Conceptual Design

Good engineering starts with good thinking. We help clients evaluate options, test feasibility, and define scope before committing to detailed design. Our conceptual work covers process flow, equipment sizing, layout, and cost estimation, giving you a clear basis for investment decisions. Over 30 years, this early-stage advice has saved clients significant capital by identifying the right approach before steel gets cut

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Specialist Engineering

Many of our projects require detailed analysis and specialist engineering across multiple disciplines. Pressure piping and pressure vessel design is central to what we do, we have Worksafe-certified Pressure Equipment Design Verifiers in-house, which means we verify our own designs without relying on external sign-off. This removes a bottleneck and a cost from your project. We also provide specialist structural and seismic analysis for industrial equipment and plant infrastructure.

Detailed Engineering

Once a project moves into delivery, we produce the detailed engineering that contractors need to price, fabricate, and install. That includes mechanical and structural drawings, 3D models (Inventor, AutoCAD PLANT), pipe stress analysis (AutoPIPE), and FEA (Ansys), where loading conditions demand it. Our long-term clients rely on us to produce work that is economical, buildable, and clearly documented.

Studies & Investigations

When something isn’t performing, or when you need an independent technical view before making a decision, our engineers provide the analysis. We carry out feasibility studies, remaining life assessments, failure investigations, and expert reviews across mechanical, structural, and process disciplines. Thirty years of working inside New Zealand’s industrial plants means we understand the practical context, not just the theory.

Project Management

We manage industrial engineering projects from scoping through to handover. That includes planning, procurement support, contractor coordination, budget and schedule control, and reporting. Because our project managers are engineers, they understand what’s being built, and can make informed decisions on site without referring back to a separate design team.

Inspections and Construction Monitoring

Construction doesn’t always go to plan. Our construction monitoring and inspection services catch problems early, before they become expensive to fix. We provide independent site inspections, progress verification, and regulatory compliance checks throughout the construction phase. Our team includes several Chartered Professional Engineers qualified to oversee construction monitoring activities. We service projects nationwide from our Auckland and Rotorua offices

Piping

We design at least 100 piping systems every year, conveying steam, chemicals, gases, and process fluids across New Zealand’s industrial plants. Our team handles pipe stress analysis (AutoPIPE), 3D layout (AutoCAD PLANT), fabrication drawings, and on-site construction support. With Worksafe-certified Pressure Equipment Design Verifiers in-house, we verify our own designs without relying on external sign-off.

Tanks and Silos

The Kaikoura and Seddon earthquakes reminded New Zealand of the consequences when storage vessels fail. Dobbie specialises in the design and peer review of large silos, tanks, and bin, including their supports, foundations, and seismic restraint. We work across dairy, food processing, forestry, and industrial manufacturing sectors where safe, code-compliant storage is critical. Our structural and mechanical engineers collaborate on integrated designs that account for both static and seismic loading.

Pressure Vessels

We design new pressure vessels and evaluate the remaining life of existing pressure equipment, from heat exchangers and process columns to storage receivers and gas separators. Our team uses PV Elite and Ansys for design and analysis, and our in-house Worksafe-certified Design Verifiers ensure compliance without the delay and cost of external verification. We also carry out fitness-for-service assessments on ageing equipment, helping clients make informed decisions about repair, re-rate, or replacement.

Seismic Design

Seismic forces on industrial equipment are significant in New Zealand, and the standards governing them are complex. Our mechanical and structural engineers provide seismic analysis and detailed design of restraint systems for piping, vessels, tanks, machinery, and building services equipment. We work to NZS 1170.5 and understand the specific interpretation challenges that arise when applying building seismic standards to industrial plant and pressure equipment.

Cranes & Stacks

Industrial stacks and overhead travelling cranes must comply with recognised design standards and withstand significant wind, seismic, and operational loads. Our team handles the structural calculations, connection design, and fabrication documentation for new installations, as well as assessments and modifications to existing equipment.

Materials Handling

A significant portion of our work involves getting materials from one place to another inside industrial plants. We design storage systems (silos, tanks, bins, hoppers) and the conveying systems that connect them to processing equipment — including screw conveyors, belt conveyors, pneumatic systems, and chute work. Our designs account for material properties, flow characteristics, structural loads, and seismic requirements.

Commissioning

Our commissioning engineers bring mechanical, process, and mechatronics expertise to the systematic and safe startup of industrial plants. We develop commissioning plans, execute pre-commissioning checks, manage the transition from construction to operation, and tune control systems for optimal performance. For existing plants, we provide process optimisation and control system tuning to improve efficiency and output,  often delivering measurable gains without capital expenditure.

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