QRS secures $29m in roading contracts

QRS chief executive Nigel Pollock says the $60,000 funding from the Provincial Grolwth fund will be used for a feasibility study into a civil contracting training facility. Picture supplied

Wairoa-based Quality Roading and Services (QRS) has started the year by securing $29 million in contracts around Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast.

“Eighteen million dollars of that amount is for work scheduled in 2019,” chief executive Nigel Pollock said.

“That’s a stunning result for a company that turned over just under $16 million last year.”

Mr Pollock said significant civil construction and road maintenance contracts were available at the moment and it was a positive reflection on QRS that it had secured some of them.

“We’re a small provincial company of approximately 100 staff but the quality of those 100 people and the company’s credentials have ensured we are a preferred supplier.”

The biggest contract secured by QRS is a three-year $16m road maintenance contract awarded by its 100-percent owner Wairoa District Council (WDC).

Under the terms of the contract, QRS will supply road maintenance services to 560km of unsealed roads from Glenbrook in the south, Maraenui Rd in the north, State Highway 38 in the west, and Mahia in the east.

Mr Pollock said the company, which was the incumbent contract holder, was extremely proud to partner with WDC again.

“This major contract confirms the trust WDC has in us. We’re excited about our shared goals working to maintain and enhance the district’s roading network.”

QRS has also successfully tendered for $1.8m worth of flood repair work with WDC, and $400,000 worth of bridge strengthening work on Doughboy and Hopuruahine Bridges.

The company had also been awarded a $10.8m New Zealand Transport Agency Safety Boost contract. The Safety Boost Programme is part of the Safe Network Programme — a collaborative, prioritised programme of safety improvements on high-risk routes across New Zealand.

The four-month contract would see QRS and its preferred sub-contractors adding rumble strips to roads, widening road shoulders, improving signage and adding barriers along roadsides on State Highway 2 from Matawai to the south of Wairoa, on State Highway 5 to Te Haroto, and on State Highway 35 between Wainui and Tolaga Bay.

Pollock said the successful tenders ensure the company’s future.

“As far as we know the company has never in its history locked in this amount of secured work in such a short time. Our vision is to be professional and growing, and so we’re delighted to have secured the agreements. It’s positive news for staff, contractors and service providers in Wairoa.

“We see these agreements as an important step in supporting regional jobs and providing ongoing roading solutions for this district.

“It’s a great start to the year.”

The contracts mark a remarkable comeback for a company that posted an after-tax loss of $152,000 in the 2017 financial year.

Following that, a company restructure and key management postings saw QRS back into positive territory, posting an after-tax profit of $262,364 in the 2018 financial year.