DIALOG Fitzroy’s success has, literally, been forged in steel.
The Taranaki multi-disciplined engineering and heavy fabrication company, formerly known as Fitzroy Engineering, has been operating for more than 50 years and has built a strong international reputation for its work across the oil and gas, petrochemical and energy sectors.
The company has designed, fabricated and constructed some high-profile international projects, such as the Northern Oil Refinery in Queensland, the 650-tonne, 19m-high accommodation and utilities modules for the ‘Yolla’ offshore gas platform in the Bass Strait in Australia, and the remarkable all-glass underwater restaurant – the largest in the world – for an island resort in the Maldives.
In 2011, its global reach grew when DIALOG Group Berhad, one of Malaysia’s leading integrated specialist technical service providers to the oil and gas and petrochemical industries, bought a 90% stake in the company. DIALOG is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and is listed on the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange.
Having had a working relationship for a number of years before the acquisition, DIALOG Fitzroy business development and marketing manager Mark Arnold says DIALOG saw Fitzroy Engineering’s high-quality work and reputation as the “perfect vehicle” for expansion in Australia and New Zealand.
With close to 500 permanent staff in offices and depots in New Plymouth, South Taranaki, Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Brisbane and Chinchilla, in regional Queensland, DIALOG Fitzroy is a truly international company, but Mark says Taranaki remains a crucial base.
“We love it here and are extremely proud to call ourselves a Taranaki company,” he says.
“We have offices and people spread all over New Zealand and parts of Australia but remain first and foremost a Taranaki-based organisation.
“Being principally an oil and gas and energy engineering company, based in the heart of that industry in New Zealand, there are advantages in being here, such as a concentrated workforce of qualified and experienced people. The people, local bodies and industry have a fantastic can-do attitude, which helps us to achieve."
“From a practical perspective, Taranaki and New Plymouth offer outstanding transport corridors to our markets via road and sea, which is an important component of our competitive ability in international markets.”
Mark says the company’s success has been built on a desire to find better solutions for clients, and continued technological innovation, which has allowed DIALOG Fitzroy to work more efficiently and effectively.
“We have always looked for the best people, offered them the best training and opportunities for personal growth. We’re always looking to add good people to our company and often they come from outside of Taranaki so, importantly, the province has a lot to offer in terms of a quality lifestyle.”
DIALOG Fitzroy is also looking to the future and the role of the company and Taranaki in a low-emissions economy.
“We are committed to the development of renewable and green energy sources, such as hydrogen, biofuels, wind, water and geothermal, and aim to have a significant role with the National New Energy Development Centre in Taranaki,” Mark says.
“Taranaki has great local resources with available industrial land, and forward-thinking local government and regional development agencies ready to assist. There are outstanding opportunities available for investment in traditional and renewable energy sources.”