Waikato Water Project Co-operation
Close cooperation between Steelpipe New Zealand Ltd (SPNZ) and New Zealand Steel has resulted in the smooth scheduling of steel deliveries for the construction of a vital water pipeline in Auckland.
A severe drought in the Auckland region in 1994 forced a re-evaluation of the region's water supplies. It was determined that a new pipleine from the Waikato river would be built as an alternative water source.
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The project was awarded to Waikato Water in October 1999, with the first deliveries of pipe from SPNZ occurring in August 2000.
New Zealand Steel Customer Services Co-ordinator, Lindsay Russell and SPNZ Planner, Brett South developed a flexible delivery system that handled the many changes needed along the way, while meeting all the contract obligations.
The flexibility of New Zealand Steel gave SPNZ the benefit that only a local steel producer can provide. There was no need for SPNZ to have large stocks of coil on the ground, with an associated inventory cost. We were able to give our customer the steel that was needed when it was needed. The experience gained by SPNZ was particularly valuable for future projects of similar proportions (domestic or export).
When SPNZ delivered the last concrete lined pipe in September 2001, about 40 kilometres of steel pipe had been delivered in just over one year. We had produced our largest order - 10,500 tonnes of hot rolled steel.
Both companies are looking optimistically to the future in the knowledge that the co-operation built up between our people can serve us well again.
The Waikato Water project is due for practical completion in mid-2002.
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