| 55 Sue Russell Decade of growth for scaffolding company Summit scaffolding at work propping Aotea Station. Summit Scaffolding Ltd - Auckland CONTRACTING Since 2010, John Scott and Bruce Pickerill, have led Summit Scaffolding through years of growth and development, something John is extremely proud of. “It is a very demanding, exacting industry to work in, where margins are tight, standards must be very high and where technologies are continually evolving,” John says. Summit Scaffolding services the Auckland region from Hibiscus Coast in the north to Hamilton in the south, where another branch has been established. And with ongoing professional development a normal part of life for the teams working on site, Summit Scaffolding has enjoyed a decade-plus of growth, something John says has called for prudent management and investment decisions at every turn. As a minimum, every scaffolding installer holds a current Site Safe card, with supervisors holding Site Safe Gold cards. Experience overseas is also common adding to quality of service delivery across a wide range of building contexts. John first trained in 1983 at the Civil Engineering College at Bircham Newton, Norfolk, UK completing his training in 1987 as an advanced scaffolder working around Portsmouth. “I was a chargehand working on all aspects of scaffolding across residential, commercial and marine scaffolding.” Bruce’s first engagement in the sector was back in 1986 in Sydney where he worked on high-rise construction. So 12-plus years after founding Summit Scaffolding, the company now engages a team of 210 staff. “We employ people from overseas as well. We have a strong contingent of highly experienced scaffolders from the Philippine’s and the UK. To go from entry-level to skilled takes many years, building competency and experience of working in challenging situation, often at height.” Summit Scaffolding supplies three main forms of scaffold system: Kwikstage Scaffolding, Tube & Fitting Scaffold, K Guard and Vertemax Edge Protection systems. “With these technologies we’re able to apply scaffold, edge protection and access solutions.” Summit Scaffolding systems create a working platform width of 1 metre, above the 750mm prescribed standard. That additional width, the company considers, to be essential to operate effectively and safely. The company has been involved in upgrades and builds at Auckland’s Paremoremo Prison, at Kohuora Auckland South Corrections Facility at Wiri and plenty of projects at the University. Asked what his day to day looks like John stays core responsibilities relate to ensuring site managers have what they want to ensure work proceeds according to schedule. “You can imagine that what we do is the important first activity with anything project above a certain height. All the other trades involved in construction wait for us to do our work first, so its really important for the overall schedule that we work very efficiently.” Residential work is a growth area for Summit Scaffolding John says, and it’s the focus for fellow director Bruce. There’s the constant need also to invest in new equipment to ensure sufficient stock is always at hand. John says to be a successful scaffolder and to really make something of it as a career requires some essential attributes: commitment, reliability and a problem-solving head. “Not everyone can successfully work at height too. It’s a job that attracts a certain type of person and often they stay in the sector for many years. “These are the people who are extremely competent and valuable to us, so we ensure we place our staff, their welfare and training above all else.” “It is a very demanding, exacting industry to work in, where margins are tight, standards must be very high and where technologies are continually evolving.” RJ Wardenburg Limited SCAF-LITE SHEETING AND ACCESSORIES 0274926216 www.scaf.co.nz Our long-standing relationship with Bruce, John and the Team at Summit Scaffolding has been forged working together through all the highs and lows of the economic climates over the last 10 years, they are valued and loyal clients. We’d like to congratulate Summit on their continued business development and success, and commend their commitment to safety and quality – making their business one of the industry leaders. Logan Granger - Director, Johnston Associates. Email: lgranger@jacal.co.nz, Mobile 027 283 8331. The sky is the l imit. As Accountants and Advisors, we are proud to be part of the Summit Scaffolding business journey. Visit www. johnstonassociates.co.nz or call 09 361 6701. BUS I N E SS ADV I SORY, ACCOU NT I NG & TAXAT I ON Auckland | Tamahere | Gisborne | Blenheim | Nelson | Richmond
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