52 | REGIONAL IXOM 0800 922 123 | WAITOMOGROUP.CO.NZ One hundred percent Kiwi-owned and operated, Waitomo has been fueling Kiwi businesses across the country for nearly 80 years. For more than 10 years, our family business has proudly worked in partnership with IXOM – an established and trusted industry leader in water treatment, chemical manufacturing and sourcing. We rely on IXOM to supply GoClear to our sites and we support their business with tailored fuel card and bulk fuel solutions to keep their fleet moving nationwide. It’s a partnership built on mutual trust and performance. Whatever your fuel needs, Waitomo can help. As well as supplying petrol and diesel, we offer bulk fuel supply, onsite diesel supply and fuel storage solutions. Nearly eighty years on, our values remain the same – great people, top performance and a fairer price for fuel. Give the Waitomo team a call to discuss your fuel needs today. Ph: 03 684 8410 www.plunket-electrical.co.nz EcoSmart Plunket Electrical – Your one stop shop for all your electrical needs including Industrial, Commercial, Residential, Heating and Ventilation, Data and Security Member Electrical Contractors Association of NZ MASTER ELECTRICIANS Pleased to be involved with Ixom Huge benefits from Timaru port project Central to the upgrade was the construction of a new one-million-litre stainless steel tank. T T Karen Phelps A major infrastructure upgrade at Timaru’s port precinct is strengthening supply chain resilience in the South Island, following a collaborative project between IXOM and PrimePort Timaru that has delivered both operational and regional benefits. The project, completed in 2025, was driven by a shared need to respond to growing global supply chain uncertainty as well as enabling long-term development within the port. For IXOM, a leading supplier of chemical products and services across water treatment, manufacturing and industrial markets, the Timaru site has long played a critical role in servicing its customers across the South Island. Its products are used in sectors ranging from agriculture and food production to infrastructure and water supply, making reliability essential. However, increasing volatility in international shipping schedules exposed vulnerabilities in storage capacity and logistics. Under previous arrangements, supply disruptions were managed through a contingency option based in Bluff. While effective in emergencies, the approach required lengthy road transport, with each return journey covering approximately 850 kilometres and taking up significant time and resources. “Global shipping delays highlighted the need for a more resilient, locally controlled solution that would allow us to maintain continuity of supply without relying on long-distance transport,” says Austin Brooks, head of regional manufacturing, New Zealand. At the same time, PrimePort Timaru was progressing plans to optimise land use within the port. This created an opportunity for both organisations to align their objectives. IXOM agreed to relinquish part of its leased land, enabling the port to advance its development ambitions, while securing an adjacent site better suited to upgraded infrastructure. “Working closely with PrimePort allowed us to deliver a solution that met both parties’ needs, improving operational capability while supporting the port’s long-term vision,” says Austin. Central to the upgrade was the construction of a new one-million-litre stainless steel tank, increasing IXOM’s bulk caustic soda storage capacity by 50 per cent. Austin says the additional capacity provides a crucial buffer against supply disruptions, allowing the site to maintain operations even during delays in shipping schedules. The project included the development of a new pumping station, modern control systems and upgraded tanker loading facilities, alongside a secondary storage site for intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) on nearby leased land. Austin says the construction process itself presented significant technical challenges, particularly given the reclaimed nature of the site. Extensive ground preparation was required to ensure stability, including the excavation of unsuitable soil and replacement with compacted gravel to form a secure foundation. “The ground conditions meant we had to invest heavily in site preparation to ensure the tank could safely support both its own weight and the product it stores,” says Austin. Austin says the project positions both IXOM and PrimePort for future growth. “By aligning infrastructure development with strategic planning, the partnership has strengthened the port’s role as a key regional gateway while ensuring reliable supply to essential industries,” Austin says. “This project shows what can be achieved through genuine collaboration. It has strengthened resilience, improved efficiency and created a platform for future growth, not just for us but for the wider region as well.” PROUD SUPPLIERS OF MITSUBISHI FORKLIFTS TO IXOM OPERATIONS PTY LTD Proven Quality, Value & Reliability Diesel • Petrol/LPG • Electric 0800 FORKIT www.centrafork.co.nz
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