| 13 T T Sue Russell Bumper year for Hamilton business Neuflow Projects recently completed a massive upgrade of the entry to Hamilton Zoo, Neuflow Projects REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT It’s been a bit of a whirlwind journey for Adam Donaldson, after establishing project management works consultancy Neuflow Projects just four years ago. Growing from the start-up with only Adam, now a team of eight reflects how demand has grown for the services and expertise the business offers. Based now in the Hamilton Airport business precinct, in what is a growing busy industrial/ commercial hub, Adam says collectively the team he has on board have over 20 years experience and can see projects through from planning, design, procurement, project management and commissioning. This year has been a bit of a bumper one in other respects, as the good work and achievements to date have been recognised within the wider Waikato business sector in the form of being named a finalist in the 2023 Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, in the micro-business category. “We didn’t take out the final in our category unfortunately but we had a wonderful evening. “It was great for the team to be part of this event and reflect on the magnificent acheivements we have made as a team over the last couple of years.” says Adam. And growing a business is as much about seeing shifts in where future business may come from as it is about seizing current opportunities as Adam explains. “When we initially set up it was to concentrate on delivery of 3-waters projects, and working on local government contracts, however we’re looking more strategically now at other sectors to work in and the sustainability and energy sector has sprung up as a very good direction for us to move into.” Neuflow Projects was responsible for delivering over $120million worth of projects for local councils most notably with Hamilton City Council, who have recently completed a massive upgrade of the entry to Hamilton Zoo, connecting it easily to expanded car-parking and the 60ha Waiwhakareke National Heritage Park. Welcoming visitors to the park is an imposing three storey-high steel viewing platform, enabling viewers to see all over the park and through to Hamilton beyond. Other marque projects the team have delivered are the Waikato River Works which “We have strategy sessions to cement how to grow to the next tier which is 15 project managers. I can’t recommend highly enough how valuable this programme has been for me and the business....” involved the revetment wall and city jetty at Grantham Street, and the large capacity upgrades of the sole water and wastewater treatment plants in Hamilton. With project management and engineering qualifications Adam says he is able to provide a wrap-around service to clients, understanding what a project physically demands and how best to deliver it on time and to budget. He says the whole team carries a sense of pride when projects are delivered as they know the positive impact these will have both now and for many generations to come. Asked how he grew the team Adam says the first three staff approached him, having heard of the exciting projects the business was engaging in. “I think one of the best ways to describe us is that we’re focused on provided quality and value and are incredibly innovative in our approach. “We look at better ways to deliver projects and we’ve very much got our head in the future in terms of the types of work we want to get involved in as we grow.” Adam’s got a clear message to anyone starting out in business – ‘Seek the support of a business mentor’, which is exactly what he did, engaging with Te Waka and Business Mentors New Zealand, a decision he said has well and truly paid off. “We developed a clear strategy and set goals to achieve our sustainable growth path. We have strategy sessions to cement how to grow to the next tier which is 15 project managers. “I can’t recommend highly enough how valuable this programme has been for me and the business,” Adam says. It’s understandable that when you first start a business the owner will hold on tight on how the business is to run but, as Adam realises, this isn’t sustainable or particularly beneficial. “Understanding when its time and in what way to evolve your role and to bring others in who can also grow professionally is really important to the future growth of the business I have come to realise.” The decision to focus in the future on the burgeoning renewable energy sector is something Adam is really looking forward to. “It has a good feel to it, given how people today are more concerned about the environment and working in sustainable ways.” “We have a sense of pride when we deliver projects as we know our communities and our families can appreciate our hard work and involvement both now but in many generations to come.” He’s also flexible in terms of how the staff work, using a hybrid model of the team working at times at the business headquarters, or at home, or in remote offices on site when projects are underway. “We also try to keep Friday a day when we do gather and discuss where things are at for each of us, how the business is going and share plans and thinking about future projects to get involved in. “It’s a good open way to operate the business,” he says. Wavelength Water Limited is proudly 100% New Zealand owned and operated. Our highly specialised team is your single source to provide water treatment expertise through scoping, design, equipment supply, installation, commissioning, training and service. 2/36 Zelanian Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland (09) 274 1646 info@wavelengthwater.co.nz
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