Hawke's Bay bus company still going places

Nimon and Sons never says never, according to general manager Pete Patterson. The bus company's new Whakatu depot was just the start of potential enterprises, he said.
"We have 18 acres, so there's plenty of scope for commercial enterprises. We're quite happy to talk to people."
The company was already entrepreneurial with its new depot. The panelbeating shop was open to any motorist's needs, as was the workshop.
"We have mechanics who can handle any vehicle - they are all motorcyclists." Warrants of fitness were issued for cars, trailers and motorcycles, with pre-COF inspections and repairs on heavy vehicles offered.
Mr Patterson said bus and trucking companies were not allowed to offer COF inspections because it would be a clear case of conflict of interest.
The buses were also put to many uses - school and special-needs child transport, plus special trips for employers.
They recently drove a busload of overseas fruit pickers to Auckland for a flight home.
The buses were available for charter and the company ran its own tours - day trips for cruise ships visiting Napier.
A fuel stop and heavy vehicle servicing centre were planned.
There are no inspection pits in the new depot because of the high - and high pressure - water table in Whakatu.
The buses drive up ramps instead.
This was just one of the restrictions local company, LHT Design, had to work with.
Mr Patterson said green credentials were important - the 106-year-old company planned to stay in Whakatu for quite a while yet.
"We've been awarded the Qualmark bronze accreditation for sustainable operations.
"[We are] hoping for silver this year, due to our core-of-the-earth heating system for the workshop, native tree planting around the perimeter of the depot, recycling the water used to wash buses, using rainwater for everything on the site, and the fact that our newest buses hold the rated Euro-5 emission standard - emitting less diesel fuel particulates into the atmosphere."
Tukituki MP Craig Foss unveiled the plaque at Saturday's official opening ceremony. He had intimate knowledge of the site, having helped the first contractors dig the foundations on the former Silver Fern Farms land. He said how good it was to see the company thriving and investing in tough economic times.
Managing director Bill Nimon is the fourth-generation member of the family to lead the company.
Nimon buses operated from the corner of Lucknow Rd and Middle Rd in Havelock North from 1905-75, when they moved to Martin Place, also in Havelock North. A family trust was the company's landlord. It received more than $9 million for the Martin Place depot.