New Zealand: Electrix rebrands to Omexom
This April, New Zealand energy services contractor Electrix begins operations under its new name, Omexom. Founded in New Zealand in 1955, Electrix established itself as a leading provider of engineering, construction, and maintenance services to asset owners in the electricity and gas utility, industrial, commercial, resources, and infrastructure sectors.
In 2014, Electrix was acquired by VINCI Energies, a global leader in the energy sector with 90,000 employees operating in 57 countries worldwide. With this name change, Electrix strengthens its integration and affiliation with Omexom, the VINCI Energies brand dedicated to energy infrastructure.
With 1,130 employees in 29 locations nationwide and $328 M in revenue, Electrix has built long-standing partnerships with Vector, Transpower, Auckland Transport, and Firstgas. Among the latest additions to the company’s key client portfolio are Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, Watercare, Fonterra, Kiwirail, Powerco and City Rail Link Limited.
“We are delighted to bring the Omexom brand to New Zealand and strengthen our integration with VINCI Energies. Thanks to our growing client portfolio and global ties, we can deliver a greater breadth of expertise and experience, thereby contributing to New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon economy. It is exciting to be part of this future.”
Mornez Green
Managing Director, Omexom New Zealand
The rebranding positions the business as part of a global network with shared values and vast resources, and a continued commitment to safety, excellence, and sustainable solutions.
“We are delighted to bring the Omexom brand to New Zealand and strengthen our integration with VINCI Energies,” said Managing Director Mornez Green.
“Thanks to our growing client portfolio and global ties, we can deliver a greater breadth of expertise and experience, thereby contributing to New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon economy. It is exciting to be part of this future.”
Electrix’ past holds just as much excitement as its future, and it’s been instrumental in building the strong and resilient company it is today.
Early beginnings: A £1,750 start-up made in New Zealand
The story of Electrix reflects the enterprising story of New Zealand: In the early 1950s, the country was experiencing a higher standard of living compared to most other parts of the world. It was during this climate of optimism that Ray Meades, Harvey Wright, Alan Parsons and Basil Silcock joined forces to raise a £1,750 mortgage to acquire modest premises in Newton Road, Auckland. The young company Electrix set about providing a range of electrical services ranging from domestic appliance repairs and house wiring to industrial installations.
Resilient and adaptable: in sync with Kiwi history
At the time, the foundation of New Zealand’s economic prosperity was the security of the British market and the high prices for wool that accounted for more than a third of total export earnings. In 1967, that all changed. The export price for wool fell dramatically and the country was shaken with unemployment and high inflation.
Against the tide, Electrix managed to secure a milestone contract for the electrical fit out of the new steel mill being constructed at Glenbrook, located 60 kilometers south of Auckland. The contract required up to 130 electricians and was so significant that the company shifted activities towards industrial work – a new era had begun.
Going overseas: the internationalisation of a Kiwi company
Throughout the following decades, Electrix expanded and grew to other markets. Innovations like the ‘Powermaster’ switchboard, which proved to be a major improvement in international switchboard standard and design, continued to blossom.
The ‘Think Big’ projects of the early 1980s brought several high-profile clients such as Shell, BP, and the Ford Motor Company.
Electrix also began investigating offshore and international opportunities, while focusing on its core areas of electrical engineering and contracting.
The deregulation of the electricity industry brought many new opportunities, with the distribution division slowly gaining momentum. The transmission division, which started with six linesmen, was also burgeoning, fueled by winning a rapid succession of maintenance contracts, including a $1.4M Transpower contract.
As one of the first entrants in this sector, Electrix became the maintenance provider of choice. Regional offices were opened to service new clients and a power station and substation division was established to respond to the growing maintenance and construction needs.
Electrix’ power industry contracts were strong, and the business continued to grow, particularly in the transmission and distribution sectors, in both New Zealand and Australia.
“We are very proud to see Electrix become Omexom in New Zealand. In the Omexom network, Electrix is recognized as a solid, well-established energy infrastructure company with decades of success and an impressive safety record. Electrix offers a large amount of expertise and is ahead of the curve in terms of innovation.”
Markus Popp
Omexom Brand Director
VINCI Energies and the access to global resources and expertise
In 2014, VINCI Energies became the new owner of Electrix, giving a new international dimension to the New Zealand contractor.
With their strong local roots and agile and innovative structure, VINCI Energies’ 1,900 business units create bespoke multi-technical solutions and services for energy, transport and communication infrastructure, as well as buildings, factories and IT systems.
Together, they form a network with multiple areas of expertise that they harness in line with each project’s requirements. VINCI Energies takes a partnership-based approach at the local level, which is a key part of its ability to create value.
“We are very proud to see Electrix become Omexom in New Zealand,” said Markus Popp, Omexom Brand Director.
“In the Omexom network, Electrix is recognised as a solid, well-established energy infrastructure company with decades of success and an impressive safety record. Electrix offers a large amount of expertise and is ahead of the curve in terms of innovation. Our exchanges and cooperation will be amplified by this important step.”
While the change of ownership respects the important autonomy of its local business units, access to VINCI Energies’ considerable expertise introduces a new era of opportunity for Electrix, now Omexom New Zealand, and its customers.