| 105 BazJanssengrowingSouth Islandwide Most of the the businesses work Baz Janssen Building does is connected with the rural sector. Sue Russell With parents who worked hard to eventually buy a small dairy farm in Southland, Baz Janssen always thought he would end up working on a farm. However, once he had completed his schooling years instead of going, as originally planned, to Lincoln, he decided to go and get himself a building qualification. “I also did an LIC course for AI so eventually had two sets of skills.” Based in Winton, in Southland, Baz says 99% of the businesses work is connected with the rural sector. “We did a lot of conversions to dairying in the early years but now with environmental rules changing making it not possible for non-dairying land to be converted, the focus has shifted very much to replacements and upgrades of cow sheds and associated infrastructure,” Baz explains. Baz employs 15 staff and he says ideally he would employ a couple more if he could find people with the work ethic and attitude to fit into the company’s culture. Business is conducted all over the South Island. The company has the resources to take on all ground work, concreting, structural steel fabrication, Steel yard railing/ gates. Baz says that consenting time-frames have been somewhat challenging of late. “Consents through to materials are all taking longer and it feels as though this is going to be the new norm.” Working alongside the milking plant company Baz says between the two entities the complete milking shed, effluent system or feed facility can be built or upgraded. “We’ve had so much experience now with upgrades and working in around time-frames that work for farmers going about their normal daily farming work, that we can confidently deliver projects on time and to budget.” Baz Janssen Building also takes care of feed and silage pads, and any effluent consent upgrade projects. If more staff were available, Baz would be keen to expand more of the pre-cast concrete panels that are used for projects they take on. “We have a really good crew who are very experienced so anyone new coming in would be well trained and looked after. I just need them to be able to not look at their phone every 10 minutes, have the right attitude and willingness to learn and work every day!” Baz says he has even gone so far as to talk to an immigration person about finding ways to employ workers from overseas. We would prefer to employ local but there just out there. “I think it is really sad as there are so many opportunities going begging, for young people to learn a trade and set them self-up for a great future but aren’t willing to put the effort in. We would certainly welcome the chance to access good keen people from overseas to fill the growing need for good staff.” Every now and then a different project pops up as well. Baz and the team were involved in building a large community centre for a church in Otautau. “We can do the odd bit of commercial work if it appeals to us.” RURAL SERVICES » Baz Janssen Building Ltd “There’s a equipment now that can be run from a bobcat that laser levels the fill to height on site, doing the work of four guys in quarter of the time.” Baz Janssen Building has also worked on the Southern Dairy Hub, a demonstration farm in Makarewa. “They run four smaller herds and Dairy NZ is involved in it. They are doing a little mini wintering project, involving construction of a small barn for 120 cows, with two different environments underfoot to see which one performs the best.” As a person who really enjoys problem-solving Baz says he’s evolved the business a little over the years. He’s engaged a person who deals more with the Council and staff, leaving him free to engage with farmers and find solutions for them. And with more of the wintering shelter work coming to the fore these days, Baz says advancements in technology have made work easier in some respects. “There’s a equipment now that can be run from a bobcat that laser levels the fill to height on site, doing the work of four guys in quarter of the time.” All in all Baz says he’s quite happy with how the business has evolved and adapted to new conditions impacting the rural sector. “You have to be quite flexible and nimble and you are only as good as your last job.” 027 867 8673 READY MIX CONCRETE - GRAVEL WINTON HEAD OFFICE P.O. BOX 34, Winton Phone: (03) 236 6580 e: office@mcgregorconcreteltd.co.nz www.mcgregorconcreteltd.com Te Anau: (03) 249 7051 Lumsden: (03) 236 6580
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