Harding Construction wins International Award

Timaru company Harding Construction won the award for best company culture at the recent prestigious Asia Pacific Business Excellence Awards. 

The award was presented at a two-day business forum held in Surfers Paradise and was attended by 90 businesses from Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Companies ranged in size from small business with under 10 employees, to large, multi-franchise businesses operating across multiple states of Australia. The forum’s theme was ‘Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants’.

Harding Construction owners, Simon and Heather Harding were delighted to win the award, saying it affirmed their commitment to operating a values-based business.

“It’s encouraging to have business experts recognise our company as worthy of the award:  that we are doing great things, have a great team, and offer employees a great place to work.

“It’s a terrific way to start 2017,” said Heather Harding.

“We assumed the thrust of the forum would be learning from the successes of business greats but the opening speech made it clear that our people are our giants. That really appealed to us,” said Harding.

“The judges commented on our effective systems, policies and procedures. These include looking after and developing our staff and work environment, plus ensuring we deliver consistently high quality service to our clients. It was really gratifying,” said Harding.

She said the Harding Construction company culture is based on three simple goals: On time, On budget, No surprises. Its clear values base incorporates accountability, integrity, growth and a focus on people. All company activity is measured against those goals and values. This ensures successful project management and delivery as well as effective in-house operations and a positive work environment.

The Business Excellence Forum is run by ActionCOACH business consulting and hosts 5 multi-national forums around the world each year. ActionCOACH is used by 1600 businesses in the Asia Pacific region, and 20,000 businesses globally.

Harding Construction won two awards at the 2016 NZ Master Builders Commercial Project Awards and was a finalist in the Emerging Business category at the 2016 South Canterbury Business Excellence Awards.

“We’re now not only multi-award winning builders, but we’re international award winning builders. That’s something to be proud of.” - said Simon Harding.

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Harding Construction: Business Excellence Winners' Video

We are delighted to share our Winners Interview with you from the Asia Pacific Business Excellence Awards.

Enjoy!

In local news...

Harding Construction has featured in another local paper, The Timaru Courier, this time alongside fellow Timaru finalists, Tradeworx.

Jeff and Rachel McLennan of Tradeworx also entered their company in the Business Excellence Awards, and were finalists in their section.

"It's pretty impressive for two companies from Timaru to perform so well on the international stage," said Heather Harding of Harding Construction. "There was an enthusiastic Kiwi contingent supporting each other at the Awards. It's always fun when Kiwis are up against Australians."

The Kiwis' post-award haka was quickly countered with a vigorous 'Aussie, Aussie Aussie, Oi! Oi! Oi!'

"I thought ours was far more impressive" quipped Harding.

Young Enterprise

Harding Construction provided business mentoring for the "Upbeat Wines" 2016 Young Enterprise team from Timaru Boys High School.

The team investigated several product and marketing ideas before deciding to manufacture their own stylish wine-holders. They had to research similar products, develop a design that would work with different bottles, source their materials and then manufacture their product themselves.

"We started off thinking we'd make garden planter boxes from old wine barrels, but soon realised these would be costly to make and would probably have a limited market." said Sam Taylor, Marketing Manager for Upbeat Wines. "We still liked the idea of making a wooden product. The wine bottle holders appealed because we could make them ourselves from easily sourced products, and we anticipated they would appeal to a wide range of people. They are especially good as gifts." 

Heather Harding, of Harding Construction worked with the team for several months, helping them develop their product and marketing strategy. "I really enjoyed working with the Upbeat Wines team," says Heather. "They had some great ideas and were keen to make a success of their venture. I'm sure they'll all go on to do great things in the future."

It's not too late to place an order if you'd like a wine holder! Just let us know and we'll put you in touch with the team :)

From top left to right is Hamish Murdoch and Hunter Webb and bottom left to right is Sam Taylor and Marcus Shillito.

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Harding Construction in Business Excellence Awards

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We are proud to say Harding Construction was a finalist in the Emerging Business category of the 2016 South Canterbury Business Excellence Awards.

These prestigious awards recognise and celebrate business excellence, playing an important role in promoting and strengthening economic development in the region. 

