42 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Baylis Bros T T Kim Newth 80 years of drilling in the Bay.... Baylis Bros’ services include well drilling, seismoelectric surveys to determine where best to drill. “It’s an absolutely amazing achievement for our family and our team, and worth celebrating. We have stayed resilient through the tough times and kept on going and that’s something we’re really proud of.” Little did Frank Baylis know what he was starting in 1946 when he volunteered his son, Richard, to help a local drilling contractor put in a well at the family property in Greenmeadows, Napier. Dick, as he was known, took to drilling like a fish to water and made it a family business. Eighty years later, Baylis Bros is thriving as an intergenerational drilling specialist in Hawke’s Bay, offering expertise in servicing and drilling wells and bores, as well as security and decommissioning. Baylis Bros Director Anna Baylis is the fourth generation in her family to be involved with the iconic well drilling business. Her parents, Russell and Lynette, took it over in the 1990s. Anna grew up on the family farm on Puketitiri Rd, where the company’s modern yard and workshop is still based today. “I remember seeing Dad and his team heading out for jobs early in the morning — well drilling was part of daily life,” recalls Anna. “Reaching 80 years is a huge milestone for Baylis Bros. It’s an absolutely amazing achievement for our family and our team, and worth celebrating. “We have stayed resilient through the tough times and kept on going and that’s something we’re really proud of.” Anna’s partner Brad McCance is also a Napier local. The couple met in Australia but came home some 10 years ago to raise their family and step up as the next generation at Baylis Bros. Brad started off as a general hand and has since worked his way up to operations manager. He describes well drilling as a rewarding activity, with no two days the same. “It’s very satisfying to be able to go to a farm, and service or fix their water problem,” says Brad. “Every experience is different due to the different aquifers and different makeup of the ground from limestone to gravels. You might be drilling a new well one week and then the next job could be servicing a leaking bore or sorting out pumps. There’s a lot of variety.” He observes that their drilling rigs are purpose-built for the area they operate in and, compared to rigs of old, are very reliable and user-friendly. “Thumb injuries used to be quite common for drillers in days gone by, but safety is so much better now.” Anna agrees, noting that equipment is checked regularly, there are clear site procedures and staff are well-trained in all aspects of health and safety. Baylis Bros’ services include well drilling, seismoelectric surveys to determine where best to drill, well inspections, as well as bailing, slurping, pressure testing and gland testing to ensure bores and wells are functional and secure. The team can also decommission old bores. “We cover quite a wide area and even have a job coming up in Ōtaki, but most of our drilling work is in Hawke’s Bay servicing farming, horticulture, housing and local councils,” says Anna. Access to reliable water is an essential bedrock for the region’s farmers and growers. At 80, Baylis Bros’ experienced team continues to deliver for the region, keeping stock watered, crops growing and safe- guarding municipal water too. Proud to be supporting Baylis Brothers with smart, practical advice and accounting. We are committed to helping business enterprises thrive and succeed with Local experts Business-savvy solutions Personalised service www.bm.co.nz HAVELOCK NORTH 06 876 7159 WAIPUKURAU 06 857 8901 Tony Mossman, Nick Chrystall, Matt Rogers
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