New South Island hub for Sime Darby

Sime Darby Motors and Industrial has begun constructing its new Waterloo Business Park in Christchurch. Due to open by the end of 2024, the site will include Truckstops, TWL, Volvo Trucks NZ, Mack and Hyster.

“This is part of an ongoing programme of growth and investment in New Zealand and reinforces our commitment to our South Island employees and customers,” said managing director of Sime Darby Motors NZ, Pat McKenna.

The new Christchurch site will contain a 14-bay mega truck service centre, parts distribution centre, TWL retail outlet, and Volvo Trucks NZ, Mack and Hyster showrooms.

Caterpillar dealer Terra Cat New Zealand will move its Christchurch branch, including its Terra Analytical fluid-testing laboratory, to an adjacent 2.5ha site.

“Terra Cat, and the Gough Group before that, has been based at its Hornby location on Amyes Road since the 1970s, and this project is an exciting opportunity to develop a stateof-the-art national headquarters and service branch for Cat,” says Terra Cat CEO Chris Heaton. “This will enable us to continue providing a world-class service to our customers and take our support for our branches across the country to the next level.”

The support office will accommodate about 200 Sime Darby Motors and Terra Cat employees within the mixeduse precinct called The Works, complete with green areas for walking and cycling. Future developments for The Works precinct include plaza areas to buy food and drinks and access to gym and childcare facilities.

Sustainability and environmental features are being integrated into the new buildings, including stormwater recycling, electric vehicle and e-bike charging stations, and building management systems incorporating smart technology to optimise heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The support office will incorporate solar energy, while the other two sites will be future-proofed for solar power.