70 | ‘Good move in the long run’ Waimak Contracting now has multiple housing companies on the books. Waimak Contracting T T Rosa Watson CONTRACTNG From its small beginnings, Canterbury concrete and asphalt company Waimak Contracting has now grown to be a major player in the region. The firm was started just over 10 years ago with “one little Hilux” and a trailer. It is now one of the largest concrete and asphalt firms in the Christchurch region. Founder Ben Hindson had been working for a company for six years running up to 36 staff when he decided to go out on his own. His accountant had given him the encouragement he needed. “I knew I had the knowledge ... and I couldn’t bear the thought of working on wages for the rest of my life. That was my drive.” It also came at a time post-earthquake where a lot of the concrete and asphalt contractors were tied up with insurance work, which left a gap in the new build market. “I thought it was the time with a lot of contractors doing insurance work “It turned out to be a good move in the long run” He started off small, hiring all the larger machinery and employing one man. “I asked my brother-in-law to come help me on a pour one day, and soon enough he became my first employee. “He’s still here today.” The business grew to a point where he felt confident enough to purchase an excavator. “I guess from that it just flowed. “We’ve pretty much gone from a one-person operation to 15 people in five or six years.” Its fleet has also grown significantly from that “one little Hilux” to several Hilux, and is now fully equipped with its own plant and machinery. It also purchased its own yard last year between Sefton and Waikuku. The company runs three crews – an excavation crew, prepping crew and concrete placing crew. Sub-contractors are used for cutting the concrete, pouring machine laid curbs and laying of the asphalt but everything else is carried out by the teams in-house. The majority of its work comes through housing companies, with 90 per cent of its work in new builds. They cover a large area from Rolleston to the south and Hanmer Springs to the north, “and anywhere in between”, Ben adds. Rolleston had been by far the busiest area, and the firm works in with Today Homes, one of the district’s biggest builders. They started picking up work with multi-unit complexes in Christchurch, these were a more technical job being that the plans were engineered design. “There’s a lot more to it than the standard driveway with all the engineered detail that goes into the concrete.” The company has worked with G.J. Gardner North since the beginning, which Ben established through making contact by email. “I sent it out right at the start, just putting the feelers out there.” Horncastle Homes was also an early client. They now have multiple housing companies on the books. Outside of new builds, the company has completed carparks, including preschools, and retaining walls. Ben said his wife Amelia had been a huge support, and had been by his side the whole time. “I obviously wouldn’t have been able to do it without her. We had our second baby due just as I was leaving full time employment to take a risk in the industry on my own.” And he credits office administrator Michaela Tavendale, his sister-in-law, with being a key part of the business’ success. “She’s been here since day dot.” And with his brother-in-law and brother both foremen within the company, it’s a pretty family orientated business. He was happy with how the company was moving. “I just take each year as it comes. It’s all I’ve ever done.” Specialising in Decorative • Expansion Cuts • Ground Saw Adam - 021 074 3114 - adconcretecutting@gmail.com Over 20 years experience Proudly supporting Waimak Contracting SCH Mechanical Proudly Supporting Waimak Contracting 0211 581 631 schmechanical@yahoo.com
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