Meet the Team

Jamie started working in fabrication as a Heavy Fabricator/Welder in 2008 and a couple of years later decided he wanted to experience working in the office.  Jamie moved to a new role as Works Manager for the Heavy Fabrication Workshop and has found his practical hands-on experience has been a great asset in assisting this transition.

In 2013 Jamie set off on his OE with his girlfriend to the UK for a year and a half where he earned more work experience in engineering and landscaping. Jamie did extensive travelling before returning to Dunedin and Farra were happy to have Jamie back on the team, offering him a position as Project Manager within the fabrication division.

Jamie enjoys his job for the varied and interesting projects that come his way. One of his favourite jobs has been project managing the NSR High Riser project, a new product design for Farra that brought with it lots of challenges.

Jamie’s top tips are:

• Never be too comfortable in your job and always be ready to learn new things.
• Two hands receive a hospital pass!

Jamie's favourite quirky saying is “tis the way it is Lad!”

Outside of work Jamie enjoys, diving, landscaping, rugby, surfing and relaxing with his family.

Neil has been with Farra Engineering for 38 years working in a large variety of roles across all aspects of fabrication, machining and the foundry in its day. His wealth of knowledge and experience is valued by many staff and customers over the years.

Neil's expertise is in quoting, technical advice, and managing projects in the workshop and off site.

He enjoys all aspects of fabrication; from the big and unusual projects, to the small and intriguing jobs. Neil's favourites have been making “big kick-arse cranes”, staircases, chimneys, and dredges. But work isn't always about the big projects, Neil also acknowledges that the small jobs can be just as rewarding.  Farra offer a variety of work and for Neil, the people you meet along the way and form long lasting relationships with are very important.

Neil’s top tips:

• Complacency in your work can lead to problems
• And plan everything, then have a plan B up your sleeve. 

Outside of work Neil enjoys gardening, fishing, and spending time in the countryside for outdoor R&R.

Andrew joined the fabrication team just over a year ago after being out of NZ for 30 years.  Andrew worked in the engineering business in Australia, Indonesia and Africa but decided he wanted to return home to the South Island.

He now is our Compliance Manager and enjoys that no day in the workshop is ever the same with the variety of work always being interesting and challenging.  He especially enjoys the welding work and has a passion for this trade.

Andrews top tips are:

• Always visualise what you are actually making in the workshop.
  
• Always ask if you’re not sure - you can never ask too many questions. 
• The day you die is the day you stop learning.

Outside of work Andrew loves to cook, trying out new wines and travelling.

Jared joined the Fabrication team approximately 12 years ago. Prior to this, he returned home from years in Australia working at Hillside where he completed his Heavy Fabricator apprenticeship.

Jared loves the variety of work he experiences at Farra. The interesting and demanding projects that require skill and your “ thinking cap” keep Jared motivated. He is also involved in a lot of site work and enjoys his on-site & workshop based team leader role.

Jared's top tip:

• Don’t get complacent in your work - be challenged each day.

Jared’s favourite job so far has been the Dubai based site work to install a Pit Maintenance Unit. Who wouldn’t be stoked with a trip to Dubai!

Out of work Jared loves to hunt, fish and dive, and hang out with his family.

Hayden joined Farra eight years ago and is the Foreman and Welding Coordinator in the Fabrication workshop. Starting out in an Automotive Engineering course, Hayden decided that wasn't the path for him and he went on to obtain an Apprenticeship at the railways where he was manufacturing trains.

At Farra, Hayden thoroughly enjoys his role leading a team to complete projects in the workshop and out on site. No project is too complex of a challenge for Hayden.

His favourite project is the Material Transfer Unit which is currently in production at Farra. The complexity of this project is what Hayden loves the most about it as the creation of the transfer unit involves creating different tricky angles.

Hayden's top tip is to "always measure twice and cut once".

Outside of work Hayden enjoys spending time with his two children and is invested in Powerlifting. He currently has the record for the Otago under 93kg bench press and is the South Island bench press champion.

Dave started at Farra from school 37 years ago, straight into an apprenticeship as a Boiler Maker and has never looked back. Now he is a team leader for the fabrication division and steps up as stand-in foreman when the occasion arises.

Dave enjoys the variety of work that comes into the workshop and the sense of achievement when jobs are completed.

Dave’s Top tips:

• Never get complacent in your job and double check everything twice!
• Make sure you understand drawings and if you don’t – ask for help.
• If it works – don’t muck around with it!

The jobs Dave has really enjoyed have been the New Era Barge out in the Harbour and the The BAT (Building Maintenance Unit) on the Auckland Sky Tower, he worked entirely on his own on this project which gives him a lot of satisfaction. Dave enjoys the building maintenance unit work, with the unusual designs and shapes brought in by the case by case challenges.

Out of work Dave enjoys – computers, English soccer, darts, family time, and long walks on the beach.