| 67 Curle Electrical Services “We have a strong engineering team that have helped design and build our Fonterra installations.” Apprenticeship success for Waikato leaders Max Hawkings placed second in the 2025 Waikato Regional Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge, in the Industrial Section. T T Anne Boswell CONTRACTING Waikato-based industrial electrical and control systems company Curle Electrical is contributing to the future of the industry by placing importance on training the next generation of electricians – and their dividends are paying off. Curle Electrical apprentice, Max Hawkings, placed second in the 2025 Waikato Regional Master Electricians Apprentice Challenge, in the Industrial Section. Curle Electrical General Manager, Duane Woods, said they are proud of Max’s success. “We would like to congratulate Max on his placing,” he says. “And we would like to encourage other employers to get their apprentices to enter, as it gives them an opportunity to test their skills and experience against their peers.” Established by Brett Curle 22 years ago, Curle Electrical works solely in the industrial space, providing efficient and reliable industrial electrical services to leading processing and manufacturing companies across the Waikato region. They are one of the preferred electrical contractors for Fonterra project installation work in the region. They undertake project management, electrical engineering, industrial electrical installations, machine safety systems, electrical thermography, electrical equipment in hazardous areas and maintenance services, control and automation and panel design and build services. Curle Industrial also specialises in design and build for industrial applications, with a team of five project electrical engineers. “That’s our point of difference,” Duane says. “We have a strong engineering team that have helped design and build our Fonterra installations.” Recently, Curle Electrical successfully delivered the complete electrical, controls and engineering package for a major cool store refrigeration upgrade, managing the project from initial concept and design through to full commissioning. The scope included end-to-end project management to ensure all works were completed on time, aligned with specification, and within the approved budget. CES provided comprehensive electrical engineering and design services covering motor power distribution, motor control systems, PLC replacement, and all related instrumentation. Detailed CAD documentation was produced, including cable schedules, termination schedules, typical instrument diagrams, compressor interface drawings, and bespoke drawings for project-specific requirements. As part of the upgrade, all legacy motor and instrument wiring within the compressor room was removed and replaced. Instrumentation was re-wired to a custom-built PLC panel, and all soft starters and variable speed drives (VSDs) within the MCC were replaced. Additionally, three MCCBs were upgraded to current-generation models fitted with shunt-trip coils to enhance system safety and reliability. CES supplied and installed three 250kW Schneider Electric Altivar Process VSDs for the three new refrigeration compressors, along with all associated wiring for five VSD-driven motors, seven DOL motors, and the compressor discharge high-pressure safety circuit. The project also included the design, build and installation of new PLC cabinets housing DC power supplies and Allen-Bradley PLC hardware. Four ageing multiplexers were removed and replaced with four new remote PLC cabinets fitted with CompactLogix I/O and M-System B3-HU temperature transmitters, delivering improved room-temperature monitoring across the cool store. To complete the upgrade, CES redrew and updated the MCC single-line diagram and motor control drawings to reflect the modernised installation. Duane says as Master Electricians New Zealand members, Curle Electrical values integrity, excellence, teamwork and balance in all that they do. And they plan to pass it down to the next generation of skilled electricians. “We believe it is important that companies are training and developing apprentices, which will become the next generation of skilled electricians,” he says. “We currently have two in our electrical team.” Stainless Steel Fabricators, Welders and Fitters based in the Waikato Continuous Stainless offers onsite and mobile stainless steel fabrication, welding and fitting services of a high professional standard. Whether its industrial, commercial, residential or customised, we can fabricate and install. CONTACT OUR TEAM ABOUT YOUR PROJECT TODAY. info@continuousstainless.co.nz www.continuousstainless.co.nz Commercial & Industrial Residential Custom Projects Maintenance & Repair Connecting New Zealand Electrification & Automation FOR INDUSTRY Scan To Connect Best Service Locally Stocked Fast Free Delivery* *Free delivery applies to online orders over $100 NOW IN TAUPO! 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