For nearly 100 years, Stevenson has played a major role in developing New Zealand’s roading and infrastructure. We are a major player in the country’s construction industry, supplying aggregates and a very wide range of concrete-based building products. We have strong roots in land-based businesses including mining and quarry management, agriculture and property. We are a trusted provider of engineering and related services among the industries we work in.
Ross Ashby
Quarries Technical Manager
‘There’s a bit of an art to quarrying. You can tell a lot about it just by looking closely at the material.’
Ross is a mechanical design engineer by qualification, someone who came through the traditional apprentice route – ‘that’s a very long time ago,’ he recalls.
His skills have been honed by many years of practical experience. Along the way he’s worked as a maintenance engineer, process engineer, quality supervisor and production manager in a range of industries, including forestry, steel, industrial manufacturing and printing.
He was approached by Stevenson to work in their Engineering division as a sales engineer. He was there for around three years before he was transferred to the Drury quarry. Ross is enjoying the civil aspects of quarrying in his role as Technical Manager for all of Stevenson Resources’ quarries.
His job involves looking after plant production processes and configurations to ensure that the equipment is capable of meeting various aggregate product specifications.
Ross relishes solving problems and has a reputation as a lateral thinker. He refers to himself as a ‘people helper’.
‘I like to evaluate alternative methods of producing a particular product and to weigh up the cost benefits. We always try to ensure that whichever method we adopt, it will be the best possible use of our available equipment.’
He works closely with Drury Quarry Manager Shane Toto and Laboratory General Manager Jayden Ellis. ‘Together we look at each specification we receive and recommend the most appropriate material to the customer. It’s very much a team environment.’
‘Stevenson Resources’ people are passionate about the materials they produce. They have a great understanding of their products and a lot of supporting data to back up that knowledge. This makes it just that little bit easier for the customer. Ongoing research is keeping us right up there.
‘It’s enjoyable working out here at Drury. I’m with a really good group of people.
The culture of the quarry is very proactive. Everyone is free to have open and frank discussions, which often generate good ideas. There’s a positive attitude. If we decide to do something then we just do it,’ says Ross.
Ross’ time outside work is pretty much absorbed by his family. But he also manages a bit of casual fishing in his old launch and a little skiing. He’s also a keen follower of rowing, cricket and rugby.
At the 2007 Stevenson staff fancy dress Christmas party he turned up as very credible Freddy Mercury. ‘I was a fan of Queen,’ he concedes. ‘But blame my kids – they dressed me up. For a bit of fun, they dyed my hair black – they swore it was only temporary, but it didn’t wash out. I was stuck with it.’ He hastens to add there is thankfully no photographic evidence of this alternative persona. ‘I made sure I kept a low profile.’
