| 111 nzdairy RURAL SERVICES » Kinatai Engineering Ltd Kinatai has tripled in size in three years Karen Phelps What began in a palm kernel shed on a Taranaki dairy farm has grown into one of the region’s most talked-about engineering businesses. Kinatai Engineering, based in Oaonui in South Taranaki, has tripled in size over the past three years. “We’ve grown substantially in terms of workload in all facets of the business, especially machinery repairs and trailer manufacturing,” says Troy Whitehead, who founded Kinatai Engineering in 2017 at the age of 21. “We’ve easily tripled our footprint and output.” Staff numbers have grown from four to 13, new CNC cutters and press brakes have been added, and four more workshops have been built on the same site. From its origins in the back of his parents’ farm shed, the business has since moved to a lifestyle block Troy owns in Oaonui, where it now operates from seven workshops. The timing of that growth has not been coincidental. “Agriculture has been doing well and our products are getting a good name in the marketplace,” says Troy. Trailers have been central to that reputation and to the story of how the business began. Troy grew up on a dairy farm and was completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) degree when he decided his next move would be to start his own engineering business. He cleaned out the palm kernel shed and got to work. “Dad was looking to buy one and I said ‘I could build one of those’,” explains Troy. “Unfortunately for Dad I put it on TradeMe instead, I did make him another one though, and it sold for more than I thought, so I knew I could make a business out of it. The range today started with that design but we have developed it hugely.” ‘Agriculture has been doing well and our products are getting a good name in the marketplace’. Today Kinatai Engineering’s tip trailers are highspecification, fully customisable, and popular with farmers, contractors and civil companies alike. Built with 5mm Corten steel decks and sides, they are sand-blasted and finished in 2K industrial paint. A higher tailgate pivot point prevents blockages, replaceable axle bushes require minimal lubrication, and the wider build allows bales and diggers to fit with sides on improving stability on rolling ground. The third generation of the design was unveiled at the national Field Days in June. “The third generation are as good as we can build in terms of design, aesthetics and serviceability,” says Troy. “It’s a whole new bathtub design. Steering axles and hydraulic drawbar suspension can be added.” Kinatai Engineering has also been developing its levellers and graders, which are beginning to attract serious attention. It has introduced hydraulic rippers and axles with tilt, designed for race work rather than track work alone. “The ripper allows the farmer or contractor to rip up old races then re-shape and re-contour them all with the same machine, saving huge costs on bringing in more metal,” explains Troy. 14B Constance Street, New Plymouth 4312 06 281 1561 pennintons.co.nz Contact Shaun Stanley Ph. 0278 186 385 Local Builder Taranaki Building Limited is a locally owned building company based in Opunake, servicing South Taranaki. With over 20 years of industry experience, owner Shaun leads a trusted team delivering new builds, renovations, and rural/commercial projects. As a proud member of the Master Builders Association, we are committed to quality workmanship, honest communication, and outstanding results—no matter the size of the project. 06 752 2011 | enquiries@eisl.co.nz 1249 Egmont Rd, Egmont Village | egmontindustrial.co.nz STEEL PIPE AND CASING SUPPLIER • New and surplus 21mm - 2250mm od • Casing, culvert & Heavy wall pipe • Steelmesh, surplus plate & steel sections • Offer in house cutting / fabricating to length • to page 112
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