| 93 T T Russell Fredric Availability, reliability the key focus Northend Contractors’ services revolve around supplying and carting metal, fill, rocks and topsoil. CONTRACTING Northend Contractors Family business Northend Contractors has evolved considerably in scope and scale since it was established by Allen and Sheree Smith in 1997. Having started with just one truck, Northend Contractors now employs a large team, with founders Sheree and Allen having stepped back from the day-to-day operations and handing over to sons Ethan and Axel who, respectively, are its operations manager and workshop manager. The company also employed a general manager this year, Jason Walters, who worked for Fulton Hogan in roading construction and maintenance for 28 years, working his way up to senior management, and consequently importing a wealth of experience to the business. Northend Contractors’ services revolve around supplying and carting metal, fill, rocks and topsoil, including in a support role to tier 1 contractors on civilian, government and local authority projects, while also undertaking some work directly for Whangarei District Council. “We also target a lot of private work, including driveways, sealing driveways and concrete work,” says Jason. Northend Contractors employs 25 to 30 fulltime staff, augmented by around 30 more during the busy summer season, operating a fleet of more than 20 trucks, excavators ranging from five to 13 tonnes, Bobcats, sweepers and roadside tractor mowers. Northend’s transporters and transport trailers can shift heavy machinery between sites, and it is an approved water carrier with national water services regulator Taumata Arowai, supplying and carting household water throughout the Whangarei District. Because of its role as either an independent or tier 2 contractor, Northend Contractors does not typically take on large or long-term projects on its own account, which gives it the advantage of not having to compete for work through tender processes. Consequently, the key focus and point of difference is the availability of its equipment and human resources, underpinned by the long-established working relationships it has with other companies, Jason says. “Road maintenance contracts is where Northend have excelled, supplying resources for maintenance and construction for tier 1 contractors.” Northend Contractors is currently a key subcontractor to BDX Group, Whangarei, which is involved in the initial works for the Kamo Bypass stage 2 roundabout project, designed to alleviate congestion because of the heavy traffic flows at a key State Highway 1 intersection at the northern entrance to Whangarei. “The initial stages leading up to the roundabout is in progress.” Because Northend Contracting’s site is adjacent to the roundabout site, it is well placed to undertake this and any future work as it progresses. Being flexible and available to start work at short notice requires running a modern, reliable fleet and having great staff, who are well-trained and competent in their various roles, Jason says. “Competency of our drivers and operators is important for them to meet our expectation to be of a high standard, because we work in an industry that is high risk, and they are driving big machinery on jobs.” Jason credits the continual upgrade of fleet Northend Contractors operates today to Allen Smith’s diligence and vision. “We’ve got some good equipment; our philosophy is to upgrade, and we have to with all the regulations the tier 1 contractors need these days,” says Jason. “Good reliable gear is the key.” We come to you to go over your business needs to put insurance in place that suits you. Commercial • Personal • Life & Health • Marine • Rural www.adamstrimmer.co.nz (09) 470 2244 or 0800 100 633 admin@adamstrimmer.co.nz Level 2, 2 James Street, PO Box 1144, Whangarei Spark Business Hub is here to help. GET IN TOUCH 0800 366 784 Commercial Glass Specialists Northland 021 786 295 admin@glazierglass.co.nz EFFICIENT FLEXIBLE LOCAL www.glazierglass.co.nz Q @GlazierGlassLtd E fb.com/GlazierGlass
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