52 | Award-winning co fosters staff potential The iconic Peacocke Cycle Bridge took out line honours in the $1.5m to $3m category at Steel Construction New Zealand’s annual Excellence in Steel Awards. PFS Engineering T T Sue Russell ENGINEERING Adam Rickit, Hamilton-based PFS Engineering’s business development manager, says a factor contributing to the longevity and success of the company, and a core value shared by the management team, is the aspiration to grow key individuals out of the trades into positions of responsibility. “This is something we’re very in tune with, and value. We like nothing better than to see our people, having demonstrated initiative, progressing from the workshop floor within the business,” Adam says. “A core value is to develop exceptional people. Our aim is to maintain 10-12 apprentices at any one time.” It’s that drive to continually foster opportunities for the staff and for the business itself that has underpinned its size and scale today. PFS Engineering operates from purpose-built facilities in Riverlea Road. At 30,000 square feet, the building is home to two 25-tonne gantry cranes, two 10-tonne gantry cranes and specialised areas devoted to design, welding and painting departments. “We wanted to ensure we had the capacity to build at any scale, and the space to be a one-stop-shop for all engineering solutions, with room to expand our operation on our present site,” Adam explains. Having all the necessary engineering expertise and process under the one roof has brought efficiencies and strategic gains for the company and with the wealth of knowledge and capability each department has, PFS Engineering has played a key role in the infrastructural development of Hamilton, and many other centres throughout the country. Close to home, two stand-out projects in Hamilton have this year received industry recognition at Steel Construction New Zealand’s annual Excellence in Steel Awards, something Adam says everyone at PFS Engineering is enormously proud of. The iconic Peacocke Cycle Bridge, spanning the Waikato River on the eastern edge of Hamilton, took out line honours in the $1.5m-$3m category. Recognised for its artistry, and technically challenging design and installation, the bridge proudly boasts two steel masts (taurapa), inspired by traditional waka taurapa, the carved canoe stern piece. Judges noted the stunning structure incorporated Māori artwork to spectacular effect, and was a fine example of the benefits that come with strong collaboration between client, designer and builder. “A smorgasbord of thinking and experience went into its design and build,” says Adam. “We pulled ideas from lots of bridges we had built. This is one very classy bridge, with Corten Steel sourced from the Swedish steel mill, who own the brand name.” Technically challenging, given the importance of tracking the water in a way that it wouldn’t subsequently run down the concrete and was tracked from the outside, the Peacocke Cycle Bridge was constructed using about 200 tonnes of Corten Steel. The bold and sympathetic use of Māori symbols and design into the bridge has resulted in a truly beautiful and artful structure. The second PFS Engineering project to receive a gong at the awards was the MADE Market spiral staircase, connecting the dining deck on level three with the ‘sheds’ below, home to art studios, a coffee roastery and restaurant. “We provided constructible input, supporting Holmes Engineering, who were the professional engineers. It’s when you can bring your experience into the project as we did here that real value is added,” Adam says. Steel Construction NZ said a key feature of the sculptural steel staircase is the balustrade, which supports the stair treads. “The soffit beneath the treads forms steel ‘petals’ creating a segmented, curved and smooth surface.” All these structural attributes combined to create a simple and elegant staircase and a piece of engineering beauty. PFS Engineering has three core operating pillars – projects, equipment, and contract manufacturing. A glance at PFS Engineering’s website provides viewers with fine examples of the diverse array of projects the company is proud to have achieved. “We pulled ideas from lots of bridges we had built. This is one very classy bridge, with Corten Steel sourced from the Swedish steel mill, who own the brand name.” • Commercial Painting • Machinery Painting • Industrial Painting • Sandblasting • Panel Beating • Sign Writing • Thermal Arc Spraying Proud to be in partnership with PFS Engineering. Contact us today to help with any of your Collision Repair or Refinishing needs auckland@fleetimage.co.nz www.bbo.co.nz | consultants@bbo.co.nz | +64 07 838 0144 We are a multi-disciplinary team of professional engineering and planning consultants based in Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Building better outcomes is what we do. We demonstrate our values by promoting client trust, and delivering cost-effective, innovative, and practical solutions for complex projects. Proud to be associated with PFS Engineering by undertaking the detailed design for the award-winning Peacocke Taurapa Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge, Hamilton, NZ.
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