Johnny Hepburn, who started with nothing but a set of scales and a forklift, is reflecting on 22 years of business at Timaru Metal Recyclers as he hands the keys over to Phoenix MetalMan.
Mr Hepburn said he had been coming to the yards since he first started working for Bloxham Engineering in about 1985.
He bought the business in 1990 and changed the name to Truck Specs, and then bought Timaru Metal Recyclers in 1999.
He ran both businesses until 2003, when he sold Truck Specs.
‘‘I could see the potential for Timaru Metal Recyclers, so I gave it a good kick in the guts and over the years it’s grown and grown.’’
After buying a bin run from Graeme Sargent Metals in 2016 to add to their own, they now have more than 350 bins out, 10 staff members and truck-and-trailer units that travel to Christchurch five days a week.
Mr Hepburn said he was looking forward to having a break, but had plans to work on a transporter truck he owns. He would also hire out two telehandlers.
‘‘I’m sure I’ll always find something to do. I don’t think I will ever sit down and be idle.’’
He has always been involved in motorsport and said it would be good to enjoy the lead-up to the racing at a leisurely pace.
‘‘It will be nice not having to rush it on the weekends and at night trying to get it all done around work, and I would like to get back to the Isle of Man in the next year or so to catch up with friends, team-mates and sponsors.’’
Mr Hepburn said he was going to miss wheeling and dealing as well as the machinery.
‘‘Dealing with clients and farmers, I really enjoy that. I will miss that side of it.
‘‘I’ll also miss the machinery. I’ve got all the toys: I will miss being able to play on those.’’
He said the opportunity to demolish the meat loaders in Timaru was one of his highlights.
‘‘This was not long after we started, so we were pretty proud to achieve and do that.’’
Another thing he will remember was two and a-half years spent doing salvage demolition in Christchurch after the earthquakes.
‘‘Starting with a set of scales and a forklift to end up the size that we are now is pretty cool.’’
Phoenix MetalMan takes over on October 1 but the name of the company would remain the same and the staff were staying on.
‘‘I’m sure the service that they’ve been used to will continue on and I’m pleased to see the Timaru Metal Recyclers name carry on, and the staff staying with the new company, which was something that was important to me.’’
He wanted to thank the staff and their South Canterbury customers ‘‘for everything’’ over the years.
