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www.engineeringnews.co.nz 41 that needs to be custom-made, we work with our customers to meet their product needs.” The bespoke aspect of the business doesn’t stop there. Eldest son James takes great pride in making the plant that produces SRP’s products. His ingenuity runs a lot deeper than just your basic 'No.8 Wire' mentality, with the plant being precision crafted to specific needs and engineered to perfection. In fact, SRP’s bespoke machinery gives them an edge in the industry. “We are able to have complete say in our manufacturing processes from machinery design and build to producing a top quality product made in New Zealand by New Zealanders with 100% recyclable steel.  The company began in 2007. Founder Mark Bedford, supported by his great friend and mentor the late Toone Elzink, called upon over 30 years of rollforming knowledge and industry experience to establish SRP. All three sons are involved in the family business. As well as James, the engineer, Matt looks after production and Chris handles operations. The research and development is Mark’s domain. “We would be one of the very few companies in our particular speciality that is doing R&D but we are continually developing new product solutions and meeting industry challenges such as seismic related compliance." SRP has been built upon strong values and integrities, and if – on a very rare occasion – anything should go wrong “…we’re there. We just drive there and fix it,” says Sue with absolute conviction. “You don’t have to call Australia or wonder about China, we’re actually here and on the job to put it right. It’s immediate, we’re out the door.” A loyal customer base reinforces what Sue says, many of whom have been with SRP since the get-go. “We provide a lot of support on site. We know how important it is to back up everything with great engineering." It’s all well and good to talk a good game about values and integrity and so on. But from what I can see, SRP actually backs up words We have five rollformers and a guillotine and folder, The uncoilers and all the tooling has been designed by us. We don’t buy it we make it for specific requirements. We’ve made practically everything… not by CNC, by hand.” Staff are continually upskilled through training and apprenticeships. It’s a specialist industry so knowledge to SRP’s staff is critical. Again, another sign that SRP backs up its words with action. Make no mistake, SRP has built its success based on innovation, creativity and an absolute focus on quality. The values that were held so dear when the company began still run strong – perhaps even stronger – but through much deeper and far reaching veins. The business has been crafted, along with its impressive array of machinery and the flow through success throughout its business chain is very evident to see. That Sunday roast just tastes so much better when everyone is sitting around the table. with action. It is a company that is committed not only to the industry, its own business and its customers, but staff are vital to the current success. “We employ young people to give them an opportunity. We really enjoy creating a space where young kiwis can learn and develop and feel valued not only as employees but as people,” says Sue “When you have a job and you have a place to stand, you have mana.” adds Sue. The growing pride these workers have in themselves then flows through the company’s products and on to SRP’s customers. Everyone wins. The SRP factory differs a lot from their beginnings when it used to share a space with one of it’s longest standing customers. Today, there’s 1000 square metres on offer and represents more than double the space than its previous premises. SRP remains humble and operates like they did before, just “...with more staff”. “We came here with two lines and we have five now. Tai Ravarua, machine setter/operator Contact Garry Preston 021 127 6129. | Ph 09 579 0175 | Fax 09 579 0174 27B Olive Road, Penrose, Auckland 1610


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