Riverbank Engineering brings structural engineering to Kāpiti’s back yard
A year after a new owner bought the business, Riverbank Engineering is booming across its diverse range of projects and activities. “It’s been crazily busy,” says new owner Dean Roberts, himself an engineer and former Operations Manager for the business. “We’ve recently been focusing on large commercial and residential structural projects for clients ranging from individuals to builders to larger companies such as McMillan & Lockwood and Focus Projects.”
Riverbank Engineering is unique in that it provides not only the manufacture and installation for large scale structural steel projects, it also serves both the trade and households alike with repairs, parts and bespoke requests. An engineering retail shop further adds to this unique offering, with everything from bolts and nuts, grease and oil to hand tools and welding gear. If there’s something they don’t have, they’ll do their utmost to find it.
As Dean currently manages all the design work himself, he admits “It can be a challenge to juggle the design work along with the day-today requirements.” However, 3D modelling is an essential point of difference ensuring the client gets what they want, and this enables Dean to produce an overview of the finished project prior to fabrication which is then used for approval, discussions and the creation of ‘shop drawings’.
Riverbank Engineering also uses a CNC Plasma
Cutter, one of the only ones in the district, which can cut parts from 1mm to 32mm thick material. This enables Riverbank Engineering to manufacture unavailable replacement parts and bespoke parts as required. Dean is also able to design and cut highly customised and often artistic projects serving the needs of a range of projects across Ōtaki and beyond.
The business continues to grow, now employing seven full time and two part time staff, with a total of seven engineers. It’s the range of experience of the engineers that provides Riverbank Engineering with its trademark versatility, with experience spanning structural fabrication through to the agricultural sector and hydraulics, they are also able to work with mild/stainless steel and aluminium.
This overall approach has created a versatile team that have the knowledge base to work on such a wide range of projects. But Dean is humble about his team: “They’re just generally good engineers and good people that know what they’re doing and know what’s right.” When asked if he has goals for Riverbank Engineering, Dean replies, “Yes I do, but I don’t want to say too much.”
To find out more about Riverbank Engineering, come and visit their retail shop on
46 Riverbank Road, Ōtaki. Go to www.riverbankeng.co.nz or make an appointment to talk with one of their engineers on 06 364 7444.