Waikato Business News August/September 2020

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10 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS August/September 2020 ‘ Business takes the hit for our team of five million’ I write this just after the announcement by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today that Auckland’s level 3 restrictions would remain at least until 11.59pm on Sunday, August 30, before being phased into level alert level 2 with the rest of the country from Monday, August 31. What galls business most is that New Zealand has had six months to get our act together on border control, tracking, tracing and testing. We have been told that we have learnt a lot about how to stamp out outbreaks and that lockdowns will not always be necessary but still Auckland is shut. There is a credibility gap appearing between what we are being told and what is being delivered. You have to feel for the hospitality industry. The majority of their industry is made up of small owner-operator businesses that simply cannot sustain these ongoing closures and restrictions. With the industry already facing restrictions to trading and reduced overseas visitor numbers, they are currently looking at between a further 10 to 12 per cent of all hospitality businesses closing their doors as a result. The enforced closure for another full weekend, which are key trading days for hospitality, is another blow. The industry is estimating this will translate into a loss of over 10,000 jobs if the restrictions continue. A simple form of assistance for the industry would be to copy the UK subsidy to get people out and dining for a month. In the UK, diners are entitled to a 50 percent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in, up to a maximum of 10 pounds discount per head every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between Aug 3 and Aug 31. The offer is open to diners in participating restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, work and school canteens and food halls. More than 72,000 restaurants have registered. We agree with Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett saying business was “carrying the burden for the team of five million” and that “each business must do whatever it takes to survive”. While businesspeople understand the trade-offs required to protect public health before the economy, it is business that is taking the brunt of the current elimination strategy. By Don Good, Waikato Chamber of Commerce executive director The failure by the Government and its bureaucracy to control our border in order to keep the virus out has a direct consequence in the ability of business to keep people in jobs. All banks are being more prudent with their lending. They are taking longer to approve loans, critically reviewing your budgeted revenue estimates, going through line by line of your expenses and taking a good look at your spending conduct. Again, it is understandable, but cash is the lifeblood of business and again we can see a cashflow gap appearing. You must do whatever it takes to get through this. Review your revenue, cut costs, check your supply chains, and make contact with all your customers again. Make sure you keep talking to all your staff. You may not have all the answers, but they will appreciate your honesty and may have a few good suggestions on changes that help your business survive. There will be a personal toll on people’s wellbeing and mental resilience, not just jobs and business continuity, so seek out good advice from your lawyer, accountant, or other trusted mentors and above all look after your own health. Business Floor, Wintec House Cnr Nisbet and Anglesea Street, HAMILTON 07 839 5895 | help@waikatochamber.co.nz www.waikatochamber.co.nz $14m integrated trades training centre for South Waikato Tokoroa will have a brand new $14 million trades training centre by 2022 catering for up to 500 students a year thanks to a Government grant of $10.84 million announced in August. The new trades training centre is being co-funded with $1 million grants from each of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Trust Waikato and the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust (SWIFT). Security manufacturer Gallagher will develop a new European headquarters in Warwick, England. The 1,500 square metre office, with on site café, will allow Gallagher to host prospective clients, hold events, and support Channel Partners and customers with meeting, conference, and training facilities. The development also includes a 670 sq m warehouse, with land available for future expansions. “We’re very excited to announce this new facility for our UK and Europe operations,” says Richard Huison, regional manager for the UK and Europe. “We’ve experienced rapid growth over recent years and have fast outgrown our current Nuneaton premises. This new facility will enable us to showcase our exceptional security solutions while providing outstanding support for our Channel Partners and customers.” Gallagher has invested in the development of solutions that comply with UK access control, perimeter intrusion detection, cybersecurity, and high security standards. Their UK-certified high security solutions build on Gallagher’s government-approved solutions for the U.S., Australian, and New Zealand markets. Mark Junge, global general SWIFT has facilitated and driven the project, including buying the one-hectare site for the centre on Chambers St near the northern entrance to Tokoroa, doing the preliminary design, engineering and costings for the project and New European HQ for Gallagher manager for security, says Gallagher aims to be the security solution of choice for countries in the Five Eyes alliance. “With discussions already underway with several UK government agencies, this new facility provides the ideal base to support our extensive growth plans for the region.” Gallagher’s European headquarters will be located in Tournament Fields business park. Development is set to begin in September, with the team aiming to occupy the building in mid-2021. Gallagher has also been recognised for innovation following its Covid-19 response. Its Proximity and Contact Tracing Report won the Outstanding New Product award at the New Zealand Security Awards in August. Developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Mark Junge applying for the Government funding. The new trades training centre will bring together three separate existing Toi Ohomai training sites in Tokoroa into one purpose-built campus catering for the key local secreport gives Gallagher customers critical information to manage exposure and protect the health and safety of people on site. Gallagher has made its Proximity and Contact Tracing utility available to customers free of charge during the pandemic. “I’m very proud of our team who worked hard to produce this tool in an incredibly tight timeframe, while working in virtual environments,” said Rachel Kelly, chief product officer for Gallagher’s security division. The Proximity and Contact Tracing Report, released in May, enables organisations to quickly identify areas where a person with a contagious virus has been on site. It also identifies all other cardholders who shared these areas.
