Come along and join us for an evening with Craig Laing from Laing Contractors:
DATE: Thursday 10th September
TIME: 5.45pm
VENUE: Riccarton Park, 165 Racecourse Road, Broomfield, Christchurch
COST: $80 + gst per person - please note, tables seat 8 people
DETAILS: 2 course alternate drop main and dessert. Please advise if you have any dietary requirements at canterbury@civilcontractors.co.nz
RSVP: 1st September 2026
GUEST SPEAKER - Craig Laing from Laing Contractors
Laing Contractors was started by Reg and Pat Laing in 1970 and the three three sons Duncan, Grant and Craig all worked in the business, Craig joined the family company in 1976 and worked in the Companies truck and service repair workshop which is what sparked his interests and passion for the green coloured trucks and yellow earthmoving equipment.
Craig was keen to hit the road and start driving the truck and trailers as soon as he turned 18 and it was fair to say he had gained a lot of weekend driving time on the farm which is where the contracting yard was originally based.
Craig worked in all parts of the business between 1976 and 1994.
As the Company expanded the opportunity arose to set up a crane hire and house removal business which allowed the business to focus on new opportunities.
The boots on and out in the field experience that Craig had obtained was clearly identified as being perfect to assist with the running of this newly formed division of Laing Contractors.
As the Laing Group of Companies grew in size and staffing numbers it was identified that the House Removal and Crane Hire business unit needed less board room time and more focus on the day to day opportunities that were being presented.
Craig and his brother Grant felt it was time to make an offer to purchase the House Shifting Division off the Family Business which was accepted, and this allowed them to go out on their own and so in 1994 Laing Building Relocators was formed.
Laing Contractors were a big player in the Canterbury market for many years and were known for their immaculate International S Lines along with their two stars of the fleet being the Foden 4350 Series with took out the prize of being Top Truck 1992 and the Cat Powered Pacific P510 that became famous all over New Zealand is still talked about
This Pacific truck started its life shifting the companies’ earth moving equipment before hooking onto the new MTE Hydraulic shifting trailer and was to remain the flagship for Laing Building Relocators for many years.
Laing’s also set up a Bulk Garden Materials processing business which sold its products through Laing Garden Makers.
Come and hear Craig tell his stories over these years.