McKay doubles Auckland operations with new acquisition
The McKay Group has acquired Auckland-based Ward Chandler Electrical Ltd making them one of the largest electrical
solutions organisation in New Zealand.
The McKay Group today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Ward Chandler Electrical Limited located in
Auckland. The acquisition will mean a 30% increase across the McKay Group of companies and will double the size of
McKay’s existing operations in Auckland.
Now with over 300 employees, McKay Group is one of the largest electrical organisations of its type in the country.
Ward Chandler is a major electrical contractor in Auckland with a proud heritage of over 50 years, completing come of
the most significant projects in the region. Ward Chandler’s 70 skilled employees will add significantly to McKay’s
growing capabilities to deliver quality projects in the greater Auckland region.
Mark Borland, Ward Chandler's current owner, will be staying on with McKay as part of the NZ Executive in a senior
project management role. All of Ward Chandler’s existing employees will be fully integrated into the McKay Group of
companies.
“The Ward Chandler brand has a strong track record in the Auckland market. We will maintain their excellent market
positioning as the operation continues to grow”, says Andrew Edwards, McKay’s Chief Operating Officer. “Ward Chandler
customers will continue to see the Ward Chandler brand and the business will continue to operate as usual but now with
extra support and strength from McKay”.
The combination brings together two successful family owned and highly respected companies.
McKay’s resources and skills in design, automation, and heavy industrial electrical engineering combined with Ward
Chandler’s presence in the Auckland region means that the group of companies will be able to offer significant resources
into all projects across the greater Auckland region. In addition the acquisition complements McKay’s existing upper
North Island footprint which extends from the Bay of Plenty right up to the far north of New Zealand.
“The acquisition was a natural fit as McKay and Ward Chandler have very similar values and similar history. At this time
I would like to acknowledge the work of the founders of the Ward Chandler business, David Ward and Maurie Chandler, and
the continuation of their work by Mark Borland”, said Lindsay Faithfull McKay’s Managing Director. “McKay is very proud
to be able to continue the proud traditions of their foundations and are excited by what the combined organisations can
achieve into the future”.
Mr Faithfull further added that McKay will now focus on developing collaborative relationships with local stakeholders
as it seeks to build on Ward Chandler’s strong history of local engagement and commitment to quality.
This will be McKay Group’s third acquisition for 2015 after the purchase of a Downer Tenix - Kawarau branch in July
followed by the acquisition of Cervina Marine and Industrial (Auckland) last month.
ends