Shaun Beck has recently launched one of New Zealand's latest Hydraulink Owner-Operator businesses, establishing Hydra Medic to serve the Hawkes Bay region. He is joined by Hamish Blue, Hydra Medic’s newest Hydraulink Service Technician.

The choice of the business name Hydra Medic reflects the thoroughness and professionalism that this qualified diesel mechanic and man of many skills is investing in the business he has established to secure his family’s future, working in conjunction with Hydraulink Hawkes Bay distributor, KRS.

Shaun’s enthusiasm for the job reflects the experience of skilled people who want to set themselves up for life with the backing of a premier brand with 400 service points throughout New Zealand, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific – and which actively encourages its people to advance their skills and business experience.

“I love getting the job exactly right and hearing the compliments from customers. They notice when you not only do the big things on the job right – safety, quality compliance, and performance – but also the little things that show you care about your work.

“You must treat the machinery as if it was your own – even down to a detail like lining up the hoses so the brands and specs all align. Not only does this presentation look good, but it also makes it easy for owners to specify replacements when the time comes.

Shaun has now expanded his business to include an additional Hydraulink Sales & Service Technician, Hamish Blue, to help service the ever-increasing demand for hydraulic services in the Hawkes Bay region.

Leave the job as new

“Cleanliness is so important too, both during the job and afterwards. You leave the job as new, so owners don’t have to decide out in the field if those grubby stains on hoses are old problems that have already been fixed, or new issues that might need checking. This all counts,” says Shaun, who previously ran his own mechanical workshop in South Africa before coming to New Zealand eight years ago to work on presentation-standard hydraulic fit outs for some of the biggest machinery brands, including Cable Price, Cummins, Hino, Volvo and Isuzu.

Tired of the lifestyle in crowded Auckland, and wanting to set up his own business, but with the strong backing and training from a national network, he chose Hawkes Bay and Hydraulink.

“I chose Hawkes Bay because of the pleasure of living in a rural setting in Taradale, but with bustling industries and opportunities all around. A place where we want to be, while being able to do what I love to do with machinery of all types.

“I chose Hydraulink because of the quality brand they are, with the ongoing training and support they give you as you need it. I knew as soon as I had my first chat with them that we shared the same deep values, attitudes and knowledge.

“Plus, they do a lot of motor racing sponsorship, as well as supporting the America’s Cup Challenge with precision hydraulics. That’s talking my language, so it was like joining a family of like-minded people.

“If I needed any further proof, it came within two weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle struck, and floodwaters cut off access to our property completely.

“Hydraulink and KRS stepped in immediately to put us back on our feet – they accommodated our family in Hasting for a month, at their expense, until things settled down.

“This immediate support enabled me to get to work immediately on the huge range of machinery in industries affected by the catastrophe – which was just about all of our customer base.

Best Under Pressure

“Agriculture, construction, civil engineering, fishing, forestry, logistics, manufacturing, trucking, viticulture, warehousing transport and logistics – they were all hit, and they all needed our assistance to get back into production.

“During Cyclone Gabrielle, Hydraulink really lived up to their corporate statement ‘Best Under Pressure’. It was great to be able to get into the recovery effort with them and with KRS,” says Shaun.

“These comprehensive KRS facilities are particularly useful for the type of detailed hydraulic prototyping that I like to undertake where Hydraulink customers have specialist needs,” says Shaun, whose own business can also draw on the full engineering facilities of KRS.

Such tasks have included machinery linkages for helicopters carrying equipment ranging from agricultural, crop treatment and firefighting gear. He is also adept at linking and plumbing tipper and excavator fittings, as well as trucks’ lifting and forklift equipment – then turning his hand to the precision and specialist tasks on fishing craft.

“It is such a varied and interesting range of work. I am delighted I made this choice to come to such a good area and join such a good company, which supports you every step of the way. Hydraulink’s support network is huge.”

Hydraulink Sales and Service Technician (HSST) Development Manager, Craig Sumpton, says Shaun’s outlook, enthusiasm, and commitment to quality qualify him ideally to establishing his own business as an Owner-Operator.

“We really encourage it when people want to apply their skills to make a business for themselves. Our formula of training, support, and a respected national brand really works for people seeking the opportunity make the best of their potential, while at the same time advancing with the support of the Hydraulink network.”