Business South March 2021

| 69 TIMBER INDUSTRY Campbell Contracting Logging firm builds on busy start T Russell Fredric The wind-fallen trees created a large scale clean-up job in Canterbury which required considerable resources. A Canterbury storm which wreaked widespread damage seven years ago literally provided a windfall to kick-start forestry business Campbell Contracting. Seizing the day, directors Craig Campbell and Jeff McNeilly started out with just one excavator, a 20 tonne Hitachi ZX200 with high hours. The wind-fallen trees created a large scale, region-wide clean up job and impromptu har- vest which required considerable resources, ensuring Campbell Contracting had a steady work load ahead. The following year the purchase of a well- used 470hp Mack Quantum logging truck for the modest sum of $60,000 heralded Campbell Contracting’s entry into the allied transport sector. Today, the company operates a modern 535hp Mack Trident logging truck comple- mented by a five-axle trailer, purchased new in 2016. The company has recently put a new FH Vol- vo crane truck on the road for carting logs, as well as fence posts for Great Southern Timber, covering Christchurch as far south as Oamaru, including on- farm delivery. It also runs an extensive range of special- ised forestry machinery including grapple dig- gers, processors and felling machines, as well as a skidder and forwarder, the latter coming in very handy during the wetter winter months when truck access is limited. Campbell Contracting employ a highly experienced operator dedicated to land de- velopment, following behind its logging crew, specialising in the clean up of slash and stump removal after all merchantable timber has been removed. This is achieved with a wide range of attachments from buckets to a root rake and hydraulic thumb on a 25-tonne machine which is ideal for all types of farm maintenance, making the company a one-stop-shop for harvesting trees and returning the cut-over to paddock where required. Craig and Jeff attribute the growth in the business, which now employs nine staff from a peak of 12, to a consistent workload from ensuring a quality job is done every time. “Because of this a lot of our work comes from word of mouth; if you do a good job in a small district like this, word soon gets around.” The nature of the industry means the company runs a thorough health and safety system, which includes keeping up to date with current and new laws and regulations and providing independent professional staff training. Although located in Mid Canterbury, Camp- bell Contracting can provide its services to a wide area, well outside of its home base. One six month contract involved the remov- al of wilding larch at Ohau in the Central South Island. Utilising a fully mechanized crew and a motor manual crew, Campbell Contracting can handle any job required. The mechanised crew with a felling machine and late model processor is suited to harvest- ing plantations and wood-lots, maximising production resulting in the best possible returns for the farmer. Their motor manual crew can tackle shelter belts or difficult trees around houses or pow- erlines if needed. 187 West Street Ph. +64 3308 2055 ashburton@stihlshop.co.nz STIHL Shop Ashburton Proud to support Craig Campbell Contracting and to supply them with Stihl Chainsaws and safety equipment www.stihlshop.co.nz/ashburton GluyasMotorGroup .co.nz Kermode Street, Ashburton Call us on 03 307 5800 or Email sales@gluyasgroup.co.nz Gluyas Motor Group is a professional, Service orientated dealership that will go the extra mile to ensure you, the client, receive great Service and the right New or Used quality Vehicle for your needs. Best Under Pressure » Installation and repairs to hydraulic hoses » Service and supply of hydraulic components Hydraulic Hose & Fitting Service 24 Hour - 7 Day Service Proud to support Campbell Contracting PHONE 308 8848 Hydraulink Mid Canterbury 2015 Ltd | Dan Bruce - Owner Operator 17 JB Cullen Drive, Ashburton | P 03 308 8848 | dan@hydraulinkmc.co.nz 0800 4posts (0800 476 787) www.greatsouthern.net.nz GROUP No1 FOR POSTS AND TIMBER Suppliers of : Posts • Poles • Piles • Farm Buildings Small Buildings • Dog Motels Concrete T roughs • Bulding Supplies W ooden Gates • Fencing Supplies