MACHINERY INSTALL
MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN THE LATEST AMADA FIBRE LASER MACHINE ENGINEERS A
BUSINESS ADVANTAGE FOR A COMPANY ALREADY OPERATING VERY SMART
Hi-Tech Metals is a sharp operation.
From the infectious livery proudly emblazoned
on company vehicles lined up in the Aucklandbased
carpark, to its roomy yet precise layout
of machinery, racking and job-type organisation
within the workshop’s four walls… it’s hard to not
get the feeling of ‘precise’ and ‘measured’. It’s a
sense that stretches far beyond that of Hi-Tech’s
very impressive machines and their capabilities –
albeit equally profound and leading-edge.
Hi-Tech Metal’s arsenal of Amada fibre laser
cutters, 3D tube laser cutter, pressbrakes and
other essential machining tools frame all bar one
edge of the building, with the back wall of the
premise – comparatively to the company’s wide
array of hi-tech machinery – almost acting as
a homage to the engineering days of old, with
hands-on grinding, welding and other essential
manual engineering disciplines still having their
place. The company colours of red and black also
coat the racking that makes up the spine of the
workshop.
Edan and Michelle Newell have been in business
since 2005, shifting to the company’s current site
in East Tamaki two years ago, and those that
know them would also know that they aren’t the
kind of people to push their own barrow. Despite
the very strong Kiwi humility, there is no disputing
that the couple have all cogs in this engineering
business-machine well oiled, but they don’t take
all the credit themselves. “We’ve had lots of help,”
says Edan, speaking about extensive collaborative
partnerships with staff, other businesses and
friends in the industry. “In those early days, people
like Dave Gibson really made a difference and set
us up for what we have become.”
A frog catches in Edan’s throat when talking about
the former ‘Mr Am Prom’ Dave Gibson, who
passed away in June 2015. The bond that was
built between the two companies has led to an
engineering workshop and business that has Am
Prom’s Amada machinery everywhere you turn.
“Amada is all we have. It’s all we need,” explains
Edan.
“The start Dave gave us and the help in the early
days was invaluable. It wasn’t just for us – he’d do
it for anybody. The personal level of attention was
amazing. I’m sure there are plenty out there who
can tell a similar story. I don’t know whether we’d
be in the position we are today if it wasn’t for Dave
and Am Prom, and those that are continuing his
legacy at Am Prom.”
His legacy indeed lives strong as you walk through
Hi-Tech’s workshop. “We have three Amada lasers
and three pressbrakes for a variety of jobbing
work. We moved here with five machines, but
we’ve been on a programme to downsize machine
numbers while increasing our overall capacities
with the new machinery that we’ve put in.”
And the latest machine is impressive.
HI-TECH
METALS
Engineering News’ publisher and editor,
Greg Robertson, gets an insight into
fibre laser machines and the future of
sheet metal engineering when visiting
Hi-Tech Metals
18 July 2018