultaneously slowed. “The post Covid inflation and high interest rates stymied development in the private sector first while the governments belt-tightening has delayed decisions on large infrastructure projects as they reconsidered priorities.” The unintended consequences have been severe across the industry. Many companies, including Eastbridge, have been forced to cut staff and retrench, with skilled labour increasingly heading offshore. Jayden says this exodus of expertise threatens to create issues when projects inevitably return. “Unfortunately, the boom-bust cycle in New Zealand construction looks set to continue, with many companies worrying about the inevitable labour shortages that will appear when the workloads return in the medium term.” Eastbridge has sought to mitigate this by maintaining 10 apprentices and focusing on training the next generation of skilled tradesmen. “We’re very focused on keeping the next generation coming through,” says Jayden. “This commitment to training reflects Eastbridge’s long-term vision and recognition that skilled workers are fundamental to maintaining quality and competitiveness.” Eastbridge, which specialises in steel bridging, towers, poles and heavy steel fabrication, is currently working on a portfolio of smaller projects. These include fabricating temporary works for O Mahurangi - Penlink, the new 7km highway between Whangaparāoa Road and State Highway 1, a bridge for the Mt Messenger bypass project in Taranaki Te Ara o Te Ata and a bridge for Te Ara Tupua, the walking and cycling link between Wellington and Lower Hutt. Projects coming up include three bridges for OceanaGold in Waihi as a subcontractor to Fulton Hogan and three pedestrian crossings for Auckland Transport at Glen Innes, Takanini and Te Mahia. Jayden says Eastbridge’s unique position in the market stems from its focus on quality and skill, supported by significant investment in new technology and equipment. Located within two kilometres of the Port of Napier, it is ideally situated to serve both national and international markets. Eastbridge specialises in steel bridging, towers, poles and heavy steel fabrication. The company holds Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) Steel Fabricator Certification level CC4 and is affiliated with key industry organisations including the Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA), providing clients with assurance of its competency and quality. “This commitment to training reflects Eastbridge’s longterm vision and recognition that skilled workers are fundamental to maintaining quality and competitiveness.” Booth's Logistics Flat Deck division is proud to have worked in tandem with Eastbridge, a specialist in steel bridging, to deliver essential materials on the Te Ahu a Turanga - Manawatū Tararua Highway between Ashurst and Woodville. The project became necessary after a major slip in April 2017 left State Highway 3 through the Manawatū Gorge impassable, requiring a new road to be built over the Ruahine Range. The new highway, which opened to tra ic on 11 June 2025, now provides a safe, resilient and e icient route between the two towns. Booth's undertook the task of transporting prefabricated steel, sculptures and other steel products for the project. “The nature of the project demanded both precision and reliability,” says Stephen Smith, FTL manager at Booth's. “We are committed to delivering on time and communicating e ectively with our clients, especially important on such projects as this. To excel in our ield, it's essential to understand our customers' products, choose the right trailer for the job, and meet deadlines. The sculptures in particular were one o pieces so we had to be extremely careful. It was evidence of the trust our clients place in us.” He says the Flat Deck division's capabilities proved ideal for the demanding requirements of the highway project. With nationwide reach, the division has experienced substantial growth, re lected in its ever-expanding client list. “We've developed an experienced team with state-of-the-art equipment,” explains Stephen. “We now operate a diverse lat deck leet made up of eleven quad trailers including two step deck trailers and two trombone trailers as well as two truck and trailer units and also a drop sider truck and trailer unit. With payloads of up to 28 tonnes on the quad trailers and up to 34 tonnes on the truck and trailers we can maximise unit capacity and allow greater e iciency for our customers.” Services extend from door-to-door solutions to interisland freight, ensuring seamless dispatch and distribution. The Flat Deck division represents just one facet of Booth's impressive growth story. The 100 per cent Kiwi-owned and operated company has seen remarkable expansion, now operating over 400 trucks with a workforce of more than 800 across 20 branches nationwide. Its services cover a wide range including linehaul, metro, lat deck, hiab and container transport and handling, as well as warehousing and third-party logistics. Stephen says that innovation has revolutionised the business, with the company's motto ‘Can do. Will do’ representing more than mere marketing. The company's willingness to tackle challenging projects has become a hallmark of its service, particularly evident in complex undertakings such as the Manawatū Tararua Highway work. “We enjoy helping customers bring their ‘outside the box’ projects to life, using our wide range of resources and the expertise of a team experienced in handling unique transport and logistics challenges,” says Stephen. “Our distinctive way of working truly sets us apart, and we look forward to continuing to support our customers well into the future.” Booth’s Flat Decks on theMove NO ONE ELSE HAS BETTER INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE LOCALLY OWNED MOBILE SERVICE AVAILABLE MANUFACTURING, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE PHONE: 06 929 9098 | 90 AUSTIN STREET UNIT 3, ONEKAWA, NAPIER
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