90 | SmartSteel Buildings T T Sue Russell New options on offer for steel sector BUILDING Whangarei-based SmartSteel Buildings Ltd was formed by two passionate construction professionals who saw an opportunity to provide for themselves and potential customers, a level of service support, free from the incumbrances of the traditional, costly and wasteful franchise/license models common in New Zealand. Real pioneers at heart, Haemish Reid and Brett Waldron wanted to disrupt the old order, rethinking how their company could stand independently of the common commercial protocols that exist around accessing steel building design and materials. “Five years ago we decided we had to do something about the really expensive cost model that existed for building companies offering their customers steel building design and construction services. “We wanted to get right away from the costly fee structures that permeate the industry, adding costs that don’t provide builders with any value benefit, so we jumped in boots and all to create our business to work completely independent,” Haemish explains. Having initially leased a software program the pair soon discovered that they needed to create their own program and have complete control over all the cost centres and direction for their company. But more than this, they really wanted to offer other steel building operators an opportunity to free themselves of, what they consider to be, unjustifiable costs and corporate control that get added to the bottom-line project costs, trickling up to impact business profitability and consumer costs. “With Brett’s year’s of experience in steel construction, having built in excess of 200,000sqm of buildings, it just made sense to us to use this to add incredible value to our business. “I added my market-thinking to the equation and now we have a product and business model which is incredibly promising.” That software is revolutionary in itself, giving SmartSteel Buildings and their software partner businesses much design freedom and flexibility previously not on offer. “We produced a new inline C-Section structural design using our own bracket designs, backed with common-sense thinking. “Structural Systems: SmartSteel Buildings can provide three design systems.” The SS-Inline C-Section Structural system is a fully bolted structure with flatback purlins/ girts inline with the outside of columns and top of rafters. The SS-TopH – Tophat Structural System uses swaged or flatback portal structure with TEK screwed Tophats in a traditional manner while the SS-HotR is a system suited for mild steel structures. “The SS-HotR is currently in development phase,” Haemish explains. After engaging a software designer in a 2+ year process, the packages offer users instant design, instant bill of materials, instant quote, instant council drawings, instant engineered signoff and instant fabrication drawings. Big aspirations follow with Haemish saying the propelling vision is to be like the ITM of the Steel Building game - working closely with partners to share knowledge and experience. Operator partners have already joined, seeing the benefits in cost, time and process by using the software options. “In terms of where we see this going, we’re all about creating collaborative partnerships. “This platform has been designed by builders, for builders to deliver much better outcomes for our users and customers. We’ll soon be announcing more steel building dealers coming on board, so its a really exciting time for us all.” Haemish says its about time the steel construction sector was offered new options. The software has been designed to be as user-friendly as possible, reducing substantially the whole build process. “It can take up to six weeks or more to do all the design detailing followed by four to six weeks in Council awaiting consent. By using our software, the detailed design is automatically signed off and able to instantly submit to council.” Manufacture and supply of EPS & PIR insulated panels Metalcraft Insulated Panels are leading manufacturers, importers and suppliers of fire retardant expanded polystyrene (EPS) and PIR insulated roof and wall panel. Metalcraft Insulated Panels are proud to be insulated panel suppliers to SmartSteel Buildings Ltd. Insulated panels are used for a wide variety of industries where hygiene, cool or warm environments, or a comfortable workplace is paramount. Insulated panels can provide good insulation to reduce your annual heating or chiller bill. • Commercial buildings, roof or walls • Residential houses, roof and walls • Farm buildings including cowsheds • Horse stables • Enclosed vehicle trailers • Honey processing • Vegetable & flower storerooms • Coee bean storerooms Let us help you with sound advice from experienced people. Call 027 493-0423 or the factory 09 277-8844 terry@metpanels.co.nz or sales@metpanels.co.nz | www.metalcraftpanels.co.nz • Milk powder storerooms • Oces • Building upgrades • Easy to erect dividing walls • Commercial chicken sheds • Commercial freezers and chillers
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