"We were delighted to get this far" says Heather Harding, General Manager and co-owner of Harding Construction. "The BEA entry process requires a lot of strategic analysis and planning. To have been twice-recognised at the Master Builders Commercial Project Awards and to make the BEA finalists in the same year is pretty special."

Entrants benefit from significant local media coverage, with category and supreme winners able to leverage their success in on-going advertising and communications activity well past the immediate event period. In addition to the benefits for businesses, the awards play an important part in lifting the overall profile of South Canterbury, raising awareness of our business sectors for the economic benefit of all South Cantabrians

Heaven for Hell

Harding Construction completed the fitout of the new Timaru Hell Pizza premises in July, 2016.

The Challenge

The new restaurant not only had a specific brand standard to achieve, but also required installation of specialised kitchen equipment that had to fit in a relatively confined space.

"It was important that all areas of the restaurant were finished to a high standard, not only reflecting the Hell Pizza brand but also ensuring maximum efficiency in all work spaces," says Simon Harding, Construction Manager for Harding Construction.

Some items took up more space than the plans had allowed for, so the team had to make adjustments once everything was on site and actual measurements could be taken.

Mr O, the proprietor, had a set budget and a set deadline for opening. It was imperative that all work be completed on time and on budget to meet these goals.

The Solution 

"Saving a few centimetres here and there made a big difference" says Harding. Our main issue was that the fridge door hit the extractor hood in the kitchen when it opened. By adjusting the hood we were able to ensure that the fridge door could open freely and avoid damage to either piece of equipment."

The Result

Hell Pizza Timaru opened to flocks of enthusiastic customers on the due date. All equipment was installed without fuss and the fitout looked great. 

Mr O was effusive in his praise, "Our thanks to Harding Construction.You are professional and client focused. You gave lots of good advice to save us costs. The most important thing for us was that our project was finished within the set time scheduled." 

National Awards for Harding Construction

The thrill of receiving two awards at the 2016 NZ Master Builders Commercial Project Awards is almost indescribable, says Heather Harding, General Manager of Harding Construction.

The Timaru-based company won a coveted overall Special Project Award and also a Bronze Award in the Commercial and Civic section against entries from around the country. These are New Zealand’s most prestigious awards for commercial construction. "To have our work recognised in this way is a real honour," says Harding

The project entered was a small one - the fit-out of the new offices for the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism (ADBT)/ South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce in Timaru. However, the requirements for the project were unusual and required a unique problem solving approach. The client had no real budget for the work but still needed a high-quality, professional fit-out.

The Master Builders Commercial Project Awards recognise not only the delivery of a high quality project, but excellent building processes and practices, quality of work and craftsmanship, team work – including coordination of sub-trades and suppliers, and client satisfaction.

"These are qualities we at Harding Construction pride ourselves on," says Harding. "We strive to deliver not only high quality construction work, but also to ensure our clients have a positive experience dealing with us." 

The Special Award is given at the discretion of the judges for a specific outstanding project or element of a project that is worthy of recognition.

"Only two Special Awards were given this year," says Harding. "We are very proud to have received one of them."

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ABCs for ADBT

Getting back to basics  a win for ADBT

Raewyn Bell of Aoraki Development, Business and Tourism approached Harding Construction in March 2015 asking if we would be interested in coordinating the fit-out of their new premises. 

With a wry smile, Raewyn made it clear there was a catch: They wanted it done for as close to nothing as possible.  ADBT, she explained, had minimal funding for the project, but needed to vacate their current premises. Would Harding Construction help them?

There was no doubt in our minds that we would. We rallied the support of other local companies we knew valued ADBT, asking them to join us in providing a high quality commercial fit-out for next to nothing. Their responses were overwhelmingly positive and very humbling. The outcome achieved far more than just the production of a high quality commercial fit-out. 

“Harding Construction was extremely easy to work with, providing solutions and options and genuinely understanding our brief. They prepared a complete package that enabled the project to be completed in a timely and cost effective manner. The result is an area where visitors are welcomed into an environment of District pride.

