Opportunity Hamilton
Opportunity Hamilton
Opportunity Hamilton
Business Services
Business Attraction
Projects
Partners
Opportunity hamilton

A Matamata tentmaker’s dream of helping the world with his humanitarian housing is closer to reality thanks to Regional Business Partner (RBP) Waikato.

LTL Covers owner Lindsay Tasker has developed SeekaShelter tent prototype to use as emergency housing in the wake of natural disasters.

Born of LTL’s successful Calf-Chalet shelter product, Lindsay and his wife and business partner Ellen are working with RBP towards distributing the housing product to governments around the globe.

The Tasker’s SeekaShelter product is a 3m by 3.6m half-round tent assembled using a patented flexible join system and light-weight steel-based framing covered with double-skinned polyethylene.

The quickly-assembled shelter system has been tested in 120km winds and can house up to eight people.

“The next step in the journey is to have it tested by international aid agencies like the Red Cross. Regional Business Partner is helping me get it to that stage,” Lindsay said

“RBP has helped me give my business vision a solid foundation. It has equipped me with the things I need to work towards to take the business to the next level.”

RBP provides government-funded business support throughout Waikato and is managed by Opportunity Hamilton and Waikato Innovation Park. The free service is available throughout the region.

Lindsay’s goal is for global governments to stockpile the tents – about 70 per shipping container – to use in the wake of natural disaster.

“This business is about much more than making money. As a Christian it is important for me to work towards making the world a better place and that is my vision,” he said.

“Finding out about the support available, like RBP and James and Wells patent attorneys has been invaluable.”

Lindsay bought the Kaitaia-based tent business after a camping trip in 1998 and relocated it to Matamata.

The business, originally manufacturing tents, turned over $50,000 in the first year since growing to $250,000 per annum with the help of new silage and calf shelter products.

The Calf-Chalet, retailing for $1900+gst, has hit the right note with farmers with 20 units snapped up at last year’s Fieldays.

Find out how Regional Business Partner Waikato can help your business by e-mailing robyn@opportunityhamilton.co.nz.

 Opportunity hamilton Opportunity hamilton
 SMEs contribution to employment in Hamilton stands at 33% which equates to 25,810 employees.  The growth of SMEs in Hamilton city between 2000 and 2008 was 31% which is above the   Hamilton will host the New Zealand round of the prestigious V8 Supercar Championship in the city for the fourth year in 2012.  Hamilton is the home of the mighty Chiefs and Waikato rugby teams and the 26,000 capacity Waikato Stadium.  Over 100,000 people annually visit New Zealand National Agriculture Fieldays held at Mystery Creek (10 minutes south of Hamilton), which is the largest agricultural event held in the Southern Hemisphere. Each year generates around $290 million sales.  As the centre of the thoroughbred industry, Hamilton has an excellent racing venue at Te Rapa. A national trotting track is 15 minutes drive from Hamilton in Cambridge.   Raglan is 40 minutes by road from Hamilton and home to one of the world’s longest left-hand surf breaks.