The building, which is on the corner of Todds and Fernside Rds, opposite the new Rangiora Business Hub, is a purpose-built, high-tech replacement for the company’s former Kaiapoi factory which was badly damaged by fire in January 2022.
Sutton Tools (NZ) general manager Kevin Donovan says the company was expecting to take ownership of the new building at the end of October when the internal fit-out would begin in preparation for the gradual transfer, and installation of machinery, from the Kaiapoi site.
An opening date has not been confirmed, but it is expected to be late February or early March.
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This will give the company time to become fully operational and ready to showcase the facility to a large contingent of local, and international business partners, and community groups with tours through the factory.
Work on the project began in October last year.
‘‘The new factory will be the most modern, small-drill manufacturing facility in the world, which will provide us with a lot of productivity and quality advantages,’’ Kevin says.
‘‘All the machines and equipment are brand new along with all of the digital technology we will be installing.’’
The building has also been cleverly insulated to provide comfortable working conditions, and reduce the environmental impact of the business.
‘‘At the old building we burned 70,000 litres of diesel each year to keep the team warm in winter. We won’t burn any at Rangiora.’’
There is also a high-tech fire suppression system with a dedicated back-up power supply installed at the factory, and a solar power system on the roof.
‘‘We have a sophisticated stormwater retention and treatment plant and dedicated EV (electric vehicle) charging stations in the car park,’’ Kevin says.
Also, the administration/office areas of the building exceed the company’s current requirements so there is a possibility parts of it, such as meeting rooms and conference rooms, could be used by other businesses and community groups in the future.
Although the January 2022 fire caused a massive upheaval for the company ‘‘one of the positive things to come from it is the benefit of skills development’’, Kevin says.
‘‘The team had to pivot to new types of work, including our apprentices so we have all learnt a lot.’’
‘‘Our temporary facilities are functional, but the team has demonstrated remarkable resilience since the fire in less-than-ideal conditions.
‘‘Simple things like connected locker rooms and bathroom area, training rooms and a spacious cafeteria with outdoor areas for the team will be a real novelty for a while.’’
Engineering manager Richard Frew, of Sefton, describes the building as a big open factory specifically designed to be very adaptable to what we want to do.
Australian managing director of Sutton Tools, Peter Sutton, wanted something specifically from Kaiapoi for the new building so the boardroom will feature a table handcrafted in Kaiapoi by MODesign.
By Shelley Topp
