Patton Engineering
Our Mission
Founded in the early 1950’s by George Patton, the Patton Group of Companies is a long-established structural steel fabricator and mechanical engineering entity based in Whakatu, Hawkes Bay. We provide a comprehensive service that includes mechanical and structural detailing, fabrication, industrial coatings, site erection, mechanical project works, stainless, sheet metal engineering and machining.
Our aim is to achieve total customer satisfaction and compliance under all governing bodies – at a competitive cost. To ensure policies are successfully implemented, our staff are trained to identify customer needs and ensure that the correct procedures are followed to meet those requirements. Under this policy is our commitment to operating Patton Engineering Limited and Hawkes Bay Sandblasting under the disciplines and control of a Quality Assurance System that conforms to the requirements of the Construction Industry Quality Standard. As part of our commitment to our clientele, and our continued improvement, the Patton Group is the only company New Zealand-wide to be accredited not only with AS/NZS 3834 Category 3 but also with ISO 14001 and PCCP (Painting Contractors Certification Programme). All three distinctions are annually reviewed by third party accrediting bodies to maintain our programme of continued improvement and development.
Notwithstanding all our stated goals above, our first and primary objective at all times is in ensuring the Health and Safety of all of our staff, clients, and contractors at all levels and in all aspects of our business – not only within our fabrication and surface treatment facilities but also on site.
Health and Safety remain our number one priority in everything we do.
Mike and Gavin Patton: Managing Directors
Our People
Gavin Patton
Managing Director and Financial Controller.
Gavin’s core role encompasses the Companies financial management for all entities under the Patton Group of Companies. Gavin has been instrumental in nurturing and developing the companies growth since purchasing Patton Engineering from his father in 1980 but has been with the company since his early 20’s. Gavin can, however, be found most Thursdays enjoying a well-deserved round of golf, and is diligently working on lowering his handicap.
Gavin has almost single-handedly developed our own bespoke in-house Computerised Manufacturing Management System that rivals most proprietary products.
Mike Patton
Managing Director and Structural Estimator.
Mike’s primary role is as a structural steel estimator, and he brings a wealth of experience having been associated with the industry for the past forty years. Mike has earned a significant amount of respect over the years and continues to bring in new and repeat business for Patton Engineering as a result of his professionalism and the service that Patton Engineering provides. Mike too enjoys a well-deserved round or two on the local greens on a Thursday.
Dave Blakey
Operations and Scheduling Manager
With a foundation in Mechanical Engineering, Fitting and Turning, and drafting – initially in the fertiliser and meat industries and later in the structural engineering field – Dave is a time served tradesman. Dave has managed to squeeze 190 plus years engineering experience in structural steel fabrication, estimation, design, and project management into his fifty years in the industry. Dave leads the sixty plus staff at all levels as well as maintaining highly accurate, and up-to-the-minute scheduling all works though our facilities to satisfy client’s requirements.
Johno Williams
Engineering Manager & Manager of Hawkes Bay Sandblasting.
Johno brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from a range of engineering industries. Coupled with enthusiasm and energy, and his positive ‘can-do’ approach, Johno is your primary source of information and ideas for any mechanical, structural and/or surface protection projects. With a foundation in Fitting and Turning and Heavy Machining – initially within the forestry industry – Johno also undertook training and achieved accreditation in a range of welding disciplines. Coupled with these, Johno moved into site steel erection and running of maintenance and installation projects.
Johno has been with Patton’s for the past nine years, and has a proven track record of successful projects, from conception through commissioning. Johno suffers from delusions of being able to catch fish and has even gone so far as to acquire his own vessel which has yet to taste salt water.
Deanna Pender-Meyer
Administration and Accounts Manager.
Deanna’s primary role is to maintain some sense of normality within the office – an extremely arduous undertaking in itself. Deanna has been with the company since 2012, starting in reception answering the telephone and doing our payroll and quickly assimilating all tasks relevant to the financial management of our companies. In addition, Deanna also administers all of our Health and Safety documentation and training courses.
Deanna has a very firm grasp of all matters of a financial nature and keeps a firm reign on the companies administration. Deanna is the backbone of our office and is highly organised with a strong work ethic and shoulders broad enough to handle the guys in the office. Deanna is an invaluable member of the Patton Group of Companies.
