C N C
Aeronautical parts have remained
a core competency for the
company, with many clients from the
company’s first projects still on the
books in 2017,” explains Kevin,
Today, WGD’s precision engineering
continues in a highly sophisticated
facility in Rosedale’s North Harbour
industrial precinct. Many original
clients remain with the company,
a source of pride for the founders
and current owners. Longevity is a
theme of WGD – many staff have
remained loyal and supportive of
the business as it has grown and
changed hands, and they remain the
backbone of the company.
“It has been a pleasure to note the
ongoing success of the company
under the management and
ownership of Kevin Schicker over
the last nine years,” says Win, now
retired. “I wish him every success.”
THE STATE OF PLAY NOW
WGD is a ISO 9001:2015 Certified
CNC machine shop.
“We are a specialist in CNC
machining of all commercial and
aerospace components,” explains
Kevin.
WGD has been certified since
1992 and is regularly audited and
approved for manufacturing of
aviation flying parts to various New
Zealand and international aviation
companies.
“Process and procedures are
well maintained to deliver to our
“Each process has a home screen
and each home screen presents
the data in a way that is very easy to
understand.”
REFLECTION OF THE PAST
– EVOLUTION
Much has changed since 1967;
governments, social norms,
technology. But for WGD, one
thing has remained constant
since its inception in an Onehunga
home workshop 50 years ago – a
dedication to precision and the
highest quality.
Father and son Gordon and
Winston Davies recognised a
need for high precision machining
services in Auckland and beyond.
Their combined skillset - Gordon
retiring from 27 years as general
engineering superintendent
with TEAL (Air New Zealand’s
predecessor), and Win fresh from
two years observing European
engineering trends - allowed them
to capitalise on this niche, soon
requiring some larger premises to
keep up with demand. Relocation
to the North Shore, in Hillside
Rd, Wairau Valley, allowed for a
specialist factory to be built to cater
for the growing shop floor.
“Customers ranged in size and
industry, each attracted by WGD’s
growing reputation for quality and
reliability. The aeronautical industry
provided a large opportunities and
challenges, including components
for short takeoff / landing planes in
the 1970s, and ski components for
transporters landing in Antarctica.
62 May 2019