54 | Old-school techniques set company apart Precast Concrete’s products requires traditional skills, especially in the production of its paving stones CONSTRUCTION Precast Concrete Ltd - Dunedin T T Russell Fredric Giving Precast Concrete a fresh face was a priority for its owners when they took over the long-established Dunedin company eight years ago. The company’s products include paving stones, concrete sumps and drainage products, polished fire hearths, roading items and a variety of decorative products all manufactured at their site at McLaggan Street in central Dunedin Precast Concrete is owned and run by Richard Daggar and his partner Karen Haig, who are supported by a staff of four. After purchasing the nearly nine-decades-old business, the couple set about rebranding, marketing, creating a website and establishing a social media presence, which Karen had the skills to implement, Richard says. “We had to create a presence on all of the platforms.” While this modernisation has been crucial, manufacturing Precast Concrete’s products requires traditional skills, especially in the production of its paving stones. “Being the only paving manufacturer in Dunedin, it’s one of the things that we are well known for – the way that we make them, and the final result, is something that we are really proud of. Our hero product would have to be our exposed pebble pavers.” The reason for this point of difference is the experience of the staff and the techniques used to create the effects achieved, Richard says. “We’ve got staff here that have been doing precast work for 20 years and working here for over 15 years. It’s very much oldschool craftsmanship using a similar type of machinery that has been around since the company began in 1936.” The aggregate is sourced locally and is available in a range of colours and stone sizes, while some pavers have a plain texture but are available in a large colour range. One option, the Riven Stone paver, has a schist look with four pattern options and is available in either square or round shapes and any choice of colour. “We were looking to bring in a natural-stone-look paver. We found a supplier in England and they had four different styles of the Riven Stone mould. As you lay them and place them they give a natural-looking stone effect, rather than any repeating pattern.” Compared to laying concrete, pavers have the advantage of being easily replaced if cracked or broken, as well as being able to be easily lifted to access underground services. They are also a great way to quickly improve an outdoor area at a relatively low cost, while a variety of textures and colours can be achieved by using different pavers, or in tandem with other landscaping elements. Precast Concrete’s range of sump and drainage products are used in infrastructure projects including subdivisions, and are also an important part of the business. The company is a supplier to Hynds Pipe Systems Dunedin, which has a Citycare Group contract. “Our products are an integral part of water mains upgrades and all that type of infrastructure. All our infrastructure products are [Dunedin City] council approved and the council have a local procurement factor when they go out for big contracts; that’s why we have a good relationship with Hynds. “While we have a reputation for dealing with tradesmen and large suppliers, we also enjoy helping homeowners create the perfect patio for outdoor entertaining. No job or order is too small and we pride ourselves on our products and service.” 0274 649 805 bud@littletonne.co.nz littletonne.co.nz “We do it all start to finish” Excavation/Landscape/Construction PROUD TO SUPPORT PRECAST CONCRETE DUNEDIN Accounting and Tax Compliance Contact us at Proud to support No.8 Distillery Business Development Solutions Specialist Tax Advice Xero Solutions 03 474 0475 | info@pkfd.nz www.pkfd.nz Precast Concrete Ltd Function, style and affordability — you can have it all. PlumbingWorld Dunedin 102 Macandrew Road Ph. 03 474 1089 Branches Nationwide plumbingworld.co.nz
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