Chris Ward
Draftsman Extraordinaire and Design Guru.
There is no structural design issue for which Chris struggles to find a workable solution. Having commenced his career in structural fabrication and erecting, and now approaching thirty years of service with Patton’s, Chris brings an in-depth understanding of structural fabrication, erection, and structural welding. Chris is now providing mentoring to other members of our drafting team and other fabrication, erection, and project staff. Chris is extremely diligent at studying and interpreting clients structural specifications and converting such information to final shop and erection drawings and plans; with an unparalleled eye for detail.
Chris can seldom be found at weekends as he actively endeavours to lose himself in New Zealand’s bush, or is out at sea chasing fish with his spear gun.
Nigel Homburg
Project Engineer and Responsible Welding Co-Ordinator.
Nigel served his apprenticeship in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a Machine Tool Setter and Operator and quickly moved into civilian employment in mechanical maintenance, engineering, purchasing, logistics, production, and manufacturing management roles within a variety of industries. Nigel has travelled extensively and brought new technologies to New Zealand while undertaking a hugely diverse range of award-winning mechanical projects from conception through to commissioning.
Nigel has been actively involved in achieving our accreditation under AS/NZS ISO 3834 and remains active in maintaining these systems. Nigel is an accomplished typist, is methodical, passionate, slightly crazy, and loves country music!
Mark Wharekawa
Draftsman.
Mark comes from a heavy engineering background and is a trade qualified fabricator and welder. Mark actively assimilates new drafting technologies and has undertaken some extremely detailed design works utilising latest drafting technologies inclusive of 3D scanning, and conversion of such to usable fabrication drawings. A family man, Mark also actively pursues an interest in Hunting and fishing.
Shane Adams
Quantity Surveyor.
Shane joined Patton Engineering in November 2016 having relocated from Auckland to enjoy the Hawke’s Bay lifestyle. Shane’s background is as a fabricator / welder with 22 years experience in the marine, construction and mining industries. Shane’s wealth of knowledge and contacts will continue to help Patton Engineering grow to levels yet to be attained.
Shane is a family man with a passion for the outdoors, and for leaving deer feeling non-threatened by firearms.
Andrew Burn
Workshop/Fabrication and Welding Supervisor.
Andrew has been in the Engineering industry for the last 22 years, having served his time in the UK. Upon returning home Andrew spent a few years in the rail yards in Lower Hutt before returning to Hawke’s Bay, working at a couple of smaller engineering companies before settling down at Patton Engineering. Andrew has been at Patton Engineering for the last twelve years where he is the Fabrication and Welding Supervisor and an active member of our Welding Co-Ordination Team. Andrew ranks as one of our best welders, and is a font of welding knowledge. Andrew is methodical and provides direction and organisation to an ever-changing and busy working environment. Andrew’s can-do approach regularly ensures tight delivery lead-times are met.
Aaron Richardson
Fabrication and Welding Supervisor.
Aaron served his apprenticeship as a Heavy Fabricator / Welder at Patton Engineering and now has nearly 14 years service with the company. A highly skilled welder, Aaron has also undertaken training as a Welding Supervisor, and is currently training in Magnetic Particle Inspection. Aaron is an accomplished mechanic who has a passion for motor racing and is actively involved in stock cars; specifically in repairing damage to race cars caused by inconsiderate drivers on the oval.
Chris (Narrow) Thompson
Structural Supervisor.
Chris started his time with Patton Engineering by skate-boarding to work on a daily basis and at that time was in charge of the profile cutting machine. Chris completed his apprenticeship in 2002 and quickly moved on to become our lead Structural Site Supervisor. Chris now has 20 plus years service with the company. During his time he has become the face of the structural site crew, is well known in the industry locally and has assimilated a vast amount of knowledge in his role.
Chris has a strong focus on Health and Safety on his sites, and prepares all Health and Safety documentation for all structural site projects.
Reg Follas
Hawkes Bay Sandblasting Team Leader.
Reg joined the company in March 2017 and has quickly assimilated the role of Team Leader for our abrasive blasting and surface protection division. With a positive; can-do attitude Reg is ensuring all jobs are delivered on time and to specified standard; with a strong focus on ensuring a quality finish is achieved at all times.
Reg has been in the coatings industry for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge to our company. He also has a new addition to the family and now juggles precious time at home with work commitments.