Business Rural Winter 2021

96 | RURAL SERVICES » Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting South Canterbury’s Leading Forest Company Sustainably Managing 31,000 hectares in the South Island PO Box 139, Timaru | Phone: (03) 688 2173 | Fax: (03) 688 2176 | www.portblakely.com Port Blakely Ltd are proud to support Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting Specialists in Forest Harves�ng 11 Stamford Street, Balclutha enquiries@mikehurring.com LOGGING& CONTRACTING PH : 03 4 1 9 0 1 0 1 Rayonier Matariki Forests - Proud partners of Mike Hurring Logging and Contracting Ltd www.matarikiforests.co.nz European hauler. The remote controlled machine is useful for steeper blocks that were traditionally incredibly challenging to harvest, once again sav- ing farmers time and money. The company’s up to date plant and highly qualified staff also allows Mike Hurring Logging &Contracting to achieve a 99% recovery rate out of forests. The company yard has two workshops. One consisting of seven mechanics, engineers, an automotive electrician and general hands, mainly working on forestry equipment. The second WOF workshop has three mechanics and caters for all light and heavy vehicles servicing and repairs, light vehicle and trailer WOF and heavy vehicle pre-COF checks. There is a courtesy car for those from out of town that drop a vehicle in for a service or warrant while doing jobs around Balclutha. Tractor, forklifts and crane servicing/ WOF accreditation is coming soon. Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting also has a training school, the only one in the South Island, which helps to produce the next generation to work in the logging industry. The school offers two simulators plus a range of machinery for students to practice on. Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting employs two trainers and students come to complete both practical and bookwork for their New Zealand Forestry Apprenticeship qualification through Competenz. It also offers courses for farmers in chainsaws and forestry machinery that they may own to operate on their farms. “It’s great to get some new blood coming through and to help farmers to operate their equipment more safely,” says Josh. “It’s about raising the overall level so people are working safely and to a high standard.” • from page 94 Training school producing next generation Photos: The MHL servicing & WOF workshop. A recent group of the training school, with Mike Hurring (below) second from the right, in front of one of the training machines