| 53 T T Russell Fredric Managing traffic to keep workers safe Kerrian Simpson, a former roading contract manager and mechanic, has owned the business with his wife Lara for the past four years. Traffic Management Services - Invercargill REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The phenomenal growth of Traffic Management Services is a great success story of a small Southland business achieving results through vision and hard work. Kerrian Simpson, a former roading contract manager and mechanic, has owned the business with his wife Lara for the past four years. “I was looking for a change and this opportunity popped up,” Kerrian says. “The Government were changing the rules around traffic management a lot, so I thought it was a good time to get on board and take this business to the next level.” At the time the couple purchased it, the company had just four staff and four vehicles; it now has 27 staff and 23 vehicles. “It’s grown fairly rapidly. We have recently brought a new general manager into the business, Byron Dodge, which has been a big help in the day-to-day running of TMS.” Government rule changes at the time around traffic management meant roadwork sites had to be managed based on assessed risks, rather than the previous compliance-based approach. Between 2017 and 2021, there were 43 fatal crashes and 287 serious injury crashes at roadwork sites in New Zealand. “It was getting extremely hard and too expensive to maintain your STMS (site traffic management supervisor) ticket that’s required to be able to go out on the roads and erect any signage and cones,” Kerrian says. Consequently, it was easier and more efficient for contractors such as excavator operators, hedge-cutters and others to engage a professional company with the qualifications, expertise and resources to manage roadwork sites. “Any jobs you do on a road, you have to have an approved traffic management plan signed off by the local authority, and they changed the rules around the people that could design and write the plans.” This process can be complex, but Traffic Management Services has six staff that are approved plan writers. “We are writing plans for a lot of other companies as well.” In addition to providing STMS qualified staff, Traffic Management Services can take the hassle of compliance documentation and site set-up by supplying equipment, labour, site monitoring and removing the equipment. “We do a lot of work for hedge-cutting contractors and tree trimmers, roading contractors and utilities companies and a lot of events such as Bert Munro and the Tour of Southland. We also hire equipment to other contractors.” Traffic Management Services offers a 24hour on-call service, and can set up a site any time, such as for motor vehicle accidents and power company call-outs. “We probably get called out about six times a week, on average. It’s an important service we provide.” Despite the phenomenal growth of the company, Kerrian and Lara still strongly regard it as a family business with the wellbeing and welfare of its staff at heart. “The big thing for me is the culture, and that they are comfortable in their work. We are really lucky that we have a great team that get along well.” It has been especially satisfying for Kerrian and Lara to see their staff learning and growing in their roles and to see them be rewarded for their hard work. “One of our staff, a young guy we got straight out of school, he’s 18 now and he’s looking to buy his first house. “He’s worked really hard, he does a lot of overtime, and I’m proud that we have helped him to get there.” Specialists in All Auto Electrical Repairs & Servicing 4 V I C T O R I A A V E N U E , I NV E R C A R G I L L Phone 03 218 3200 admin@ajautoelectrical.net.nz Delkor battery specialist Caravan electrical and solar Air conditioning Auto electrical repairs and servicing. SAFETY WORKWEAR SPECIALISTS We have access to a wide range of workwear and specialist items to help make your job easier. 09 263 4566 sales@jaedon.co.nz jaedon.co.nz CONTACT US
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