Giant in NZ roading in Taranaki

07 June 2006
By ROB MAETZIGTaranaki's roading industry has just got a whole lot more competitive, with the arrival of one of New Zealand's largest contracting companies.
The organisation is Fulton Hogan, a Christchurch-headquartered civil construction and roading company with a strong business presence throughout New Zealand.
Historically, that presence has been limited in Taranaki, primarily because the local roading business founded by Sir Russell Matthews – now owned by Works Civil Construction – was strong in the region.
But now Fulton Hogan has purchased Taranaki roading company D and L Crow Ltd, and it intends becoming a totally competitive part of the local roading market.
D and L Crow was formed 30 years ago by Don and Leonie Crow, and has a staff of 55. About one-third of the Bell Block-based business' activity is roading work. It also has a depot at Stratford and a quarry at Okato.
The sale to Fulton Hogan was for an undisclosed sum. Mr Crow said yesterday that he and his wife intended to take things easy – "and probably be a nuisance to everyone".
Fulton Hogan North Island manager Grant Borrie said that not only would all staff be retained, but it was likely that additional employees would be required.
"We will be looking to offer the wider Fulton Hogan services to the Taranaki market in the future, and to grow the business over the next few years," he said.
"We've taken on a great company with a very good staff, and it gives us a real leapfrog into the Taranaki market."
Until now, Fulton Hogan operations in Taranaki had been limited to water utilities and upgrade projects, and a design-and-build contract for the New Plymouth District Council. These were administered from the company's Wanganui office.
But with the purchase of the New Plymouth company, Fulton Hogan is now establishing an office at Bell Block.
The branch will be headed by Peter Matheson, an experienced engineer with Fulton Hogan for 19 years, who moves here from Central Otago.
Fulton Hogan was established in Dunedin in 1933 by Jules Fulton and Bob Hogan, and now has more than 3400 employees throughout New Zealand.