58 | Acquisition opens up Auckland market Arcwell Engineering T T Bernadette Cooney ENGINEERING Arcwell Engineering, a key player in Northland’s engineering sector, has embarked on the next stage of their business growth story, with their recent acquisition of Legacy Steel in Onehunga launching them into the heart of Auckland’s construction scene. This strategic move expands Arcwell’s capabilities across a broader service area, positioning the company as a dependable partner for key construction and civil infrastructure projects across Auckland and Northland. With nearly six decades of dedicated service, Arcwell Engineering has deep roots in Whangarei. General Manager Andre Garton reflects on their expansion: “Now, with fabrication workshops in both Whangarei and Auckland, we seamlessly cover projects fromRaglan to Cape Reinga.” Founded in the 1960s as a blacksmithing workshop by Ted Campbell as Campbell Engineering, the company started its transformation when Andre’s father bought it in 2003. Today, the company has evolved into a comprehensive structural steel fabrication business with their expertise extending across diverse construction projects, including multi-residential apartments, statement homes, commercial premises, and educational facilities. Arcwell offers a wide range of services covering all aspects of steel fabrication – from structural steel portals, beams, bespoke metalwork, balustrading, handrails, steel supply,protective coatings, and equipment hire. With a workforce of over 25 employees, the company provides a complete end-toend solution to all steel needs on a building site - summed up in their motto “We get steel done.” “You could add a lot of words to the end of that motto, but I’m most pleased Generations of hard work and anticipating their customers’ needs well into the future have served Ōpōtiki’s Lowe family well. Founded in 1981 by brothers Grant and Julian Lowe, Lowes Hire and Engineering has, since its inception, supported Ōpōtiki’s primary producers – and with good reason. In 2023, primary industry – including forestry, kiwifruit and farming, accounted for 33.6% of Ōpōtiki District’s GDP, outstripping wider New Zealand’s at just 5.7%. Back in 1981, the business focused on engineering, and offered a small hire fleet. As their client base – and Ōpōtiki District’s primary production – expanded and diversified, the Lowe brothers did too, moving into larger Bridge Street premises to accommodate demand. Disaster struck when an arson attack on an adjoining business saw the entire place burn to the ground. Undaunted, Grant and Julian rebuilt even larger premises. Today, Lowes Hire and Engineering occupies premises about 20 times the size of the fledgling operation they established years ago. Supporting their region Since it was founded in 1981 Lowes Hire and Engineering has supported Ōpōtiki’s primary producers. T T Lindy Andrews Lowes Hire & Engineering to add the word “safely”” says Andre, – “we managed to achieve a perfect score in our most recent Sitewise assessment, encouraging confirmation of all the hard work that has gone in behind the scenes to improve our culture of safety.“ Arcwell has an impressive portfolio of completed projects, such as Kumeu Central Apartments, the Jetty House, Pacific Ford Whangarei and Mangawhai PlaceMakers, Whangarei’s Heritage restoration of the Old Municipal Building, and many other Northland schools and construction projects. Recent standout projects in Auckland include The Loxley in Takapuna – a boutique apartment development with 47 freehold apartments over five levels, the Logan Apartments in Epsom – A tower of 41 luxury apartments on Manukau Road, and are currently completing the first stages of a new housing development in Ponsonby. The company also recently proved its ability in intricate, high-end architectural projects with an expansive Auckland residence featuring a four-storey spiral staircase fabricated from steel plate that ties into the house structure. Despite the current challenges facing the construction industry, Arcwell have been able to continue securing new projects. They are currently part-way through an extension to Auckland Heliport, are about to start work on two new apartment-style buildings for Ryman Healthcare, and a new cool store and packhouse in Kerikeri – alongside several architecturally designed residential homes, with more on the way. From warehouses to workshops, houses to hotels and sheds to schools, Arcwell are a trusted steel fabrication partner - offering a comprehensive set of services to support builders all over Auckland and Northland to get steel done – and keep their builds on track. As farms converted from dairy to kiwifruit growing, Lowes Hire grew and diversified to keep pace. At the same time, their clients grew to include export leaders Seeka Kiwifruit and packhouses Eastpack and Riverlock. When Grant and wife Raewyn retired, Jamie, along with his brothers Matt and Andrew, took over the business in 2022. Today’s large fleet of minibuses and towable Portaloos is invaluable to growers at peak harvest time, when the town’s population swells with thousands of pickers. “We also have a fleet of trailers, general construction and handyman equipment in the hire fleet,” Jamie says, “and a large retail store as well.” Lowes 24/7 Hydraulink hose service keeps replacement downtime to a minimum for forestry truckies and farmers alike. As Ōpōtiki looks to expand its aquaculture and other marine-related industries in the future, Jamie is optimistic. “We’re looking forward to even more work.” Diversification, anticipating the Ōpōtiki District’s growing primary production needs, isn’t always easy, Jamie says. “The good thing is that when one sector’s quiet, another is busy. Keeping the growth going definitely requires a bit of crystal-ball gazing.” Our range includes: • Automotive: mineral, synthetic and synthetic blend engine oils, coolants, auto trans fluid • Trucking: industrial gear, transmission, super diesel oils • Marine: two-stroke, inboard and outboard oils • Forestry: chain-bar, grease, hydraulic oils • Motorcycle: two and four-stroke engine oils • Classic and vintage: mono and multigrade engine oils with full zinc • Agricultural: shearing plant, rotary vacuum pump, hydraulic, gear oils • Cleaning products: hand cleaner, car, truck and tractor wash, degreaser, all-purpose cleaner Check out our website for our full product range and specifications: www.aegisoil.co.nz AN UNRIVALLED RANGE OF LUBRICANTS, COVERING ALL SECTORS AND PROUDLY BLENDED HERE IN NZ Proud to help bring Arcwell Engineering’s innovative thinking to life.
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