Business South March 2021

52 | ENGINEERING SOREC - Sheet Metalcraft Machines extend firm’s capabilities The new machinery will significantly extend the company’s capability and introduce a broad range of efficiencies. Sheet Metalcraft’s 65 employees cross a diverse range of skills and trades. I nvestment in a modern CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machining centre and mill turn lathe has taken Southland engineering company Sheet Metalcraft Ltd to a new level in productivity and craftsmanship. The investment was made possible through the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) with the first machine commissioned September 2019 and the other December 2019. Sheet Metalcraft’s Managing Director Nathan Barker says the new machinery will significantly extend the company’s capability and introduce a broad range of efficiencies that will benefit its customers and the wider community. “The new machines enable us to use design processes to manufacture very complex parts and componentry, which would otherwise have to be sent out of the region for manufac- ture. It will provide our customers with better lead times, better quality and cost savings because we’re not having to outsource.” Nathan says given uncertainty from Covid and the continuation of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, PGF’s funding was highly appreciated and will enable real opportunity to confidently explore and diversify into new markets not previously possible. Based in Invercargill and operating through- out Southland and Otago, Sheet Metalcraft Ltd was established in 1978 and has proudly remained a locally owned and operated busi- ness. Initially built around Stage Two of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, the company has continued to evolve and expand its sphere of operation as different markets emerged locally. While the company continues to play a key role in the maintenance and installation of machinery on site at the smelter, it is now primarily a jobbing shop specializing in under- taking complex projects beyond the technical capability of other engineering businesses. “We provide innovative design and modern in-house manufacturing processes with a high attention to quality,” Nathan explains. “A large part of our business now is service based, supplying components to many other engineering companies and end-users around the Southland and Otago area.” Heavy investment in CNC processing equipment eight years ago exposed Sheet Metalcraft to new opportunities, transforming how the company operated and the projects it undertook. “A large part of our business now is service based, supplying components to many other engineering companies and end-users around the Southland and Otago area.” Richard Loader In addition to site based maintenance and support provided to the smelter and other local plants, Nathan says Sheet Metalcraft operates across three distinct fields. “We have our fabrication team, comprising of a range of highly skilled tradesmen. These guys are capable of completing any light, heavy and architectural fabrication projects. We have our contract manufacturing division, which is CNC laser, water jet, router cutting, CNC brake pressing, and now we have CNC machining capabilities. “A lot of the work we do on the CNC machines is very obscure and we can now achieve some really amazing things without relying on other businesses lead times and quality. “The trade is very much an evolving thing and thankfully we’ve been able to keep pace.” Providing a complete end-to-end service from concept and design, through to man- ufacturing, installation and servicing, Sheet Metalcraft’s 65 employees cross a diverse range of skills and trades including fitter/weld- ers, plumbers, CNC operators, sheet metal workers, roofers, programmers and draughts- men. Nathan reflects that at the heart of the company’s success is the team culture and recognizing that everyone is an important cog that makes the machine run. sales@haascnc.co.nz | 0800 HAASNZ (422769) | www.haascnc.co.nz . . | | . . . z We are the exclusive New Zealand Haas Factory Outlet for Haas Automation, the industry’s best service and support provider. Our certi ied Haas Technicians are second to none and here to help with your new install or installedmachine tool needs . , ’ . . 0800 472 3369 enquiries@hscoaching.nz www.hscoaching.nz Safety doesn’t just happen. For simple, cost e ective health & safety systems with local support for any size business, contact Health and Safety Coaching NZ.