Apart from their pronounced presence in retail business, Punjabis in New Zealand are also involved in construction, industry and other core sectors of the economy, where investment, yield and risks are high.
Among them is Jullander Singh, Director of Swatch Fabrication Limited based in Pakuranga, East Auckland. In a sector that depends on precision, quality control and efficient supply management, he has been a source of satisfaction to customers, both large and small.
Landing in New Zealand several years ago armed with experience from his native Punjab, Mr Singh was an employee of commercial enterprises, before starting out on his own four years ago.
Swatch Fabrications Limited is his flagship, which he believes will continue to grow, offering a wider range of products and services.
“Our current range includes fabrication of steel beams, heavy duty and light duty fabrications, balconies and other applications for commercial and residential properties. We are in a capital intensive, high-end technology industry and hence must constantly keep pace with the needs of the market,” he said.
Fabrication involves building metal structures that employ a variety of processes, including cutting, bending and assembling.
Structural steel and sheet metal are the usual starting materials for fabrication, along with the welding wire, flux, and fasteners that will join the cut pieces.
The end products of other common types of metalworking, such as machining, metal stamping, forging, and casting are essential to every building.
Like most entrepreneurs, Mr Singh said recession has had its adverse effects on the economy, beginning perhaps with the core sectors.
“The market is slow since the construction industry has been suffering downturn for the past two years. But I believe that hard work and persistence will not go unrewarded. We have maintained our rate of growth and market share through these tough times and I am confident that the economy will pick up speed next year,” Mr Singh said.
