8 | Tru-Bilt Industries REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T Kim Newth Leader in safety systems marks 30th Tru-Bilt Industries is celebrating its 30year business journey with the release of a video telling their story, an anniversary dinner for staff and other festive events. As the team marks this special milestone, the Dunedin manufacturer of world class steel safety systems is proudly reflecting on a track record of innovation and growth through the years. “Where we have got to in our journey is because of our dedicated workforce and strong relationships with our customers,” says Tru-Bilt managing director Mark Taylor. Mark and his father, a builder by trade, started Tru-Bilt in 1993 to make industrial doors but soon began exploring what else they could offer their customers. This focus on innovation led to the development of the company’s Tru-Gard range of high quality steel safety systems including safety barriers, handrails and bollards. When Tru-Bilt first started making Tru-Gard products in 1999, the company could already see momentum building on better health and safety practices in New Zealand industries. “However, the implementation of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 was a big step up. We’ve noticed that improvements in workplace health and safety often drive a cool culture change. If someone raises a safety concern, it can pave the way to continuous improvement across that business.” Tru-Bilt moved into their cutting edge 1400sqm factory in 2019. It is equipped with the latest CNC steel processing and plasma cutting equipment for fast and efficient manufacturing. All products are designed and engineered for optimal performance. Tru-Bilt is also strongly focussed on reducing their carbon footprint with all steel product 100% recyclable and cardboard packaging used where possible. At the end of 2020, Tru-Bilt sold the industrial doors side of the operation to focus solely on the design, manufacture and installation of Tru-Gard steel safety systems. “As we are increasing the new Tru-Gard products coming on board, we are also employing new people. This year alone, in the first six months we employed four extra people in the factory. The New Zealand market is tracking well for us and we have some exciting projects going on this year, including the Christchurch Fresh Distribution Centre (CFDC) in Rolleston and the Winstone Wallboards factory in Tauranga.” The CFDC is an 11,000sqm development for a major supermarket brand that will serve as a southern distribution hub for fresh produce. Tru-Gard systems will be providing traffic safety to the site in the form of safety barriers, bollards, handrails, personnel gates and door frame protection. The Tru-Bilt factory team is busy making the products ready for installation in spring. Tru-Gard steel safety barriers will also be going into the Winstone Wallboards factory, along with barrier tunnels to protect staff in higher risk areas and a covered safe parking zone for drivers. “We can very easily modify our product to meet customer requirements, with fully engineered designs.” Popular with their clientele is the TruGard Configurator that can help turn ideas into a visible plan with 3D visual effects and personalised illustrations. “It works really well and you can quickly make changes to cover all options.” Their Dunedin factory team is also busy this year making bollards for the domestic market, largely due to the surge in ram raids and retail owners wanting to upgrade their shop fronts. As Mark observes, bollards will also help protect premises from accidental vehicle damage. As well as meeting demand in New Zealand, Tru-Gard steel safety systems have been selling well in Australia for the past 20 years and in other safety conscious markets around the world. Mark and his family remain at the heart of this business success story. His brother Paul runs the workshop and Mark’s daughter Saffron has joined the 20-strong factory team. “It has been a big journey through to where we are today.” “Where we have got to in our journey is because of our dedicated workforce and strong relationships with our customers.” The Dunedin manufacturer of world class steel safety systems has a proud track record of innovation and growth through the years.
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