Celebrating Excellence at the 2024 Concrete NZ Conference Awards
Thursday, 14 November 2024
On November 13, the Concrete NZ Conference Awards recognised individuals and teams for their contribution to technical innovation, customer service, sustainability, as well as health & safety, along with diversity & inclusion.
Doug Kamo, the "Triple Threat", entertained the audience as awards MC.
The 2024 Conference Awards saw Concrete NZ's revised awards framework, designed to enhance opportunities for celebrating achievements in the concrete industry, enter its third year.
The Conference Awards remain part of the annual Concrete NZ conference, and are primarily inward facing, appealing to Concrete NZ members across all the Sector Groups and the Learned Society.
Extra Distance Award
Higgins Concrete for Te Ara Tupua and Tupua Horo Nuku projects in Wellington
Concrete was central to the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One section of the capital's Te Ara Tupua shared pathway. Image: NZTA.
Higgins Concrete in Wellington, Otaki, and Porirua served as strategic supply partners for these closely aligned beacon projects in the capital city.
On the Te Horo Nuku (Eastern Bays) project, the team successfully navigated the daily challenge of coordinating logistics, mixing, and placement within a 2–3-hour tidal window, using a 50 MPa low-carbon, quick-setting mix to meet durability requirements
of the seawall foundations.
On the other side of the harbour, the Te Ara Tupua project required precise timing to deliver high-strength, durable concrete for demanding coastal applications, including the striking XbloxPlus units.
The judging panel commended Higgins Concrete for their exceptional supply efforts, highlighting the Ngā Ūranga seawalls. Overcoming challenging delivery conditions, Higgins Concrete coordinated barge shipments and dispatched multiple trucks as sea conditions
allowed.
Their bespoke mix design and standby technician ensured set times were met within tight timeframes, exemplifying their dedication to going above and beyond.
Higgins Concrete and construction partners receive the Producer Extra Distance Award from Concrete NZ Honorary Life Member Rob Green.
Technical Excellence Award
Higgins Concrete for the Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway
Te Ahu a Turanga showcased precision engineering with Higgins Concrete's high-performance mixes.
Higgins Concrete played a pivotal role in the Te Ahu a Turanga highway project, which connects the Manawatu and Tararua regions. The project features two 300-meter bridges, requiring distinct structural solutions: a cantilever concrete design and steel
girders with a concrete slab.
Higgins Concrete supplied specialised mixes tailored to each bridge's needs, including a tremie mix for piles, a self-compacting mix for pile caps and piers, and a high early-strength mix for the superstructure. Their adaptability to revised specifications
and pre-project mix trials ensured exceptional concrete performance under demanding conditions.
Judges praised Higgins Concrete for their technical excellence, innovation, and commitment to quality, highlighted by the development of a custom mobile testing lab. Their contributions ensured the success of this critical infrastructure project while
meeting complex engineering requirements.
Higgins Concrete and construction partners receive the Producer Technical Excellence Award from Rob Green.
Technical Excellence Award - Highly Commended
Bridgeman Concrete for Verifi
Verifi helps Bridgeman Concrete optimise concrete quality by adjusting mix properties during transit.
Verifi is an in-transit concrete management system that monitors concrete quality in real-time, from batching to on-site discharge, using sensors and controls attached to the mixer bowl.
Bridgeman Concrete uses this technology to eliminate guesswork in concrete production and delivery, contributing to the world’s largest re-ology dataset, with over a billion data points.
With Verifi, Bridgeman has already measured 500,000 cubic metres of concrete in New Zealand, benefiting from a proven technology that has tracked 130 million cubic metres world-wide.
The judges appreciated Verifi’s ability to optimise concrete quality by adjusting mix properties during transit, enhancing consistency and performance.
Bridgeman Concrete representatives, including Todd Matchett, receive their Producer Technical Excellence Highly Commended Award.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award
Stevenson Concrete for the Health & Safety Cultural Shift Initiative
Stevenson Concrete's Cultural Shift initiative has set a new health and safety benchmark.
Stevenson Concrete took home this award having transformed workplace safety with its Health & Safety Cultural Shift initiative. The company has transformed its health and safety practices, emphasising employee engagement and shared responsibility.
Through proactive discussions and interactive training on topics like hazardous substance handling and sun exposure, the company has fostered a culture of continuous improvement.
Key initiatives include the Critical Risk Tool and high-visibility yellow PPE, which enhance risk management and workplace safety, and have significantly reduced injuries.
The judges commended the Stevenson Concrete’s efforts to make safety a shared commitment rather than solely a management responsibility. By empowering employees and prioritising proactive risk management, Stevenson Concrete has set a benchmark for a collaborative
and safer work environment.
The Stevenson Concrete team are pleased to receive the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award from Concrete NZ chief executive Rob Gaimster.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award - Highly Commended
Higgins Concrete for Groov Ambassador Programme
A Highly Commended Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award went to Higgins Concrete for the expansion of the Groov Ambassador Programme.
