26 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Mangawhai Engineering and Marine T T Sue Russell Engineering expertise at Mangawhai Mangawhai Engineering and Marine specialises in structural steel fabrication for residential and commercial projects alike. Situated in the sunny north at Mangawhai, 80 minutes from Auckland on Northland’s east coast, Mangawhai Engineering and Marine is a well established company offering clients an array of engineerng services and solutions. Garry Crosbie and wife Heather established the company in 2003 from small beginnings and since that time, have built it to what it is today. When Business North spoke with Heather, her two children Jarred and Jessica also sat in on the conversation. “In the beginning it was just Garry on his own, in the early years we grew the team to three engineers, but have gradually extended that to five, including apprentices,” Heather explains. The company specialises in a broad range of engineering services. Anything from small welding repairs to large residential and commercial structural steel projects. Mangawhai Engineering and Marine also partners with Midway Cranes & Trucks, a separate venture of Garry and Heathers’, whom own truck-mounted cranes which are useful for steel installations and deliveries. “Our trucks are also available to lift and move cabins, containers as well as transport heavy materials or machinery around the surrounding areas,” Jessica says. Most types of materials can be fabricated by the team, from stainless and aluminium projects, to designing and constructing handrails, repairing aluminium boats and well-used farm equipment. “Currently we specialise in structural steel fabrication for residential and commercial projects alike. Mangawhai has been booming over the last few years and so there has been plenty of growth in housing,” says Jessica. Asked how business was through the COVID years, Heather explains that being right on the Northland border made for challenging times. “Being on the border we had work in areas we couldn’t get to for some time but we kept ourselves going and the staff on. Once restrictions were lifted it was really full-on, so once we got through the backlog, we balanced out to a good level of trading.” There is some concern that builders in the region may be slowing down a little at this time, which will likely impact the business and workload. “We used to have more farm machinery repairs coming through the business, but Mangawhai has really changed since we were younger. Going from a coastal farming community to more of a growing holiday destination.” Jarred says one concern is in finding passionate young people wanting to get into the engineering industry. “We offer good training opportunities, but its about finding people who have the drive and good work ethic which can be a challenge everywhere.” Heather says the company has a strong cohort of builders that are loyal to them and this is very much appreciated. But they are also seeing new builders move to the area and hope that they can gain their business also. Asked whether they have ever been involved in a project that is a little out of the ordinary, Jarred is currently in the planning stages for a unique structure for the Mangawhai Activity Zone and Skatepark. He says once it is complete it will become an icon for Mangawhai and will add a lot of excitement to the Skatepark and Activity Zone. 09 431 4620 build@stylishhomes.co.nz stylishhomes.co.nz Stylish Homes Affordable homes with style Specialising in designing & building stylish, affordable houses from Auckland to Northland, using top quality local builders & materials. AVON INDUSTRIES LTD 31 Pipiwai Road, Kamo PO Box 27, Whangarei New Zealand Ph: 64 9 435 1033 Fax: 64 9 435 2565 Email: avonind@callplus.net.nz www.avonindustries.co.nz Proud to support Mangawhai Engineering & Marine • Production Engineering • Profile Cutting • Abrasive Blasting & Painting • Hot Dip Galvanising Abrasive Blasting & Coating Specialists 021 740011 | info@rudolphs.co.nz | www.rudolphs.co.nz For All Your Industrial & Commercial Needs Member of
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