Volume 7 | Issue 6 | October 2022 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Pedal Power Ecotricity’s bid to do its best to shape a better and cleaner New Zealand also extends to its staff… T Page 26
2 | Contents 56| Sweet success The True Honey Company is tapping into remote locations for its Mãnuka honey. 42| Tech solutions Global leader TOMRA’s New Zealand business is focused on developing packhouse automation systems. 98| 3D game changer 3D Concrete Printing will offer builders a completely different way of construction. 42 98 56 These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Company and its clients. Advertising is charged for on the basis of space taken up using a standard tabloid page. Actual space may be reduced during the printing process but this will effect all advertisers equally so no credit will be given for any reduction in size due to processing. The Company reserves the right to alter, change or omit entirely any advertisement or article that it considers to be objectionable or which may contravene any law. In the event of a failure on the part of the Company to insert advertising as instructed the Company may publish the advertisement at the first available subsequent reasonable date unless the advertisement features date sensitive material. Every care shall be taken to publish the advertisement in accordance with the advertisers instructions as to page and position but the Company reserves the right for whatever reason to place advertising in a different position and in doing so shall incur no liability whatsoever. Advertisers must advise Business South immediately of any error or omission in advertisements and shall work constructively to remedy the situation which in the first instance shall be a rerun of the corrected advertisement in the next available issue of Business South. Where advertisement proofs have been faxed or mailed to the client 48 hours prior to the nominated printing cutoff time acquiesce shall be taken as confirmation and acceptance. Corrections made by telephone shall be accepted but the Company reserves the right to decide whether a further proof should be faxed or mailed to the client. Accounts for advertising are due for payment within seven days of publication of the newspaper. Accounts not paid within this time may incur a penalty of 3% per month until the account is paid. Any debt collection costs incurred by the Company will be added to the account of the debtor. Views and opinions expressed in Business South are not necessarily those of the editors, Waterford Press Ltd or publisher. Business South welcomes contributions from freelance writers & journalists. All articles published at editors discretion. Business South accepts no responsibilty for loss of photos or manuscripts. #businesscentral #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz Taranaki Chamber of Commerce.............................................03 Beach Energy..............................................................................04 Symons Group............................................................................07 BTW..............................................................................................08 Pace Engineering........................................................................10 Van Dyck Fine Foods..................................................................12 BOON ..........................................................................................14 Agtrans ........................................................................................17 WellingtonNZ..............................................................................18 Whittaker’s .................................................................................19 Taylor Preston ............................................................................24 Gilmours Wellington..................................................................25 Ecotricity......................................................................................26 Kenai............................................................................................27 Rangtikei District Council ..........................................................30 GHD .............................................................................................32 Feilding Health Care ..................................................................33 AFFCO Manawatū ......................................................................34 Excel Refrigeration.....................................................................38 Property Brokers........................................................................39 Central Demolition.....................................................................40 TOMRA ........................................................................................42 Freshmax Group ........................................................................50 McCain Hawke’s Bay ..................................................................53 Whiritoa Orchards .....................................................................54 Southern Belle Orchard ............................................................55 The True Honey Company ........................................................56 NME Group .................................................................................58 NZ Louvres..................................................................................61 Valintine Logging........................................................................62 Prestige Roofing ........................................................................63 Brentwood Transport ................................................................64 First National New Plymouth....................................................66 Quest Lambton Quay ................................................................68 Three Line Studio.......................................................................69 Parsonson Architects.................................................................70 MAC Architecture .......................................................................72 Integrating Architecture ............................................................73 Architecture & Interiors.............................................................74 Keyway Construction.................................................................76 CJW Build.....................................................................................79 Hardy Construction ...................................................................80 Landmark Homes Taupo/Hawke’s Bay ...................................82 Kelvin Lalich Builders.................................................................84 Shane Stone Builders ................................................................86 Smith & Sons Builders Hamilton.............................................89 Sunnycourt Homes ....................................................................90 Hawke’s Bay Homes ..................................................................93 Compac Homes..........................................................................94 Platinum Homes Waikato .........................................................96 Iconic Construction....................................................................98 David Reid Homes Taupo .........................................................99 Coast NZ Construction ........................................................... 100 Mayfair Pools Taupo/Rotorua ............................................... 101 Taradale High School.............................................................. 102 Southwell School..................................................................... 