Business North October 2021

46 | Kawerau: East Coast Heavy Diesel REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT to page 0 Kawerau branch sees rising demand The ECHD Kawerau branch was established to repair and maintain commercial vehicles and earthmoving equipment, in the forestry sector, the mills and the road transport industry. Retail & Service Excellence AwardWinner 2008 Insurance work, panel beating and spray painting 42 Valley Road, Whakatane 027 556 0905 | 07 308 8317 admin@haddockspray.co.nz See us first! E stablished by Scotty Hale, East Coast Heavy Diesel (ECHD) Group has contin- ued to drive its reputation as a one-stop- shop operation within the region, taking the opportunity to open a new branch in Kawerau early in 2020. General Manager Kerry Poots says the Kawerau branch was established to repair and maintain commercial vehicles and earthmov- ing equipment, in the forestry sector, the mills and the road transport industry. “We look after anything from generators, forklifts, trucks, diggers and loaders. We will do engine repairs, transmission and brakes, hydraulic hoses and hydraulic support, engi- neering and welding repairs, auto electrical — whatever is required really.” Employing a total of 46 staff, ECHD Group now operates branches in Kawerau and Gis- borne, with its main branch in Whakatane and Kerry says the team at ECHD see themselves as a one-stop-shop for diesel repairs and servicing. “We are the only place in Whaka- tane where you can get your vehicle serviced, tested and get new tyres fitted all at the same place. In Whakatane we have an engineering workshop, a hydraulic hose business, a radia- tor business, and we have a Bridgestone tyre centre both here and in Kawerau. Whakatake ECHD also has a relationship with TEDS Test- ing Station, which is a modern vehicle testing station specialising in heavy vehicle Certificate of Fitness testing along with vehicle assess- ments, roller brakes, testing and WoF’s.” The ECHD Group is an authorised service agent for Scania, Fuso, Hitachi, Komatsu, Bell and Moxy and has a relationship with Total Oil NZ. While the Kawerau operation has its own workshop facility and Bridgestone tyre centre, it shares the rest of Whakatane’s facilities, which is just 30 minutes away via the mo- torway, to service the Kawerau region and surrounding forestry areas. The Kawerau branch opened just before Covid last year, staffed by Marise Coats as the service/branch manager and Claude Opper- man as Head Technician. Despite Covid, ECHD Kawerau has contin- ued to grow, adding an apprentice mechanic to the team and frequently calling upon addi- tional staff from Whakatane to meet growing demand. Richard Loader “We are confident in the growth of the busi - ness and have the long-term vision of moving into our own purpose built workshop at some stage in the future. Any purpose built workshop would provide a parts department, a drive-through pit bay, an engineering bay and workshop bays. It would also provide greater parking for truck and trailer units, with easier access.” Reflecting on what has underpinned the success of ECHD over the years, Kerry says Scotty Hale has been the driving force behind the business. “Scotty initially set himself up servicing and repairing heavy vehicles in the bush fourteen years ago and has grown the business to what it is today. We’re a family run business and that runs right throughout the business.” Kerry says to be successful you must be successful with the customers and have an understanding of the big picture, and that adds value for everyone. “That means success of the business comes down to the team you have around you. It is about listening to the customer, understand- ing their needs and requirements.” “We look after anything from generators, forklifts, trucks, diggers and loaders. We will do engine repairs, transmission and brakes, hydraulic hoses and hydraulic support, engineering and welding repairs, auto electrical — whatever is required really.”