52 | Harkin Roofing has it covered The Harkin Roofing team outside their purpose built facility in Tauriko. Harkin Roofing CONTRACTING Sue Russell Deborah, and brother Brad Harkin took over running Tauranga-based Harkin Roofing in 2015. For Deborah and Brad, it was always the plan to work in the business which her father began as a one-man-band in 1979. Today, Harkin Roofing has grown in size and reputation to be one of the Bay of Plenty’s largest commercial roofing company, a journey Deborah is very proud of. “Brad and I run the company jointly, with Brad overseeing the projects and I oversee finance, health and safety and recruitment,” says Deborah. Tauranga, like other regions has been experiencing a construction boom in commercial and industrial growth, driven by massive improvements in transport infrastructure feeding in and out of the Bay and in the growth in the Ports of Tauranga. Given this, Deborah says, finding more staff and retaining existing employees is a priority. “We try very hard to look after our team and to train up new staff who share our passion for what we do and carry a strong work ethic. This is what has propelled our growth to where we are today.” Staff are put through Health & Safety courses and engaged in training through Vertical Horizons Apprenticeships. Asked how roofing technologies have evolved, Deborah says the industry isn’t one that experiences rapid changes. “We do though see a lot more insulated roofing product used. In future, with the new building code changes coming through in May, requiring all commercial buildings who have public access to have roof insulation, Deborah says may be where demand will drive development of new roofing technologies to meet the standards. Harkin Roofing has always specialised in commercial roofing, an industry both Deborah and Brad enjoy working in. “We like the scale of our projects. Our largest projects have seen us on site for up to two years. One such project, just around the corner from where Harkin Roofing is located in the Tauriko industrial precinct. Measuring in at a massive 50,000m2, the Gib production facility is currently under construction. “We can cover a very large area relatively quickly given the steel lengths we work with.” Demand for Harkin Roofing’s services has filled the order books through to mid this year and generally the work-rate extends to 20 to 30 projects on the go at any one time. “While most of our work is in the Bay of Plenty, we will go further for a decent project, such as the Balance factory in Whangarei and the Tui Factory in Napier.” Deborah acknowledges the roofing sector is a competitive one, but she says, Harkin Roofing has been in business long enough that projects often come their way because of their reputation. “We are an expensive beast to run because of our size and scale. “We have all our own machines manufacturing our own flashing and we also have a large amount of edge protection stored to use on site.” Another responsibility Deborah feels keenly is that to her staff with 45 families relying on the business for their income. “Although it’s a boom now, we know the building cycle and that times will also get tough. Brad and I are always looking well ahead to ensure we have plenty of projects to keep the staff busy.” This means Deborah and Brad will also phone long-standing clients to register interest in future projects at planning stage. “You have to seize every opportunity and put yourself out there in business. We have relationships with the Port of Tauranga and we have a maintenance division. This all helps keep the work flowing.” And for any indication that Deborah and Brad intend to grow the company, the decision to move to Tauriko and into a purpose-built facility has secured Harkin Roofing’s capacity well into the future. “We now have a much bigger manufacturing arm and room to hold more product. “As soon as we have secured a project our first priority is to ensure the products are available and if need be we bring them in early because since COVID, its been hard to rely on product arriving at any specific time.” Deborah says she’s looking forward to another good year ahead, with work on the Gib factory due to be completed in April. Proud to support Harkin Roo ng Ltd Ph: 0800 DRISTUD (0800 374 7883) Email: orders@drispace.co.nz For more information visit: DriSpace.co.nz Products Roofing Underlays Wall Wrap Airtight membranes Ventilation White Faced Foils Window Flashing Tape Available at your local Merchants and Roll Formers ProudlySupporting Harkin Roofing Ltd konnectfasteningsystems.co.nz
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