50 | Steel in demand Absolute Stainless offers a diverse range of services across the marine, commercial and residential sectors. Absolute Stainless T T Russell Fredric REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Established in 2001 by husband-and-wife team Simon and Sue Mehrtens, Whangarei fabrication and engineering business Absolute Stainless offers a diverse range of services across the marine, commercial and residential sectors. Since launching, the company has grown steadily over the years. In April 2024, the owners took a strategic step forward, purchasing McKenna Stainless Fittings, a manufacturer of high-quality stainless steel tees and reducers, predominantly used in the dairy and beverage industries. The tees are either fabricated or pulled, and are available in various sizes and lengths. A significant point of difference of the fabricated tees is the design of their internal radius, which sets them apart in the market. “We think there’s a lot of potential, because we haven’t seen anyone else that makes fabricated tees like we do,” Sue says. “They don’t get a pressure drop between the two flow lines, or a vortex of the air going around the corner, reducing power consumption, reducing the cost to the end user. Hygiene and cleanliness of the line is enhanced, too.” The company has 16 employees 16s, including five apprentices training in light fabrication and engineering level four, which speaks to a culture of committing to and investing in their employees. “We aim to take on an apprentice each year to keep them growing and moving forward. We also think of it as giving back to the community. It is incredibly rewarding watching young people grow and develop their skills and confidence.” Absolute Stainless can custom manufacture stainless steel balustrades, handrails, door handles, kitchen fittings, and bench tops, as well as flashings in both stainless steel and aluminium. It’s product are in demand in the commercial hospitality sector, for items in food preparation areas, cabinetry racks, benching and shelving, trolleys and commercial extractor hoods among other items. Among the civic projects it has been involved in, is creating Whangarei’s Rolling Ball Clock, a fascinating and intricate piece of engineering wizardry that tells the time using 35 balls moving on stainless steel tracks, prominently located as an attraction at Whangarei’s Town Basin Marina. Another project it is incredibly proud to have been involved in is the Golden Cupola, a six-metre-high dome structure on top of the Hundertwasser building, also in the town basin, taking it from a design concept and structurally designing and manufacturing it, to the finished product. Due to the company’s location, a large proportion of its work is in the marine industry. “Our product range in this area is endless, with a large range of items produced: highly polished stainless rails, bollards, rod holders, rocket launchers, through to fuel tanks, live bait tanks and checker plate decks, and all sorts of items for galley kitchens,” Sue says. “We can build any customised item in stainless steel or aluminium, and aluminium boat repairs are also a speciality.” • STEEL • STAINLESS • ENGINEERING STEELS • PLATE PROCESSING • COIL PROCESSING • ALUMINIUM - SHEET & EXTRUSION AVAILABLE VULCAN IS PROUD TO SUPPORT ABSOLUTE STAINLESS LTD WWW.VULCAN.CO Aluminium Sales 09 4387380 Steel Sales 09 4388526 5 Charann Place, Avondale, Auckland T: 09 828 2145 | mulcahy.co.nz Proudly Supporting Absolute Stainless Ltd Designing & manufacturing quality fittings since 1989 ‘METALLICO’ COLOUR RANGE - WALL & GLAZING BRACKETS Our Guarantee Handrail Fittings Ltd guarantee the best Trade Prices, the best quality and the best service in New Zealand. All fittings are manufactured to the highest quality specifications and comply with all relevant NZ Building Codes. • Handrail Brackets • End Caps • Bends • Base posts & Cover Plates • Tactile Buttons • Glazing Fittings 0800 426 372 | www.handrailfittings.co.nz
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