People are the beating heart of every business and soul of our thriving society. Protecting people, infrastructure and property is paramount in safeguarding the life, livelihood and the wellbeing of those it supports and the continued health of every business.
At Argus we’re all about people. Our purpose as an organisation is to protect them, and the infrastructure and livelihood they depend upon. As an organisation we see people are our beating heart. So when you work with us you can be sure we are 100% committed to the job, and to giving you the service, quality and outcomes you deserve.
As a family-owned Kiwi business we put a lot of store in relationships–with our clients and with our people. It gives everyone who deals with us assurance that we’ll do the right thing. That we’re accountable, responsive and driven by excellence. That we care about trust and how others see us.
OUR VISION
To be New Zealand’s most trusted and the industry-leader in assuring fire protection and safety for everyone. This is achieved by being renowned for being people centric, valuing and respecting our customers and fellow team members and delivering excellence, assuring we do the right thing by doing things right while providing exceptional service at a fair price.
THE ARGUS PROMISE
In an industry so committed to compliance, we believe accountability needs to be improved. So we’ve delivered a challenge to the industry, and an assurance to our clients, in the shape of the Argus promise: Providing your systems and features are compliant, your BWOF documents (12As) will be issued on time or we will credit the value of one month’s testing.
Supporting our people
Because people are the heart of our organisation, supporting them to do their best work and achieve their potential is an imperative for us.
We have an active culture of training and professional development, ensuring all staff have current certification and are fully up-to-date with best practice. And as a 100% New Zealand family-owned business we treat everyone as part of our wider family.
MILESTONES
Founded in 1981, Argus Fire Protection has served New Zealand infrastructure and industry through good times, tough times and everything in between. Along the way, we’ve grown to become a trusted and respected name in our industry. Here are some of the milestones that helped make Argus what it is today.
Argus Fire Protection was founded
Argus is started by the Carroll brothers with a vehicle fleet comprising two Marina vans and a Bedford CF.
Shareholder purchase
Shareholders the Bensemann family, the Mander family, Bruce Sheppard, the late Neil McNaught and the Maclean family buy the business.
Departures, additions and loyal clients
The Carroll brothers exit the company. Argus buys the Fletcher Fire Protection business north of Taupo and opens a new branch in Rotorua.
New GM Jacqui Bensemann joins
Moving from Wellington with her family in 1999, Jacqui takes the reins as General Manager from her father Erle Bensemann.
New premises, new stature
Argus Auckland moves to Goodman Street. Complementing the size and capability of the business, the move confirms Argus as a significant player in the fire protection industry.
A decade of significant growth begins
Te Awa, The Base Shopping Centre is built and a new Hamilton branch opens.
Kia ora Wellington
Our Wellington Branch opens, becoming the second-largest branch next to Auckland, servicing some of the region’s most prestigious and iconic sites.
Stepping up to the challenge in Christchurch, growth in Bay of Plenty
In response to clients requesting Argus support for the Christchurch earthquake rebuild, a local branch opens to focus on projects and construction.
Growing the leadership team
Paul Smart joins as another independent director while Will Donald joins the Senior Leadership Team as the GM for operations outside Auckland.
The Easter Sunday Fire
Argus Auckland offices are completely destroyed, thankfully with no loss of life. As a show of resilience, and with support from our clients and the industry, Argus moves into temporary offices two days later.
2022
The loss of friends, Covid arrives, a refreshed senior team
Independent Director, Pekka Orpana, and founding shareholder Graeme Mander die just over a year apart from each other.
Anniversary celebrations run late
With 40 years passing since the company was founded and 30 years under current ownership, celebrations are due but deferred due to Covid.
Accreditation
An important part of the assurance of fire protection you get from working with Argus is knowing that we are fully accredited across all of our operations. We are also members of all key industry organisations and regulatory bodies:
• ISO 9001 accreditation
• Listed Fire Sprinkler Contractor / Service Provider
• FPANZ Certified Fire Alarm Contractor / Service Provider
• Site Safe Member
• Fire Protection Association of New Zealand (FPANZ)
• National Fire Protection Association
Whether it’s installing new equipment, the refurbishment of an existing system or a ground-up design, you can also be assured that all Argus fire protection systems fully comply with New Zealand and international industry standards.