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Our Story
FBT story
introduction
At FBT our number one priority is to provide a safe and healthy working environment.
The team at FBT are committed to providing the best quality services. Our highly skilled team will maintain, service, and repair your individual vehicle or fleet to the highest possible standard.
We strive to have the best customer experience so that you can trust FBT Workshop for any heavy vehicle servicing.
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Establishing the business
1955
Back when the business was established by John Geraghty and Malcolm Campbell they recognised the importance of being in charge of their own maintenance and repairs. Especially given the specialist nature required for Spreader and Hopper maintenance.
Many of the parts required are not “off the shelf” which meant they had to carry stock of these and also have a system in place to manage this. To consistently keep the Spreaders in the paddocks some of the parts were made by workshop staff during quieter periods.
In 1966 (after Bulk Farmers was purchased) the business leased a workshop which was an invaluable operation. The business worked around the clock, spreading, fert and lime by day and rebuild the hoppers and spreaders by night. In 1970 they purchased Taranaki Bulk on Katere Road. The extra spreaders and trailers (5 in total) justified them employing their own mechanical service and an engineer. The workload of maintenance was high as a result of the age of the spreaders and trailers.
The business very soon outgrew the Katere workshop and the decision was made to lease the building that Trans Ag now occupy on Katere Road including Tyres and Servicing. As growth continued the business had to outsource service and repairs to Page Vivian Motors.
New look workshop was built
1966
In 1982 when our new look workshop at Katere was built. That workshop was a state of the art (for its time) including;
- 2 full length drive over pits able to support a fully loaded truck
- A paint booth
- Comprehensive parts store.
This was transformational. There was approximately 6 staff and they did night shifts to be able to service the many bulk trucks, Spreaders and B Trains doing overnight freight runs to Auckland, Wellington and Hawkes Bay carrying freight for many customers. We were also heavily involved in servicing the Oil and Gas sector within Taranaki and elsewhere in New Zealand. There were approximately 10 trucks assigned to this contract. The workshop was often open 24 hours
Concentrating on bulk fertilisers
1982
FBT sold the general freight business and oil servicing division to Hookers and concentrated on bulk fertiliser cartage and spreading. The Okato quary provided staff balance for off-peak seasons. Nutrilink blending operation was at Smart Road. Engineering demands for the workshop grew as dairy farmers started to feed grain based rations to their cows and the business built a lot of plant to support this accordingly.
workshop was crucial to the business operation
1988
FBT gained several bulk cartage and processing contracts.
Ravensdown – servicing bulk stores all over the North Island unloading freight ships at port Taranaki – this was 24/7 – no excuses for when the ship cam in
Tegel – carting grain from port Taranaki to their stores and around New Zealand 24/7 also chicken offal to South Taranaki.
ABB grain / Vitera Glencor – contracts to manage these large stores and process and receive in, and screen and load out thousands of tones of dairy and chicken feed 24/7
The workshop was also on call 24/7 and would often have staff working all night repairing a piece of plant or truck to keep the wheels turning. The workshop was crucial to the business operation.
Intangible cost of disruption
2000
The FBT Workshop burnt to the ground. The main switchboard connection overheated. It burnt 80 percent of the mainly wooden construction, 2 trucks, 1 truck & trailer and badly damaged a near new front end loader. This was a massive devastation.
Fortunately the Toledo Engineering building was vacant on Katere Road and within one week business was operating again. A large proportion of the mechanics tools, plant and workshop equipment had to be replaced (thanks to the help of insurance). However, there was an intangible cost of the disruption (not to mention the loss of spare parts).
New workshop
2011
The new workshop was finished, and the team moved in with all new equipment. The building was a pleasure to work in but the building restrictions meant there was only allowed to be one full length pit. Included in the new plant was the large rotary chemical wash which takes a full engine block and cleans to as new. This saves valuable time and money for taking to a secondary service for treatment.
The owner operated workshop compliments the FBT and Osflo businesses. Management have the ability to prioritise the work schedule and maximise plant availability.
FBT workshop a division of GC Management
2011
Rob Facer was appointed CEO of the GC Management Group. FBT Workshop is a division of GC Management Group including Osflo, Spreading FBT, Windy Point Quary and Taranaki owners of Just Cabins.
Client satisfaction is our priority
2022
The direction and service offering of the FBT Workshop has evolved. Client satisfaction is our priority.
FBT Workshop is a quality and convenient alternative to the major local fleet service providers.
The workshop can help with heavy engineering project work, such as the Osflo shavings trailer and new bulk unit fit-outs.
We offer servicing and repairs for small to mid-sized fleets, owner operators and the burgeoning RV market. We are constantly enhancing our service offering. Call us to ask how we can help with your heavy vehicle servicing or engineering work.
FBT Workshop
YOUR ONE STOP SERVICE SHOP
We offer a fully equipped workshop and fast turnaround times to keep you moving.
we keep you moving
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We cater to businesses with a fleet of vehicles, such as delivery trucks, vans, or buses.
