Business North March 2021

| 27 New approach saves time, cuts waste T Karen Phelps The Paerata Primary School project comprises two buildings including a hall/admin block and a two-storey classroom block. Paerata Rise - Form Building & Developments DEVELOPMENT F orm Building & Developments introduced a new concept for the company for the Paerata Primary School project, which re- sulted in higher quality outcomes, says Form senior project manager Chris Edwards. Called Last Planner, the strategy was based on Toyota’s Lean Management system, aiming to cut wastage on site in any way possible. This saw Form implement practices such as delivering materials to exactly where they were needed on the site, rather than to a cen- tral area then disperse them, and only hiring equipment as it was needed to avoid wasted downtime where it was sitting around on site. It also included ensuring in-depth commu- nication so everyone always knew what other contractors were doing on site. “This meant that contractors could effi- ciently plan their part of the job and meant they didn’t have to rush or were put under pressure. The result was smoother workflow and higher quality outcomes,” explains Chris who says Form will now roll out Last Planner on all its projects. Form partnered with ASC Architects and BGT Structures on Paerata Primary School, a design and build project for the Ministry of Ed- ucation. The brief was to execute early design work and construct two new primary schools: Paerata Primary School and Belmont-Pukeko- he West Primary School. The Paerata Primary School project com- prises two buildings including a hall/admin block and a two-storey classroom block. Made of structural steel and concrete slab, the pro- ject was not unduly challenging for Form apart from the curveballs thrown by the Covid-19 lockdowns including supply chain issues, closed down worksites and, later, difficulties getting contractors working outside Auckland to site. This meant the initial deadline had to be extended to 10 March when the project was completed. Due to the close proximity of both Belmont and Paerata schools, Form utilised the same subcontractors across both sites to achieve efficiencies and savings both financially and in the programme. “Sound planning and logistics were vital,” says Chris. “We had lots of barbeques to keep subcontractors engaged and made sure everything on site was well organised so it was a great and safe place to work.” It is part of Form’s focus on people, which is recognised as being integral to its success. Chris says that communication, genuineness and professionalism are just some of the values entrenched in Form’s culture. Staff, contractors and sub-contractors are selected using a rigorous process to ensure as a team, Form can positively contribute to suc- cessful outcomes for construction projects, cli- ents and associated business partners. Form’s sub-contractors are vetted and qualified through its in-house pre-qualification process to ensure their capabilities and standards are in line with Form’s culture. Form Building & Developments is the result of a merger between Moyle Construction and Eaton Developments in 2007 resulting in a team with over 65 years’ experience in the industry. Form now offers a team of over 150 people in the Waikato, Auckland and Bay of Plenty regions. The company’s services include com- mercial and seismic re-strengthening, com- mercial feasibility assessments and valuation services, weather tight remediation, high-end architectural homes, residential restoration, renovations and extensions and development projects. “This meant that contractors could efficiently plan their part of the job and meant they didn’t have to rush or were put under pressure. The result was smoother workflow and higher quality outcomes.” THE TEAM AT COPPERTOP PDG LTD ARE PROUD TO BE WORKING WITH FORM BUILDING & DEVELOPMENT LTD - AUCKLAND P 09 239 0088 | E geoff@coppertop.co.nz | M 021 249 1395 W www.coppertop.co.nz b y V I S T A L I T E NOR T H HARBOUR L I M I T E D PROUD TO SUPPORT FORM BUILDING & DEVELOPMENTS WITH PAERATA SCHOOL PUKEKOHE WWW.VISTALITE.CO.NZ Leading Manufacturers of Commercial & Residential Aluminium Joinery