It’s often during tougher economic times that some of the best decisions are made and opportunities created.

These challenges have been no different for The Tech Group of Companies.

Managing director Richie Richards knows from first hand experience.  With more than 25 years in the industry along with owning and operating the business, he has seen the highs and lows.

“Everyone knew the economy was going to slow down - it was inevitable that the unprecedented highs in the property and development market couldn’t keep going forever.  But the question was when the downturn would hit, and how long it would last.”

“The economy is cyclical and you want to be ready for when the economy bounces back,” he says.

For the Tech Group, planning started a year ago and over the past six months changes have been made to improve and strengthen the business.

The overall objective has been establishing The Tech Group of Companies to deliver customers a single, streamlined professional service for all their electrical, refrigeration, air conditioning, engineering, audio, fire, telecommunication, security, automotive repairs, gas and plumbing requirements.

This saw Richie step out of the day-to-day business operations to concentrate on a building development project so that The Tech Group had the right infrastructure in place to consolidate the business.

The project included building a new premises in Palmerston North for Chilltech and Electrotech, purchasing and refurbishing Sheffield Place in Onekawa, the amalgamation of Tech Engineering and Sheet Metal, and shifting to the refurbished Thames Street site and setting up the Tech Group Show home in Napier.

The final stage has been relocating all of Electrotech’s divisions to Sheffield Place, relocating Audio & Automation from Christchurch to Napier, moving Hawke’s Bay Chilltech, Tech Plumbing & Gas Fitting, Tech Construction and Audio & Automation to Kennedy Road where the Tech Group is based, so that everyone is working under the same roof.

Now completed, Richie has stepped back into a more hands-on role.

“No one runs a business like the person who owns it – ultimately you are accountable for making the hard calls and making sure they are the right decisions.

“I still carry my tools around in the car, always have.  I love the job and am enjoying getting back into it. I’ve even just attended a training course in some of the new products for Audio & Automation.”

Another key part of the strategy has also been securing significant projects including Cape Kidnapper Lodges, Elephant Hill Winery, and a range of apartments that guaranteed work well over a 12-month timeframe.

Staffing is always one of the greatest challenges and the Tech Group has not escaped restructuring.

“We’ve had about a 10 per cent contraction in staffing numbers including those at a senior management level.

“However, having a leaner and meaner machine means there is reduced downtime, the guys are busy and this makes people feel productive.

“We are managing the work load and are still employing people in new positions, such as Audio & Automation, with the move from Christchurch to Hawke’s Bay.

Cutting overheads and improved efficiency result in sharper prices.

The flow benefit is that people will see price reductions as the industry is extremely competitive – that’s the reality of supply and demand.