103 Bluestar Ltd ............................................................................. 104 OUR PARTNERS: Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 PO Box 2581, Wakatipu MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Nick Gormack nick@waterfordpress.co.nz Sub-editors Paul Mein, Randall Johnston Journalists Ange Davidson, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Russell Fredric, Rachel Graham, Richard Loader, Kim Newth, Sue Russell, Karen Phelps, Virginia Wright RESEARCH & MARKETING James Anderson, Sam Dart, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Chris McPhee, Colin Morais, Annie Patrick, Chris 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| 3 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Innovation fuelling Taranaki growth Kim Newth Business high achievers are regularly celebrated at Top Shop and Business Excellence awards, while a local business showcase event attracted 72 participants this year. Looking back over the past few years, Taranaki Chamber of Commerce chief executive Arun Chaudhari is proud of how New Plymouth businesses and the wider community pulled together to get through the Covid pandemic. It was tough at the start, particularly on New Plymouth’s large industrial area, Bell Block, where some 150 people were laid off from engineering and service businesses in the first few months of the pandemic. Responding quickly to help affected people get back into work, the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce together with the Ministry of Social Development, launched a skills and jobs hub at Bell Block called the Chamber Hub. “In the first eight months we were helping one person every three days to be placed in full-time employment – it was a high success rate,” says Arun, noting that another similar hub was also successfully established in Hāwera with a focus on assisting at risk rangatahi. The important role played by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce in providing timely and relevant communication to help steer the region’s business community through lockdowns was acknowledged last year when Arun was nominated for the Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year 2021. Local businesses were actively kept informed of opportunities and financial assistance available to them, including for training, (through programmes such as Mana in Mahi – Strength in Work). “Our team called every single member to check on how they were doing and how we could help them and people really appreciated us reaching out in that way.” Recognising the impact of the pandemic on people’s resilience, Taranaki Chamber of Commerce ran two wellbeing conferences, one last year and the latest one in September 2022, both very well-received. Taranaki businesses are doing much better now that Aotearoa New Zealand is moving on from Covid. Business high achievers are regularly celebrated at Top Shop and Business Excellence awards, and a local business showcase event attracted 72 participants this year. Growth industries in the region include the energy sector and tourism. In the past, Taranaki’s oil and gas resources have been pivotal to the strength of the region’s economy. Arun says alternative forms of energy are now being developed with Taranaki’s Future Energy Centre – Ara Ake – pointing the way to a more sustainable future. “Taranaki is leading the country with hydrogen and is actively investigating how to make a just transition to a low emissions economy for employees in the energy industry and other related services.” With borders open again, the local tourism sector is very busy. Arun says that is due in part to Kiwis coming home from overseas, reflected too in the region’s buoyant new housing market. “We’re also seeing people leaving the bigger cities due to the higher costs of living there and finding that New Plymouth is a great place to live. It all adds impetus to regional growth.” New Plymouth was named the world’s most liveable city (for a population between 75,000 and 150,000) last year. It is also something of an entertainment capital, hosting the iconic WOMAD festival, the American classic car extravaganza AmeriCARna along with big touring acts at the Bowl of Brooklands. Visitors enjoy exploring the Len Lye Centre, renowned for experimental film and kinetic art, along with the adjoining Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. Te Huanui Takutai Coastal Walkway is another key attraction. This award-winning coastal walkway is a 13.2km sea-edge promenade stretching from Pioneer Park at Port Taranaki all the way to the eastern side of Bell Block Beach. Along with new roading and infrastructure investment, exciting new projects planned for the region include Stratford Park, a unique multi-events facility comprising of motorsport, equestrian, education, community and events facilities; and Destination Play, set to transform New Plymouth’s Kāwaroa Park for all ages to play, enjoy and explore. Entertainment capital: New Plymouth hosts the iconic WOMAD festival, while the Len Lye Centre, right, is renowned for experimental film and kinetic art.
4 | Major player committed to region Sue Russell to page 6 Taranaki: Beach Energy REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Brian Baker Instrumentation Services Limited is a local Taranaki contractor specialising in: General Instrumentation, Electrical and Electronic Installation and Maintenance | Fiscal Metering Services Instrumentation and Electrical Planning Services | Project Management | Hazardous Area Electrical Inspections Plant Shutdown and Start Up Maintenance | Plant Commissioning | Control Valve Servicing 0800 865 799 | www.bbisl.co.nz Beach Energy NZ Country Manager, Mat Quinn, and General Manager Operations, along with Vicki Meijer share a huge commitment to bring real value to the Taranaki region, in which the company operates. Mat has been with the oil and gas production company since 2018. “I joined Origin Energy in Australia in 2005, so when it decided to divest its upstream operations enabling Beach Energy to acquire the Taranaki basin assets, that was the perfect time for me to move home” Mat says. Vicki has been with Beach since they acquired the assets, having joined Origin in 2010. In Taranaki, those assets include the Kupe Production Station, Kupe Well Head Platform, and the Kupe Omata Tank Farm in New Plymouth. New developments are afoot, as Beach Energy works through the numerous environmental, regulator, and consultative processes, to bring to fruition the second stage of extending its natural gas reserves; a development always intended when Origin secured Petroleum Mining Licence (PML 38146). The licence consists of three production wells up to 3.8 kilometres in depth as well as the Kupe platform, covering an area extending some 115,000 square kilometres, all of which is offshore within the Taranaki Basin. “When the original field development was conceived it was envisaged that half-way through the 25-30 year life of the project further capacity in the form of additional well(s) would be needed. The licence catered for this potential.” The Kupe wellhead is 30km offshore; an unmanned facility from where natural gas drawn from below the seabed is sent ashore to the Kupe Production Station for processing. Kupe is a significant player in New Zealand’s energy infrastructure, supplying at peak about 15 percent of New Zealand’s annual natural gas demand and 50 percent of this country’s LPG demand. Kupe also produces condensate (a light oil) for export into the global market. Before any wells are drilled another project, the installation of a $72 million electrically driven centrifugal inlet compressor at KPS was needed to effectively lower the pressure of the field. The compressor was successfully brought online in 2021 and has run reliably since being started.
