Business Central September 2021

100 | Thorburn Builders Company thrives on diverse projects T T Sue Russell Thorburn Builders recently completed a new classroom block at Te Wharekura O Rakaumangamanga. BUILDING O perating over the greater Waikato area as well as close to home, in Huntly, Thorburn Builders undertakes builds across residential, rural, education- al and light infrastructure and commercial projects. In the early years, Thorburn Builders mainly focused on rural work, however, over suc- cessive decades the work has diversified into other sectors including education. A team of 18 staff, largely carpenters, tradesmen and project managers has stepped up to the plate, post-Covid, to cope with an unprecedented demand for the company’s services. QS and Contracts Manager, Paul Taylor has been with Thorburn Builders some seven years and says that going into Covid lock- down last year there was naturally a sense of uncertainty. “We didn’t know, like all business, just what the ramifications were of the global pandemic.” The company was awarded the contract by the Ministry of Education to complete R7, a 7 classroom block at full-immersion kura Te Wharekura O Rakaumangamanga. This project builds on an existing relation- ship with the school. “We had built B Block, a five classroom space and were pleased to have the oppor- tunity to build this next phase in the school’s development. “These learning spaces have been designed with the culture of the school as the central pillar, the result being the built environment reflects and enhances the teaching philoso - phies.” Asked how it is to work in a school while teaching and learning is a daily event, Paul says it does present with challenges, however, with the experience Thorburn Builders has, working on Ministry contracts, the company has strict and rigorous on-site protocols that enable building to proceed as scheduled. “Separation of work, staff and children is critical of course but also other bottom-line issues such as delivery of materials on site at peak times. “In this case we also had to deal with the guidelines for building close to the national grid-line, so were dealing with Transpower as well.” The projects are very collaborative, led by the kura, but involving all parties including project management, architects, and other consultants. This has allowed challenges to be overcome in the most efficient manner. Paul says that certainly since he’s been with the company the volume of education work has ramped up, with currently five school projects on the go in June. He says its good to see school design increasingly reflecting an individual school’s philosophy and special character, as is the case with the Te Wharekura O Rakaumanga- manga project. “As a full-immersion school it’s important that the site reflects the culture and guiding principles underpinning their education.” Paul hopes that Thorburn Builders will secure upcoming work at the school enabling the current team to continue its relationship with the kura and complete the final stage. Recruitment of new staff into the company is also a priority, but one Paul says needs to be managed carefully, balancing the number of new apprentices with existing experienced staff. “We’ve currently got four apprentices on our books and we peer these with our more experienced carpenters, you can’t have too many as this becomes detrimental to learning and quality outcomes.” Asked what appeals to him about his role at Thorburn Builders Paul says it is about the ca- pacity to get the job done and to be involved in projects that are different. “While I’ve been involved, we have built schools and the DOC offices on Great Barrier Island, Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands, fire-station in Waiheke Island, and DoC huts in Fiordland. All the commercial projects are bespoke.” • Plumbing • Gas Fitting • Drainage • Maintenance • Alterations • New Builds • Commercial Projects 07 828 9175 admin@huntlyplumbers.co.nz 27 Ralph Street, Huntly 3700 www.huntlyplumbers.co.nz Proud to support Thorburn Builders • Electrical - General Wiring, Fit O s and Sub-Mains • Air Conditioning and Heat pumps including central heating and cooling systems • Ventilation Systems Ambient Electrical Looking for a professional, honest and a ordable service? LOOK NO FURTHER! Commercial, Domestic and Industrial Operating in the Waikato region. P.0800 855 566 E.admin@ambientelectrical.co.nz Ambient Electrical are proud to be associated with Thorburn Builders For all of your commercial and residential requirements www.insulator.co.nz Call us for all of your insulation, steel batten and acoustic requirements 0800 777 999 Insulator & Scafpro are leading service providers covering the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regions . Call us for all of your scaffolding, safety net, and temporary fencing requirements. www.scafpro.co.nz