Business North November 2021

| 35 T Karen Phelps Based in Whangarei A.C.E.S offers more than 30 years’ industry experience. Whāriki Business Network: Asset Corrosion Engineered Solutions REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The power of good teamwork a winner 09 274 5488 9 Neales Road, East Tamaki, Auckland customerservice@metspray.co.nz www.metspray.co.nz Metspray specialises in applying high performance coatings to protect steel against the problems faced by corrosion and fires. We are experts at applying industrial coatings from standard systems, complex protective systems, intumescent fire protection, all the way through to thermal metal spray systems. This is all achieved within our facility hosting over 3,000sqm of indoor shop space residing on a hectare of land and all supervised by our NACE CIP inspectors. When this is not enough, we have the same level of expertise for any on site projects from intumescent to marine whether new, maintenance or remedial. Metspray takes pride in working collaboratively on projects when required in order to get the right result for clients. For example it has developed a strong association with Asset Corrosion Engineering Solutions (ACES), which has seen the two companies deliver some large, complex projects such as the Downtown Ferry Terminal upgrade in Auckland. The Metspray teamdid what it does best delivering the structural steel blasting and application of protective coatings for the project. ACES added its expertise inmarine coatings to the mix subcontracting to Metspray. The 18-month project involved coatings for six pontoons and three landing pads. Metspray general manager Philip La Trobe says that management and coating inspection were key aspects of the project, which involved both on site and in-shop application; tomeet stringent requirements for marine based coatings. Innovative thinking was also required. For example the coatings for the pontoons sawMetspray compartmentalise each section and also carefully control the environment in order tomaintain the environmental requirements for the coating and blasting applications. This was achieved using specially designed dehumidi ication and heating along with extraction units to collect dust and fumes. Collaboration the key “This project really demonstrates how we can deliver complex jobs with a high degree of planning and expertise required, working in with other contractors on the site to achieve the end result for the client on time and on budget.” Based in East Tamaki, Auckland, Metspray was formed in the 1960s. Today it is owned by Chris and Kim Schultz-Merrick who lead a strong highly quali ied team. The company has four paint shops and three abrasive blasting booths at its facility. Plant A is for thermal metal spray, blast and prime works. Plant B is equipped withmachinery allowing 20 tonnes of lifting capacity for large projects. Plant C is for non-ferrous and HDG substrates.. Plant D, which opened late last year, is for inishing and intumescent coatings. Philip says the signi icant investment has provided a higher grade facility for this speci ic work resulting in an even better quality product. Also in the building is a training facility, which will see people from all over New Zealand and even across the Tasman come to Metspray to further their skills. He says Metspray and ACES will continue to forge a strong partnership, capitalising on each other’s strengths and supporting each other in future endeavours such as the New Zealand International Convention Centre, which they are both currently working on. D irector of Asset Corrosion Engineered Solutions (A.C.E.S) Debbie Pou had just started her company in late February 2019 when Covid-19 hit. A.C.E.S was in the middle of its first contract completing the abrasive blasting and coating of pontoons for the America’s Cup. Luckily she didn’t have expensive overheads at the time and Debbie says input from North- land Inc. along with the wage subsidy helped her to continue her business and hit the ground running when the lockdown finished. Her skills meant she could easily implement the processes required to work under various levels of lockdown once working was permit- ted again. The main challenge was then the extremely tight timeframe, which saw A.C.E.S operate crews 24/7 to get the job done. She says it was also the tightest specifica- tions she had ever worked to, which speaks volumes considering Debbie started her company after seven years as the routine maintenance supervisor at a refinery which saw her overseeing a team in charge of blast- ing and painting. “Not a spec of dust could be left inside after abrasive blasting before applying a coat of paint. The units had to be kept at an ambient temperature. It was also winter so rain threw additional challenges,” she says. Debbie herself also worked with the team continuously on the job. She says commu- nication and teamwork with all the various contractors involved was vital. The pontoons form the docking base for the downtown Auckland passenger ferry network. She says the successful completion of the contract demonstrates the high levels of skill and quali- ty her team is capable of achieving. Based in Whangarei A.C.E.S offers more than 30 years’ industry experience between the team and is internationally certified coating inspectors with NACE Internation- al, the Worldwide Corrosion Authority. In addition team members hold numerous NZQA competencies and certificates in workplace safety, working at heights and elevated work platforms, confined spaces practices and supervision, handling hazardous substances, and are licensed forklift operators. Debbie says the team is practised at reporting to engineers and inspectors, and coordinating contractors, jobs and teams. She says that by working hands-on with her team to get the job done properly, safely, well and on time, every time, the familiarity among staff and mutual loyalty enables A.C.E.S to work very efficiently to produce top-quality work. She says A.C.E.S provides realistic timelines for delivery, adheres to job specifications and manufacturer’s recommendations, and maintains rigorous quality control and ITPs. This has enabled it to successfully applied corrosion control measures on a diverse range of projects across various industrial sectors. By managing time professionally and efficiently, A.C.E.S is able to meet reasonable turnarounds with zero compromise on quality. “We understand that the work we do for you today must remain steadfast well into the future and all of our decisions are based on this fact; from ensuring our team is appro- priately qualified and trained for the task, to continuing their, as well as our own, on-going professional development. We familiarise our- selves thoroughly with job and manufacturer’s specifications, and carry out all our work in a manner that complies with New Zealand coding and compliance regulations,” explains Debbie. Due to company growth A.C.E.S has recently set up base at Marsden Cove Marina hard- stand where it has offices and a painting and blasting facility. This enables it to complete full strip and anti fouling projects for vessels at the marina. The company has also just won a significant contact completing the intumes- cent fireproof coating for the structural steel components of the Civic Centre in Whangarei. Debbie says that A.C.E.S is looking to grow fur- ther on the back of its undying commitment to producing the best outcomes for its clients.