Technology helps engineer positive future

Wine Country Sheet Metal and Engineering owner Noel Pulford has doubled his company's capability and halved its operating costs thanks to investment in new technology. Photo / Duncan Brown

Wine Country Sheet Metal and Engineering has invested more than $2 million in cutting and forming technology over four years.

It recently imported the only laser cutter of its kind in New Zealand to its Hastings factory.

"Everything is a risk, especially that amount, but to a certain degree you have to back yourself and continue to grow on your plan," owner Noel Pulford said.

"We are not rich - we have a great finance company and bank behind us."

He said the new laser doubled capacity and halved running costs, compared with the previous laser.

"With our older laser we had no more capacity left - we were working 24 hours and Saturday, all we had left was Sunday."

Rather than shed any of the 18 staff - the company no longer operates 24 hours - he expects to hire more due to increasing commissions.

Mr Pulford is confident of further growth due to a strong track record.

With wife Diane, the former maintenance co-ordinator at Wattie's bought sheet metal business Garry Kirk Ltd in 2005, operating from its Frederick St premises which it "grew out of rather quick" thanks to door knocking.

"I did a lot of cold calling - I'd be turning over six new customers a month," Mr Pulford said.

He often "bowled-on-up" to prospective clients without making an appointment.

"It seems to work a bit better. I know all your sales manuals say don't, but it works for me."

In 2008 they bought Wine Country's current Alexandra St site.

"We had always been into property of some sort - we had a lot of residential properties, before we started the business, which we divested."

The new factory was attractive because it was designed for engineering, with a high roof and existing gantry for moving heavy equipment.

It enabled Wine Country to fix 68 earthquake-damaged winery tanks from Gisborne over 16 months.

They bought their first Japanese Amada laser cutter in 2011, which cut up to 12mm. The new laser cuts to 22mm and shifts between cuts in the blink of an eye.

"I've been in the industry for about 40 years. Cuts that took me 20 minutes by hand, now take 20 seconds and the quality is much better - it is almost polished".

Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce chief executive Wayne Walford said the investment showed the region was worth investing in.

"There is more business here than you think," he said.

"Hawke's Bay businesses are leading edge when it comes to technology and investment."

Mr Pulford said taking part in the government-backed High Performance Work Initiative helped with deciding to invest.

"It has made us operate a lot better and smarter than how we were - some of the aspects of it gave us the courage to do it.