| 15 T T Rosa Watson A leader in logistics and transportation Transport remains at the heart of Symons Group. Photo: Dillon Photography - Chris Dillon @dillonphotonz More than 40 years after beginning as a single-truck operation in Taranaki, Symons Group continues to evolve and innovate, leading the way in logistics and transport. From its origins in transport as a single-truck transport operation, the New Plymouth-based group has developed into an integrated group delivering specialist services across transport and logistics, energy services, commercial property, warehousing and waste remediation throughout New Zealand, combining its own people, equipment and infrastructure with a growing national logistics network. Commercial property is an important part of the business, and its portfolio includes warehouses, offices, laboratories, heavy-vehicle parking and laydown areas that supports businesses across the energy, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and agricultural sectors. “When we can combine property with warehousing, transport, container handling and other services, we can create a much broader solution for a customer,” managing director Dean Eggers says. Further development opportunities opening up to meet growing demand for modern industrial facilities and logistics infrastructure in New Plymouth and Bell Block, he says. Transport remains at the heart of Symons Group and alongside its long-standing work supporting the energy and industrial sectors, the group growing in the agriculture, horticulture, infrastructure, bulk transport and major project logistics spaces. The business is looking to establish partnerships that could see 100 tonnes or more of bulk product moving into the region each day, while creating efficient backload opportunities for Taranaki-produced goods heading to markets throughout New Zealand. “Our trucks and people are working across the country every day, and the opportunity is to use that network intelligently, bringing products into the region efficiently and helping Taranaki businesses move what they produce back out,” Dean says. The group is investing in heavy vehicles and Ford Rangers, used by teams and projects across the country. “Every investment needs to make us safer, more productive or give us the ability to offer something new to our customers,” Dean says. “We’re constantly looking at where freight is moving, what our customers will need in the future and where we can build efficiencies across our network.” The group has customers across the energy, infrastructure, industrial and engineering sectors, coordinating requirements that can involve multiple suppliers, ports, transport modes, specialist equipment and delivery locations. Symons Group TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS Our family business is proud to work closely with another great New Zealand business like Symons Group, so they can keep providing innovative quality transport and energy solutions, delivered safely, efficiently, and exceeding expectation. We’re stoked to be part of their journey. Whatever your fuel needs, Waitomo can help. As well as supplying petrol and diesel, we offer bulk fuel supply, onsite diesel supply, and fuel storage solutions. Three generations on, our values remain the same – great people, top performance and a fairer price for fuel. Give the team a call today to discuss your fuel needs. One hundred percent Kiwi-owned and operated, Waitomo has been fueling Kiwi businesses across the country for nearly 80 years. 0800 922 123 | WAITOMOGROUP.CO.NZ PROFESSIONAL • TRUSTED • EXPERIENCED We are proud to back Symons Group, a leader in the transport industry. We keep them on the road with our variety of services, from precision sand blasting, commercial protective coatings, windscreen replacements, collision repairs, light engineering & automotive painting. estimates@brokersnz.co.nz 0800 45 88 45 www.brokersunited.co.nz Our services cover the Taranaki, Bay of Plenty &Wellington Regions, no matter what type of commercial vehicle you have, we will give it the full Brokers United treatment! Symons can become involved early in the planning process, coordinating how equipment and materials will entering New Zealand, moving through the supply chain and ultimately reach site. This can include international freight arrivals, port and terminal operations, container and breakbulk movements, rail, heavy and specialist transport, warehousing, staging, devanning and final delivery. “Our capability isn’t limited by where a project is located,” Dean says. “We’re a Taranaki-headquartered business, but we’re managing freight and supporting projects throughout New Zealand.” Among the projects completed during the year has been work alongside Entec, demonstrating the group’s ability to bring together transport, logistics, property and specialist services to support complex customer requirements. The group’s New Plymouth facilities provide third-party logistics, inventory management, specialist handling, container devanning and distribution services, including MPI-approved transitional facility capability. And with relationships across New Zealand’s ports, rail network and the logistics sector, it can also provide comprehensive port-to-door and portto-project solutions nationwide. The group’s energy services division supports operators throughout New Zealand, providing specialist inspection and compliance services including magnetic particle inspection, liquid penetrant inspection, thread gauging and API specification compliance work. Symons Waste Remediation Services provides integrated waste management and remediation solutions, managing transportation, disposal, monitoring and reporting requirements for customers across the energy and industrial sectors. Like most New Zealand businesses, Symons Group has not been immune to higher operating costs, reduced activity in some sectors and more cautious investment decisions, Dean says. “There is no question it has been a challenging period. Customers are looking very closely at costs and businesses are being more deliberate about where they invest. “But we’re also starting to see positive signs, with infrastructure and major projects progressing, agriculture remaining incredibly important, and businesses beginning to look further ahead again.” The group has seen plenty of economic cycles over its 40 years, he adds. “You have to manage costs carefully, but you also can’t stop looking forward. Quieter markets give you the opportunity to strengthen your systems, fleet, property and people, and consider where the next opportunities will come from.” The Symons Institute of Transport continues to support and mentor the next generation of transport professionals, providing practical, real-world industry training and development opportunities that creates career pathways across the group’s businesses. With more than 100 employees during peak periods, Symons Group has grown considerably from the single-truck operation established more than four decades ago. “What hasn’t changed is our focus on innovation, health and safety, our people and delivering quality outcomes for our customers,” Dean says. He says the next phase for the group is to continue to be built around diversification, investment and expanding its capability within Taranaki and nationally.
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