| 5 Taranaki: Beach Energy Beach Energy’s Taranaki assets include the Kupe Production Station, Kupe Well Head Platform, and the Kupe Omata Tank Farm in New Plymouth. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Instrument & Electrical • Automation & Controls • Field Service Solutions Proudly serving the Taranaki & New Zealand’s energy sectors for over 35 years Contact us on: Ph: 06 753 0333/2 Web: www.wells.co.nz Tamaki Group is proud to be New Zealand's first 100% Māori owned medical wholesale supply company. We manufacture high-quality medical devices suitable for high-need PPE applications across medical and industrial fields, and supply both locally and internationally. www.tamakigroup.com Your Trusted Medical Supply Partner 06 759 8999 mccomms.co.nz At MC Communications, we are proud to partner with Beach Energy and to supply themwith our wide range of Motorola award-winning communications products and services, both on and offshore. PROUD SUPPLIERS TO 28+ Years ------------------- of Making it Happen BEACH ENERGY
6 | Making a difference in Taranaki Beach Energy is a major employer in the Taranaki region. from page 4 Taranaki: Beach Energy REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Envirohaz Limited is proud to provide Hazardous Substance Compliance Certification to Beach Energy. Hazardous Substances CERTIFICATION | SITE ASSESSMENT TRAINING | CONSULTANCY Envirohaz Limited, 69h Taupo Quay, Whanganui 4500 | (06) 345 6999 | info@envirohaz.co.nz | www.envirohaz.co.nz EnviroHaz Ltd PO Box 4149 Wanganui Ph: 0274 436 938 Fax: 06-343 8016 A/hrs: 06-343 8018 Email: tony@envirohaz.co.nz 0800 267 347 www.coregroup.co.nz Helping to ensure the safety of Taranaki's pipelines and our community • Easement Management • Pipeline Integrity Engineering • Project Management • GIS Services At the frontier of Energy & Marine For the complete range of specialist recruitment and HR services in the Energy and Marine industries NZ OFFICE - NEW PLYMOUTH L3, 2 Devon St. East, New Plymouth 4310 | +64 6 757 6300 newplymouth@atlasprofessionals.co.nz The compressor extends the field life by approximately 9 years and has more than doubles Kupe’s 2P developed reserves accessible from existing wells And while working through all the requirements to gain a Marine Discharge Consent, and gain regulatory approvals from the Environmental Protection Authority, another dimension of engagement with local Iwi and hapū, and the wider community is occupying much attention for Mat and Vicki at this time. “A key input in the Marine Discharge Consent is a cultural assessment and we’ve been fortunate to have three groups, Te Runanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust, Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust and Ngāti Manuhiakai hapū, each bringing their own cultural perspectives and questions to engage with us around,” says Vicki. The consenting meeting affords these groups an opportunity to reflect their own personal views. These relationships were formed long before this engagement process, Vicki says, long before any plan was created, and communication with stakeholder groups has continued throughout the consenting phase. “We understand that their opinions are of great value and are so important as we work through the consenting processes. We place great importance on open, transparent engagement with the community, so that we all travel the course together.” Essentially this engagement allows for the project to be co-designed and for ownership of it to extend beyond the business model. “We have to think more holistically about this engagement. This project is important, but so will the next one be. Iwi and hapū will be here forever, and we need to make sure we’re in a position to have trusted and respectful conversations with them,” Vicki says. Drilling is expected to get underway next year when the marine consent approvals have been granted. And just as important as the physical project ahead, the long-term relationships and engagement with the community has created and is continuing to create lasting benefits for Taranaki people. “We support the Rodrigue Hope Trust initiatives which assist the growing number of homeless in Taranaki, and their Ready to Rent education programme. “Our attitude to supporting this community is not to just hand-out money and step back but to work together,” Mat says. “We work with small lower decile schools that are always struggling to create meaningful opportunities for their student.” It’s evident from the conversation with Mat and Vicki that their commitment to the Taranaki community and to Beach Energy significantly supporting the local economy as a major employer and through engagement with contractors, runs much deeper than simply a commercial endeavour. Beach Energy’s website carries information of the intended Kupe Phase 2 development and inputs from Iwi and hapū and other contributors to the Marine Discharge Consent application are publicly available from the EPA website.
