Our Values in Action

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IT TAKES A VILLAGE

We are all aware of the two strategic partners in the MEST, Babcock and the Defence Logistics Command (Maritime). But fixing and maintaining the millions of components it takes to keep the RNZN operational takes many, many hands and a whole lot of expertise and specialist skills.

Welcome to the MEST village – a network of hundreds of small, specialist, businesses that spreads across the dockyard and beyond to support MEST to not only get the job done, but to achieve the excellence we strive for. They are an integral part of our operations and we’re taking time out to meet a few of them.

GSM Engineering

A family business set up in Avondale in 1987, GSM Engineering is dedicated to engineering excellence and current Managing Director Mike Gilbert is the son of founders Darryl and Diana. “It was initially a pretty small business focused on general jobbing, but over the years we’ve grown and specialised” says Mike. “I started straight from school and worked my way up from the bottom, through an apprenticeship, tradesman, production manager, General Manager and finally Managing Director.

We’re now a company with around 60 employees and it is great to watch our team develop, gaining confidence and expertise. We service a whole host of industries but are especially proud of being specialists in electrical cabinetry, retail and architectural installations as well as marine and industrial engineering. The work we do supporting the Navy is also a great source of pride for us. Every job is unique, innovation is always key and the satisfaction we feel when a job is complete makes it all worth it. Watching a ship leave the wharf and knowing we contributed to that is a pretty special feeling.”

South Pacific Scaffolding

Finishing high school, 16-year-old Jarrod Radcliffe wanted to work in the Construction industry and working for the family scaffolding firm felt like a logical step. After a few years as a scaffolder, Jarrod returned to study and once that was finished, started a shrink-wrapping company working parallel with South Pacific Scaffolding. A few more years down that track and he was appointed General Manager for South Pacific Scaffolding.

“We have got an incredible team” says Jarrod. “Passionate, committed people who genuinely care about the task at hand and doing a good job. We have been involved in some incredible projects but the work we do with Babcock and the RNZN are real highlights. The complexities attached to the locations of the jobs on the ships can be real head scratching stuff, but we always find a solution and working with the Navy is a real badge of honour for the team. As a company we say that we specialise in scaffolds outside the norm. Working in Devonport, we certainly do that.”

McKay

From humble beginnings in 1936 Dargarville, McKay has evolved into what is now one of the largest, privately owned electrical contracting companies and, fastest growing technology companies, in New Zealand. Marine Manager, Martin Cameron explains what it means for McKay to be part of the ‘MEST village’. “It’s a challenge, an honour, and no two days are the same.” Says Martin. “We have been involved in many of the projects around Devonport Naval Base and our approach is always the same, commitment to the job in hand, commitment to quality and commitment to doing our bit to make sure RNZN is operationally ready. The significance of the job is not taken lightly and it’s a huge privilege for us to be in this trusted position.”

Titan Marine Engineering

Proudly 100% Kiwi owned and managed, Titan Marine was established in Auckland in 1993. Now with a team of over 60 tradesman and 15 apprentices,

Titan Marine regularly partners with the MEST to strengthen and maintain our navy’s assets. “The scale and variety of jobs we do with the MEST is incredible” says Project Manager Dion Ryan. “Due to the nature of the work, most projects come with their own set of problems which our teams work together on to find the best solutions, benefiting all stakeholders. We provide extra manpower for the unexpected jobs and space at our site just across the Waitemata harbour can be utilised for the navy’s smaller vessels and the larger fabrication jobs. Knowing that we are part of the wider team that contribute to keeping the navy ready for whatever operations are necessary, is a huge honour for us. It is something we are all very proud of.”