BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS

By Jo Bailey Members of Steel Construction New Zealand have voted unanimously at the organisation’s AGM to introduce Steel Fabricator Certification as a compulsory requirement for all structural steel fabricator members. Steel Fabricator Certification (SFC) is an industry-led quality assurance scheme developed jointly by SCNZ and the Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA) in line with best practice European standards. It ...

More than 100 SCNZ members and their partners descended on The Old Church in Napier in mid September for the 2016 Steel Construction New Zealand Conference and AGM, which formed part of the organisation’s 10th anniversary celebrations. Delegates enjoyed a packed programme in the Art Deco capital, which included a mixture of forums, the SCNZ AGM, a gala dinner and ...

Thomas Forbes believes his drive to demonstrate initiative was one of the keys to him being awarded the first ever Apprentice of the Year title by Steel Construction New Zealand. “I’m constantly focused on improving outcomes, such as decreasing fabrication time through different fabrication methods and procedures. I’m also always up for a new challenge. I am stoked to win ...

The relationship between steel sustainability and the importance of this in the procurement process by central and local government is a major research focus for Metals New Zealand, which in the last few months has taken over the portfolio of the Sustainable Steel Council (SSC). “We have implemented a priority advocacy project around the implementation of government principles and rules ...

Metals New Zealand has taken over the portfolio of the Sustainable Steel Council, which was founded in 2009 to promote steel as a sustainable material. The Council was previously operated by a board representing a range of stakeholders such as HERA, Steel Construction NZ, University of Auckland along with major steel producers and manufacturing associations. Other members include the coatings ...

The heavy engineering sector now has the ability to measure its sustainability and improve its global standing in climate reform due to work completed by the Sustainable Steel Council (SSC). This was one of the key objectives met by the Council in phase one of its work, before it came under the umbrella of Metals New Zealand, six months ago. ...

Although the sustainability benefits of steel such as low production waste, design flexibility, speed of erection, safety, reusability and full recyclability are well recognised overseas, there is a general lack of awareness in New Zealand, says Gary Hook, chief executive of Metals New Zealand, which runs the Sustainable Steel Council. “The global steel industry is committed to developing steel as ...

After 11 years working for Steel Construction New Zealand and the last six-and-a-half as manager, Alistair Fussell has left to run his own business. Bob Hawley, chairperson of SCNZ says it soon became apparent after commencing as acting manager in 2009 that Alistair had the skills to take on the position full time. “He has been a strong leader and ...

By Jo Bailey Engineering is an ‘incredible’ profession for young graduates, particularly in the current climate, says Dr Charles Clifton, a Professor who educates the next generation of structural engineers at the University of Auckland’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “The demand for engineers is probably the highest I can remember. It is an exciting time for students and ...

Recent concerns around the compliance of some concrete reinforcing steel mesh products and other critical building materials entering this country has seen the New Zealand Heavy Engineering Research Association (HERA) call for third party verification of all safety critical building work, regardless of the sector or type of building materials involved.  HERA Director, Dr Wolfgang Scholz says the initiative came ...

Marking the 10-year anniversary of industry organisation Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) has been a good opportunity to reflect on the progress of the steel sector in New Zealand, says manager Alistair Fussell. “It wasn’t long ago that steel lagged behind other construction materials in multi-level construction. Now it has a 50 percent market share in New Zealand, with around ...

Around 110 SCNZ members, their partners and clients attended the organisation’s 10th Anniversary Members’ Forum and Social at Queenstown in April. SCNZ manager Alistair Fussell opened the general forum sessions with a presentation celebrating the history of SCNZ and the “remarkable” people who contributed to its success. The organisation existed under several different incarnations (under the guidance of HERA) before ...

The rise of fabricated steelwork imported from low costs economies is the biggest challenge facing the structural steel industry in New Zealand, says Steel Construction New Zealand manager, Alistair Fussell. “Learning to live with this challenge is a key focus of SCNZ and the industry moving forward. Clients have choices in a global market. Our industry has to continue to ...