Big Projects. Bigger Lifts. Spartan Chooses Grove

Spartan Construction is a well-known name in specialised civil infrastructure. A long-time TRT customer, Spartan has just expanded its fleet with a fourth Grove Rough Terrain Crane. Recently delivered, the new addition is heading straight to Cambridge, supporting Spartan’s continued success in delivering complex construction projects across the North Island.

About Spartan Construction

Spartan Construction is a civil contractor that thrives in high-spec, multi-disciplinary projects, many of which are related to New Zealand’s critical “three waters” infrastructure. Their work includes upgrades and new builds for water & wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, wind farms, bridges, and other large-scale infrastructure.

Joe Fluhler, General Manager at Spartan Construction, explains, “We actively pursue the more specialised projects because they tend to be interesting and complex and require a higher level of technical capability. Our largest project to date is the Cambridge Wastewater Treatment Plant. We’ve had a Grove Rough Terrain Crane on site every day for more than a year, lifting over 20-tonne panels daily.”

The Spartan Difference

In the civil space, Spartan delivers far beyond its size. While they’re a Tier 2 contractor, their efficient structure and strong hands-on leadership make them a cost-effective and agile choice for small – large scale projects.

“At the end of the day, you’re talking to real people, not just a machine,” says Joe. “You can still talk directly to the managers. That personal, high-quality service really stands out to clients. We’re here to build great projects for our valued clients”.

Spartan has earned a reputation for delivering on its promises, with a strong safety record and a commitment to practical, people-first solutions.

Grove Cranes in Action

Spartan’s Grove crane fleet is a key part of their success. Their lineup includes three Grove Rough Terrain Cranes, a GRT8100-1, a 30-tonne, 70-tonne, and now a new GRT655L model.

“The 30-tonner supports our mechanical installation work and the lighter tasks, while the 70-tonne is still going strong assisting with mechanical and structural builds,” says Joe. “The new crane has headed straight to Cambridge and will then support a similar project in Matamata.”

Grove cranes have proven themselves in some of New Zealand’s most demanding environments. Spartan has deployed their cranes on rugged wind farms like Harapaki and even helped reopen key road links, such as State Highway 5 near Napier-Taupō.

“Our Grove cranes have performed really well, even in extreme weather conditions. We’ve had minimal downtime, and one of our operators, who’s got over 40 years of experience, reckons they’re a dream to operate. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Why Spartan Chose TRT—Again

This isn’t the first Grove crane Spartan has purchased from TRT, and it won’t be the last. The company has trusted TRT for years to supply reliable equipment that gets the job done.

“We’re getting busier, and we needed to expand the fleet,” Joe says. “We weren’t sure exactly which model we needed this time, but TRT helped us figure out the best fit. They’ve always been responsive, and everything’s been delivered on time.”

Joe also credits the TRT team, especially the service crew for providing exceptional support beyond the point of sale. “Whenever we’ve needed help, whether it’s service or advice there’s always someone there to support us.”

Looking Ahead

Spartan has just come through a strong growth phase, and the focus now is on sustainable progress.

“Our plan is to keep building on what we’ve achieved and grow steadily from here,” says Joe. “Having the right gear is a big part of that, and we’re confident in the Grove cranes and the support we get from TRT.”

A Solid Recommendation

Would Spartan recommend Grove cranes and TRT to others in the industry?

“Absolutely. From our perspective, Grove has been reliable, comfortable for our operators, and mechanically sound. And the service from TRT has been outstanding. They’ve delivered on everything we’ve asked.”

TRT’s strategy is simple, they Out-Serve their customers. This means they actively exceed their customers’ needs and deliver solutions that help them succeed.