| 7 The stamp of success Sue Russell Community driven: Symons Group General manager, Dean Eggers, left, with company founders Graham and Jill Symons. Taranaki: Symons Group REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Beginning as Symons Transport back in 1984 working from a small farm shed with one truck Symons Group, as it is now known, has grown into one of Taranaki’s most successful and essential businesses. Through hard-work and years of successfully evolving related businesses and activities today the company - founded by Graham and Jill Symons - scales four divisions; Transport, Energy, Property and Waste Remediation Services. Group General Manager, Dean Eggers, describes the company’s core strengths as being directly linked to its founding. “It’s an old-fashioned 100% owned family business. My passion is people and I’ve been with Symons now since April 2018, where it was facing some challenges. Because it has the diversity of activity and industry engagement that it does, it meant we could build on that foundation, once we established where the weaknesses were.” Dean says his key passion is people and getting to understand their issues and motivations helped strengthen company culture. Providing some clarity in leadership also helped steer it forward and today its building year on year. From its base as a transporting business growth has been enabled by grasping opportunities to add value for clients. As Dean puts it ‘transport is our soft entry into other sectors we offer services in’. “We have specialised fleet that allows us to carry just about anything in bulk movement, anywhere, from milk, water to wine in our food grade tanker fleet, dangerous goods, tippers, flat/step trailers, transporters and excavators, VIP transport, we’ve got the experience and know-how so the job gets done as efficiently as possible for our clients.” Servicing the needs of the Energy sector has been another major step forward in the evolution of the company. Since 2010, Symons Energy Hub has grown into a one-stop-shop for all energy sector needs, supplying and storing products that keep that industry ticking over and growing. Symons Institute of Transport has been the latest activity to open. “It offers Class 5 drivers who may not have the opportunity to gain valuable experiences and time behind the wheel as well as Class 4 drivers the chance to step up a grade, greatly improving both their enjoyment of driving and their chances of making a good career out of it.” Even for full Class 5 holders who have been some time away from driving, the four-week course provides lots of real-life experiences driving different types of trucks servicing an array of sectors. “The great thing about the programme is that the variety of driving experiences they have can help them gauge the type of transport-related work they want to concentrate on.” Dean says founding the institute was the company’s way of helping the general transport sector. Since August 2020, when the doors opened, the institute has put through about 25 students excluding its own staff and that has included some who have recently attained their permanent residency. “There’s been good diversity with male and female and cultural backgrounds.” Symons Group’s property portfolios are also beginning to grow. All based in Bell Block, it has developed over 15 design and build facilities for its clients, and a few development opportunities still exist. Dean’s keen to spread the message that anyone considering a move to the vibrant and opportunity-filled Taranaki area, and is looking for employment with a company with many elements to it, is welcome to make contact and discuss possibilities. “We’re really big on engaging in this community and creating opportunities. We support 80-odd families from the people we employ and they all have connections and activity in the wider-community.” Both Graham and Jill Symons are staunch supporters of the community and proud locals. The company supplies Inglewood High School with a 50-seater bus to enable students to get to school from the communities close to our Base here in Bell Block. Firmly settled in a region it loves, Symons Group is certainly contributing its fair share to the continued expansion and growth of a very special part of New Zealand.
8 | Taranaki: BTW Enabling growth with smart solutions Kim Newth BTW works on a wide range of land development projects from small subdivisions to large-scale developments. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT In Taranaki, BTW leads the way on ‘making it happen’ across a wide range of projects providing end-to-end specialist services that underpin regional growth and development. Innovation has been a hallmark of this company since it started in 1973. Continual investment in leading-edge tools and systems through the years has enabled BTW’s professional team to consistently deliver best fit, cost-efficient outcomes. “We’re a key project partner for local and central government along with land developers, including ‘Mum and Dad’ two-lot subdivisions through to large-scale 100- to 200-lot developments,” says Grant Aitken, BTW Managing Director. “As well, we work with iwi and hapū on Māori land asset development projects and do a wide variety of environmental work.” Augmenting their long-standing expertise in land and resource management, BTW regularly completes soil and water testing and other environmental assessments as required for projects seeking compliance with National Environmental Standards (NES). “While we’re testing the soil for contaminants, we may also be assessing it from a geotechnical perspective. Whatever our clients need for their subdivision or land development, we can guide them through the whole process and provide all the technical service and advice they need.” The full suite of services provided by BTW also includes surveying, mapping, civil and structural engineering, and 3D laser scanning, while UAV aerial survey services include LiDAR, and Wai Eye water services covering leak detection in water supplies, infiltration and inflow assessments in wastewater systems, and survey/calibrations in stormwater networks. Grant is a Taranaki local through and through, who says BTW’s willingness to innovate and use the latest technology to meet changing needs has been hugely beneficial for the region’s growth over the past 50 years. From having started as a company in an era when