Business Central September 2021

| 49 Safer roads vital to the community T T Sue Russell Waka Kotahi NZTA has been working with QRS on the $1.2 million Tahaenui Bridge upgrade near Nuhaka. Photo: Waka Kotahi/NZTA Wairoa: Quality Roading and Services (QRS) REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Q uality Roading Services is 100% owned by Wairoa District Council and has been creating and improving civil infrastructure and roads in the region these past 26 years. As a council-controlled trading organisation it’s board of directors reports to Council. About a third of QRS’s work is directly for the council while a significant proportion of the balance is engaged in fulfilling central government contracts and a small amount of work for the private sector. The company employs around 90 staff spread across new works and routine main- tenance. They are supported by workshop, health and safety, administration and human resources staff. Chief executive, Nigel Pollock, says he’s proud of the company’s ability to procure work. “We regularly secure contracts over our competitors because of our capability, social responsibility, and local employment and opportunities for iwi. “We work mainly in and around Wairoa, a geographical footprint covering a third of Hawke’s Bay. “We’ve also worked further afield, as far south as Bayview, north to Matawai, and west towards Taupo,” he says. QRS plant assets are valued at $4.5 million and include crewcabs, trucks, a bitumen sprayer, skid steer stabilizers, diggers, loaders, rollers, along with transport trailers, graders, crushers and dump trucks. The company also manages four quarries in the region, two at Raupunga, one at Putere and one near Gisborne. Given its breadth of services, Nigel says the company is ideally positioned to offer career progression. “We know people work best when they’re challenged and have a pathway for success. “We’ve more than doubled our training spend and this year a record 22 staff are in apprenticeships. “All employees have individual training plans allowing them to acquire new skills and build self-esteem,” Nigel explains. QRS also contributes back to the commu- nity, with donations of money and services to sports teams, science and technology educa- tion and events, the Wairoa A and P Show and the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust. “We’re particularly interested in helping or- ganisation that have a core focus of assisting the environment, children and causes that support social wellness for individuals and whānau.” The performance of QRS was recognised last year in the prestigious Pan Pac Hawke’s Bay Business Awards, taking out the Supreme Award. “It’s a badge of quality for the business and our prospective customers have seen that and it’s mentioned a lot,” says Nigel. Following announcement of their success Nigel gathered the whole team together for a shared big breakfast, with the Mayor, Craig Little attending. “We were able to share the success face-to- face with everyone and pay our respects to every staff member. “It was a very proud moment and really captured what our culture is all about – Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini – My strength is not mine alone, it is the strength of many.” Civil construction • Rural earthmoving • Sub-surface drainage • House site preparation Phone: 06 8384040 • Email: accounts@prydecontracting.co.nz Proudly serving the Wairoa and East Coast regions for over 40 years QRS project and asset supervisor Quintin Baty with some of the whizz kids at EPro8 Wairoa 2021 which aims to excite kids about the value of science, technology and maths. QRS is a long-time sponsor of the event.