Engineering Business Targets Niche Markets

Supplying specialist machines for niche markets in New Zealand, Australia and the United States is paying dividends for a Christchurch-based engineering business that is also a Polson Higgs client. Bellmor Engineering Ltd and G-Tech Separation Ltd manufacture and service equipment that is used across a range of industries, including meat processing, dairying, wool scouring and waste water. Bellmor Engineering was set up in 1989 to make substitute parts for meat grinders. The move soon led to the development of a new grinder with enhanced features, followed by a range of pumps, mincers, and mixers to handle both frozen and fresh product.

G-Tech Separation was founded to supply processing equipment of product from the grinders. Servicing of decanters and separators, and sourcing and supplying spare parts became the mainstay of the business. Director, Sarah Morgan says the machines that are currently being exported to the US are used in the oil industry in many parts of the world. "We have had a long association with a company in the United States and this has helped in exporting machines to various industries there." An office in Sydney has been relocated to Melbourne, where a repair shop is being set up and new jobs are being created. While the company has been servicing the rendering and waste water industries in Australia for many years, it will be seeking more business opportunities once its new staff are appointed. Sarah says Polson Higgs has helped with growing the business over the last few years with such aspects as tax advice, and putting in place the right structures within which to run the business for tax minimalisation as well as asset protection. Around 50 staff are employed in the Christchurch operation with another two staff in the Hamilton office, which services the upper North Island. Sarah, who oversees the financial and administrative side of the business, says that certain aspects of the business require hardto-find skilled staff, especially for specialised areas such as operators for the CNC (computer numerically controlled) machines and the balancing of centrifugal equipment. "Our core business has always been servicing the rendering industry," Sarah says.  "Finding personnel to sell and service machinery for this industry is also difficult. The process related knowledge that is required is often only learnt on the job." Despite these challenges, the company is committed to using state-of-the-art equipment and rigorous checking procedures to ensure that all the machinery is produced to the highest possible standards.

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Last updated: 27th December 2009 | 9:50 am