surveys at sea were needed to support development of the Māuigas field, BTW is now servicing clients developing wind, solar and hydrogen energy. “Whether you want to put in an offshore energy installation, a wind turbine or a hydrogen filling station, you will need professional survey and site testing services and guidance on consents to get your project moving. “This is where we excel, as our innovative and multidisciplinary approach means we can pivot to meet the unique demands of each and every new project.” Along with their offices in Ngāmotu / New Plymouth, BTW has offices in Kirikiriroa / Hamilton and Raglan, and expertise is routinely shared and exchanged between the regions. BTW’s combined staff of nearly 100 people is made up of professional surveyors, civil and structural engineers, planners, UAV pilots, environmental scientists, 3D scanning specialists, and BIM and GIS experts. For aspiring university students and new graduates, BTW offers attractive career pathways and a flexible workplace environment with ongoing professional development opportunities. “We often bring in surveying students over the summer and give them experience in the field across different disciplines. “There are a number of people in the company today who started out working here in the summer holidays and then carried on with us. We embrace diversity and reward hard work with flexibility that caters to our team’s active lifestyles.” Most staff in BTW’s New Plymouth office are local people who grew up in the area and are now giving back to Taranaki by bringing their specialist skills to bear on local projects. BTW’s team culture and approach is guided by six key principles: Kotahitanga – a culture of collaboration Ōhangatanga – empowering ownership Mataurana – knowledge and understanding Whanaungatanga – participation and connection Kaitiakitanga – guardianship Haumaru me te mohio – smart solutions start with smart systems. As well as making things happen on local projects, BTW gives back to the community in a wider sense through sponsorship of various ‘social good’ endeavours. BTW is also a key partner of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and actively supports its regional development goals.
| 9 Taranaki: BTW Services provided by BTW include surveying, mapping, civil and structural engineering, and 3D laser scanning. UAV aerial survey services include LiDAR, and Wai Eye water services including leak detection in water supplies, infiltration and inflow assessments in wastewater systems, and survey/calibrations in stormwater networks. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT · Tyres · Alignments · Balancing · Alloy Wheels · Farm Services 131 Powderham St, New Plymouth | P 06 757 5609 | E admin@nks.co.nz | www.nicholsonslawyers.co.nz Proud to provide legal services to BTW Company Ltd Commercial Law Property Law Rural Trusts & Asset Protection Civil Criminal Defence Employment Relationship Property Subdivisions
10 | Taranaki: Pace Engineering Specialists in engineering services Kim Newth REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT WE SPECIALISE IN CNC Profile Cutting CNC Waterjetting OUR SERVICES • Light Engineering • Machining • Signage/Panels/Gates • Corten Garden Art • Corten Planters/Braziers Kerry Suter: 022 398 6245 Yvonne Clark: 027 6787 822 Mark Clark: 027 4625 639 markclarkengineering@gmail.com www.metalcraftx.co.nz 234 Otaraoa Road R.D. 43, Waitara Known as New Zealand’s energy province, Taranaki’s powerhouse industries rely on specialist fabrication and machining services to support their productivity. Based in New Plymouth, Pace Engineering Ltd is proud to provide value-added engineering solutions for Taranaki as well as into the national and international arena. Formed in 1992 by Steve Day and two other founding directors, Pace Engineering is today owned by Steve and Debbie Day who took over full ownership of the company in 2002. Under their leadership, the company has significantly increased its capabilities, thanks to investment in additional workshop space and consistent reinvestment in new and specialist equipment. As well, comprehensive welding procedures, third party accreditations and quality management systems have been developed. Scott Richardson, who joined Pace Engineering as their operations manager last May, appreciates the company’s positive and professional workplace culture. “It’s great to be a part of a family-owned business like this, working with people who share similar life values, and knowing if there are any issues you can go straight to the owner to get it sorted,” says Scott. “We have a commitment to quality service, no matter the job, and an excellent reputation as an engineering contractor with a ‘can do’ attitude. Alongside our larger project work, we’re happy to do little jobs for local people who come to us for a $60 replacement part or a small repair.” The 63-strong workforce at Pace Engineering comprises an experienced and versatile multi-discipline trades team that also includes apprentices, reflecting a commitment to upskilling the next generation. The company has considerable expertise in repair and maintenance engineering and in large capacity and CNC machining, with additional capability in transport engineering. A foremost supplier to New Zealand’s metal extrusion plants, Pace Engineering is firmly embedded in such specialist activities as press removals, plant installations, retrofits, and maintenance of several 2500-tonne extrusion presses plus ancillary equipment used in both New Zealand and Australia. “Our machine shop has been a key factor in supporting this work, which is performed exclusively by Pace Engineering for the country’s five major extrusion plants. Refurbishing highly specialised components has been a mainstay of the machine shop for nearly 30 years, underpinning its growth through the years.” Pace Engineering has two fabrication workshops, one of which is used for quick response repairs and maintenance as well as skilled transport engineering compliance work. Regular customers include logistics companies, road transport owner/operators, local composite manufacturers, farmers, saw millers, rural contractors, animal feed mills, quarries, civil contractors and various walk-up clients. “This workshop also caters for non-ferrous materials that are fabricated, formed, and welded along with stainless steel and general sheet metal fabrication.”
