Overview
Large-scale, purpose-built manufacturing facility for Visy New Zealand at Hamilton Airport, designed to support their cardboard production operations.
The 8.5 hectare site doubled Visy NZ’s corrugated cardboard box making capability, featuring some of the world’s most innovative technology used in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard products.
About the project
Completed under a gainshare/painshare contract model, the project involved close collaboration between Foster and Visy to ensure budget and programme targets were met despite several early challenges.
The project was technically complex, requiring innovative structural solutions, advanced scheduling, and fast decision-making.
Health and safety performance was a critical success factor. In line with Visy’s global H&S standards, Foster implemented weekly audits, a zero-tolerance incident policy, and regular reporting to Visy’s board. This performance was publicly acknowledged and praised by the client.
Awarded Gold and National Category Winner at the 2019 New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, this project stands as a testament to Fosters’ ability to deliver high-quality industrial facilities at pace and scale.
2017
36,000m2
$25M
Client testimonial
Visy GM Engineering Brett Johnstone marvelled at the Fosters ‘can do’ attitude.
“I don’t believe any other construction company could have achieved what Foster Construction did here,” said Brett. “As promised, the project was delivered on time and on budget.
“We saw bare ground transformed into a 36,000 square metre factory, ready to go, in just eight months. Even with 10 weeks delay due to bad weather, Fosters never faltered in meeting our completion deadline.
“The budget could easily have blown out in overcoming various challenges. But, with the help of Fosters, we managed changes to the design, negotiations happened with the subcontractors, and we came through it all with the budget intact.
Visy started up their corrugator on 5th December 2017, just one day later than planned.
“We are very proud of the finished product. And Fosters should be too” said Brett. “They are a great team to work with and, should the opportunity arise, we would definitely work with them again.”
“We saw bare ground transformed into a 36,000 square metre factory, ready to go, in just eight months. Even with 10 weeks delay due to bad weather, Fosters never faltered in meeting our completion deadline.”
Brett Johnstone, GM Engineering Visy
