22 | Facility supports network Lobell Construction: Wel Networks T T Kim Newth DEVELOPMENT WEL Networks’ new warehouse and office building in Te Rapa, Hamilton speaks volumes about the company’s positive response to growth in the region. In the Waikato, WEL Networks plays an essential role in economic and social development by delivering energy to over 100,000 households and businesses. As Hamilton and the surrounding areas continue to grow, WEL is investing significantly to extend and strengthen their electrical network to ensure they can meet local demands, now and into the future. WEL Networks sustainability and business improvement manager Nick Childs describes the new building as “an important resource” for WEL Networks. “It is needed to store equipment and resources to support ongoing investment in our network as a result of both continued growth of the Waikato area and WEL’s strategy to deliver additional network functionality such as our solar farms, battery storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. “This purpose-built facility allows us to bring together items that had been stored in various locations into one place that is modern, efficient and seismically safe.” The new building also provides WEL Networks with a much-needed staff training facility that includes a large, modern training room and space for project teams to work. An added advantage is the new facilities’ location near WEL’s main Hamilton offices. “We would like to acknowledge and thank the excellent work of our lead contractor Lobell Construction, who was supported by engineer to contract, Colliers Project Leaders, and BCD who provided the design along with many other contractors who were involved in the build and fit-out. This is a great example of a modern, streamlined facility,” Nick says. The smart 73sqm² warehouse has a sturdy precast concrete and structural steel form and includes rooftop solar panels, battery storage at the rear, and car park chargers for EV vehicles. Beautifully finished, the new, two-storey offices (210sqm) feature polished concrete floors and tasteful cedar and black tin cladding. An extensive concrete yard (1150sqm), delivered to a high standard, surrounds the new building. A convenient aspect of this project for Lobell Construction was that their premises are also in Hamilton. Lobell Construcion managing director Louis Shaw says that made it easy to monitor progress on-site. Working to a tight construction time frame of less than eight months, Lobell Construction and Your Leading Independent Building Merchant for all your Residential and Commercial needs Frame & Truss Manufacturing Timber and Building Supplies Aluminium Joinery Hardware and Tools Reinforcing to Roo ng Northland | Auckland Wide | Waikato | Canterbury www.akaranatimbers.co.nz 0508 AKARANA The team at CHP Electrical are proud to support Lobell Construction Ltd Phone 07 848 2122 or 0800 245 368 Email: info@chp.nz www.chpelectrical.nz GATE AND FENCE SPECIALISTS Custom Gates – Fences – Fabrication Do you need a new custom quality gate or fence? CONTACT US 027 250 7773 info@xcf.co.nz www.xcf.co.nz Quotes@completeflooring.co.nz 07 242 0290 Completeflooring.co.nz Commercial and Residential Flooring Specialists The warehouse has a sturdy precast concrete and structural steel form and includes rooftop solar panels. the project team pulled out all the stops to achieve handover by early December last year. “It was great to get it done on time – the design and build was all completed within 12 months,” says Louis. “Our site manager, Tony Cassidy, who has only been with us for a year, did a fantastic job. I was really impressed with his dedication – we’re proud to have him on our team. BCD Group completed both the architectural and structural design. While this is somewhat unusual for Hamilton, having both under one entity made overlaying drawings and resolving queries much faster, which was essential given the project timeline.” Lobell Construction is a strong family business in the Waikato, dedicated to partnering with businesses and developers to create buildings that work for people.
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