When Ian Roebuck first stepped into the crane business in Taranaki, New Zealand, over 50 years ago, he never anticipated how significantly the landscape would evolve. Starting as a mechanic in a public garage, Ian transitioned into the family business, initially under Roebuck Construction.
In 1979, with just two cranes and a vision for reliable service, Ian Roebuck founded Ian Roebuck Crane Hire in Taranaki, New Zealand. Over the decades, this modest operation has transformed into a leading crane and transport service provider, renowned for its commitment to safety, efficiency, and professionalism.
“I started my life as a mechanic in a public garage,” Ian recalled. “Our family business employed around 200 people in construction and civil works. Taranaki was quite isolated geographically, and it was a good opportunity to get into cranes.”
Humble origins
The business began with a homemade crane on an old GMC truck, good for just three tonnes. But it served its purpose. “It did a lot of work in those early days,” Ian said. Through connections with Graham McPhee, a local dealer, the company acquired several Coles cranes and expanded its capabilities. “We ended up with a 25-tonner, which was a big crane back then. Then we added 10-tonne, 12-tonne, and a couple of 15-tonne hydraulic boom cranes.”
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company’s growth mirrored the region’s economic activity. The expansion of the oil and gas sector in Taranaki played a major role. “It was never even something we planned fully – we just said yes to everything,” Ian said. “We did marine salvages, rig relocations, wine barrel placements. We tackled anything that came our way.”
One of the company’s most memorable jobs came unexpectedly. “We got a call from the Coast Guard one day – a 90-tonne boat had run aground at Opunake, about 70 kilometres from New Plymouth. We walked that boat into town over five days on a transporter. It had to wait on the beach for three months while we arranged trailers. That job kind of started a series of marine salvage operations.”
Strategic Expansion
In 2007, the business took another leap forward by acquiring Todd McPhee Crane Hire. This added 12 cranes, transporters, and a range of access equipment to its fleet. It also extended its footprint into the central North Island with a depot in Tokoroa. At its peak, the company operated a fleet of 26 cranes, including a 250-tonne hydraulic unit.
Today, the company offers a comprehensive range of services:
• Crane hire (2.5 to 250 tonnes)
• Hiab and transport services
• Rig shift coordination
• Over-dimensional transport and certified load pilots
• Computer-aided lift planning (CAD)
• Specialised projects including drilling rig maintenance and building relocations
“We’ve never been afraid to adapt,” Ian said. “The staff have been crucial to that. They were always willing to try something different and move around.”
A founding voice in the industry
While the company’s growth has been remarkable, Ian’s impact also extends to his role in shaping the wider crane sector in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Ian and his father were present at the first meeting of what would become the Crane Association of New Zealand (then called the Power Crane Association).
“It was the brainchild of Max Whiley,” Ian said. “There were issues with crane regulations – things like wheelbase requirements and tyre sizes. The association gave us a voice. It was badly needed.”
He believes the association played a key role in such advancements. “We were forerunners. The issues we solved influenced practices even in Australia.”
Like many in the sector, Ian Roebuck Crane Hire has not been immune to economic challenges. The government’s stance on hydrocarbon drilling in recent years, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impacted business.
“Within six months of the Prime Minister saying there would be no new drilling permits, our turnover was cut in half,” Ian said.
“And of course, the bank didn’t cut our repayments in half. We had to weather some tough years.”
Yet, the company endured. “You go through hard times. But you don’t back down. You lean on your team and find ways to keep moving.”
Now one of the few original directors still active in the industry, Ian reflects with quiet pride. “We built this company on saying yes, on showing up, and doing the job right. That’s never changed.”
His advice to the next generation is to keep it simple. Stick to the nuts and bolts of what we’re here to do. Do it properly, and look out for each other. “That’s how you build something that lasts.”