Innovation and design at the core
This article was originally published in Business South – March 2021 edition. The article can be viewed in it’s original format here.
Kelly Deeks
Solutions focused and leading edge engineering firm Trinder Engineering is coming closer to its vision for a world class engineering facility at Richmond, with consent on the horizon for building on a 10,000sqm site.
“A big part of what we’re doing is in the research, innovation, and design space of our business,” says Trinder Engineering managing director Kerry Hill.
“We are building the department up and part of the development is having a modern design space environment to attract skilled people from around the world into that area of the business.”
Trinder Engineering is a dedicated and forward-thinking engineering partner which helps businesses to design, develop, build, and perform maintenance work.
All of its products and services are focused on improving process, functionality, and productivity. “We see our job as enabling our clients to better serve their industry and their customers,” Kerry says.
“With a strong focus on helping to increase productivity, we design, manufacture, install, and repair a wide range of equipment and products. We have been developing new machinery for the industrial, forestry, farming, viticulture, horticulture, aquaculture, heavy transport, and other sectors New Zealand wide for many years.”
He says since its inception in 1958, Trinder Engineering has always been heavily involved in design work, and has been recognised as a leader in primary and construction industry solutions, such as the forestry equipment it has pioneered for steep slope harvesting.
Now Trinder Engineering is turning its focus to open ocean aquaculture and is working with partners on the design and engineering needs in that sector.
With seafood a widely recognised nutritious source of protein, it is estimated the world will need another 46 million tonnes by 2030 to feed a growing population. The warming of seas as a result of climate change may see some areas currently used for aquaculture becoming unsuitable. Open ocean aquaculture is a new method of growing fin fish, shell fish, sea weeds, and algaes sustainably, and for New Zealand with its large ocean territory, it is a new and exciting frontier.
At Trinder Engineering, new innovations and designs need to be signed off by qualified and certified people, of which there is a shortfall in New Zealand, and in the Nelson Tasman region, the situation is exacerbated by an aging population.
“How are we going to get that design signed off? It affects all industries, we struggle to find people, especially at short notice.
“Our solution is to build up our capability and value-add in house. But this requires different design skills and people who can certify all the new equipment going into your factory or your heavy transport fleet. Who are the next ones coming through our succession plan? We have students working through degrees, and graduates and senior engineers working towards higher levels of education to enable us to grow our capability and capacity to meet our, and your, future needs.”
Trinder Engineering is one of the Nelson Tasman region’s largest engineering companies. It takes pride in its engineering excellence, its design innovation, and also in attracting and engaging with the best people the industry has to offer.
Trinder Engineering has been built on the foundations of strong family values, investing in its people to inspire and equip them with skills to be the best they can be in their chosen field. Safe working and well-being are always top priorities.
Staff are encouraged to continue training and upskilling throughout their career with Trinder Engineering, which currently supports more than 15 apprentices and others who are working through engineering degrees and upskilling as emerging professionals.
Kerry has also looked overseas for the skills and qualifications Trinder Engineering needs, with a recent new recruit from Texas returning home for the holidays but intent on coming back.
Kerry says it’s definitely not New Zealand salary that is attracting them. “Our local climate attracts them, and the outdoors does, along with the opportunity to work in a world class engineering environment.”