Kiwi Gate Manufacturer Keeping It Clean And Green

Leading gate and hardware manufacturer, Gallagher Group, has completed construction of an environmentally –friendly air discharge system at its Pukekohe plant.

Business unit manager Ian Richards says the company has installed a ‘wet scrubber’ system to filter fumes from its hot-dip galvanising department. Situated adjacent to the main chimney stack, the wet scrubber system utilises a series of water-covered trays to filter any contaminants from the air before it is discharged into the atmosphere.

Completed in January this year, the new system ensures the company meets the requirements of a new Air Discharge Licence, administered by the Auckland City Council.
As well as the new air discharge system, Gallagher also recently installed a sand filter to capture zinc and other metals that accumulate on the yard. Rainwater washes the particles into the filtering system. Ian Richards says the company has spent a significant sum on upgrading its environmental systems over the last two years. Stephen Hoffman, general manager of Gallagher’s Animal Management Division, says the company has a strong commitment to the environment. The promotion of animal welfare and the long-term sustainability of farm land are critical to the success of Gallagher products, both here and internationally, he says.

“So we have an obligation to ensure that all our manufacturing processes are as environmentally sound as possible.”

Ian Richards says Gallagher has always been proactive when it comes to environmental issues, and the actions taken to comply with environmental regulations are evidence of this.
But in New Zealand and overseas the company is competing against manufacturers that don’t have the same compliance costs and can therefore sell products at a lower price.
“So instead we focus on quality as our point of difference.” Gallagher’s Pukekohe plant manufactures a wide range of gates for rural and urban use. Quality control is paramount and after construction, each gate is immersed in molten zinc heated to 455 degrees Celsius.
“Hot-dip galvanising is the best corrosion-proofing process known to man,” Ian says.

Along with gates, Gallagher manufactures a full range of gate-hanging hardware products like hinges, latches and gudgeons. These products are zinc-electroplated in-house, allowing the company to maintain strict quality control over the complete process of manufacture.

The products are sold in New Zealand under the Franklin and Greyson brands and are available through selected retail outlets nationwide.