New broom for network

By RICHARD BRADDELL

Siemens Energy Services, a new New Zealand offshoot of the German technology giant, plans to build on its management contract with UnitedNetworks to gain similar business throughout New Zealand.

Siemens paid $72 million in May for United's contracting and field services division, giving it the maintenance contract for New Zealand's largest electricity network as well as United's 6700km gas network.

The deal resulted in 405 United staff moving to Siemens. They included its operations general manager, John Brockies, who is now Siemens Energy's chief executive.

Mr Brockies said the United contract was much more than simple maintenance. Because its initial 7 1/2 year term was more than double the usual, it also required Siemens to take an active role in strategic and quality of supply issues.