28 | Family firm with proud track record Whanganui civil engineering company Loaders has clocked up over 60 successful years in business. Whanganui: ID Loader Ltd REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T Karen Phelps Whanganui civil engineering company Loaders is proud to be a locally family owned and operated business. Three generations have been involved and company director Hayden Loader says that this makes a real difference to long-term clients such as Whanganui District Council. “The value of integrity we have as a family business has continued for over 60 years. In any business relationships are key and we know the people at council and they know they can rely on us. “There is a high level of trust. They know the quality of work we deliver and that we stand behind it. Longevity, consistency and security are vital. Our clients have the reassurance we are there for the long term.” The business was started in Whanganui by Ian Loader in 1954 and was predominantly based around bulldozer work for the local district. I D Loader Ltd was formed as a company in 1963 and, other than a few years working from a large back yard at home, has been based at 172 Ridgway Street in Whanganui. The ownership of the company has changed through the generations and is now owned by three of Ian’s grandsons – Hayden, Matthew and Justin. Matthew is contracts administrator and cousin Justin is contracts manager. Hayden takes on the role of tender manager. The company employs around 60 staff making it a major employer for the region. It’s a role that Loaders does not take lightly, says Hayden, and it is focused on offering people opportunities. Some staff has clocked up 20-30 years with the company with one even working for Loaders for over 50 years. “We invest heavily in our people and are committed to help them grow. Good career pathways are important to attract and retain the right people,” he says. In fact it is only the shortage of workers that is inhibiting further company growth. Hayden says Loaders takes people from no skills in the industry and trains them up. This helps people to enter a great career and also means Loaders can train people in the right way to ensure the top-notch quality it has a reputation for continues. The company is Site Safe accredited and has ISO accreditation for quality, environmental and health and safety. The company is a member of Civil Contractors New Zealand. Investing heavily in plant is also important to maintain quality standards and consistency. The company has a full range of trucks, diggers, utes, graders and hydro excavators including GPS controlled machinery for greater accuracy and efficiency. Loaders carries out most of its work for local authorities. Whanganui District Council is its main source of work but it also does a fair amount for the Rangitikei and Manawatu District Councils as well. It also works as a subcontractor on bigger projects for contractors including Downer and Higgins. Clients also include NZTA, several commercial and residential builders and the residents of Whanganui. “While deep drainage and roading is core to what we do we are also involved in water reticulation, building site works, retaining walls, subdivision development, aggregate supply, machinery transport, traffic management, hydro excavation, forestry roading and machine hire,” explains Hayden. Over the years Loaders has worked on numerous projects around the region and beyond. For example after the Christchurch earthquakes it headed south to help out with a large team based there for many years rebuilding sewer networks through the SCIRT alliance. A local project of note was rebuilding a section of a major retaining wall on Anzac Parade Whanganui when it was washed away during a flood in 2015 affecting a section of state highway 4. The cost of the rebuild was $9m and Hayden says it is not uncommon for Loaders to have to respond to emergency situations that require quick repairs. At present Loaders is working on a stormwater project for Whanganui District Council and a 36-lot subdivision. Hayden says the region is undergoing a lot of development at present keeping Loaders busy. “Longevity, consistency and security are vital. Our clients have the reassurance we are there for the long term.” Pleased to supply hire equipment to ID Loader
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