New Zealand Engineering 1998 May

Bitumix Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of BP Oil Ltd, is one of New Zealand's largest roading companies with 19 operational locations in New Zealand and a further four locations in Australia. Specialising predominantly in road surfacing for many years the company is now sourcing work across the wider roading market, seeking to respond to changing requirements of specifiers and customers. During the past three years the company has been focused on improving its core competencies. This has resulted in dramatic financial improvement coupled with a growth in confidence and the development of a highly skilled, committed workforce. In addition, Bitumix is a leader in the field of health, safety and environmental management, following the lead and emphasis that its owner places on these issues. The company also places great importance on quality and was the first roading contractor in New Zealand to be accredited ISO 9002. Bitumix recognises not only the financial benefits of these standards to itself and its customers, but is also determined that by adhering to them it will be seen as a responsible corporate citizen. Partnering is another discipline that the company values highly. Forming relationships with customers and engineers that allow for planning of works to suit customers needs and offering practical advice on how to best deliver service is something that Bitumix strives for at all times. Early and amicable resolution of any dispute is also an aim of the partnering concept.

Spray loading Sealing crew

The company recognises that customers of the future may not always require an intimate knowledge of how a task is completed, but will instead seek assurance that the product will perform to specified expectations backed by a performance warranty. This will involve products and services being presented to the client with whole of life costings, benefits, parameters for the measurement of final properties and performance warranties. Reputable contracting companies will stand behind their work when allowed to develop designs in agreement with the engineer or principal.

Bitumix sees these future requirements not only as a challenge, but as an opportunity to develop new business through partnering relationships with engineers aimed at ensuring a quality product for the client. Utilising the technology available from BP, Bitumix has been seeking to develop products which will assist our customers in solving some of their more vexing surfacing problems. Although some of these have yet to be formally launched others have been introduced and have proven track records.

Products and services our clients should look for in future include the following:

ARMOURSEAL. Developed especially for high stressed sites ARMOURSEAL is a premium product for use where accidents and their consequences are unacceptably high. A site specific treatment, ARMOURSEAL offers excellent skid and stress resistance, very high PSV, compatibility with flexible pavements, crack sealing, and water proofing. All materials used in ARMOURSEAL comply with or exceed the requirements of relevant TNZ specifications.

OLEXOBIT. Comprising an innovative polymer and manufacturing system, OLEXOBIT is effective for use in high stress seals and exhibits premium chip retention properties. More than just another polymer modified bitumen OLEXOBIT displays superior toughness, adhesion and cohesion compared to any other conventional binder.

For further information, contact: David Jones, technical projects manager, phone 0-9-570 8108 or Philip Muir, surfacing manager

phone 0-9-570 8118.