| 59 CONTRACTING Hydrex Industrial Hoses and Fittings For Wastewater & Hydro-Excavation Proud to support Will and the Team at Tiger Blue & Tiger Green Wastewater & Vacuum Hose Boomer Hydro Excavation Truck Boom Hose Geovac Hydro Excavation Truck Boom Hose T T Kelly Deeks Hydrex has grown from a single hydro excavation truck to a fleet of seven, with another larger unit due to arrive from Australia later this year. Hydro excavation specialist gearing up for growth Hydro excavation specialist Hydrex is preparing for its next stage of growth, investing in larger equipment, expanding its service offering and building its workforce as it strengthens its presence across Auckland and Northland. Founded by Will Pitman in 2021, Hydrex has grown from a single hydro excavation truck to a fleet of seven, with another larger unit due to arrive from Australia later this year. The new truck will allow the company to excavate to depths of up to 25 metres, significantly increasing its capability for major infrastructure projects. Will said Hydrex’s growth has been driven by a simple philosophy of specialising in one field and doing it well. “We’re not the biggest company in the market, but hydro excavation is all we do. Our whole focus is on providing that service to the highest standard.” His path into the industry began in Western Australia’s oil and gas sector, where he worked with compressed air systems before returning to New Zealand in 2018. After joining one of Auckland’s leading hydro excavation companies, he recognised both the long-term opportunities in the industry and a gap in the market. “Clients kept telling me I should go out on my own, so I backed myself.” Since then, Hydrex has steadily expanded, purchasing new equipment every year while building strong relationships with civil contractors, utility providers, and infrastructure companies. “We’re not the biggest company in the market, but hydro excavation is all we do.” Hydrex has recently expanded into CCTV pipe inspections and septic chamber inspections across Auckland and Northland, broadening the services it can offer existing clients. Hydro excavation uses high-pressure water and powerful vacuum systems to safely expose underground services without damaging critical infrastructure such as water mains, fibre optic cables, gas lines, and electrical networks. The method has become increasingly important as infrastructure projects grow more complex. The arrival of the new high-capacity vacuum unit reflects that demand. “Our current trucks comfortably work between 10 and 14 metres, but we’re seeing more projects that require us to excavate much deeper. This new unit gives us the capacity to work faster and more efficiently on those deep shaft projects.” The investment is also expected to create another employment opportunity as Hydrex continues to expand its team. As an Amotai registered company, Hydrex is 100 percent Māori and Pasifika-owned, and Will is passionate about creating opportunities for New Zealand workers. Rather than recruiting experienced operators, he prefers employing people with little or no industry experience and training them internally. “It means we teach everyone the same way from day one. They don’t come with bad habits, and our whole team is streamlined. All of our jobs are done to the same high standard.” Developing people has become one of the most rewarding aspects of running the business. Will points to one employee who joined Hydrex four years ago and recently purchased his first home as a milestone that reflects the company’s culture. “Seeing someone achieve something like that is huge, and the other guys see it’s possible for them too.” With new equipment on the way and its services continuing to expand, Hydrex is focused on building capability while staying true to the specialist approach that has driven its success. “We’re proud of what we’ve built so far, and we’re only just getting started.”
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