60 | Sector leader focused on the local The company manufactures a range of container handling equipment, skeletal trailers, trucks, and trailers for transporting logs, stainless steel tankers for food grade products, and Swinglift side loaders. TRANSPORT INDUSTRY Patchell Group T T Russell Fredric “We manufacture all of our equipment in Rotorua. We are the only side loader manufacturer still building all of our equipment in New Zealand for our clients, so we’re still supporting New Zealand manufacturing and jobs. The brand and legacy of Patchell Group, built on its reputation for reliability and customer support, is huge in the transport industry, group sales and marketing, Glenn Heybourn says. New Zealand’s leader in heavy transport trailers and equipment, Patchell Group was established in Rotorua in 1972 by Ian Patchell as a small general engineering workshop and now employs about 160 staff, having peaked at 230 pre-covid. Ian still works in the business today. The company manufactures a range of container handling equipment, skeletal trailers, trucks, and trailers for transporting logs, stainless steel tankers for food grade products, and Swinglift side loaders. “The Patchell Brand is hugely regarded,” Glenn says. “The Patchell name has been credited as the best product on the market in terms of what we build. My background prior to working for Patchell’s was running a log transport company. We only bought Patchell equipment because it lasted; it didn’t fail, it didn’t crack and if anything did go wrong Patchell’s would always support it and back it up. “It’s a very, very good product in a very harsh environment and it lasts and goes the distance.” As a local business that has operated from the same site for the past 53 years, Patchell Group is strongly connected to the Rotorua community, not only by providing employment but also by supporting worthy causes. The company also provides training opportunities, with cadetships offered through the Gateway programme in conjunction with local high schools, in addition to employing apprentices in roles such as light and heavy engineering, fabrication, hydraulic engineering, automotive electrical and design. Glenn and the team are passionate about keeping the business’ operations local. “We manufacture all of our equipment in Rotorua. We are the only side loader manufacturer still building all of our equipment in New Zealand for our clients, so we’re still supporting New Zealand manufacturing and jobs. “We’ve got to keep supporting local manufacturing and engineering, otherwise there won’t be anything left here and people will be just buying everything offshore which is not the way we want to go as a country.” In addition to reflecting Patchell Group’s product range, the job roles within the company point to the sophisticated technology incorporated in its Swinglift systems. “We are always innovating around that. Now they are able to offer AI cameras for safety and have been running CANbus systems to make it as safe as possible for the operator for some time.” Mounted around a trailer, the AI cameras can recognise a human and disables the Swinglift if a person walks into the operating zone, while the CANbus system and its electronic sensors calculates the weight of a load as soon as it lifts clear of the ground or the trailer deck’s twist locks. With this information the CANbus system can calculate the envelope the Swinglift can safely operate within and if the stability limits are reached, the control system alerts the operator. The system includes monitoring the positions of the stabilisers and legs and how level the trailer is. “Patchell Group’s strength lies in more than the steel we shape – it’s in the trust we build,” Glenn says. “Through innovation and robust engineering, we create solutions that not only stand the test of time but also deliver the best return on investment for our customers. “Backed by a proud legacy and a commitment to supporting local manufacturing, we continue to lead with reliability, ingenuity, and a genuine focus on helping our customers succeed.” www.patchell.co.nz PATCHELL GROUP OF COMPANIES
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