84 | Deep-water experts C & A Cox Ltd provides high-demand services, including three waters installation for water, stormwater and wastewater, and project management. CONTRACTING C & A Cox Ltd T T Bernadette Cooney Partridge Contracting Rewarding work in key Christchurch projects T T Rosa Watson For more than 20 years, C & A Cox Ltd has played a pivotal role in Canterbury’s drainage contracting industry, specialising in subdivision development and deep-water drainage solutions in high water table environments. Founded in 1996 by Leigh and Clive Cox, the family-owned drainage contracting company is entering its second generation, as the founders’ eldest son Ash Cox assumes full ownership and operational control. Having grown up immersed in the business, Ash has worked closely with his father, and gained a deep understanding of both the technical and operational aspects of drainage contracting. “Clive started contracting when he was 15, and his father was in the industry before him,” says Leigh. “So, Ash buying the business is a natural step, and he’s excited to carry on the family legacy.” While Clive now serves in an advisory capacity, Ash handles day-to-day operations on-site. Leigh remains a vital part of the team, overseeing accounts, wages, and compliance. Having built a reputation for excellence in residential, commercial, and civil drainage Christchurch-based Partridge Contracting has developed a strong relationship with the city council that has seen the company grow and take on a wide variety of projects. Owner Tim Partridge took it over from his father, John Partridge, 16 years ago, after working for the company for a number of years. John formed the company 40 years ago, starting off small with just himself and one employee, and it grew from there. “It got up to eight staff at one point,” Tim says. Today, the company has four staff, and its main work is contracts for the Christchurch City Council, working on a number of one-off projects, while also providing ongoing maintenance. The firm specialises in civil construction, asphalt/chip seal driveways, cobblestones, landscaping, including lawns, car parks, footpaths, playgrounds and general excavation. Projects include building a cycleway at the Nga Puna Wai sports hub, basketballs courts, installing retaining rocks around Victoria Lake at Hagley Park, and maintenance at the The Groynes reserve . “At the Groynes we’ve just done a little bit there to make it wheelchair- accessible.” They also lay grit for the walking paths. It’s work Tim and his team enjoy doing. “It’s nice to work out in those kinds of environments. That’s the kind of work we like to do,” says Tim. “It’s cool seeing thousands of people seeing (and enjoying) what we do. It’s really rewarding.” Outside of council contracts, the firm also carries out civil works, and was involved in the development of the expansive Wigram Skies subdivision, building berms and footpaths. “We were there for about six years,” says Tim. With asphalting making up a large chunk of work, the firm recently invested in an asphalt paver to increase capacity. Along with the paver, there is a six-tonne digger, 14-wheel digger, trucks and rollers. The devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes created a large amount of construction work right across the city that is still underway, Tim says. “It’s still massive. There’s still a lot to go just catching up to where we were before the earthquakes.” Knowing it has required patience from the city’s residents while repairs and reconstruction take place, Tim says. “We understand that people can feel frustrated about roads being shut down. There is a need for balance. “With a desire for safety, repairing pot holes, road maintenance and future-proofing, it’s important to find a middle ground. It can be hard to keep everyone happy, but we as a team try our best. It’s a big industry to be part of.” While council projects make up the majority of the company’s work, there are also building firms that Partridge Contracting works in with, Tim says. “Then it’s just private work – if someone needs a driveway or landscaping done.” It remains a family company with Tim’s wife, Angie, looking after the administration side of the business. While it is a small team, it can carry out a large scope of work, Tim says. “We’re only small but we can do the bigger jobs.” He’s happy with the direction in which the firm is heading. “We have a great team and want to keep small and efficient.” And he has no plans to lay down the tools himself. “I enjoy being on the tools too much. That’s why I’m only small. I’m not one to just sit back at a computer. I like being on the tools. That’s why I got into it.” projects, C & A Cox Ltd provides high-demand services, including three waters installation for water, stormwater and wastewater, and project management. Their ability to manage deep-water drainage projects has made them instrumental in shaping Canterbury’s infrastructure. “We specialise in challenging jobs,” says Leigh. “Christchurch is built on swampy ground, so deep-water drainage is a forte of ours. Not everyone can handle it, but we’ve developed the skills over generations.” The company also played a significant role during post-earthquake recovery efforts, repairing critical drainage systems across the region. One such project led to them being awarded the Hynds Underground Services Award for building the pressure mains on the Wrights Road sewer main, in 2013. Today, their expertise is sought after for large-scale residential subdivisions, across Canterbury and Selwyn District, and they are currently working within Earlsbrook development in Lincoln, as a subcontractor. “Our core business now is subdivisions,” says Leigh. Ash and his work crew of seven skilled machine operators understand industry requirements. All have ConstructSafe training and First Aid certification, and operate to stringent health and safety standards. “It’s still massive. There’s still a lot to go just catching up to where we were before the earthquakes.” P 03 962 7744 W www.amicus.co.nz INSURANCE BROKERS SUPPLIERS OF EARTHMOVING AND CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HIRE IT. LEASE IT. COUNT ON IT. 0800 225 001 PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH C & A COX LTD Proudly supporting Partridge Contracting 193 Halswell Rd, Christchurch | 03 338 9199 | sales@halswelltimber.co.nz ASPHALT PLANT for all hotmix orders 03 941 7621 205 Springs Rd, Hornby, Christchurch 8042 | weighbridge@surfacingsupplies.co.nz
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