Ballance is raising the roof at its Timaru Service Centre as part of a modernisation plan that has created two new fulltime jobs.
Worked has started on a $700,000 upgrade designed to more than double the load-out speed for local spreaders, enabling them to treat more farmers’ paddocks in a day.
‘We are well aware at Ballance that our Timaru operation is struggling to cope with the phenomenal surge in demand since it opened 12 years ago,’ says Greg Delaney, Ballance’s General Manager of Distribution and Logistics.
‘It wasn’t designed to handle such throughput volumes, and unacceptable delays have occurred at times. To get on top of this, we are embarking on a three-stage upgrade process that will turn the site into a showcase location for the region.’
The first phase in the upgrade is to raise the roof of the current load-out bay and main shed to gain sufficient room to install a new elevator plant. While this is underway, construction will start offsite on the new second mixing/despatch plant, consisting of a double mixing hopper, elevator and out feed conveyor/dust cone with full 4.25 m clearance. This new line will be installed during the summer lull at the plant.
‘When the upgrade is finished, Timaru will boast two separate mixer and load-out lanes, improving service times almost threefold. Two extra members of staff are being employed to help customers get their orders filled – one in the office and one in the loading area.
‘Everything should be fully operational for the autumn, with an overall site despatch capability of more than 250 tonnes an hour,’ said Mr Delaney. Ballance also has nearby service outlets in Rolleston, Dunsandel, Rakaia, Methven, Anama, Hinds, Ashburton, Fairlie, Twizel, Makikihi and Oamuru.
‘We are happy to invest in this substantial upgrade because it is in response to the remarkable success of our products in the central South Island. We have been constantly delighted, year on year, at the healthy growth in our sales in this region and we remain on the lookout for new sites from which to serve our growing customer base.’
10 September 2010
