Local Link: MS Engineering

MS Engineering has been providing engineering services to the Rodney district for over 30 years. From humble beginnings it is now one of the largest and most diverse engineering firms in the area. It prides itself on keeping astride of technology, offering innovative solutions and outstanding service to ensure customer satisfaction.

It has several different sectors within the company, including fabrication of steel and aluminium, tailored truck building, structures and sculptures, precision CNC and manual machining, blasting and painting, hydraulics (local Hydraulink agents), and Cranes and Hiabs. The business recently installed a press-brake and guillotine and has set up MS Lightfab, so it can now provide sheet metal services as well.

How do you choose which community groups to support?  
We have many requests for sponsorship throughout the year and, of course, we cannot look after them all. We have many groups that support us in business, so we look after them if we can in any way. We also assist charitable organisations such as the Warkworth Hospice or trusts that we have been specifically involved with. We are long-standing supporters of Mercy Hospice’s Race for Life.

What form does your support take?  Being an engineering company, our support doesn’t always come in the form of monetary donations. Often we will assist projects with various equipment/materials or labour donations. For example, Warkworth Hospice were having issues with thieves breaking in and stealing donated goods. MS Engineering provided them with labour and materials to make their premises more secure.

Is there a special moment you can share that highlights the importance of being a sponsor?  
Being good community members is a huge part of being a supportive business. Being a part of projects all over the local area and seeing them develop and grow using the expertise within the business is satisfying.

How many people do you employ locally?
We employ over 50 people, made up of qualified tradesmen, administration staff and trade assistants. We are committed to teaching the engineering trade to others and do this by offering apprenticeships regularly through the local colleges. We currently have four apprentices.

Are you confident about doing business in your town?
We are confident and proud of doing business locally. MS Engineering has spread to complete projects all over New Zealand and machine components for companies worldwide. However, we have always ensured that the company remembers its roots and where it all started, and that was with a company providing locals with great engineering service.

Do you think it’s important for locals to shop locally?
It is incredibly important for our community to support each other, not only at a business level but also at a personal level. MS Engineering is a major sponsor of the One Warkworth Business Association, which is driving the Shop Local Initiative, as well as improvements in the local area. Warkworth is growing rapidly, and as Auckland’s reach spreads north we find it more and more important to ensure that local businesses are looked after, and not the ‘big boys’ from Auckland. We attempt to use as many local businesses as possible to provide our customers with the service they require.