| 21 T T Sue Russell Opportunities drive business expansion Along with Safetrak Northland’s traffic control and management services, the business offers an array of allied civil works Safetrak Northland REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT It’s been a very busy few years for Safetrak Northland since its establishment in 2018, building on the attitude that the only way to remain relevant and successful is to offer the technologies and skill sets the market is demanding. Under founder Ken Subritzky’s wing, it is one of three Northland companies based out of Kaitaia. It’s a business that has retained a strong family feel to its operation, with Ken’s son Emerson partnering in the business as general manager, and daughter Rebecca who, with a diploma in health and safety, looks after that vital part of the business’s activities. Along with Safetrak Northland’s traffic control and management services, the business offers an array of allied civil works. This, Ken explains, places the company in a strong position to be a part of both major roading projects, such as the recently completed twoyear Mangamuku Gorge development, as well as smaller roading repair work. “I’m at the stage where we’re transitioning the company on to the next generation and Emerson does all the hard work, while I get to do the important jobs,” Ken chuckles. He acknowledges that Emerson’s contribution to the business has been a big part of the company’s success. “Last year, we had a number of really big projects, and at one stage we topped 85 staff working for us. These days, I’m very flexible in terms of supporting my logging truck staff to work the days and hours they wish, given, like me, some of them are getting a bit on in years.” The company’s logging division, which existed before the traffic management and civil sides of the business formed, was the impetus for the latter activity evolving, as Ken explains. “At the time, in 2019, we had 15 logging trucks and we got to the stage where it was more economical for us to do our own mechanical work, so we established that separate entity. “A nephew came and worked for me, who used to service vehicles for Fulton Hogan, and that business became available for us to buy.” Today, Safetrak’s work in traffic-management planning and implementation, along with hydro-excavation sees it involved in a range of projects. “When we started Safetrak we had one major client and that was Fulton Hogan, but we now supply our services to a wider group of businesses delivering in the civil works space, including Top Energy, power supply and lines people,” Ken says. When the Mangamuku Gorge project was in full swing, the business saw the opportunity to contribute beyond managing traffic with the purchase of a hydraulic excavator, digger and tip truck. “We have a basic locator, which identifies where any metal infrastructure is positioned underground, so that diggers and the like know areas to avoid and, in exciting news, we’ve purchased a ground penetration radar. This is really going to add to our service offering, because it essentially can pick up anything underground, metallic or non-metallic. We have staff away at the moment receiving training in this technology.” When this equipment is fully operational it will mean Safetrak Northland essentially will become a one-stop-shop for customers in the civil engineering space. “We’ve also expanded operations by setting up a base in Kaikohe, all with the aim of continuing to offer top-quality service to all our customers.” On the traffic-management front, Ken says their team includes two qualified planners, who develop the physical management plan to keep vehicles moving and workers safe at all times during a project. “We’ve got some really sophisticated traffic lighting technologies that can essentially sense when a vehicle is approaching and manage the traffic signals at either end of a project, without the need for a person turning the stop/go sign.” Admitting he has an ambitious disposition, Ken says the Maori word ‘tutu’ aptly describes his attitude to business. “It means to try something on, give something a go and see what opportunities come from it and it’s very much how we have approached developing our business. I remember listening to an interview with golfing legend Gary Player, who said he noticed the more he practised, the luckier he got. That’s a good philosophy to base your business around.” Maple Court, 5 Puckey Ave, P.O. Box 254, Kaitaia P (09) 408-1000 info@harrisongillespie.co.nz FOR PROMPT, PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. Accounting and taxation advice. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Financial Statements • Payroll and PAYE • GST • Periodic management statements • Cashflow and budgets • Income tax returns • Computer programme advice and assistance PUKENUI EXCAVATORS PROUDLY SUPPORTING SAFETRAK NORTHLAND LTD Civil Excavation & Construction House Sites & Septic General Drainage & Contouring Wharf & Boatramp Construction Salvage 0272745409 | 0276517048 Contact Us
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