86 | nzdairy “We have a very stable crew on board with low turnover. Our admin team are highly experienced, particularly in the consenting process which is becoming more and more demanding.” DAIRY SERVICES » Rural Building Solutions 2024 is shaping up to be a positive one Sue Russell Business is going well for Rural Building Solutions, a well-established company servicing the farming sector’s infrastructural needs. Owner/director Nigel Hodges says between undertaking compliance work for clients, constructing new or replacing existing milking parlours and associated farm structures, 2024 is shaping up to be a positive one. “We have been busy building new feed pads and a couple of replacement dairy sheds. We extend over a large footprint, from the top of the South Island to as far south as the Taieri Plains,” says Nigel. Rural Building Solutions has its base in Darfield and are Licensed Building Practitioners, who specialise in concrete and concrete projects. One of the benefits, Nigel says, that farmers receive, in dealing with Rural Building Solutions, is that they have so many years’ experience in understanding concrete, concrete structures and a very commonsense approach to providing advice that meets farmers’ needs. “We know what will and won’t work and we’re not into over specifying structural design and products to our clients. We build them a very fit for purpose, dependable infrastructure at the most cost-effective rate possible.” As an example, just the day before NZ Dairy spoke with Nigel mid March, he had set up a ‘destructive’ testing exercise on a new feed bin design for a client, building a dummy feed bin and knocking with a digger to prove its strength and resilience. Construction of a 54 bail rotary in Temuka had just got underway and ahead is a new feed pad Nigel says will take 9weeks to complete. “Longer term we have a number of silage bunkers and Dairy Sheds to build - there’s plenty of work out there for us.” Rural Building Solutions completed a new 60 bail rotary shed in Bankside. Asked for an opinion on the build, Nigel says it’s a great example of a really practical, straightforward Dairy, that works well for people and stock alike. The new Dairy is nestled in against the old one and an existing building had to be removed. Platform taking shape. “They’ve also very much thought about the long-term when developing the infrastructure, the track layout will serve the farm well into the future.” While Nigel acknowledges the dairy industry is doing ‘OK’ his clients tend to be in the top end of the sector. “They’re the kind that want work done once, done really well, at a fair price. They make prudent decisions looking at the long-term and big picture and they come to us because they know our reputation and capability. We listen, and design a Dairy around what the farmer wants and needs, not just the latest trends.” Nigel says a cornerstone of the RBS approach is forming a partnership with clients, which typically turns into a long term relationship with repeat work as the client’s farm evolves. Nigel describes Rural Building Solutions as a small company with big company processes. “We hold strategic meetings every year to review our 1, 2, 5, and 10 year plans. We also have a very stable crew on board with low turnover. Our admin team are highly experienced, particularly in the consenting process which is becoming more and more demanding. We are familiar with the varying requirements of Councils throughout the South Island, and this is useful because it can often be Ph 03 308 8049 FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS Rural Building Solutions YOUR TRUSTED ELECTRICAL EXPERTS PROUD TO SUPPORT - RESIDENTIAL - INDUSTRIAL - - COMMERCIAL - AGRICULTURAL - the consenting process that adds time to the build. Delays add to the total cost of the consent which frustrates the building team and the client alike. Nigel says he enjoys nothing more than going back to a Dairy a year or two after completing it and asking the farmer what, if anything, they would do differently. “We’re always keen to have feedback and to learn. We really value this input from our clients. It is also great to hear that very often they wouldn’t change a thing”
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