44 | Mt Wellington Engineering: 50 year anniversary T T Karen Phelps Problem solving the key to success The company’s work ranges from repairs and maintenance to specialist machine design, reverse engineering and full project builds. “We’re very approachable and offer a personal service. We thrive on solving people’s problems and getting them up and running again as quickly as possible.” ENGINEERING Mt Wellington Engineering (MWE) is marking close to three quarters of a century of providing engineering solutions across Auckland and beyond. Servicing sectors from marine to construction, trucking and food processing, the company, led by managing director Rob Schick, has built a reputation for reliability, problem-solving and hands-on expertise. “We’re very approachable and offer a personal service. We thrive on solving people’s problems and getting them up and running again as quickly as possible,” he says. The company’s roots stretch back to the mid-20th century. Rob trained as a fitter and turner under the respected Apprentice Training School at Rex Consolidated in the 1980s before working overseas in specialist companies. On returning to New Zealand, he and two friends from Rex Consolidated purchased the long-established MWE, which had been operating in Auckland for almost 50 years. After a period of developing new products elsewhere, Rob returned in the early 1990s to run the workshop and later repurchased the business in 2020, reinvigorating the classic engineering firm. Along with co-director Luke Holmes, they support a small but highly skilled team of three, covering diverse capabilities across Auckland. The company’s work ranges from repairs and maintenance to specialist machine design, reverse engineering and full project builds. MWE’s projects span multiple industries with a recent highlight being its work for Pacific Coast Marine. “Pacific Coast Marine bring their boats from Whitianga to us in Auckland because nobody else can really do what they need to a high standard, including prop shafts and rudders. Their boats are usually used for survey work, so they need to be in spec,” says Rob. One notable example involved a launch that had run aground, bending two prop shafts. Rather than replacing them at great expense, the shafts were transported to MWE. After careful measurement, the team straightened them to within 0.1mm tolerance, allowing the launch to return to service efficiently. “Our CNC lathe is set up for long shafts specifically for doing prop shafts,” says Rob. “This really aids our efficiency on these types of projects.” Another recent job saw MWE manufacture jigs for Auckland Airport to align runway lights during installation, while other projects include building directional boring machines for a drilling company client and providing tailored solutions for trucking and industrial clients including deck replacements, hydraulic rams and certified welding for chassis and axles. The company’s civil and construction services include designing new machinery, refurbishing digger buckets and blades and general fabrication. In the food processing sector, MWE offers high-hygiene machinery design, fabrication and maintenance, providing locally designed solutions where imported parts are impractical or costly. Rob attributes MWE’s longevity to its adaptable approach. “Years of experience and knowledge are applied with focus to each client’s problem, providing unique insight and solutions backed with full machining and fabrication capability to provide cost-effective results,” he says. With over 50 years of service Rob says that MWE exemplifies old-school engineering values while embracing modern machining techniques. “We have a real commitment to personalised service, innovative solutions and high-quality workmanship, which has made it a trusted partner across diverse industries.” Access the most diverse range and largest stock holding of thermoplastics, fluopolymers and conveyor solutions in ANZ. • Nylon • Acetal • UHMW PE • HMW PE • HDPE • Polypropylene • PTFE • PEEK • Heatbelts • Conveyor solutions from Regal Rexnord and Sytemplast 0800 650 750 | dotmar.co.nz sales@dotmar.co.nz LARGEST SELECTION OF ENGINEERING PLASTICS AND CONVEYOR PRODUCTS AUCKLAND | CHRISTCHURCH | PALMERSTON NORTH
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