| 11 Taranaki: Pace Engineering Pace Engineering has two fabrication workshops, one of which is used for quick response repairs and maintenance. The second is for larger and more complex projects that involve structural steel fabrication, pipe spooling, cutting and forming, and bespoke project development. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT kris@katerecoatings.co.nz 027 320 6932 New Plymouth 93a Katere Road Rope Access | Confined Space Industrial Tank Cleaning | Offshore Services Protective Coatings | Industrial Cleaning WE OFFER: Made in NZ since 1967. WELDWELL ELECTRODES ARE STILL MANUFACTURED RIGHT HERE IN NEW ZEALAND. The second fabrication workshop is for larger and more complex projects that involve structural steel fabrication, pipe spooling, cutting and forming, and bespoke project development. Pace Engineering has an excellent safety record, backed with a robust health and safety system and recent ISO 9001:2015 certifications. Pace Engineering is ready to respond when needed with a broad range of offsite support services available for manufacturers, transportation hubs, global chemical providers, energy generation companies and petrochemical plant and production sites around the region. The team appreciates how expensive downtime costs can be for industry and is ready to provide urgent, after-hours service if this is required. “We’re available 24/7 to respond to breakdowns and will work through the night if needed.” Scott rates flexibility as Pace Engineering’s strongest tool for adapting to global and national marketplace trends. “Our repairs and maintenance expertise continues to underpin our business strategies and our intellectual capital has enabled us to sly transition between production engineering, structural fabrication, specialist machining services, plant repairs and maintenance.”
12 | Taranaki: Van Dyck Fine Foods REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Thumbs up in Aussie for baked treats Kim Newth Van Dyck Fine Foods CEO Natalie Innes joined a trade mission to Australia led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. CentrePort – the port of choice for Central New Zealand CentrePort proudly supports Van Dyck Fine Foods Proud supplier to Van Dyck Fine Foods 0800 22 56 56 www.hardypackaging.co.nz | info@hardypackaging.co.nz Natural Sugars NZ Ltd: A major supplier to the food, beverage, Viticulture, Apiculture and Agriculture sectors. 100% NZ owned and operated, we source high quality ingredients, namely sugar and oil, from across the globe to New Zealand and export customers. L1, 56 Parnell Rd, Akld +64 9 377 7009 info@naturalsugars.co.nz www.naturalsugars.co.nz Founded in 1999 by Belgian immigrants Inge Vercammen and Marcel Naenen, Van Dyck Fine Foods is an award-winning market leader in the grocery and food service arena. With a focus on the Australian market, the large Taranaki business is on a fast growth trajectory. Hotplate baked to perfection in a fully automated plant at Bell Block in New Plymouth, Van Dyck Fine Foods’ products include light and fluffy pancakes and pikelets, sweet minis, savoury blinis and crepes. Fast frozen after baking for easy thaw-back, products are sold under the Van Dyck brand – Marcel’s Pancakes – as well as into private supermarket labels and other contract brands. The scale of production is impressive, with over 15 million pancakes a year being produced from just one of their production lines. Over the past two years, the company’s focus has shifted from being predominantly New Zealand to predominantly Australia. Van Dyck Fine Foods CEO Natalie Innes says this is not because the New Zealand market is underperforming. Far from it, as the company has achieved record sales in New Zealand over the last two months. “What we are seeing, though, is dramatic growth in sales in Australia. We have really turned a corner now to a point where Australia is our biggest market and there is a lot of further growth potential for us there too. Our mini product – petite pancakes, or pikelets, and blinis – are some of our higher sellers in Australia, where they’re a popular choice for school lunchboxes and for entertaining.” Natalie observes that NZ Trade & Enterprise has been pivotal to the company’s success in the Australian market by providing insightful market research, assistance in the digital space and other expertise that supports their growth strategy plans. In July, Natalie joined a trade mission to Australia led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and involving 31 leading New Zealand businesses. “It was the first time I’d been to Australia since Covid and it was a real boost to finally have those face-to-face meetings again with our distributors and customers there. The NZTE team did a great job of getting us up to speed with what was happening in Australia, what the future looks like and what we need to be thinking about going into that market.” Singapore and Taiwan are among other buoyant export markets for Van Dyck Fine Foods, with demand particularly strong for their grocery product. Natalie observes that the rise of Covid drove a massive transition in demand from food service into grocery across all their markets. “We were able to move fast and adapt to meet that changing demand. We now also see massive opportunity ahead as the food service side – cafes, hotels and catering - starts to find its feet again.” In New Zealand, the company has experienced strong growth in sales into the aged
