Page 4 - OPE Sep-Oct 2021

CLIPPINGS
Local and International News
Pandemic no obstacle to business
HIRE INDUSTRY
HIANZ “Responds, Rethinks, Recovers”
LOCKDOWN OR NO, the team at
Hansa Products in Hamilton have been busy as ever.
To start, last month, Damien O’Connor, Minister for Trade & Export Growth, visited the Hansa HQ and toured the production facilities to see how chippers are made here in NZ.
And, in terms of the physical buildings, construction has started on a building extension to Hansa’s purpose-built headquarters.
Thanks to increasing demand, says MD Martin Vogel, “We are excited to announce that we’ve now started the building extension that is due to be completed in December.”
The extension is 40 metres wide and 50 metres long. Including a 10-metre cantilevered canopy, this extension will add no less than 2,000m2 of production
space and more than double Hansa’s production area.
Back in July, the Hansa team got up close & personal with the products they so proudly design, manufacture and sell, when they got together to try out models including C5, C7, C13, C45, C65 & C65RX.
“There’s nothing like getting hands-on with a Hansa to see why we have raving customers!” says Martin Vogel.
Hansa’s other big news is the establishment of a new Belgium-based distributor, Van Dyke Marcel, to cover the Benelux region (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) for Hansa.
Closer to home, Hansa also attended the recent HIANZ conference in Rotorua, where Martin Vogel was nominated and voted onto the HIANZ Board as Supplier Representative.
www.hansaproducts.com/nz/
THIS YEAR’S HIANZ
Conference entitled “Respond,
Rethink, Recover” took place over 11-12 August in Rotorua, just a week before the country went into lockdown.
Capping off proceedings on Thursday night were the 2021 Hire Excellence Awards Dinner with MC Madeleine Sami and sponsored by HIANZ Principal Sponsors Youngman Richardson & Co.
This year there were three Gold Award winners:
Royal Wolf Auckland Branch Hirepool North Shore Branch Kennards Hire Dunedin Branch The winners were assessed for the
presentation of their premises & staff, security, product & services, marketing, customer service, adherence to industry standards, H&SE, policies, compliance and overall operational efficiencies. Judging includes desktop, onsite visit and a mystery shop.
HIANZ CEO Rodney Grant says of the Kennards Hire Dunedin winner: “It was obvious from the minute we arrived at the Dunedin Branch that this is a team who pride themselves on excellence.
“It’s an immaculate branch with well
thought out floor and yard plan allowing for good flow and customer experience. From the presentation of the branch itself, to the way the team conducted themselves, this team very clearly live and breathe the culture of Kennards.”
The sentiment of a customer-first approach from branch layout through to providing the best hire products and advice in the industry, is echoed by New Zealand General Manager, Tom Kimber.
“Seeing Dunedin go from opening last year to winning the HIANZ gold award this year is an incredible testament to the hard work and dedication of our great team.
“From the onset, the Dunedin team has gone above and beyond to build a positive and inclusive work culture, whilst living and promoting the Kennards Hire values.”
Also recognised for his service to the industry was Paul Robinson, Director/ Owner of Christchurch elevated work platform training provider Hire Knowledge.
For 2022, HIANZ is holding a joint Conference with CCNZ at the brand new Te Pae Events Centre in Christchurch over 4-5 August 2022.
www.hianz.net.nz n
moreat www.facebook.com/NZOPEmagazine
GIVE WITH NATIONAL GARDENING WEEK
NATIONAL GARDENING WEEK
is back again, taking place over 18-25 October 2021, this year with the theme “Grow to Give”.
While some Kiwis are enjoying home grown vegies many are going without vegetables altogether.
So, this National Gardening Week everyone is encouraged to “grow-an- extra-row” to share with neighbours, community pantries, food banks and other local food donation agencies.
Popping a few extra seeds in the dirt does not require much effort but could mean so much for another family in need.
To help get your extra row underway Yates is lending a helping hand – register online
between 1 and 25 October (URL below) and you will receive a free packet of vegie seeds.
Then, once you’ve grown your vegies to share, you can revisit the Yates website to find a list of the organisations in your area that would welcome your donation of fresh homegrown vegies!
National Gardening Week aims to foster
a love of gardening with a focus on growing not only plants but friendships, good health, strong communities, and closer connections with nature.
Whether it’s a few pots on the balcony, a small patch or an extensive garden, everyone can experience the joy of gardening – and give a little in the process.
www.yates.co.nz/national-gardening-week/
04 NZOUTDOORPOWEREQUIPMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2021