56 | CONTRACTING Exaro Contracting Heavy haulage a new direction for company Alongside a piloting service, Exaro Contracting is now providing transport for anything from earthmoving equipment, building materials, and containers to anywhere in New Zealand. Kelly Deeks 2008 021617599 info@hawkyhaulage.co.nz From delivery and compliant storage, to diesel exhaust fluid, fuel cards and lubricants - we're a one stop shop for all your petroleum needs. Our local team can tailor solutions to meet your specific needs, while our national fleet and reliable processes ensure we deliver where you need it, when you need it. All your bases covered so you'll never run out Proud suppliers of Exaro Contracting For fuel and lubricants call 0800 383 566 Learn more at alliedpetroleum.co.nz Auckland’s Exaro Contracting is growing at a rapid rate of knots, having successfully completed several high-profile infrastructure projects in recent years, and this year starting a brand new heavy haulage division. Exaro Contracting was established in 2014 by Nick Griffin, who was joined in the business by Ivan King in January 2020. Initially a small, two-man contracting firm, Exaro Contracting has grown with about 40 pieces of late medel plant and about 55 experienced staff working across the upper North Island. Since it began, Exaro Contracting has stood for safety, quality, and building positive relationships within the construction industry, striving to provide a high level of professionalism and maintaining diligence in health, safety, and environmental practices. Ivan says Exaro Contracting is now coming to the end of the quietest winter it has ever had, and into the biggest and busiest springtime with multiple infrastructure and residential projects coming on line in September and October. “We’ve also been asked to be involved in three large infrastructure projects in the North Island,” Ivan says. “We have worked for both main contractors in the past, and we always supply a high calibre of staff and equipment.” This busy period occurs in a year that Nick and Ivan have taken one of their biggest steps since starting Exaro Contracting. They have bought a Western Star tractor unit and a three rows of eight transport trailer. Alongside a piloting service, Exaro Contracting is now providing transport for anything from earthmoving equipment, building materials, and containers to anywhere in New Zealand. “It’s a completely different scenario to moving dirt,” Ivan says. “Diggers and dozers are “Diggers and dozers are one thing, but now we’ve put a million dollar truck on the road and we’re branching into different areas of the industry.” one thing, but now we’ve put a million dollar truck on the road and we’re branching into different areas of the industry.” Nick and Ivan made this decision primarily to move their own machinery around, after spending up to $250,000 each year to hire subcontractors. Not only offering a saving and a measure of control over costs, the new unit is also a flagship for Exaro Contracting, getting the company’s branding out on the road every day. Being able to make such a massive investment was a huge achievement for Nick and Ivan, but they couldn’t give it the green light until they had secured the right person to drive the new truck. They were lucky enough to get Ian “Radar” Simpson, a well-respected driver with 35 years of experience in transport, logging, and freight, who has joined Exaro Contracting as heavy haulage supervisor, with the intention of growing that division of the company and potentially purchasing a second truck within the coming years. “Ian is extensively skilled and knowledgeable and he coordinates all transport of our plant efficiently and safely, ensuring our operations continue to run smoothly.” Exaro Contracting is still on the lookout for more staff and hoping to fill about 15 positions before summer. The contracting labour market is extremely competitive. Ivan says when he placed a job ad this time last year, there were 112 vacancies for machinery operators and when he placed another one in July, there were 580 vacancies!
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