| 13 Taranaki: Van Dyck Fine Foods REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Van Dyck Fine Foods’ products include light and fluffy pancakes and pikelets, sweet minis, savoury blinis and crepes. At MAURI we are all about ‘BAKING BETTER TOGETHER’. As a leading supplier of bakery ingredient solutions, MAURI offers a comprehensive portfolio of high quality flours, yeasts, grains, bread and cake pre-mixes, and improvers. At MAURI we believe in baking, its wholesome goodness and how it brings people together. www.mauri.co.nz Industrial | Commercial | Residential PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES ACROSS THE NORTH ISLAND ICEELECTRICALAREPROUDTOCONTINUESUPPORTINGVANDYCKFINEFOODS Your local flexible packaging partner Safe, Strong and Secure The company that specialises in all things packaging. In business and operating in a region near you for the last 70 years Proud supporters and suppliers to Van Dyck Fine Foods EC Attwood Ltd 2 Sir William Avenue East Tamaki, Auckland Phone 0800 ATTWOOD (0800 288966) sales@attwoods.co.nz www.attwoods.co.nz care sector and school lunch programmes, with their healthy product options such as fibre pikelets proving popular. It is easy to see the wider economic value of a business like this. Van Dyck Fine Foods is a large-scale business in Taranaki, employing a team of 60. While the plant is automated, the production roles require technical skills. Food quality standards are high and the company invests strongly in inhouse training. Regular auditing by BRC ensures international best practice is being achieved. “Our business is scaling up and so too are all the services to our business including maintenance and cleaning of equipment and machinery. “Everything we’re doing has tripled in size over the past four years and our capital expenditure on new machinery and equipment has gone up five-fold.” Natalie says the company has had excellent support and encouragement from Venture Taranaki and the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. “We have really good business networks in this region. Achieving growth is not easy – it’s tough – but it really helps if you have the right support around you. We’re all facing common issues around shipping and talent and thinking about our environmental impact.” At Van Dyck Fine Foods, waste is being reduced through recycling as much as possible and food waste is sent to a local pig farm. In a new chapter for Van Dyck, the company has had a recent change of ownership after being acquired by Oriens Capital. With the new owners firmly committed to New Zealand business growth, it is an exciting time for Van Dyck. “They will continue to invest in us and help us grow even faster.”
14 | Taranaki: BOON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ‘Enhancing the local’ in Taranaki Kim Newth BOON provides innovative solutions to complex design challenges, such as Green School NZ. to page 16 New Plymouth’s longest serving architectural practice, BOON, are a dynamic and engaged team of design thinkers, problem solvers and project managers working to create meaningful change and better communities. Founded in 1974, BOON and its people have made a significant contribution to Aotearoa’s built landscape. The practice has nurtured some of the country’s best architectural talent who have gone on to become leaders in their own right. In their home province, BOON supports many local industries, initiatives and events and has been a proud partner of the WOMAD - world of music, arts and dance - festival since its inception in2003. “We really missed this iconic festival in the past two years, so we can’t wait to be a part of it again in 2023,” observes Erin Wesley, BOON Operations Manager. Working across architecture, landscape and urban design, event, brand and way-finding, and event and site experience, BOON provides innovative solutions to complex design challenges. The 30-strong team works collaboratively with consultants, contractors and clients and is passionate about contributing to meaningful social and environmental change. “We know our role as designers is to provide spaces that improve the social, cultural, environmental and economic outcomes for our communities,” says BOON Director Glenn Brebner. “Enhancing the local is part of who we are.”
