Laminated timber good for Earth
Family-owned structural timber manufacturer is a construction category finalist
Levin’s engineered timber manufacturer Techlam in Tiro Tiro Rd is a finalist in this year’s Electra Business and Innovation Awards, in the construction category. “It is the first time for us, though we had been asked before to enter. This time we thought we should, to raise our profile locally,” said managing director Brett Hamilton.
A family-owned business, two brothers — Brett and Roy Hamilton — are at the helm as directors with their father, Andrew, who founded the business almost 30 years ago in a Green Ave garage in Levin.
Like many local businesses they have trouble finding staff, though the ones they have are sticking around. They have their recruitment pretty tight, and the company has a range of jobs from entry-level machine operators to leadership roles in administration and plant management as well as roles on the CAD team.
They offer their team of over 55 staff ongoing training, in terms of roles within the company as well as personally. “We have plenty of opportunities for people to grow.”
Techlam supplies pre-fabricated structures around NZ as well as to export markets. Among its products are aquatic centres, churches, childcare centres and libraries. Though it is a manufacturer, it does, on occasion, help with construction and on-site work.
“We work with building designers and consultants to achieve efficient designs for our structures,” Hamilton said.
The company is on to a good thing, especially now that climate change rules require builders to reduce their carbon footprint and Techlam’s laminated timber is an excellent answer to that.
The company has recently undergone a growth spurt or two and is investing heavily in its capital equipment, which will lead to more jobs. That is where they and many local businesses have a problem.
“Many locals do not even know the kind of businesses there are in Horowhenua. Not too many know about us and what we do, and we thought the business awards could help raise our profile and make recruitment a bit easier in the future,” Brett said.
Though it is fully staffed right now, there will be opportunities soon with additional computer-aided design and manufacturing among those new roles. Hamilton said they were confident they would make the finals as they have their facts and figures at their fingertips all the time, so filling out the application was a straightforward process for them. In November, Techlam will celebrate 30 years, and it can look back at a great legacy, with a firm look to the future.
“Techlam is a great place to work, and we have a great team,” Brett said. He compared his team to his products: a team of individuals with different strengths, all bonded together to be something stronger.
Techlam will connect with the local job network and website Get-Go to advertise any jobs that they may need to fill.
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For more on Techlam: https:/ /techlam.nz