A lengthy career built on solid foundations

People don't tend to stay in one place too long these days when it comes to earning a living or forging a career, but Brian Hall, who now lives at Mangonui, is of a different generation.

And now he has been honoured by the New Zealand Ready Mixed Concrete Association in appreciation of his long and distinguished contribution to the industry.

Mr Hall began his ready mixed concrete career in the early 1960s, with involvement in the construction of Kaitaia's plant, the first in Northland, for Joe Clough. He then undertook a six-week course in Masterton, with the firm that was producing hydraulic mixing bowls that could be fitted to most trucks.

He returned to Kaitaia to manage the new plant, and undertook further training arranged by the NZRMCA.

The Kaitaia plant changed hands several times over the following years but Mr Hall remained there, and was encouraged by one of those owners, Chris Busck, to qualify as a registered engineering associate in concrete production engineering.

He left Kaitaia, after 22 years as manager, when Firth bought the plant, taking up a position at Waipapa until it too was sold, to United, followed by several years at Pukepoto Ready Mixed, until it achieved Special Grade certification.

From there it was to the Urlich plant at Tokerau Beach, until it too was sold to United, then Mangonui Haulage, which was keen to build a ready mixed plant at its depot. The company duly built what Mr Hall described as a very good small plant, which achieved Special Grade certification within six months, his role including providing all the mix designs and advising on testing equipment and methods.

The operation had proved successful, he said, and apart from the recession that had affected the industry as a whole, had done very well, thanks to local support.

"In all I have been associated with concrete production (including four years as chairman of the Northland branch of the NZRMCA) for 50 years," he added.

"I've met some great people, and I don't regret a moment of it."