Built for a business centred on adventure, the expansion of the 4WD warehouse in Taupō is all about movement, efficiency and room to grow.
The 100% kiwi-owned and operated company supplies quality 4x4 accessories and adventure equipment to help customers explore more of New Zealand. As the business evolved, it needed a facility that could do more than accommodate additional stock. The expansion was designed to consolidate warehouse, showroom and distribution functions into a single, highly efficient operational hub.
At the helm of the project was SmartSteel Buildings, led by Puruhi Peachey, Director of the Central Plateau & Eastern Bay of Plenty branch. Specialising in inline C, bolted and bracketed steel construction, the team has built a reputation for delivering robust, fit-for-purpose buildings backed by a hands-on approach from concept through to completion.
“It’s a more reliable system. It’s about strength, longevity, and doing it right the first time,” says Peachey.
That philosophy extends beyond the steelwork itself. From building and resource consents through to project coordination and construction delivery, SmartSteel Buildings managed the process from start to finish. Acting as a single point of contact, the team orchestrated the many moving parts of the build, helping to reduce complexity and give the client confidence at every stage.
With a long-standing national relationship in place, Steel & Tube supplies SmartSteel Buildings branches across the country and understands the demands of each project, from timelines to on-site realities. As a result, SmartSteel Buildings was able to access a comprehensive range of steel products through one familiar supply partner backed by account management support to keep coordination clear and the build moving.
Steel & Tube’s supply package went beyond a single product category, supporting key stages of the build from reinforcing steel and secondary structural components through to roofing, cladding, fasteners and accessories.
At ground level, reinforcing steel, including mesh and bar cut and bent to specification, supported the concrete works. From there, Steel & Tube’s HST purlins, HST girts and bracing formed part of the wider structural package, providing the secondary steel system behind the roof and wall cladding. The HST purlins supported the ST963 roofing profile, while the HST girts supported the Plumbdek wall cladding, helping to transfer loads back through the main structural frame.
For a warehouse of this scale, ST963 was a practical choice. With a 963mm effective cover and four-rib trapezoidal profile, it allowed efficient coverage across the large roof area while supporting faster installation and fewer fixing requirements compared with narrower profiles. The 46mm-high ribs add strength and rigidity, enhancing resistance to wind uplift and point-load distortion.
“Opting for ST963 was a no-brainer for such a large roof,” says Peachey. “It looks great and suits the building really well.”
The exposed Taupō site presented a practical challenge during construction, with high winds making the installation of traditional building paper difficult and heavily dependent on favourable weather conditions. By specifying ST963 with COLORSTEEL DRIDEX® bonded to its underside, the need for traditional building paper and netting was eliminated. Beyond overcoming installation challenges, DRIDEX® delivers superior condensation control and enhanced ventilation, helping maintain a warmer, drier and healthier internal environment. A clean, uniform internal finish is achieved at the same time, free from the risk of sagging, tearing, gaps or misalignment commonly associated with conventional underlay.
“DRIDEX® gave us a cleaner, tidier finish on the inside, without creases in the paper. It also meant less labour, less equipment hire and a faster roof installation overall.” says Peachey
"Having the roofing, cladding and structural components supplied from one place definitely streamlined the project," says Peachey. "It allowed us to consolidate deliveries, save on freight costs and simplify coordination on site. Having everything aligned through one supplier also provides greater consistency and cuts down the back-and-forth you typically get when dealing with multiple parties."
It is a practical example of Steel & Tube’s one-stop-shop offer in action: not just supplying individual products but working as a trusted partner behind the build.
Steel & Tube products: ST963 Flaxpod® (Roofing), Plumbdek Slate (Cladding), cut and bend mesh and bar, HST Purlins, HST Girts, Fasteners and roofing and cladding accessories.
Photography: Liam Soul
SmartSteel Buildings Central Plateau & Eastern Bay of Plenty. https://smartsteelbuildings.nz/
027 936 6845
Puruhi@smartsteelbuildings.co.nz