Artist’s impression of the new centre WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS August/September 2020 11 tors including farming, engineering, construction, manufacturing and logistics. The purpose-built Trades Training Centre will be visible from State Highway 1, covering 2588 sq m of which 280 sq m will be a digital hub, with room for expansion. SWIFT economic development manager Francis Pauwels said a survey of South Waikato companies operating in five major industry sectors found they were planning to require about 850 new staff over the next five years. “These companies – in construction, engineering, transport, manufacturing, forestry and hospitality – say their number one preference is to employ locals because they stay local and contribute to the community. “About 60 percent of the people who could be employed in these jobs will be new trainees and especially young people. About a fifth of people aged 18-25 years in South Waikato are not in employment, education or training (Neets) – and we are confident this initiative will be the catalyst to get these young people into training and employment. We also expect to have a lot of second chance learners coming through the centre.” Toi Ohomai chief executive Dr Leon Fourie said SWIFT and Toi Ohomai had worked closely together since the initiative began in early 2018 to decide what a purpose-built facility would look like. “This Government funding will enable us to realise a vision we have been working towards for the last two and a half years. Toi Ohomai currently has three training sites in Tokoroa, all of which are older facilities and are no longer fit for purpose. This new facility will enable Toi Ohomai to support learners in Tokoroa rather than having to transport students to bigger hubs such as Rotorua, Hamilton or Taupo. “Toi Ohomai will run the training centre but we see this operating as a partnership with SWIFT, South Waikato District Council, Raukawa, the Pacific Island community and strong alignment with the business community. Partnership with local iwi and Pasifika is critical given the Maori population of the South Waikato is 25 percent – 35 percent in Tokoroa - and 12 percent Pasifika.” Fourie said concept plans developed for the centre will include a digital entrepreneurial hub and a café and childcare facilities to enable parents to train at the centre and reduce the digital divide in the Waikato region. “As well as creating excellent learning experiences for our tauira we expect the facility to provide more jobs for local residents.” South Waikato District Mayor Jenny Shattock said the Government investment in the new training centre is the result of patient collaboration and engagement between Toi Ohomai, SWIFT, council and Government. “This is an excellent example of the South Waikato education, business and local government sectors working together to help the district thrive and grow economically and socially.” She said the Toi Ohomai Institute’s new location near State Highway 1 would provide a fabulous new gateway to the northern entrance to Tokoroa that would complement the town centre redevelopment that is close to completion. Te Waka chief executive Michael Bassett-Foss welcomed the announcement. “Regional districts need a flow of motivated young people to spur and maintain economic development in the area,” he said. “This new facility will offer opportunities to youth in Tokoroa who are not currently in training, education or employment, and often can’t afford to go elsewhere.” Te Waka was involved in lobbying the Government for investment in the Training Centre upgrade early in the process, while Bassett-Foss accompanied representatives from the SWDC when they met with Ministers in Wellington to garner support. SWIFT chairman Bruce Sherman said South Waikato is in a prime geographic position and is now in growth mode. “This new training centre will provide a much needed path to skilled employment not just for Tokoroa, but Putāruru, Tirau, and Arapuni. “Our youth deserve facilities that inspire them to learn and contribute and we are very grateful the Government agrees.” Sherman said the development of the site itself will potentially involve more than 200 people for the design and build process, and local firms will be used as much as possible. “Toi Ohomai currently has about 350 enrolments per year including part time courses. We expect that will grow to around 500 per year as successful graduates show a clear pathway to meaningful jobs. The SWIFT Trust’s main objective is better economic and social outcomes for the South Waikato and work ready, well trained, skilled employees is a major attraction for start-ups and companies looking to relocate from inefficient city locations. “We have more exciting projects in the pipeline so this is the first step in many to achieving lasting and positive change for our communities.” Commercial Property Management & Valuation At Bayleys, we believe relationships are what businesses are built on and how they succeed. We understand that to maximise the return on your property you need: Professional property management Expert valuation advice A business partner that understands your views and goals James Harvey Commercial Facilities Manager P 07 839 0700 M 027 425 4231 james.harvey@bayleys.co.nz Mike Gascoigne Branch Manager P 07 834 6690 M 027 430 8311 mike.gascoigne@bayleys.co.nz Curtis Bones Senior Commercial Property Manager P 07 834 3826 M 027 231 3401 curtis.bones@bayleys.co.nz Matt Straka Registered Valuer P 07 834 3232 M 021 112 4778 matt.straka@bayleys.co.nz Joe Healy Valuer P 07 834 3232 M 027 223 8069 joe.healy@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 A LT O G ETHER B E TTER Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services
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Waikato Business News August/September 2020

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