The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft, je
Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/50909
Engineering team know their products T he staff at Auckland Engineering Supplies Limited are all focussed on giving great service and support to their clients. Everyone at AES has extensive product knowledge and is happy to go the extra mile. Their backgrounds include mechanics, cabinetmakers, carpet layers and other trades, so they are all skilled at identifying and satisfying clients' requirements. If we don't have exactly what you're after, we are happy to get in exactly what you need. As AES is part of the Trade Zone Industrial Group and has an experienced purchasing manager, there is very little we can't find, and our 24-hour call-out service means we are available any time at short notice for those urgent bits when things go wrong. AES has an easily accessible retail and trade store at Westhaven, on Auckland's waterfront, where clients and customers can walk from their boats. We treat everyone like family and they are welcome to use the lunchroom, relax and have a coffee. As a marine engineering supply company we stock an extensive range of quality power and hand tools, abrasives, hose and hose fittings, fasteners, welding gear and general engineering equipment. We are agents for many high quality marine products, including Wartsila deep-sea seals, Norma pipe couplings (stainless connectors and hose clamps), Castrol and Motul oils, and we also stock all the major tool brands. Under the guiding hand of managing director Steve Harris, AES has experienced significant growth in the last decade through its commitment to the marine industry. Our dedicated sales team in the store is assisted by travelling sales representatives who service many engineering and boatbuilding businesses in the Auckland region. Stephen Harris took over as managing director of AES in 2000 after being sales representative for the previous owners, who gave him an S-Cargo van to ply their wares around the city. It's been a long road for the company from there to now. AES is the preferred supplier of tools and equipment to many of New Zealand's premium boatbuilders, including Fitzroy Yachts and Alloy Yachts. It has also been heavily involved in refitting and maintaining countless superyachts, including Athena, Ulysses, Bullish, Foftein, Espiritu Santo, Sassafras, Tatu, VVSI and U21 and has over 200 overseas superyachts on its books. The company supplies a variety of items to boats during their refits, including hoses and plumbing fittings, electrical equipment, belts, seals, general abrasives, oils and tooling. The staff also work closely with Sanford and other fishing companies, as well as Fullers Ferries and the local charterboat fleet. We have supplied Team New Zealand since they won the America's Cup in 1995 on a cost-plus-handling basis, including setting up their container workshops. It has been a huge contribution to the team's cause and has saved them a great deal of time. "Black boats, white boats and pleasure boats - they all get the same level of service," says Steve. "You are all welcome to drop in when you're next in town." We also supply other industries, including hospitals, prisons, builders and mechanics, as well as everyday DIY enthusiasts. The company is highly involved in motorsport and sponsors many New Zealand racing events, including the European racing classics and SS2000 series, along with a number of individuals in motorsport and other activities. The staff love to help at the grassroots level. 60 NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2012 COMPANY PROFILE