Gemco wins multi-million dollar contract

After 105 years in Havelock North local bus company Nimon and Sons Limited will move to a multi-million dollar new premise in Whakatu.

Nimon's managing director Bill Nimon said the move from Havelock North to the larger Whakatu site would bring greater opportunities for expansion for the transport company as well as more room for staff and vehicles.

"We've been in Havelock North for 105 years and we feel now is the right time to move to a more central location," Mr Nimon said.

Havelock North based construction company, Gemco Construction, won the contract ahead of four other companies and started building the 1550 square metre premises on Monday.

The new building will include new workshop and administration buildings and construction is expected to finish in mid December this year.

Gemco Construction Managing Director Darren Diack said the project win was another boost for the company that was riding a high following the completion of the EIT Trades Centre and the grandstand at the Regional Sports Park.

Gemco and Nimon's are currently situated in the same street in Havelock North and Mr Diack said it's great to see that Nimon's are continuing to focus on innovation and expansion with a modern facility.

Mr Nimon said they were keen to see the tender awarded to a local company that could work to exacting standards incorporating the latest environmental and sustainable design features from LHT Design.

He added that it was vital that the new building left a minimal carbon footprint.

Tim Pike from LHT Design explained that the building would feature a number of cutting edge design elements, some of which are new to the region.

"An under floor heating system in the workshop will use heat from the ground to produce heat and all water will be recycled using specially designed run-off systems and storage tanks."

Mr Pike said he was pleased to be working alongside GEMCO who would be able to successfully interpret the "green" design elements.