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— Wendy Smith, Chief Executive, ADBT

This project brought together a community. It showed that in South Canterbury we value community more highly than dollars. It provided opportunities for innovation, creativity and problem-solving. It allowed for generosity, cooperation and collaboration. It enabled a united show of appreciation of the work and value ADBT brings to our business community.

This project was entered in the 2016 Master Builders Commercial Project Awards, winning a prestigious Special Award overall and  Bronze in the Commercial and Civic section.

Total Project Value             Confidential
Price to Customer              20% of total project value    
Value to the Community    Priceless
 

St Joseph’s School, Temuka - A case study in excellence

The outstanding upgrade of facilities at St Joseph’s School, Temuka achieved a complete transformation that delighted a community and is the envy of others. 

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St. Joseph’s upgrade an “outstanding” transformation

Harding Construction was contracted by Opus International Consultants on behalf of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch as the Main Contractor to complete an upgrade of Blocks 3 and 4 at St Joseph’s School, Temuka, in 2014. The contract value for this project was $320,000 (including variations). Work began in August and was completed in November, 2014. 

Students from St Joseph's School celebrate their newly upgraded classroom blocks. 

Our brief for this project was to upgrade the existing classroom blocks, which included demolishing and replacing old walls, ceilings and flooring, creating new storage areas and re-lining classrooms. We co- ordinated sub-trades for painting services, roofing, aluminium joinery, floor coverings, plumbing, drainage and electrical services, and supply of metalwork and concrete work. 

“We would like to officially thank you and your team for the outstanding work you completed for us as part of our recent recladding and building upgrades at our school.”

— Bernie Leonard, Principal

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The new design makes the most of indoor and outdoor learning spaces.

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Co-ordination and communication the key to success

As the Main Contractor for this project it was our responsibility to co-ordinate the sub-trades required to complete the work on time, on budget, with no surprises. Our experienced project management team facilitated this with ease, ensuring excellent communication between the school, Opus, the sub- trade contractors and our crew. 

“The foreman managed communications with subcontractors very efficiently, ensuring they worked around the needs of the school. At all times the team were efficient, obliging and fun to work with. We also found Simon extremely thorough during the final checks, insisting on every job being completed thoroughly and professionally.”

— Bernie Leonard, Principal

The upgrade created safe and easy flow between the classrooms and the rest of the school. 

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Cost-effective solutions

The scope of the project expanded from the initial quoted work to a significantly larger project as unforeseen structural issues were discovered once work had begun, requiring full and immediate remedy. Our skilled team quickly formulated a time and cost-effective solution for this, and work continued without interruption or delay. 

The revamped classrooms are light, spacious, modern and attractive. 

“Throughout the process we found your team to be extremely professional and willing to “go the extra mile” for us. The difficulties that arose from the original plans because of the internal state of the building were managed patiently by the foreman, who communicated extremely well with the project managers and myself.”

— Bernie Leonard, Principal

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The Harding Construction Team is safe, considerate and professional

At all times, our work and site safety practices were keyed to the fact that we were conducting construction work in a busy primary school with curious children all around, and teachers wanting to continue their classroom programmes with minimal disruption.

Harding Construction has an excellent Health and Safety record. All projects have an individual Site Specific Safety Plan tailored to meet the specific needs of that site. Our experienced team is well- versed in ensuring work on school sites is completed in as safe and unobtrusive a manner as possible. 

“The building team were extremely safety conscious with the safety board very visible capturing our students’ attention, safe driving in and out of the school during school hours and limited interruptions with noise.”

— Bernie Leonard, Principal

Clean lines and a modern look transformed tired buildings into a 21st Century learning environment 

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Great to work with

Staff from the school were effusive in their praise for our team’s professional conduct and the way they worked in with the needs of the school. This was a very successful project with an excellent result. 

“Staff found your team great to work with. The guys also sparked ideas for our young builders in our tech shed.”

— Bernie Leonard, Principal

Harding Construction Management were guests of honour at the school celebration blessing the finished buildings. 

“The whole community is delighted with the final outcome of a complete transformation of a building that is the envy of others.”

— Bernie Leonard, Principal