NEW ZEALANDS NEW CANTERBURY/MARLBOROUGH TERRITORY MANAGER-WAYNE HAWTIN

Hawtin appointed to fill some big shoes and help support a massive rebuilding.

Wayne Hawtin has been appointed Komatsu New Zealand's Territory Sales Manager Canterbury/Marlborough, covering the central and north-eastern regions of the South Island, replacing Dean Riordan, who tragically passed away earlier this year.

It's an important role for Komatsu NZ, as Wayne's territory includes Christchurch, which was devastated in the massive earthquakes in September last year and February this year and for which a huge, long-term rebuilding effort is now under way.

Wayne was previously in the hydraulics industry for the past 20 years, in sales and support roles, giving him wide exposure to the civil construction and related industries.

"A lot of my previous customers ran earthmoving equipment, such as excavators, dozers and the like, so I've had a lot to do with the construction industry throughout my working life so far,"

he said.

Wayne paid tribute to his predecessor, who had an outstanding reputation in the industry.

"Catching up with Dean's former clients, and meeting Komatsu customers in the region has made it very evident to me that I've got very big shoes to fill."

A big challenge for Wayne in his new job will be servicing customers working on the on-going rebuilding program following the Christchurch earthquake.

"The earthquake brought tragedy and immense loss of infrastructure for Christchurch and it will present challenges as well as opportunities for the industry," he said.

"While it is very unfortunate to have a disaster like this, there will be a lot of demolition and then rebuilding for the construction industry.

Shortly after starting with Komatsu, Wayne was required to go into the city's "Red Zone" a contractors-only zone to see a prospective customer.

"It was a very sobering experience," he said. "The only things moving there are trucks

and excavators."

"The Red Zone covers the whole Christchurch CBD district, an area two or three kilometres on every side basically the entire CBD.

"There's a lot of high rises still standing, and a lot of those buildings are going to go. There are hundreds of buildings to be demolished, including one of up to 27 storeys.

"Rebuilding of buildings won't start for another two years, although the reinstallation of basic infrastructure water, sewer, power, and the like, is due to start just after Christmas," Wayne said.

The rebuilding program is being carried out by a broad-based alliance known as the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT). It includes Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), City Care, Downer Construction, Fletcher Construction, Fulton Hogan, and McConnell Dowell

New Zealand.

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