| 17 T T Sue Russell Increasing demand drives company expansion Kuru Contracting’s Leanne and Ricky Kuru. Kuru Contracting REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT East Coast contracting business Kuru Contracting started life in 1997, with father and son Jack and Ricky Kuru. In 2012, Ricky and wife Leanne bought the company, driven by a vision to provide the very best quality products and services to the sectors its serves. Kuru Contracting would be one of the largest company operating, based on the East Coast. Day to day operations are overseen by director owner Ricky, who would rather be in a machine than the office on any given day. With a history that began with 25 years of Roadline logging, Kuru Contracting has been working in new and exciting spaces in more recent times. “We’ve expanded into other contracting roles including Civil, Quarrying, Heavy Haulage and Hiab Services, a workshop and garage and a Café, so there’s plenty of work happening which is great for our region,” says Ella Atkins, Executive Assistant and Manager. Kuru Contracting employees are all locals something she says is great for the region. While Rick is based in Tolaga Bay, wife Leanne supports their daughter’s Hawke’s Bay logging crew. The devastation left behind from Cyclones Gabrielle and Hale, increased works within the region, building roads repairing existing roads and bridges and removing debris (slash) from rivers. “At some point that work will come to an end. Funding was released in 2023 for the region under emergency works to get our “Regardless of the size and complexity of the project, we put the same effort in every time.” communities cleaned up.” Asked if there are issues finding enough staff across all the divisions of the company Ricky says what he has found is that people just turn up and knock on the door looking for work. It is very hard for outsider applicants to apply for work in the region due to the housing and accommodation crisis. Recently Ricky and Leanne have purchased Rewi Haulage, increasing rigs to their logging truck division. With Ricky and Leanne at the helm, carrying a vision to offer clients a comprehensive range of quality services, Ella says, Kuru Contracting is in a very good position to continue to grow well. “It’s about seizing opportunities as these arise. This is a demanding industry to be a part of but we have a very strong company culture that supports everyone to enjoy their work and do their best.” Among the company’s core competencies is proudly Being Maori, Investing in People and the Community. “Our aim is always to deliver the highest quality service to our valued customers. Regardless of the size and complexity of the project, we put the same effort in every time.” We specialise in: Forestry, Civil Road Construction & Maintenance, Aggregate Supply, Log & Aggregate Haulage and Heavy Haulage Transporting. James Kaiwai 021 049 7735 Project Management for: • Flood Recovery • Roading • Infrastructure Projects • Communications • Stakeholder Engagement • Contractor support 021 591 843 info@roadnoise.co.nz
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