| 15 Taranaki: BOON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOON’s innovative team of design thinkers and problem solvers. 06 769 6747 chris@cbconstruction.co.nz cbconstruction.co.nz 326 Devon Street East, New Plymouth Proudly supporting Boon Team Architects
16 | Taranaki: BOON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Community voice key Notable local buildings with the BOON signature include the Bellringer Pavilion (above), and Yarrow Stadium (below). from page 14 E N G I N E E R I N G Notable local buildings through the decades with the BOON signature include the New Plymouth clock tower, Puke Ariki (New Plymouth’s combined museum and library), Huatoki Plaza and TSB Stadium. With recent involvement in significant local projects including Mawhitwhiti Marae, Pukekura Park, Bellringer Pavilion, Yarrows Stadium East Stand, Spotswood College, TDHB Project Maunga Stage 2, Owae Marae, WITT and Green School NZ. “The scale and breadth of projects that come through our office is unique to us and linked to our regional location,” says Erin. “From working on aquatic centres to workplace interiors and small renovations, no two projects are identical.” BOON’s talented team includes some born and bred Taranaki designers who moved away to study and hone their craft before returning to New Plymouth. “There is something about this place that draws you back,” she says. “Taranaki has it all: mountain, sun, surf, music, an awesome arts scene and friendly people. Our innovative and resourceful team also includes some special imports from Columbia, South Africa, India, Brazil and Argentina, all adding their own diverse vibe to our culture at BOON.” For a number of years now, BOON has been a mentor for the Accelerator programme, run by Taranaki Futures, to help connect with and inspire potential future designers in the local region. “As well, we regularly partake in wānanga and hui with a variety of students to give them insight on the design career pathway.” With people at the very centre of their ethos, BOON works to ensure there is respectful, transparent and honest engagement on all projects. Much of their work is in early-stage planning used to connect the public and stakeholders. “Community voice within our projects is very important. We also see smart partnerships as key to successful outcomes. Our involvement with important developments across Aotearoa can be attributed to building relationships, with community and integrity as pillars of this.” BOON is currently working on the Tūparikino Active Community Hub project at the New Plymouth Racecourse, with their design partners, (Tennent Brown + Isthmus Group). This exciting new regional hub is poised to boost activity, wellbeing and equitable access to sport and recreation across Taranaki. “This is a thoroughly collaborative project with multiple stakeholders. We are very proud to be lead design consultant on this important local project aimed at bringing people together and improving wellbeing.” BOON welcomes the project’s focus on equitable access. As Erin points out, architecture and design is for everyone and a public space such as this will be successful if it is welcoming and enjoyable for all.
| 17 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Taranaki’s key sectors covered Hawera-based Agtrans has moved its core activities well beyond the farm gate, to include servicing the Energy sector, transport and heavy haulage services, and includes a fleet of cranes and hiabs. Sue Russell Taranaki: Agtrans (06) 765 5188 52 Egmont St, Kaponga www.dynamech.co.nz Where there are cranes, there’s often nuts and bolts. We at Dynamech help Agtrans with the nuts and bolts, and when we're doing nuts and bolts and need a crane we call 0800 AGTRANS. Dynamech: proud to work in association with Agtrans. While the company’s name reflects a strong relationship to supplying transport services to the agricultural sector, these days Hawera-based Agtrans has moved its core activities well beyond the farm gate, to include servicing the Energy sector, transport and heavy haulage services, and a fleet of cranes and hiabs used in all manner of activity. The business began 10 years ago when C J Mahony and Phil D’Ath decided to bring their collective experience into one entity. “It’s interesting that in that decade we’ve grown to be a sizeable company, currently employing 28 staff across several divisions and we no longer do any agricultural transporting at all. It’s been a case of growing and seizing opportunities as these presented,” says C J. Today the business is very much commercially and industrially focused and the pair are the first to admit they haven’t been driven by some carefully thought-through set business growth strategy. Instead in the past 10 years they have steadily grown to the size and capability they now have. Turn-over has averaged an increase of 40% year on year, indicating that decisions taken have been the right ones. “It’s about positioning yourself where the key sectors are in the Taranaki, including the thriving energy sector, dairy processing and civil works. We don’t have one major client, instead servicing lots of different sectors so we are reasonably recession-proof,” Phil adds. And in the last 12 months Agtrans has picked up on the building boom sweeping the region. Handling the accounts and paper-work side to business life is C J while Phil takes on operational responsibilities, dealing with clients and apportioning jobs out to the team. Asked whether staff supply is a current issue C J says they have come to an understanding that the type of people they are looking for are those already carrying a trade qualification, but not necessarily carrying specific experience in the range of services Agtrans offers. While base is Taranaki, much of the work comes from other regions. “We’ve acquired a reputation of adapting well to a wide range of situations. Our operators and equipment are of a very high standard and we only buy the very best equipment available.” All staff carry at least four of the five key skill-sets needed to engage in all types of work and C J says professional development is a key strength and focus. Last year, $460,000 was spent on staff training with the average spent per staff of close to $70,000. “We see that as our key responsibility toward our staff. We want them to grow their skills and stay with us. It’s fair to say we have become an employer of choice.” C J and Phil says they are looking for someone who displays good hand/eye coordination and has good special awareness and a feel for what they are doing. “Given the sort of gear they are driving and using, it’s pretty important they are aware and comfortable in that space.” Engagement with the community is also an active part of the company’s life with a large amount of pro-bono work. One example of this is the recent donation of a small portable building to the local ‘Men’s Shed’ organisation. “That’s the most effective way we can engage and support the community we work in, by extending our resources and skills to groups who, in their way, also support the community.” And looking ahead, with a view to securing the business well into the future, Phil and C J are beginning to create an employee shareholder scheme, enabling key staff in time to own a share of the business. “We think it is only right that those who work here and create our success are provided with the opportunity to enjoy the consequences of that in time. “When you are a shareholder, you have a definite vested interested in ensuring the company continues to thrive.”
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