The team at Gallagher Fuel Pumps in Marton have been brushing up their skills in soldering together the tiny elements of computer circuit boards.
Twenty-three of the 100-strong staff working at Gallagher's Station Rd factory have had a refresher course from the company's in-house certified trainer and production technician, Haydon Rowe.
It made them one of the most qualified teams in New Zealand, managing director Richard Coxon said. The soldering needed good eyes and a steady hand. The parts are so tiny staff members have to wear magnifying goggles to work with them.
The bulk of Gallagher's Marton work is still in fuel pumps. But the company was also managing to keep some of the contract manufacturing jobs usually done overseas in New Zealand.
The team worked on electronic systems used in fishing gear, swipe card security systems and car radios.
