“We work with clients across the construction industry, from the design stage right through to project delivery,“ says Barnet How, Project Consultant at Moddex.
“This end-to-end approach is what sets us apart, enabling building professionals to achieve handrail and balustrade solutions that are compliant, well-designed, and efficient to install.”
Moddex is the leading supplier of innovative barrier systems for large-scale infrastructure and non-residential construction projects throughout Australasia. From their base in Rangiora, the team manufactures an extensive range of handrails, commercial and industry balustrades, and guardrail systems. Their nationwide network of installers operates throughout New Zealand, with Barnet’s team providing on-the-ground support to clients around the country as well. “Working alongside architects to design for their specific needs allows us to provide a fully engineered solution and then deliver it in a kitset and compliant form with no welding or cutting required on site,” he says.
Barnet has had the opportunity to see the design and implementation process from beginning to end over his five years with Moddex, first in the production team, then in project management, and now as Project Consultant. “Through these roles, I’ve gotten a hands-on understanding of the Moddex process, from working with architects at the early design phase, tendering projects to construction companies, and then project delivery with site measures, shop drawings, manufacture, and installation. The end result is tailored handrail and balustrade solutions that are suitable for a range of commercial, civil and infrastructure projects.”
Aside from Moddex's capability and track record of delivery on large-scale projects, adaptability is a big selling point for clients, Barnet says. “In addition to saving labour and program acceleration, our kitset solutions can offer flexibility that is really important for large-scale projects. The modular nature of the system allows for up to 20mm of adjustability at each post connection. Because we are manufacturing products to fit the site, we can allow for contingencies and ensure products will be installed efficiently. By contrast, if anything is slightly out on a traditional welded system, it will result in costly rework and time delays.”
Moddex is currently working on a number of critical infrastructure projects in the roading, rail, and water treatment sectors. “In particular, we do a lot of work in the Three-Waters space,” Barnet says, “both on existing infrastructure upgrades and on new projects. Often, we work with the tops of water tanks where existing handrails are corroded, or where updated safety standards have rendered historical handrail designs inadequate. An example of a project we are currently involved in is a handrail upgrade to the top of 17 water retention tanks for the Christchurch City Council. We have also been involved in a number of new construction projects in this space such as the Waikato 50 project, Mangere WWTP [Wastewater Treatment Plant], Pukekohe WWTP, and Cambridge WWTP, where we will be installing over 1000m of handrail as well as stair and platform solutions. Our new Ezibilt™ stair and platform system is allowing us to bring a more comprehensive package to the table for our clients by providing a fully engineered and packaged solution for access requirements on these types of projects.
“In the rail sector, we’re doing a lot of work with KiwiRail, with whom we have implemented a clip-on walkway system, allowing it to be retrofitted to existing rail bridge structures. We are also involved in new rail infrastructure projects, including the City Rail Link project in Auckland where we supplied a total of two kilometres of handrail and balustrade systems, which is significant on a complex and large-scale project.”
Roading projects are an area where Moddex is hoping to grow in the year ahead and where Barnet sees some great opportunities to develop and upgrade. “With the current Government’s focus on infrastructure, we’re seeing more large-scale roading projects enter the planning stage, including the Woodend Bypass here in Canterbury and the Ōtaki to North Levin highway extension in the Horowhenua District. Moddex has experience on similar projects including the Peka Peka to Otaki Expressway. With these projects, we see an increased demand for shared paths and pedestrian and bike pathways. Our Bikesafe® and Bridgerail™ barriers, in particular, are great for those applications, as they are fully engineered and compliant with the NZTA Bridge Manual.
“We are also looking to cement our Ezibilt™ Ramp, Walkway and Stair system in the New Zealand market this year so we are better placed to support with solutions on infrastructure projects. That system started out as ramps and stairs for school projects and has since grown into service access stairs, full-service stair platforms, and handrails. It’s a full-package option that we’re excited to see used as a comprehensive solution in more of our big infrastructure projects this year and in the years to come.”
What Moddex is offering, at its essence, is peace of mind, Barnet says. “For architects and designers, we provide reassurance that they know the end result from the very beginning. We give them peace of mind that the systems they’re specifying will be engineered, compliant with New Zealand Standards, and will look like what’s specified. For the construction company, we bring a track record of delivering on large-scale projects and our knowledge and understanding of the standards and requirements. For the end user, it’s all about safety.”
To learn more and connect with Barnet, visit https://moddex.com/, check out their project case studies, or give the team a ring on 0800 633 339.
