26 | “We are your one-stop-shop for everything when you’re building your dream home – architects, builders and clients appreciate this.” T T Hugh de Lacy Demand for services drives growth Spark Metal Fabrication is heavily involved in earthquake strengthening of older buildings in the New Plymouth central business district. Taranaki: Spark Metal Fabrication REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT When a long spell working oil rigs in China and Australia started to lose its charm for Adam Leathem, he headed home to New Plymouth and set up his own sheet-metal and structural engineering company, Spark Metal Fabrication Ltd. That was eight years ago and, after working on his own for the first couple of years, then hiring his first tradesman, he’s grown the company to a staff of 12 highly-skilled tradesmen and apprentices, in the process outgrowing two sets of premises. Spark Metal Fabrication now operates out of an 800sqm workshop in New Plymouth’s Bell Block commercial sector. Adam went straight from high school at Francis Douglas College in New Plymouth to gaining an apprenticeship in Light Metal Fabrication with local engineering company SteelFab. After working at his trade for some years it was time for something completely different, and he started working in the local oil and gas industry. Before long he was off overseas for a couple of years each in China and Australia. Sick of working away all the time, he came home and established a company that has rapidly built a name for itself in a range of Taranaki industries. It works about equally in the residential and commercial construction sectors, with the homes they’re involved with mostly being architecturally designed, and their work ranging from custom sheet metal and structural steel to the fancy bespoke bits like staircases, handrails, fire-places and balustrades. “We are your one-stop-shop for everything when you’re building your dream home – architects, builders and clients appreciate this,” Adam says. In both the commercial and residential sectors Spark Metal Fabrication is meeting strong demand from roofing companies for custom-welded items. The company has also become heavily involved in earthquake strengthening of older buildings in the New Plymouth central business district. “We’re doing a couple of big straightening jobs at the moment, and we’ve completed many throughout the New Plymouth CBD over the years. “It’s become a big thing for us, and we’ve earned a good name for ourselves now,” he says. Also in the commercial building sector, the company does a lot of structural steel work on large commercial workshops and sheds for a number of established local companies. Maintenance/mechanical/breakdown services are another facet of Spark Metal, especially in the field of custom machinery. Taranaki’s oil and gas industry continues to need the company’s services, with Adam’s years of off-shore knowledge and experience helping Spark Metal win work with national and international companies. As a former apprentice himself, Adam knows how important it is to bring on new trained staff, and Spark Metal currently employs no fewer than five apprentices doing their time in Heavy and Light Metal Fabrication. “They’re not just sweeping floors,” Adam says. “We involve them in everything right from the start: we throw them in the deep end and make sure they learn from the get-go. “We give them the best guidance and advice so they become great tradesmen. “I tell them all the time: if you’re not sure, just ask.” Fineline Services offer manufacturing solutions to clients across New Zealand. • Specializing in the supply and processing of certified specialty plate such as boiler, high tensile and wear plates. • ISO 9001 Certified. • SGS accredited, which allows Fineline to transfer heat numbers and stamp for your design verified projects. • Our experienced design and programming team excel in resolving any design and processing challenges you may have. TARANAKI’S ONE-STOP STEEL PROFILE CUTTING FORMING & MACHINING SHOP • CNC Plasma & Gas Cutting, Beveling, & Drilling • 2D & 3D CAD Design Services • Laser Cutting • SGS Approved Heat Transfer • Plate Beveling & Weld Preparation • CNC Press Braking • CNC Plate Rolling • Sectional Rolling • MIG and TIG Welding • Full CNC Machine Shop Contact Us: 06 755 1691 admin@fineline-services.co.nz www.finelineservices.co.nz ISO 9001 Certified
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