THOR Poletest™ is an innovation created from the team at Groundline Engineering, a New Zealand-based lines engineering consultancy.
Groundline was founded in 2004 and is a global leader in providing cost-effective and safe overhead solutions and systems, providing resilience and reliability to keep operating effectively. The Groundline team invest significantly in ongoing research and development with a focus on improving our industry and society as a whole.
THOR Poletest™ is one of the innovations that have stemmed from this focus.
Our founders identified the value of data obtained in the field to those making decisions in the office lacked auditability and objectivity. As pole replacement numbers dropped off to improve inspection and maintenance budgets, average age and deterioration increased.
With climatic extremes testing these assets more regularly, and the consequence of failure being in many cases magnitudes higher than those original cost savings, a step change in objectiveness, repeatability and speed became necessary.
We worked with industry to develop a solution that was easy to use for engineers to use on the ground and to provide easily accessible and objective insights for those managing the assets.
Our Values
People First
Collaborate, support and respect each other.
Challenge
Question the status quo and embrace diversity.
Communication
Be clear, concise, and listen.
Smart
Innovative solutions by clever people.
Nimble
Be flexible, adaptive and continuously improve.
Meet the Global Leadership Team
Richi Cleland
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Richi, having worked with Ian on transmission lines projects since the 1990s, joined Groundline in its early days, becoming a director in 2006.
Richi's focus is on business leadership and execution to enable the Groundline group, including THOR to deliver services and products globally.
Richi possesses a unique mix of people and technical skills. His strong background in transmission line engineering, including field engineering and managing network construction projects, underlines his success.
He puts people first, investing heavily in staff and the team’s culture to ensure that Groundline continues to deliver outstanding service and outcomes for customers.
Richi enjoys spending time with his family and boating and has a passion for American classic cars.
Ian Flatley
Ian founded THOR's parent company Groundline Engineering in 2004 after recognising that the industry needed independent, specialist transmission lines engineering services. He also saw an opportunity to use his specialist skills to develop products and services that deliver lasting improvements for the industry and broader society.
Ian’s extensive expertise has been developed over many years developing asset management strategies, developing policies and standards for design work, carrying out condition assessments and failure analyses and in providing technical support to field engineers and contractors. His work has taken him to Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom,Ireland and the Caribbean.
Ian is a family man, a rugby league fan and enjoys a good New Zealand craft beer.
FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
Craig Cox
Craig joined THOR in February 2022 as the Group Financial Controller.
Craig is a Chartered Accountant and brings a breadth and depth of financial experience and business acumen to the business.
With experience across all areas of business, he really enjoys the operational side of a company and the personal interaction with the people, be it the storeman or the CEO. Being part of a successful team and contributing to a strong culture is an important part of success in any role.
Craig enjoys the outdoors, partaking in numerous sporting adventures, kayaking, riding, running and tramping through the wilderness of Aotearoa. When time allows, he enjoys a good DIY project and spending time with the family.
GROUP FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
Tony Ging
Tony joined THOR in 2020 and has driven all things product and technology related since. He leads our team of engineers and scientist to deliver great outcomes for our customers.
Tony has experience from across the globe, transforming technology into products and services. From medical devices, to telecommunications, to robots big and small. Tony’s passion is to understand our customer’s real needs and deliver the best possible solutions to them.
When not in the office; Tony is in his home workshop making stuff with his boys, or off on some adventure in the great outdoors.
ENGINEERING MANAGER