66 | Roadrunner Manufacturing T T Kelly Deeks Fifty years of ‘getting things done’ Roadrunner Manufacturing has been producing custom-made aluminium and steel products for multiple industries for a 50 years. MANUFACTURING Enduring New Zealand manufacturing business Roadrunner Manufacturing has been producing custom-made aluminium and steel products for multiple industries for an impressive 50 years, and is celebrating its momentous half-centennial in typical style this year by getting on and getting things done. “We’ve been doing that for the past 50 years,” says general manager Nick Webster. “We will celebrate with our staff and the previous shareholders, but we’ve been so flat-out building products that we haven’t had time to organise anything too official yet.” Established in Bulls in the Rangitikei District in late 1974, Roadrunner Manufacturing has grown from humble beginnings to deliver a vast product range from standard diesel tanks and aluminium toolboxes to a wide range of air tanks, hydraulic oil tanks, combination tanks, service vehicle fit-outs, and many custom aluminium products. Keeping Roadrunner successful after 50 years is a wide-ranging base of valued customers who continue to use Roadrunner because they know they can trust the company to do what they do well. Credit is also due to its exceptional team of 25 staff, including welder fabricators, water jet technicians, procurement and dispatching, admin, and sales, who put in the hard yards to bring in the work. “They have definitely helped us through all the peaks and troughs of the last wee while.” Roadrunner has always been particularly proud of its workshop team, which includes up and-coming apprentices and juniors right through to very high-end, skilled technicians. Roadrunner’s former owners and shareholders and all the people along the way also need to be commended for creating such a great foundation for the company to build on. Current owners Nick Webster and his partner Becs Toulmin have had a share for the past 10 years, while Matt and Gemma Avery bought in six years ago. The relationship is still strong with the previous owners, who pop in regularly for a catch- up. “It was important for them that when they decided to hand over the reins, the company was left in a position whereby someone could come in and keep it rolling, that the doors were going to be open with our sign above the door,” Nick says. “And that’s what we want as well. Whenever we decide to step aside, hopefully in a long time, we want our kids to be able to drive past Roadrunner and say ‘mum and dad used to have that company’.” Roadrunner’s growth over the years has often been the passive outcome of the team doing what they do well. Today, in the small town of Bulls, additional labour isn’t always readily available, so Roadrunner increases output and efficiency with new technology. Nick calls this “growth by stealth”, taking mundane tasks and automating them. A recently acquired robotic welding system is the latest addition to the workshop, and has enabled Roadrunner to grow further into markets that require more hands-on fabrication welding and development work that would typically sit outside its core business. New this year for Roadrunner, and spearheaded by Matt Avery, is Precision Machine Technology (PMT), a sister company established off the back of Roadrunner’s New Zealand distributorship for OMAX abrasive water jet systems. Initially using OMAX inhouse, Roadrunner took on the New Zealand agency for OMAX Abrasive Waterjet Systems. “They thought we would saturate the market with about eight to 12 water jet systems,” Nick says. “But with New Zealand’s number 8 wire tradition of ingenuity, we have just cracked over 100 machines that are now being operated by manufacturers, makers, designers, innovators, and thinkers across the country. It has been a massive success.” Nick puts that success down to the full-on service Roadrunner and now PMT is providing to its customers, from pre-sales through to after-sales. “We are committed to answering any water jet queries and to providing local after-sales support, industry leading technical assistance by OMAX-trained technicians, and readily available spare parts.” Leading robotic automation in New Zealand We use the power of robotic automation to help our customers become more productive, reduce costs, and improve their health and safety. 0508 ROBOTS (726 687) | 027 249 3531 paul@designenergy.co.nz | www.designenergy.co.nz NEW ZEALAND’S LEADING DISTRIBUTOR OF ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION, SHEET, PLATE AND COIL. www.inexmetals.co.nz Congratulations to Roadrunner on achieving this significant milestone
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