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Storm Waters Contracting
Two new 16-tonne Kobelco excavators have recently been delivered to a Coromandel-based business and Deals on Wheels went to find out more.
When you get employees saying good things about the business they work for, then it’s a near certainty that the company owner has a genuine concern for their wellbeing. One critical part is having quality equipment available to ensure work can be carried out efficiently and to a high standard.
Storm Waters is one such example of a business owner who has invested carefully in machinery and one who has seen his company Storm Waters Contracting Ltd – or Storm’s Contracting as the locals know it – grow into a significant supplier of earthmoving and civil engineering services throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.
The business is a long-time fixture on what can be an isolated outpost during significant weather events, and key to the operation is its Kobelco excavator fleet. Granted a smattering of other brands can be seen carrying the Storm’s Contracting livery, but it is blue Kobelco excavators that underpin the whole operation.
Kobelco SK140SRLC-7
Latest additions to the fleet are two brand-spanking-new Kobelco SK140SRLC-7s. Tipping the scales at 16 tonnes with dozer blade, the machines are tasked to work alongside another machine of the same model, where it seems the short radius, power on hand and long arm reach has more than proven its worth.
Those familiar with the geography of Coromandel Peninsula will quickly understand the need for versatile equipment, especially when working on steep inclines is often the norm and while stunning vistas are easily found, it’s up to Storm and his crew of 10 to do the hard work of turning each client’s dream into a reality.
The company undertakes a wide variety of work from house sites and slabs, through to drilling, retaining walls, wetlands construction, rock work, roading, demolition and rural work. It’s a wide portfolio.
According to business operations manager Amy Tamihere, the last six years have seen the company move from strength to strength.
“The aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle was when we really came into our own – which was more of being more confident in the abilities that we always had and structuring the business to take advantage of available opportunities,” she says.
“Since then, nothing has really held us back and it’s here that our boss Storm really stood out as a leader and demonstrated his faith in the team and the work they were doing by buying equipment that would ensure top results. There is no doubt Kobelco has been part of that journey.”
Growth of the business
A lot of the work the company now carries out has been driven by Storm’s ability to assemble a cohesive crew and making sure everyone is heard – which has meant taking advice from employees on what new technology fits into the growth of the business.
The new Kobelco’s have been fitted out with attachments and tech that ensures the company has well-resourced assets on hand for the wide variety of work it undertakes. One SK140SRLC-7 has been fitted with a Steelwrist rotator and Unicontrol 3D machine control system, while the second new excavator runs a Future Engineering attachment with Trimble 3D grade control system.
Operator’s viewpoint
Machine operator and Storm’s Contracting all-rounder Shaun Makara says Kobelco’s deliver quality results for the company. On the day we speak with him, he’s working the oldest Kobelco SK140SRLC-7 in the fleet, so a good person to get a viewpoint on how the 16-tonne machines perform. He takes time out from rock placement work on a creek bank to speak with us.
“We’ve stuck with Kobelco since the business started, as they serve us well and the range of sizes [1.8 to 16-tonnes] in the fleet ensures we can tackle virtually everything that is required of us in our region,” he says. “Having three 14-tonners in slightly different configurations allows us to ensure the right machine gets put onto a particular job and that helps increase our efficiency.”
Power and smooth operating also gets a nod of approval from Shaun.
“The 140 [SK140SRLC-7] will allow you to lightly grade with nice sensitivity through the controls, or alternatively not hold back when bulking out materials. It can be unbelievably powerful when you need to get into heavy digging.”
Shaun goes on to say that he likes to operate within a closed cab environment, with the large windows allowing for good visibility.
“I never hop out of the machine feeling uncomfortable. The cab is roomy and the aircon provides good airflow. There is plenty of room to stow things behind the seat while still allowing for the seat to be adjusted easily.
“From my perspective and I would say the rest of our staff would agree, is that our boss Storm purchases equipment that helps us shine and make the best use of our skills. He ensures that everything is well maintained and that shows respect not only for us, but for the machinery we operate.”
However, the final word should go to the business owner himself, Storm Waters: “We’ve been operating for over 28 years and have been running Kobelcos that whole time,” he says. “We’re loyal to the brand because it’s never let us down.”
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