"Beca's strength lies in its people. We have the expertise to work on big projects, and to solve the problems that may arise during these projects."
As Technical Director and Senior Project Manager in Beca's Food & Beverage team Tiina Hall-Turner enjoys the challenge of this cyclical and often fast-moving industry. "Lead times on projects tend to be short, so it's important to be able to react quickly and come up with quick solutions. After all, cows won't stop producing milk to wait for us!" she says.
With a degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Auckland, Tiina's early career was in the petrochemical industry. Overseas travel followed, before she returned to New Zealand and joined Beca six years ago. Her main focus these days is Food & Beverage projects.
Tiina cites working with a great team and the wide variety of interesting and challenging projects as the most enjoyable aspects of working at Beca. For the past two years she has been Contracts Manager for the NZ$250 million construction of Lion Nathan's new integrated manufacturing and warehouse facility, managing process and mechanical contracts ranging in capital value from $10,000 to $80 million.
She was also the Beca Project Manager for the RNZN fuel installation project, an unusual and complex project involving the construction of horizontal diesel fuel tanks within the confines of World War Two bunkers.
Tiina's advice to graduates looking for a career in industrial engineering is to get as much hands on experience as possible. "Beca provides an excellent graduate training programme, better than many companies out there," she says. "But it's important that young engineers keep their eyes and ears open to learning, and look for every opportunity to develop their technical skills on site rather than just behind a desk. Beca provides opportunities to take on responsibility if you are prepared to hold your hand up."
2011 - Elected Fellow of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ)