| 73 RURAL SERVICES » Quality Engineering / Williams Trucking Reliable water supply A dependable service Alexia Anderson Kelly Deeks Reliable water supply is something New Zealand’s farmers do not take for granted, particularly those on remote hill country. Accessing water is a challenge Quality Engineering Ltd (QEL) prides itself on, as it embraces the long standing Kiwi tradition of rampump innovation from its base in Hamilton. The company, owned and operated by Mark Rickerby, specialises in supporting New Zealand’s farming sector through the design, manufacture, installation, and servicing of water rampumps, a free-energy pumping system that requires no electricity or fuel. “We design site specific installations, manufacture and install Black Panther Rampumps, as well as service our pumps and other brands.” The systems are ideal for farms with surface water at a lower part of the farm that needs to get to a holding tank at the highest achievable position. From there, water can be gravity-fed through networks. Not only is it a simple and clever piece of technology, it has stood the test of time, serving rural communities for many years. Mark’s career started with the well-known Williamson Hi-Flow Rampumps, designing and installing systems throughout New Zealand. However, that company moved overseas choosing to operate from there, Mark stayed local and went on to launch QEL, eventually developing his own products ensuring his knowledge and expertise continued to benefit the sector. He says there were initial challenges, as expected when starting a new company with minimal resources. Mark’s determination has got QEL to where it is today, including a product that exceeds what has Williams Trucking has established a dependable presence in the Wairarapa’s rural transport sector through a personalised service model and a flexible approach to haulage. Based in Masterton, the business supports farmers, machinery dealers, and rural contractors across the region. Owners Robert and Stacey Williams say operating as an owner-driver enables efficiency, consistency, and competitive pricing for clients. Robert founded Williams Trucking after more than a decade working in agriculture and heavy transport in New Zealand, Western Australia, and the United States. Originally raised on a farm, he moved into truck and tractor operation at a young age before spending several seasons harvesting and driving in Western Australia. He then worked on large-scale farming operations in the United States before returning to New Zealand to settle back home in the Wairarapa. Williams Trucking was formed through the purchase of Tinui Freight, a small rural transport business with an established client base and one small truck. Robert also continued operating a second larger truck concurrent to the acquisition, enabling him to maintain workload and transition clients smoothly. “In the beginning the business was modest, and the returns were tight,” Robert says. “Over time the client base increased and turnover is now about ten times what it was originally.” The company has remained deliberately lean to preserve margins and service quality. Robert briefly employed an additional driver, but the downturn in rural returns and the conversion of productive farmland to forestry reduced volumes and led him to revert to single-operator mode. Robert says wholesale forestry conversions have been one of the most significant pressures on rural contractors in the Wairarapa, with about 15 former clients converted to pine. “It has had a major impact locally,” he says. “In many cases there is no next generation taking over farms and when returns are low, selling for forestry becomes an exit option.” been on the market historically and a full workshop for in-house manufacturing. Operating from Hamilton has provided a strong base for growth. “We have all the suppliers locally for raw products and can travel via 4WD vehicle to any part of the North Island.” His business also works closely with South Island farmers, shipping pumps or travelling for installations where needed. While every site brings its own engineering challenges, Mark says the satisfaction comes from seeing results that matter. “I believe all our projects stand out as they save farmers time and money.” Bringing old systems back to life is another reason he enjoys what he does. Rampump technology is not new, having been around for about 300 years. Mark makes them by hand, although draughting and laser cutting processes have “certainly made things easier”. QEL is operated single handedly by Mark, but he hopes to expand in the future with the aim of employing staff and educating people across the sector. Mark says for farmers with untapped surface water, the benefits of a rampump are hard to overlook. “Where else can you get a pump that lasts decades, delivers water upwards of 250 vertical metres and has no fuelling costs?” He says there are potentially tens of thousands of rampumps in the back blocks of New Zealand, each providing essential life saving water for production of animals and domestic use. Now, with the Black Panther Rampump and a growing nationwide customer base, QEL is keeping the technology alive for more generations and beyond. He notes the carbon-credit forestry model has changed land use patterns across the region, although the carbon market appears to be stabilising and land sales have slowed. In response to shifting market conditions, Williams Trucking has diversified into specialised and seasonal haulage. The business has transported baleage, wool, machinery, fencing materials, forestry equipment, apiculture equipment, honey, beehives, bulk materials, and general rural freight. During the peak of the Manuka honey sector, Robert moved hives for operators double-cropping across the season and supplied access and site works for apiary clients. While international honey sales softened during and after the Covid-19 period due to reduced airport retail, Robert continues to support apiculture customers with haulage, grading, and light civil works. Diversification has extended into small earthworks, bobcat services, driveway repairs, and wool shed cleaning. Robert says rural spending is beginning to lift again after several constrained years. “Values are improving and we are seeing more investment in maintenance,” he says. “Farmhouses, sheds, and tracks are being repaired again after a long period of deferral.” Looking ahead, Robert intends to maintain the company’s owner-operator structure and its focus on personalised service. “My clients value dealing directly with me, not a dispatcher,” he says. “I really enjoy the logistics side and the challenge of planning loads efficiently to keep costs down and provide a reliable, tailored haulage solution. No two days are the same, but every day I get to help my clients achieve great outcomes.” Customers are at the forefront of our priorities, W W W . V U L C A N . C O Your trusted, customer focused supplier of carbon, stainless, engineering steels and aluminium. Vulcan proudly support Mark and the Team at Quality Engineering Black Panther Rampumps
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