| 33 MB Century ENERGY At the forefront of energy solutions T Sue Russell MB Century operate New Zealand’s only dedicated geothermal drilling rig. We are proud to be a preferred supplier to MB Century providing medium to large scale machining and Metallizing capabilities, ensuring quality and completion times are meet, over multilpe Hydro and Geothermal projects. Holster Engineering Co (2003) Ltd Management and Sta would like to congratulate MB Century on winning NZs most innovative hi-tech business award. Lloyds Approved Metallizing Specialists www.holsters.co.nz General & Precision Engineers 65 Matai St P 07 378 6067 W eandj.nz SPECIALISING IN • House Drainage • Civil & Commercial • Sewer • Stormwater • Soakholes E & J Contractors are proud to be associated with MB Century • Water Reticulation • Butt & Fusion Welding • Wastewater Treatment Systems • Fibreglass Jointing & Fabrication • Pump Stations “We are excited to be a key part of New Zealand’s renewable energy journey.” Greg Thompson is the CEO of energy solutions business MB Century, based at Wairakei, just north of Taupo. The company’s heritage extends back to the days when, from the 1950’s through to 1987, it functioned as the Ministry of Works and Development. Until 1996, the company was known as Works Geothermal Ltd, still fully owned by the NZ Government and responsible for all power development in the Geothermal industry. Then, through a period when many Government entities were transferred into private ownership, the company was purchased by Downers Energy Services Ltd, trading as Century Resources, from 1999 through to 2010. Another change of ownership in 2010, by MB Holdings of Oman links the business to the name it has today. In 2015, Tuaropaki Trust bought MB Century, recognising the merit in owning a company that had the people and resources and strategic to deliver long-lasting and sustainable outcomes. Today MB Century employs 150 people across its design, engineering, manufacturing and production divisions and is led by a team of experienced energy professionals. “We are a nicely diversified business now, with great assets and workshop facilities to provide services to the industry and energy sector. “We own and operate NZ’s only dedicated geothermal drilling rig, well integrity surveys and facilities for construction and maintenance services that supplies the wider energy sector here and overseas. We’re driven by a strong strategic direction that reflect our values and culture,” Greg explains. Underpinning the various arms of activity within MB Century are three core values. Pono, doing the right thing, Aroha, reflecting care, empathy and respect in its business dealings and Kaitiakitanga, expresses the responsibility we have to do everything in our power to protect the environment And with a view very much looking to the future and enhancing technology to do things smarter, MB Century’s engineers and researchers have developed a technology that assesses the structural integrity of a geothermal well, by taking an electro-magnetic view, looking for corrosion in the well structured that could impede carrying the steam to the surface. The Multi-Finger High Temperature Casing Calliper (MF-HTCC) was developed and manufacture in NZ and now doing surveys globally. The development of the tool recently won an award at the NZ Hi-Tech Awards. Greg’s association with Tuaropaki Trust extends back to his role as Operations Manager for their energy portfolio. Now in his role as MB Century’s CEO, Greg’s intent on securing a strategic pathway built around the core principles of sustainability. “We’re about providing employment opportunities for the next generation who are passionate about the energy sector today and who want to learn and then contribute their skill-set into improving outcomes for the environment and the community we engage with.” “Renewable energy is on a growth path and MB Century is positioning itself to be a partner of choice to the energy sector to deliver a reliable and sustainable future”. MB Century is engaged by Contact Energy to supply all the drilling services for its new Tauhara Station. So far, MB Century has drilled six wells and the drilling could continue for another 6 months. There’s also been investment into turbine service capability, and capital directed to MB Century’s fabrication and machine shop. “We’re also doubling our capacity for our Industrial Coatings division and we’re targeting training investment in internships and bringing apprentices through to fulfil demand for our services in the future.” MB Century was engaged by Tuaropaki Trust and Obayashi to build New Zealand’s first green hydrogen energy generation plant in Taupo and has recently tendered for another hydrogen project. “We are excited to be a key part of New Zealand’s renewable energy journey.” Greg’s also proud of the company’s track-record in retaining highly skilled employees for the bulk, if not all, their working life. “Wendy, our HR Manager has been with us for 40 years, a recently retired employee was here for 55 years. “One of our design engineers started here in 1986 and is developing the next generation of designers by sharing his experience and knowledge.” The bulk of MB Century’s facilities are located at Wairakei but there is a satellite office in Hamilton and 8 staff stationed in the Philippines where the company is involved in geothermal well data logging. Giving back to its community is an important goal and MB Century has supported developments such as the Lake Taupo swimming event and assisted with funding school netball uniforms. “We see ourselves very much as being a business of this community and I feel that what really gives us our edge are the people in the company; all passionate about the energy sector, innovative thinkers, who love working in this company and adding value to it.”
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