46 | Tackling the big jobs Earthwork Solutions has been the lead contractor building the Waipaoa Flood Control project for the Gisborne District Council. Hawke’s Bay: Earthwork Solutions T T Richard Loader REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Matt Mead, managing director of Gisborne-based Earthwork Solutions, likes to tell people his company plays the long game – hence it has been engaged in some of the region’s major civil projects since its foundation in 2007. “Over the years we’ve been involved in a lot of major infrastructure projects in Gisborne and that comes down to being easy to work with,” says Matt. “You earn that trust and respect to be involved in these projects, and we’re proud of that. People want to work with us because they know we will do a good job.” For the last five years, Earthwork Solutions has been the lead contractor building the Waipaoa Flood Control project for the Gisborne District Council. “That’s the main stop-bank protecting Gisborne, and a fairly high-profile project,” Matt explains. “After Gabrielle, the water supply was cut off to Gisborne and we were also one of the contractors selected to repair breaks in the pipeline from the dams all the way into town. That was quite a large task and we are still repairing bits of that. “We also do a lot of emergency roading work, including drop-out repairs where slips have reduced the road down to one lane and needs to be rebuilt. If a big event happens, like Cyclone Gabrielle, we’re one of the contractors selected to open up roads and access to remote places. We also do a lot of river stabilisation/rock placement work.” As well as undertaking projects for the Gisborne District Council, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Tier 1 contractors, Earthwork Solutions has built trusted relationships with commercial and residential developers. “One of the main projects we did in the last couple of years was Oakview, one of the largest residential developments in Gisborne. “ We were the lead contractor on that project and did all the earthworks, drainage infrastructure, and roading. We were also the lead contractor for the 18.5-hectare Aerodrome Business Park, which was one of Gisborne’s largest commercial developments in the last decade or so.” Over the last 17 years, Matt has grown the business to a team of 25, complemented with an extensive range of modern machinery and vehicles. “We look after a lot of families in the region and I have a very stable crew with very high staff retention. We have people who have been with us seven, eight, nine and 10 years, so there’s a lot of experience in the team. If people leave, it’s generally to go out of town or overseas. Part of that retention is finding a work/life balance that people want these days so that they have family time. I’m also on the East Coast CCNZ Committee and have been for a number of years. That is all part of giving back to the industry and trying to improve the industry for everyone.” Reflecting on the success of Earthwork Solutions, Matt has no doubt that it is the team, the company values of being good people to work with, and investing profits back into the equipment. Driving Earthmoving Excellence. 0800 990 014 www.powerandearth.com info@powerandearth.com Tractors Earthmoving Agriculture Proud to support Earthwork Solut ons • Truck Hire • Truck Sales • Equipment Rental Proudly supporting Earthwork Solutions quotes@cvh.co.nz 0800 284 4473
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