INDUSTRY PEOPLE
the previous iteration of the business hard, propelled them
including Jimmy and Scott. This is one of the reasons why they
into their relationship with Kato.
align with Kato so well. However HPL has a sub agent support
network right throughout NZ”.
“We were left high and dry without an agency to represent
The Daisleys have also travelled to Japan to visit the Kato Works
after that. So we got in touch with Kato. We knew that they
site. It was there that the two companies could compare notes
would probably want a family-owned and operated business
on safe work-environment practices.
to represent them, as that’s how their businesses run.
Jimmy observed that the workplace culture is much more
“It just went from there, and the relationship has remained
conservative than in New Zealand. The Japanese are risk-
really solid.”
averse; they don’t tend to hoon around on their forklifts, they
“We initially sold 14 machines up here in the North, so that’s
seem to have very few workplace accidents, and the surprising
what got us going. We sold the fencing business
“We initially sold 14 thing is that they have less health and safety
and dove deep into the Kato products.”
machines up here in the legislation than on our fair shores.
HPL Distribution Limited was incorporated North, so that’s what got “You look at countries like Mexico, and places
in 2008, with HPL standing for hire, purchase us going. We sold the in India, do you think they have all this tough
and lease. Essentially, it specialises in the fencing
business
and legislation? No.
purchase—and now hireage—of quality dove deep into the Kato
“So as an example to Kato Works, we had to
construction equipment and parts. They only products.”
explain to them that over here we are required to
deal in Kato products. They are also the sole
wear
high-vis
vests everywhere and they were a bit surprised by
agency for distribution of Kato 8-45 ton.
that. They thought that a person should have good eyesight to
Their client base is fairly diverse, from medium contractor
operate machinery in the first place, rather than workers having
firms to sole operators to large corporate companies.
to dress to be seen. They couldn’t get their head around that
logic. “Can’t they see?” was their very genuine question. But
The coverage out in the various sectors is spread across
we had to explain that here, health and safety laws mean that
roading, civil, agriculture and forestry. As you would expect,
employees are responsible as much as the business owners.
there’s plenty of work going on, particularly civil, where
HPL have recently hired out equipment to work on a new
“In their factories in Japan, there isn’t as much visible health and
subdivision in Mangawhai.
safety going on, but that’s only because they are quite sensible.
It’s a very different workplace culture than here.”
They have kept the business small, with four employees
The forestry sector is well-equipped with Kato machines for large scale logging work.
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