72 | TRANSPORT Bascik Transport / Calder Stewart T T Russell Fredric New depot key part of national link Since mid-2025, Bascik has established eight new North Island depots, extending its reach beyond its South Island roots and supporting a fleet now exceeding 400 vehicles across metro, regional and linehaul work. • Structural Engineering • Civil Engineering • Industrial and Commercial Building Design Specialists www.engenium.co.nz | +64 3 366 0434 Proud to support Bascik Transport & Calder Stewart “We made the move to go nationwide. Previously we were concentrating on Auckland to the South Island, and this changes our model to cover the whole country.” A new purpose-built depot in Palmerston North is set to anchor Bascik Transport’s shift to a nationwide freight model. For a company with more than 55 years in freight and logistics, the move marks a clear step beyond its traditional focus. Its expansion into the North Island gathered pace during 2025, driven by new regional demand and the acquisition of Jets Transport, which brought established depots in Wellington and Palmerston North into the business. Bascik Transport general manager Owain Davies says the new depot reflects both that expansion and a deliberate push to streamline how the company operates, with its presence in the North Island quickly finding favour and generating significant new business. “We made the move to go nationwide. Previously we were concentrating on Auckland to the South Island, and this changes our model to cover the whole country.” The Palmerston North site provided immediate capability, but limitations in layout and age quickly became apparent, particularly around flow, internal columns in the depot and constrained yard movement. “We like to own our own buildings and have them purposely built to suit our needs.” The new facility at Kelvin Grove has been developed using a standardised model refined across multiple sites, shaped by years of operational experience and a focus on practical performance across busy freight yards. A one-way traffic system wraps around the building, separating entry and exit points to reduce congestion and risk, while allowing trucks to move through the site efficiently. Covered breezeways and canopy loading zones support consistent freight handling in all conditions, while also improving safety and visibility for staff working across the yard. “We have an in and an out that runs right around the building. It’s a one-way system that takes a lot of risk away.” Construction began in early February and is tracking toward completion in late June, with the project now near completion. Long-term partner Calder Stewart is delivering the build, continuing a relationship shaped by familiarity with Bascik’s requirements and operating style. “They know what we want and how we want it to look. We can look over the design, shift things around, and they’re flexible enough to make it work.” That working relationship has allowed practical design elements — including turning circles, yard layout and loading access — to be resolved early, ensuring the site functions as intended once operational. From a strategic perspective, the Palmerston North depot functions as a transit hub for all freight travelling from the South Island, providing onward service to the New Plymouth and Napier depots. The depot also supports a substantial catchment spanning National Park to Patea and surrounding districts through to Levin. “This site is about giving us the capacity to grow further.” Plans are also in place to secure MPI accreditation, enabling import containers to be unpacked directly on site, adding another layer of capability. The Palmerston North build sits within a broader period of rapid expansion. Since mid-2025, Bascik has established eight new North Island depots, extending its reach beyond its South Island roots and supporting a fleet now exceeding 400 vehicles across metro, regional and linehaul work. Alongside that growth, investment in people, training and systems has continued, helping maintain service consistency as volumes increase and new regions come online.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=