30 | Concrete Logistics T T Karen Phelps Huge growth for Auck concrete company DEVELOPMENT Shaping the landscape with inspiring homes T T from page 28 Ockham Residential We supply and install thermal and acoustic insulation, functional ceiling systems, acoustic ceiling and wall treatments. www.connectinteriors.co.nz With a portfolio of well-loved developments across Auckland, Ockham Residential continues to re-shape the city’s landscape, says Ockham’s head of content and communications Peter Malcouronne. He says the company’s ambition is to construct beautiful buildings that stand the test of time and bring a fantastic lifestyle to as many people and communities as possible. “We believe that housing is essential infrastructure and the building blocks of a strong and vibrant community.” Central to the Ockham ethos is brownfields urban regeneration, building close to the city alongside established public transport nodes. “By intelligently utilising land and space we are providing New Zealanders with affordable, enduring and low-maintenance properties in desirable areas.” This commitment to quality has garnered the company numerous awards, plaudits and a loyal customer base. To date Ockham has completed 916 apartments across 17 developments with a total value of $0.7 billion. Currently it has an additional 311 units under construction set to be delivered by December 2023 valued at $0.4 billion. Looking ahead the company has a secured pipeline to build 4,100 more units over the next decade valued at an impressive $3 billion. At the heart of Ockham Residential are co-founders Mark Todd and Benjamin Preston, who joined forces with talented architect Tania Wong in 2009. More than a decade later this original trio remain at the core of the company backed by a dedicated team of 70 full-time employees along with a vast network of contractors and long-term collaborators who have been instrumental in Ockham Residential’s journey from the beginning. June 2023 marked 10 years in business for Auckland company Concrete Logistics. It’s come a long way since it’s beginnings in a suburban residential garage to now employing over 70 staff. Recently the process has begun to design custom built premises to accommodate additional growth. Likewise the scale of projects has also expanded counting clients such as Ockham Residential amongst its regulars. “We’re a one stop shop for concrete,” says Ray Charman who owns and operates the company with wife Tanya. “We look after clients’ needs and facilitate our scope of works so they have support across the board to manage risk of their developments. Services include formwork, concrete grinding, concrete cutting, shotcreting, concrete pumping and concrete placing.” Managing risk for clients means Concrete Logistics often works for repeat customers long-term undertaking multiple projects. Ockham Residential is a good example. Concrete Logistics has completed projects for this client over many years including Aroha Apartments, Kokihi Apartments, Modal House, Manaaki Apartments, Koa Flats and Nixon Apartments. It is currently engaged at The Greenhouse and Alto Apartments. Both Ray and Tanya agree that it is the innovative nature of Ockham Residential’s designs that make the projects exciting be involved with, Modal House and The Greenhouse being excellent examples. Ray says that Modal House was a challenging project due to the small site with limited access and curved sections of concrete walls. “Ockham Residential have great ideas and they are inspiring in the way they deal with subcontractors,” he says. “They look at their builds in a holistic way. For example Modal House is unique in that it is close to public transport and not reliant on car parks.” He says The Greenhouse is another thoughtful project with verdant emerald green bricks on its façade, shared spaces for functions and accommodation available for visitors of The Greenhouse residents. “We’re very excited about this project and think it will become one of the most iconic buildings in Auckland,” says Ray. “Working during Covid-19 period supply issues was a challenge. We had to be flexible and redesign some elements to move the project forward. We’re always there as a sounding board for the client to bounce ideas off and come up with solutions for any issues that come up.” He says that Concrete Logistics’ expertise and experience in concrete construction helps bring ideas to the table as to how to approach projects and which products are best used. “We get involved in their design process so we can help find ways to do things better and smarter to save costs and create efficiencies. We often travel overseas to look at new products and ideas that we can bring back to the New Zealand market.” Ockham Residential’s current The Feynman complex is a case in point. It will boast 155 apartments and a rooftop with two residents’ lounges equipped with kitchens, a pool, an aircraft-carrier-sized rooftop deck, sprawling gardens and several pergolas. “We are going through design process with the client, discussing what their requirements are and generally finding ways to mitigate the client’s risk.” Tanya says the close relationships with customers like Ockham Residential has helped Concrete Logistics’ rapid growth. “We’ve evolved as they’ve grown,” she says. When the couple started their business Ray had been working for a large construction company. Beginning with smaller jobs the company quickly progressed to larger work as it built and established a trusted team. Concrete Logistics moved into its first yard and small warehouse in 2014. The business is now located in a larger warehouse in Onehunga, Auckland, with additional land now earmarked for a custom designed warehouse in East Tamaki to accommodate future growth. The company owns extensive plant, which Ray says further helps clients mitigate risk and keeps projects on time and on budget. They both credit their team as a key factor in the company’s longevity and success: “I’ve been in the industry for around 30 years and most staff in key positions have all been in the industry for approximately 20 years. “We’ve got good training systems that are repeatable on multiple sites so clients have consistency of delivery of quality product.” “We have a strong focus on health and safety,” adds Tanya, “and we work really hard to look after our staff. We couldn’t do it with them. “It’s awesome to reach the ten year anniversary,” says Ray, “but the true legacy will be how the business has positively impacted our staff’s lives. We have a super talented team and we want to help them grow their career and that’s a big part of why they stay with us and we keep evolving. So it’s onward and upwards for Concrete Logistics. Here’s to the next 10 years.” “We’re very excited about this project and think it will become one of the most iconic buildings in Auckland.” “We believe that housing is essential infrastructure and the building blocks of a strong and vibrant community.”
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