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Media release

15 February 2018

Alpine Energy-owned NETcon presented a proposal to staff which is future-focused and would see new roles established in the company.

The move would allow it to be even more responsive to the ever-changing market and to operate more fully as an independent contracting company, NETcon acting chief executive Andrew Tombs said.

The current NETcon board has already committed to moving the company to be more independent of Alpine Energy, which retains its 100 percent shareholding.

Among the first steps is the establishment of a new board, with a mandate to operate in a competitive and sustainable manner.

The new board will appoint a new chief executive in the coming months.

The proposed changes at NETcon will provide a solid base from which to broaden its reach to provide services to new clients and new industries in South Canterbury and further afield. It will be consistent with the Commerce Commission’s recent tightened regulations that a regulated supplier such as electricity lines companies e.g. Alpine Energy, demonstrate that the cost of the underlying service is consistent with the input price that it would have otherwise paid in a transaction on arm’s-length terms.

It will also be in a strong position to secure further contracts when Alpine Energy moves to contracting out some areas of work, Tombs said.

The proposal, which is subject to consultation with staff, re-tools NETcon’s operational and management structures to support the company’s focus on service delivery while encouraging skills growth.

NETcon staff have been invited to give feedback over the next few weeks, and the feedback will be considered before making a final decision. Support has been offered to staff as NETcon works through the process.

Mr Tombs said the proposed changes will further develop NETcon into a high performing network contractor, and reflect the recognition by the Board that NETcon needs to remains strong and a core part of our community’s resilience.

For further enquiries contact:

Andrew Tombs
NETcon
Acting CEO

03 697 4300
027 6446336
Andrew.Tombs@alpineenergy.co.nz

KEY FACTS

  • NETcon is a South Canterbury-based contracting company that services distribution lines companies, industry, public service utilities and consumers. Its primary focus is on the installation and maintenance of aerial and underground power distribution systems, including fault response. It has a staff of about 100 people.

  • NETcon is wholly owned by, and is the main contractor to, distribution lines company Alpine Energy.

  • Alpine Energy is owned by the South Canterbury community. It's shareholders are: Timaru District Holdings Company (47.5 percent); LineTrust South Canterbury (40 percent); Waimate District Council (7.54 percent); Mackenzie District Council (4.96 percent).