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Australasian contracting company Fulton Hogan has formed an alliance with Wellsford based Wharehine. Pictured are Kevin Hoskin (left) and Rob Gibson.
Job security and new employment opportunities are likely to be two of the immediate benefits of a multi million dollar deal signed between Wellsford-based road contracting company Wharehine and Fulton Hogan.
The NZ Transport Agency has awarded Fulton Hogan a seven year contract, with a conditional two year extension, for state highway maintenance, from Puhoi/Kumeu north to Cape Reinga, which starts on July 1.
The contract covers 880km, encompassing the seven highways that make up the northern highway network.
Sub-contractors Wharehine will manage the southern section, from the Brynderwyns south and totalling 150 kms.
Company managing director Rob Gibson says the contract represents an exciting opportunity for the company, which has just under 100 employees.
“In the first instance, it means job security for our existing workforce,” he says. “But it will require additional staff as well.”
The maintenance contract covers network management, maintenance of the road surface, drainage, guard rails, vegetation control, lighting, 24-hour emergency callouts and slip response.
Rob says the deal has been in the pipeline for about eight months.
“It’s great news for the district because local wages stay local. We’re extremely proud that a local company gets to be involved in such a major contract.”
Fulton Hogan’s NZTA maintenance divisional manager Kevin Hoskin says Wharehine was a “good fit”.
“We have the same culture and values,” he says. “We’re really pleased to have them onboard.”
Kevin says that in a new initiative, NZTA required the main contractor to allocate a minimum of 27 per cent of the value of the contract to sub-contractors.
“The idea is that there is healthy competition, with no one company dominating the market.
“Wharehine made sense in terms of its location and good reputation.”
Fulton Hogan, which marked its 80th anniversary last year, is one of the largest players in NZ’s infrastructure industry with a $3.5 billion turnover and 5550 staff working on civil infrastructure projects throughout NZ, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
