MEMBER Q&A: Patrick Wilson

Name: Fully Wired Fencing
Address: Whanganui

admin51097
May 25
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Business name? Fully Wired Fencing

Based in? Whanganui

In the fencing industry since? I have been in the fencing industry for a total of 15 years, and roughly 12 years as a business owner.

How did the business come about? Fencing is something I have always enjoyed, and an opportunity arose to purchase a tractor and rammer, with augers, rock spike, blade, etc., and I just decided to go with it.

Who is in the team? A full-time sub-contractor and myself. I also have my young son, who will often come and help. He has been helping since I started the business when he was a toddler.

What style of fence is your favourite to build, or what do you specialise in? My favourite style of fence to build is a standard 8-wire with a bulldozed line. I enjoy jumping on the bulldozer and bulldozing them myself.

What’s the best thing about being a fencer? Every project is different, no fence is the same, and the ability to be autonomous is a bonus.

What project are you most proud of or have most enjoyed? Last year, I worked at a station in the backcountry, where an entire fenceline was slipping away. I went in and bulldozed the batters and the line. This was challenging; once it was completed, I felt proud of the job I did.

What project has been the most challenging? I completed a few kilometres of deer fencing in rough terrain. This was challenging due to its steepness, having multiple waterways and ironstone.

What has been the hardest part of running a business? The hardest part of running a business is managing mechanical breakdowns and completing some jobs on time. I’m the only worker at times.

What keeps you sane as a business owner? (Apps, tools, tricks, people) 3M earmuffs keep me sane as a business owner ha ha, but in all honesty, it would be the farmers who are loyal and repetitive.

If you could use one wish to make any part of your business better, what would you wish for? Punctual, reliable staff would be my wish. Fencing is a hard job on the body, it’s hard to find committed staff.

What’s one thing you would tell someone new to running a fencing business? My advice for someone starting new would be to start with the best gear you can, shadow someone in the business, and buy a remote rubber track machine.

Why do you belong to FCANZ? I belong to FCANZ as I like to keep up to date with what’s happening in the fencing world.

What’s for lunch? Tuna and crackers, and a banana. If you eat too much or stop too long, it slows down movement. I like to keep up my momentum.

Marmite or Vegemite? Vegemite is the one my household likes and prefers, although I’m not fussy haha.

Ranger or Hilux? I drive a Ranger – it’s done a couple of engines over the last 2 years, so I’d go a Hilux hahaha. But the Ranger is good for the size and the amount of gear I can get on it.

Favourite tool? My favourite tool is my remote SoloTrak. I can walk beside it while ramming the post; it’s so quick and efficient, you would never go back to standing behind and pulling levers.

What do you listen to at work? Podcast or music? I listen to a wide range of music on my 3M headphones, and I listen to Spotify; it would make for a long day if I had no music.

Favourite song or podcast? My favourite song is “I ain’t no nice guy” from Lemmy and Ozzy, but I listen to a lot of Ozzy Osbourne at the moment.