| 47 T T Kim Bowden Vehicle hire for every eventuality Its fleet ranges from specialised service-body utes through to heavy five-axle tipper trailers. Commercial Hire NZ Ltd - Christchurch CONTRACTING A key regional player in commercial vehicle hire is supporting some of New Zealand’s biggest infrastructure projects, from major roading contracts to disaster recovery. Established 18 years ago with its head office in Dunedin, Commercial Hire works by filling the gaps when capital, timing or compliance get in the way of their clients getting a job done. The business has grown to operate five branches across the South and lower North Islands — Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington and Palmerston North — specialising in vehicles tailored for civil construction. Its fleet ranges from specialised service-body utes through to heavy five-axle tipper trailers. The core of the business is a solutions-based model, providing support when a client’s capital expenditure is constrained, or fleet capacity is exceeded, often during major project overflows or unexpected national crises. “Our business is built around relationships,” General Manager John Jones says. “Clients want us to be the solutions provider and take the hassle away from them.” That demand for certainty is critical, he says. “They want to know that if something breaks down you’ve got them sorted with something as a backup.” A key competitive advantage is Commercial Hire’s vertical integration within the OCW Group, which includes an in-house team of engineers and mechanics through Transport Engineering Otago. This structure reduces reliance on external suppliers for core asset creation. “They build 95 percent of our fleet — anything new,” John says. “It’s good to be able to keep it in-house.” The model dates back to owner Brendan Morrison’s early decision to move away from importing units, recognising the benefit of building bespoke vehicles internally. Today, it also generates reciprocal trade; the hire side keeps the engineering workshop busy, while customers impressed by build quality often become direct clients of the engineering business. That control over build quality is also essential for safety compliance, particularly on major roading projects where standards are tightly enforced. “All our gear is set up to tier one safety standards, which puts us ahead,” John says. This assurance is especially valuable for smaller subcontractors working under tier one contractors, who may lack the capital to upgrade their own fleets. “They’ll just come and grab a truck off us, because they know that meets the minimum safety standards,” he says. Commercial Hire has also carved out a niche in high-pressure, reactive work. Its Christchurch branch was established shortly before the 2011 earthquakes, and emergency response has remained a steady part of operations. “When there’s a crisis, people need stuff now,” John says. “During flood work or earthquake recovery, equipment can be gone almost overnight because crews need to get in and get the work done.” The company maintains a lean, accountable team. “We’re a small group, but we do it really well,” John says. “We do what we say we’re going to do.” This agility is supported by five branch managers and a small Dunedin-based administrative team, using a tightly monitored software system to manage the large fleet. Most recently, Commercial Hire secured a yard in Nelson and is planning for further growth in Central Otago, where workloads are already signalling a need for “more feet on the ground,” John says. Ph: 021 705 052 | rmfcontracting.co.nz Roading and Earthworks Specialists Delivering high quality contracting services across Marlborough and Kaikoura. Our skilled, versatile team is dedicated to meticulous workmanship and a commitment to consistently exceeding industry standards. RMF are proud to work alongside Commercial Hire NZ Ltd Top-notch heavy diesel servicing and welding repairs in Christchurch, done right the first time. YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS Expert Service COF Specialists Convenient Location We offer a range of mechanical and welding services to keep your heavy diesel vehicles running smoothly. Whether it’s a quick fix or a major repair, our team has you covered. COF Pre-checks Diesel Servicing Welding Repairs Diagnostics General Repairs Contact Us 027 476 1063 Daryl.sjsmech@gmail.com sjsmechanical.co.nz
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