Bay of Plenty Business News October/November 2016

BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS October/November 2016 13
NEW PLANT IS “HUMMING”
Waihi’s new Prenail
Frame and Trust
plant “punches above its
weight”, according to
Warren Hurley.
There are always issues
with a new plant and an
immense amount of work
went into the design and
set up phases, but the
plant is beginning to hum.
“We took the opportunity
when we built the
new plant to improve
systems as a whole,” he
says. “We conducted a
full review of the plant’s
business and it has paid
off hugely.”
The result for the 12
man team is better morale
and increased production.
“The team love it.
Because it’s purpose built
the manufacturing lines
runs like a conveyer belt.
It’s a lot more efficient
and there’s a lot more
space to work with.”
The plant has also
plenty of room for expansion
should it ever be
needed. And that should
never be ruled out considering
how busy the plant
is. Business is booming
as construction in
Waihi, the Coromandel
Peninsula, Waikato and
Bay of Plenty roars on.
This year the team has
produced nearly twice as
many houses as last year
and the plant is in huge
demand to cater for the
building boom.
“It’s ideally situated
for where it is,” says
Warren.
“Based in Waihi, we
push into both sides of the
Coromandel and into the
outskirts of the Waikato
area. We do Tauranga’s
work as well, and we haven’t
even scratched the
surface of our own business
in Rotorua yet.”
The plant also has a
contract to build Just
Cabins for the North
Island. They are built
on site, transported to
Omokora for finishing
and then shipped to their
destination.
Pre-nail Frame and Truss.
NO SUBSTITUTE FOR LOCAL
Satisfying local demand
is the number one priority
for Warren and his team
at the Pre-nail Frame and
Truss plant.
“It’s all about being
locally owned for the locals
in and around the area.
They are the priority.”
The plant’s clientele has
been developed over many
years – going back to when
the plant started 45 years
ago as a timber merchant
yard.
“You have that existing
client base that stays with
you and has built up over
the years. For the builders
we service, this is an ideal
plant,” says Warren.
“We have the added
advantage of being local, in
comparison to most of the
other big suppliers where
the material gets made in
Hamilton and brought out.
With us everything from
the detailing right through
to delivery is done here.
They can come and watch
their frames and trusses
being made.”
If anyone is managing
their own building project
or contemplating building
a home or major addition,
they should ask for an
Estimator Quote which at
present takes about three
weeks.
With a stamped council
plan, the plant’s team can
have the entire house production
from start to finish
in four or five weeks.
Warren says the key to
the plant’s success is its
incredibly experienced and
knowledgable team, many
of whom have been at the
plant for 20 to 30 years – or
longer. On the administrative
side alone he can count
100 years of experience.
“These guys are so hard
to find in the marketplace.
We are lucky here. They
are dedicated to the place
and they are loyal.”
Mitre 10 repays this
dedication by going to
every possible length to
look after the team, ensuring
optimum health and
safety.
Production Supervisor
Adrian Parks says the new
plant is far more comfortable
than the old site
with a flat floor and more
space which has helped
them emphasise health
and safety.
“We just really embrace
the new Health and Safety
Act. There are two staff
members here whose
responsibility revolves
around health and safety.
“We want the guys to go
home safely to their families
at the end of the day.
It’s so important to us. It’s
the most important thing
of all.”
Waihi Mitre 10’s Prenail
Frame and Truss plant
is as local as it gets and
as far as Warren Hurley is
concerned, that’s the key to
success.
“It’s a case of local guys
serving local builders and
doing the whole job from
slab to letter box.”
Rodger Norton - Production Yardman.
Adrian Parks - Production Supervisor.
MITRE 10 MEGA - TAURANGA
1066 Cameron Road Gate Pa Tauranga
Phone: 07 5714 700
Fax: 07 5714 707
Email: tauranga.mega@mitre10.co.nz
MITRE 10 MEGA - ROTORUA
1542 Amohau Street Rotorua 3010
Phone: 07 343 6060
Fax: 07 348 3711
Email: mega.rotorua@mitre10.co.nz
MITRE 10 - WAIHI
Seddon Street Waihi
Phone:07 863 8087
Fax: 07 863 8536
Email: office.waihi@mitre10.co.nz
www.mitre10.co.nz