Business Central February 2021

68 | Waikato Steel Fabricators MANUFACTURING Firm goes from strength to strength Sue Russell Leonie and Gary Lightfoot - forging a reputation in steel. 14 Manchester Place, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3241 Ph: 07 850 0120 Fx: 07 850 0129 Email: pmp@perry.co.nz We’ve got you covered Your Complete service provider for all of your Grating and Hot Dip Galvanising requirements The reassurance of protection both inside and out Perry Metal Protection has been strengthening steel through Hot Dip Galvanizing (HDG) in New Zealand since the early 1970’s. With Operations in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, and Christchurch Perry Metal comprehensive galvanizing service in New Zealand Hamilton Galvanizing Facility The zinc bath dimensions are 9.5m long by 1.6m wide by 2.5m deep These dimensions enable steel items up to 9.5m in length to be single dipped or up to 18m in length to be double end-dipped e. admin@sqa.co.nz p. 03 381 1670 m. 021 941 860 Consultancy Services Materal conformance reportng Fabrcator thrd party audts Weld procedure development Welder qualfcaton testng Procedure qualfcaton testng Weldng nspecton Inspection Services Structural steel nspecton QA programme development Thrd party nspecton Qualty assurance Rope access nspecton Hull thckness surveys NDT Services Radography Ultrasonc testng Magnetc partcle nspecton Lqud penetrant nspecton Eddy current testng Remote vsual nspecton W aikato Steel Fabricators (WSF) has gone from strength to strength since it was established by Gary and Leonie Lightfoot in 1990 - adapting to market developments and introducing new capabail- ities. “We started the business up after the recession of the 80’s and we soon realised we had to develop really great systems and surround ourselves with exceptional staff to survive,” Gary says. About 12 years ago the company intro- duced stainless engineering alongside the metalwork part of the company, then in 2015, D & H Steel Construction Ltd came into a 51% shareholding partnership which gave Waikato Steel Fabricators additional capacity, enabling much larger projects to be taken on. Gary says this partnership has enabled WSF to invest in developing the company to be- come more efficient by redesigning the work - shop and yard cranage. About 12 years ago the company introduced stainless engineering alongside the metalwork part of the company Sitting in the office with Gary, discussing the company today, is Commercial Manag- er, Tertius Terblanche, who joined WSF as a Quantity Surveyor in 2012. He thrives on the opportunities to engage with clients, negotiate contracts and pursue new business. He also oversees the company’s QS and Estimating office. After several moves Waikato Steel Fabricators relocated into its purpose-built premises in Riverlea Road, Hamilton in 2001. “Due to the fact the structural steel trade is quite specialised, it is very important to have the right calibre of employees that possess the right attributes to do the job. Finding these team members is not always easy and is an ongoing challenge,” Tertius says. Consequently, there’s a strong historical commitment to take on apprentices, with an- ywhere up to seven on board at any one time, across all disciplines within the company. Key to the company’s success has been an ability to provide clients with an end-to- end offering, specialising in structural, mild and stainless-steel fabrication and seismic strengthening work, servicing industrial, commercial and residential sectors. While there are many other businesses working in steel fabrication that outsource some of the work, WSF has a complete in-house suite of allied disciplines, from design, shop drawings, fabrication, surface treatment and erection, making it a one-stop shop for clients to utilise. Current major projects the company is working on include the University of Waikato’s The Pā Project, which will extend well into this year. “We are subcontracted to Hawkins Con- struction to supply and erect all of the struc- tural steel as well as erecting all of the Glulam Structure in conjunction with the structural steel,” Tertius explains. Being in an industry where you are con- stantly working to deadlines brings out the best in the team and Tertius is clear about what makes the company tick. “We all know the most important person in the company is the client and they come to us often with the more challenging projects.” Waikato Steel Fabricators is proud to be a SFC Certified Steel Fabricator to Construction Category 3, and as such, is audited each year, to ensure the capability of the company’s fabrication and welding. “This status enables clients, engineers and contractors to distinguish between profes- sional and backyard structural fabricators,” says Gary. Balancing the fast pace, technical exper- tise and robust nature of work required the company still encourages a strong team and family culture. A big family day is held each year for all staff and their family members to attend. Here - in between food, fun and laughter - they get to know each other better and enjoy some ‘down-time’.