In 2020 Higgins Concrete, in partnership with Groov, launched a mental health and wellbeing program to enhance health and safety across the organization, recognizing the mental health challenges faced by many New Zealanders.
Building on this, the Groov Ambassador Programme was introduced to train internal leaders as wellbeing champions, equipping them to support colleagues and promote resilience throughout the team.
This initiative fosters a supportive work environment by ensuring all Higgins employees have access to resources and peer support for managing mental health.
The judges were impressed by the Groov Ambassador Programme for empowering employees as wellbeing champions and fostering a supportive, resilient workplace culture.
Higgins Concrete demonstrated a long-term commitment to wellbeing through the Groov Ambassador Programme.
Carbon Reduction Award
Firth Industries for LowCO Homes at Waiata Shores
Firth Industries supplied exemplar low-carbon concrete to the Fletcher Living LowCO pilot residential project.
Firth Industries partnered with Fletcher Living on the LowCO Homes pilot project near Takanini to prioritise reducing embodied carbon in residential construction. This initiative includes a standalone home, and three terrace homes designed as a blueprint
for sustainable housing.
Key innovations included Firth’s EcoMix EC34, which achieved a 34% carbon reduction compared to the ISC baseline, later improved to 40% with EcoMix EC40 through continuous refinement.
Judges praised LowCO for its substantial carbon savings, cutting-edge innovations, and over-arching approach to sustainability. The project sets a benchmark for low-carbon housing, demonstrating a scalable model for addressing New Zealand’s housing needs
while meeting urgent climate goals.
Dominic Sutton and Kerry Newton of Firth Industries receive the 2024 Carbon Reduction Award from Rob Gaimster.
Carbon Reduction Award - Highly Commended
Hynds Pipe Systems for HyndsLC Low-Carbon Concrete Products
Hynds Pipe Systems' development of low-carbon concrete products was recognised with a Highly Commended Carbon Reduction Award.
Hynds Pipe Systems collaborated with Holcim NZ to use low-carbon concrete in the College Hill Stormwater upgrade, Waterview Separation project, and Greville Road Stormwater Culvert upgrade.
Hynds, in partnership with Holcim NZ, achieved a 22% carbon footprint reduction in reinforced concrete pipes used in the College Hill Stormwater Upgrade through the use of fly ash, and a 34% reduction in the Waterview Separation Project and Greville Road
Stormwater Culvert Upgrade using slag.
The judges were struck by the significant carbon reductions achieved in these projects without altering joint profiles or installation processes. They also recognized Hynds' commitment to sustainable infrastructure, offering lower-carbon products at the
same cost and without impacting procurement timelines.
Hynds Pipe Systems' team clutch the Highly Commended Carbon Reduction Award trophy and certificate.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Nauhria Group for the Great & Safe New Zealand Initiative
Celebrating diversity and inclusion: A proud Nauhria team member thriving in a supportive and empowering workplace.
Nauhria Group prioritises diversity and inclusion, with 90% of its workforce comprising first-generation Kiwis from various cultural backgrounds. The company fosters a supportive environment through daily team meetings, employee recognition, and celebrations
like Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Gurpurab, allowing employees to share their heritage.
Driven by the purpose of "Helping Build a Great and Safe New Zealand," Nauhria leverages its inclusive culture to inspire innovation and community spirit.
Judges praised the company for its genuine commitment to diversity, inclusive leadership, and open communication. These initiatives have created a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and united in contributing to the company’s success and
the broader New Zealand community.
Tony Nawisielski of Nauhria Group receives the Diversity and Inclusion Award from Rob Gaimster.
Diversity and Inclusion Award - Highly Commended
Holcim NZ for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Holcim NZ continues to reinforce its commitment to representing the communities in which it operates.
Holcim NZ is committed to creating a workplace that values the diversity of Aotearoa, with a strong focus on inclusive leadership, talent development, education, and engagement.
Initiatives like the 'Girls in Infrastructure' programme inspire young women to consider careers in infrastructure, while the 'Tikanga Capability' programme for leaders deepens cultural understanding and supports respectful engagement with Māori.
Through efforts like Pink Shirt Day and extensive literacy and numeracy training, Holcim fosters a supportive, equitable environment that prioritizes mental well-being, skill development, and the growth of all employees.
The judges applauded Holcim NZ’s strategic approach to diversity and inclusion, guided by four key pillars - Inclusive Leadership, Talent Management, Education, and Communication and Engagement - which draw on best practices and lessons from the Holcim
global network to shape impactful initiatives for the New Zealand workplace.
Holcim NZ's Girls in Infrastructure and Tikanga Capability programmes secured a Highly Commended Diversity and Inclusion Award.
2024 Conference Awards
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