Topic(s):
Humes Papakura to double production capability
Humes’ main manufacturing facility based in Papakura Auckland is expecting two pieces of key equipment which are due to arrive in the country in August and be fully commissioned by November. Marcelo Castro, General Manager, says these inclusions to the plant will be a game changer for production capability and will more than double current pipe manufacturing output.
“Back in 2019/20 Humes invested many millions into our state-of-the-art Radial Press line at our Papakura facility which runs alongside our Vibration Technology (VT) line,” explains Marcelo. “Due to a variety of circumstances, including a world-wide pandemic, the two missing pieces of the puzzle had to wait.”
Marcelo says that an additional new reo / rebar steel cage bending machine made by MBK in Germany and a Simem concrete plant (which incidentally are the same brands as currently in use) will complete and optimise the two lines for the Humes facility.
“We have felt at times constrained by the lack of a second concrete plant and reo machine to run the two lines at 100%,” explains Marcelo. “We know our customers may have experienced some of our lead times not being what we would want. But we can assure everyone that by November our Papakura facility will be able to more than double what we are doing now.”
Marcelo goes on to say that commissioning is expected to go smoothly due to the compatibility benefits of using the same brands as existing equipment. “It also means that current leads times will not be affected while we get Papakura running at 100%. We are very excited and can’t wait to see the plant function fully as designed.”
