70 | ENGINEERING Holster Engineering T T Virginia Wright Industry leaders fully equipped Holster Engineering entered the field of metal spraying in New Zealand in 1969, and has been leading the way ever since. The Holster name has been at the forefront of engineering in New Zealand for 60 years, with Holster Engineering known and respected throughout New Zealand, Australia, and in the Islands for its quality services. The company was established in September 1965 by Dave Holster after a management buyout of Siely Engineering, an engineering company that was previously started in 1955 on the same site. Then, in October 2003, Holster Engineering Co (2003) Ltd was established, again, after a management buyout, this time by Bruce Martin and Marty Camenzind. Holsters can best be described as a modern, well-equipped engineering workshop, specialising in both large- and medium-scale general and precision engineering, repairs and maintenance, a wide range of metal spray applications, and now laser cladding. Holster Engineering entered the field of metal spraying in New Zealand in 1969, and has been leading the way ever since. Metal or thermal spraying is a technology that protects and greatly extends the life of a wide variety of products in many industries. The metallising processes offer proven extended-life solutions for new and used mechanical parts and items. It has saved many hours, and millions of dollars in down time, by being able to reclaim and refurbish many items. In 2023, Holsters were again leading the way, this time being the first in New Zealand to purchase a 6kw, large-capacity laser-cladding cell. With the introduction of laser cladding, high-quality results can be achieved compared to other coating methods, as its low heat input gives minimal dilution on the substrate material. This results in high-performance surfaces, which extend operating life on the reclamation of worn components, as well as enhancing erosion and corrosion control. “The low heat means we can clad something without changing the material substrate,” says Bruce. “It’s not like a normal weld, which strikes an arc of more like 10,000 degrees Celsius, which changes the substrate of the material. With the laser we can apply a fully welded surface on items that we would have previously metal sprayed.” Complementing the laser cladding and metallising facilities are the engineering machine shops, with arguably the largest capacity machining capabilities in New Zealand. Lathes up to 12 metres in length, large horizontal borers and three large vertical lathes, with one of these having a 50-tonne weight capacity, and seven-metre diameter swing, along with many other large and small capacity machines, and craneage capacity of 32 tonnes, make Holster Engineering a leader in large-capacity machining in New Zealand. With the nature of the industry, when breakdowns happen, the team are great at thinking on their feet to get customers up and running with the shortest amount of down time. “We can make decisions quickly to keep things moving, as the company organisation is a flat structure with the owners working within the company,” says Bruce. Holsters is a stable company, with a family feel about it, that has been built on decades of experience with loyal and experienced staff that stay on for their whole careers, 14 staff having completed 15 years or more service, and the longest having been there for 53 years. Holsters is always investing in youth and the future, with the company generally having three apprentices at different stages of their apprenticeship at any one time. “We are very proud of the relationships that we have with all our customers, and the loyalty that they have given. They are not only customers, but in many cases have become lifelong friends,” says Marty. Holster Engineering has worked alongside both Auckland and Waikato universities for the past 29 years, donating time, resources and equipment to engineering departments and students. Tokoroa tradezone.co.nz HOLSTER SUPPLY CO(2021) LTD | 66 CHAMBERS STREET TOKOROA | SALES@HOLSTERSUPPLY.CO.NZ | 078861701 Proud to support Holster Engineering (2003) Ltd 07 886 8179 06 752 2011 | enquiries@eisl.co.nz 1249 Egmont Rd, Egmont Village | egmontindustrial.co.nz STEEL PIPE AND CASING SUPPLIER • New and surplus 21mm - 2350mm od • Range of steel and plastic culverts • Steel mesh, plate and steel sections • Offer in house cutting / fabricating to length
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