| 19 Two years ago Gordon was elected as an executive on the Log Transport Safety Council. FORESTRY » Kings Log Transport Ltd The five trucks do around up to 50 to 60 loads to Bluff a day where the wood chips are stockpiled and exported to Japan. While the wood chip cartage is a comparatively modest portion of the business, it is beneficial for consistent work and cashflow year- round. “It doesn’t rely on log export prices from China or anything like that. The wood chip is very good quality and goes to Japan and they make it into very good quality Fuji Xerox photocopier paper.” Like a lot of SME’s (small and medium-sized enterprises), King Log Transport is a great example of a business that makes a valuable contribution to the regional economy and the communities it operates in, as well as being a valuable link in the export chain. “A lot of people just see a logs on a truck but they don’t actually realise where it’s going to and how much is going through there and where it’s going to and what it’s being used for; it’s quite amazing.” “We cart about a million tonnes of logs a year. We employ close to 100 staff and employ a significant number of drivers in Invercargill and in Otago.” Kings Log Transport has trucks based in Invercargill, Tuatapere and Otautau in Western Southland, Mataura and Gore in Eastern Southland, Balclutha and Milton in South Otago, and Dunedin where it has a branch. Demand for transporting logs is strongly tied to log prices, consequently May to October last year was a very quiet period, but “since November we were flat out and we’ve been flat out right till now [late April]”, Gordon says. Two years ago Gordon was elected as an executive on the Log Transport Safety Council (LTSC), a pan-industry collaborative of truck operators, transport researchers, trailer PROUDLY SUPPORTING KINGS LOG TRANSPORT bridgestone.co.nz Bridgestone provide Kings Log Transport with market-leading products, advice and nationwide support to help them achieve the lowest cost per kilometre possible. Kings Mechanical o ers a comprehensive range of services to both its loyal clients and the general public. The company o ers light and heavy vehicle repairs, farm and logging machinery repairs, alloy and steel work, tyres and hydraulic hoses and its owners Craig and Abby Ward feel proud and fortunate to have a skilled and loyal team to support the business and its clients. It employs a sta of 19, of which four are apprentices. “We’re pretty lucky, we’ve got a really good team,” Abby says. Craig sees employing apprentices and committing to their training as essential, not only to the business, but also in making a contribution to the wider industry. Kings Mechanical operates in Pukemaori, Western Southland, Invercargill and Riverton and has leased Blacks Garage at Orawia. “What can’t be done at the garage can be taken to Pukemaori for more specialised work.” The company has a key relationship with Kings Log Transport, which operates a leet of about 180 trucks. Kings Mechanical’s technicians skills range from specialised diagnostics of the electronic systems in modern trucks and even trailers, through to various engineering needs. Servicing and repairing a wide variety of truck brands as well as machinery, including logging loaders and haulers, requires Kings Mechanical to have comprehensive parts support. Consequently two of its sta , one at Pukemaori and one in Invercargill specialise in automotive parts and accessories and for many, such as company representatives and truck drivers, they are the face of the business. Its services includes routine warrants and certi icates of itness, certi ied engineering work, a variety of repair work including full engine and transmission overhauls and rebuilds, electronic and electrical diagnosis and repairs. Some types of work can be outsourced if needed. While trucks have become more mechanically reliable over the years, some aspects have also become more “niggly” due to the sophistication in the electrical and electronic components, Craig says. Kings Mechanical also operates a daily freight service to Riverton, Otautau and Tuatapere. “That came with the business when we purchased it in 2022. Originally it was designed as a freight business for D T King to move parts between one yard and another, which we still predominantly use it for, but certainly we are quite busy taking on freight for outside clients as well.” Abby’s role in the business involves administration, including invoicing, accounts and wages using SAM, a specialised industry-related program that includes job tracking, invoicing and record keeping and that connects to trade suppliers and NZ Transport Agency. Comprehensive range of services 027 265 1905 craig.ward@kingsmechanical.co.nz Heavy & Light Mechanical Servicing/Repairs Pre COF checks & COF repairs Workshops in Invercargill, Riverton & Pukemaori Daily Freight service from Invercargill - Riverton - Otautau - Tuatapere New clients welcome for all services! manufacturers, forest owners, legislators and enforcement agencies. “This was unexpected and a great privilege. Being able to work with this team and to benefit from their knowledge has been a huge help to the direction of KLT.” In 2019 the LTSC recognised a need to implement a certification program for its members to strive for. “We are now a five-star certified contractor which we take great pride in.” “It’s a very thorough process where we are audited by independent assessors; it was very in- depth so for a company of our size to achieve the top rating is just fantastic. It’s a credit to the staff.”
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