News

Harding Construction features in the news

Harding Construction is making headlines in local newspapers as word of our latest award spreads.

www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/89382968/timaru-firm-constructing-a-solid-future

Timaru firm constructing a solid future

1487040726069.jpg

 

Harding Construction managing director Simon Harding and general manager Heather Harding, celebrate their award for best company culture at the recent Asia Pacific Business Awards.

The owners of a South Canterbury construction firm are feeling positive about the future, after a recent accolade gave them some added impetus.

Timaru firm Harding Construction is in its fourth year of operation in the commercial, industrial and residential building sectors.

General manager Heather Harding said the business had enjoyed a strong 2016, having been involved in some eye-catching local projects.

"We were proud to complete the main carpentry tender for The Landings on Elizabeth St. This has been our most high profile project and brought us into the public eye. It went very well for us and we received excellent feedback from all involved."

Harding said the firm had been given an added boost thanks to a recent award for 'Best Business Culture' at the Asia Pacific Business Excellence Awards, held on Australia's Gold Coast on February 5, 6 and 7. 

She said the award had recognised a working culture which saw the company deliver its projects on time, on budget, and with no added surprises.

"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.

"We always wanted to take care to develop the systems and procedures and the whole concept of who we are and what we do. This confirms we are going about it in a robust fashion."

The awards had been run by ActionCOACH, a business consultancy which had been offering support and advice to the builder for the past three years.

Harding said alongside the awards there had been a forum, designed to make businesses analyse how they operated.

 

She admits that when the concept of the forum was first explained to her she thought it sounded "very touchy feely".

However, Harding said she realised that "if we worked out the heart of who we are that was going to drive the way we do business".

"We always wanted to take care to develop the systems and procedures and the whole concept of who we are and what we do. This confirms we are going about it in a robust fashion.

"We have developed strong business relationships and repeat clients. We are also being sought out more frequently. This only comes from hard work and consistent delivery of high quality service. That's certainly something we're very proud of."

 - Stuff

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.

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.

Harding Construction in Business Excellence Awards

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 

Hell pizza kitchen.jpg

"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."

Hell pizza inside small.jpg

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." 

 

Hell pizza inside2.jpg