A New Zealand Legacy: +IMPAC’s 25 years keeping Kiwis safe

 |  Follow us on  

+IMPAC - the company that has led the charge to keep Kiwi workers safe and healthy, including introducing ICAM, NEBOSH and Virtual Reality simulator training for heavy equipment to New ZealanD - is celebrating 25 years.

Having spearheaded the advancement of workplace health and safety standards in New Zealand, +IMPAC’s extensive institutional knowledge and experience have positioned it as a trailblazer and innovator of health and safety principles that are widely used in today's workplaces.

It’s a homegrown company that has seen and done it all in health and safety, including navigating constantly changing regulations, technological advancements, and market dynamics. In response to market needs, +IMPAC has continuously expanded its services and as a result is the only NZ provider that meets all health and safety requirements in one organisation. +IMPAC truly has positioned itself as ‘The one and only H+S partner you need’.

Founded on innovation

+IMPAC was founded by Tom Reeves and Richard Gibson in 1999, after a chance meeting at an ergonomics conference. Both were determined to translate their experience working in high-risk sectors that were applying best practice thinking to health and safety, to wider industry in New Zealand.

Today the company is a testament to the enduring vision and innovation that have been the hallmarks of its service and the founding principles of best practice and continuous improvement.

“From where we started, we could never have envisioned that +IMPAC would evolve to offer such a wide range of comprehensive end-to-end health and safety solutions,” says founder and director Tom Reeves. “Especially when you consider it took the first three years to make a profit of $500.”

The company's commitment to innovation is evident in its pioneering of the first web-based incident management system, which revolutionised the way health and safety incidents are recorded and managed. +IMPAC has also been instrumental in bringing global methodologies and qualifications such as ICAM (Incident Cause Analysis Method) and NEBOSH to New Zealand, further enhancing the country's H+S standards.

Today +IMPAC remains the sole provider of end-to-end health and safety requirements to New Zealand workplaces, from training, advisory, prequalification and risk management software to recruitment and PPE solutions.

Reeves says he is proud that +IMPAC has led the field where innovation may mean the difference between life and death.

“For example, +IMPAC has been ahead of the curve with its use of Virtual Reality simulation technology for training vehicle and heavy machinery operators. This cutting-edge approach allows workers to acquire new skills faster and in a completely safe environment.”

Group CEO and Managing Director Logan Aves believes shared knowledge, experience and innovation are critical in saving lives.

"The breadth of experience within our team is unmatched, and it has allowed us to provide unparalleled service across various industries—such as banking, horticulture, and telecommunications. Our acquisition of specialist PPE and safety equipment supplier Safeworx, in 2020, enhanced our offering within higher-risk environments like construction and energy.”

Aves adds, “Safeworx has worked closely with the energy industry to develop superior Arc Rated clothing and helmets where the ultimate outcome is to keep the workers on the ground safe when all other controls fail.”

Reeves reflects on the company's journey, "Our success over the past 25 years is a direct result of our ensuring that best practice standards are practically achievable for all of our clients.”

The future

On the company’s future, COO Gabby Aves says celebrating a significant milestone is one thing, but more importantly, it establishes a strong foundation for delivering even better services to New Zealand’s workers in the future.

“Our stellar credentials are underpinned by a team of seasoned professionals whose local experience spans diverse industries. As a proudly New Zealand-owned company, +IMPAC brings a unique local insight and understanding to safety, so we stay not only effective but culturally attuned to our clients’ needs,” says Aves.

For 25 years, +IMPAC’s leadership in New Zealand’s workplace health and safety has allowed the company to accumulate a vast amount of coalface experience and knowledge, also challenging new frontiers such as mental health and the digitalised workplace. Making sure that workers go home safe to their families at the end of every day will always be at the core of +IMPAC’s mission.

For further information, please contact our media team on 0800 246 722.