New partnership takes reins at Concord
Businessmen at the coalface of Hamilton infrastructure for more than 30 years are handing over the reins of their business to a new partnership.
Ken Soanes, who with Dennis Maclean founded multi-million dollar Concord Technologies and Concord Communications 31 years ago, and other shareholders have sold the companies to Peter Schnell and Brian Fleming.
The new owners are Hamilton-based businessmen who will contract the previous shareholders as consultants.
Selling up was a “bitter sweet” move for Ken who has been at the forefront of technology in the Waikato since PCs filled entire rooms and mobile phones were as big as handbags.
“This is a big change and a big milestone for me.
“I will definitely be reducing my working hours and have lots of ideas for the future.
“I am also looking forward to spending more time with family and pursuing my other hobbies,” Ken told the Waikato Business News this month.
Former company majority shareholder Dennis Wilde has also sold his shares and plans to retire to his fishing boat.
Dennis Maclean owns an avocado orchard which will be the focus of his future activity.
Concord is an integral part of Hamilton City and greater Waikato operations, from installing, maintaining and operating the city’s traffic lights to ensuring water and wastewater treatment plants are running smoothly.
The company also ensures security at city sport and entertainment facilities.
Concord has kept the city at the cutting edge of technology over the years, cementing a place in local history.
“We sold the Waikato’s very first cellphone in November 1987,” said Dennis.
“It was known as a bag phone and sold for about $8000.
“The original cellphones were huge and cumbersome compared to the high technology miniature equipment that we offer today,” he said.
Over the years Ken has seen the company grow from 10 to 90 staff. From small beginnings Concord now supports a multi-million dollar turnover.
“We’ve left our mark everywhere, although it goes largely unnoticed by the public.
“We’ve gone from being electricians to being specialists in our field.
“We have taken world-class technology and introduced it locally with our own stamp,” he said.
The company’s partnership with Telecom, beginning in the early 1990s, has also been fruitful with Concord specialising in regional mobile network sales, on top of their automation, security and servicing operations.
This year Concord racked up another success, when its controlled road closure and warning equipment kept motorists safe from volcanic mudflow near Mt Ruapehu.
“We needed equipment that we could rely on to work in freezing conditions or in the middle of a volcanic eruption,” Ken said.
When the crater-lake burst on March 18, Concord’s system installed for Transit in 2003 activated automatic barrier gates on two State Highways.
“It was quite a challenge to engineer something like this but very satisfying that when the lahar came down the mountain the system worked perfectly and kept everyone out of harm’s way.”
Ken credits much of the success of the business to his team of staff, who he said had been more like family over the years.
“It has always been a big team effort. Teamwork and keeping abreast of new technology have always been our major keys to success.”
Meanwhile, Concord’s new owners have plans to keep the business running as usual and also aim to take the business nationwide within the next few years.
Peter has an electrical and management background, while Brian brings a financial and commercial focus to the business.
“Our vision is to be a nationwide service provider. We’d like to establish ourselves in the South Island and other main centres within the next five years,” Peter said.
Ken credits much of the success of the business to his team of staff, who he said have been more like family over the years.
“It has always been a big team effort. Teamwork and keeping abreast of new technology have always been our major keys to success.”
Meanwhile, Concord’s new owners have plans to keep the business running as usual and also aim to take the business nationwide within the next few years. Peter has an electrical and management background, while Brian brings a financial and commercial focus to the business.
“Our vision is to be a nationwide service provider. We’d like to establish ourselves in the South Island and other main centres within the next five years,” Peter said.
Discussing the new Concord partnership are Brian Fleming (left) and Ken Soanes.
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