Marais Laying New Zealand

What Marais Laying New Zealand does

Marais Laying New Zealand Limited is a specialist trenching and industrial cable laying contractor established in 2014 and headquartered in Korokoro, Wellington. The company operates across Auckland, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Canterbury, with a 45-person team that completed 193 projects and installed 218km of cable in 2024. Marais Laying NZ has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Italian engineering group TESMEC S.p.A. since 2015, giving it exclusive access to TESMEC's proprietary technology portfolio — including the mechanical laying method (combining trenching and cable deployment via a laying box), Georadar Explorer ground-penetrating radar, TrenchTronic 5.0 electronic control, Re.M remote monitoring, and micro-trenching systems.

The company's service offerings span five verticals: utility services (telecommunications, power, gas, water, drainage), renewable energy (wind and solar farm cable installation), infrastructure (civil and reinstatement works), rail corridors (under-track crossings, tunnel micro-trenching), and equipment sales and rentals. It operates a diversified fleet of TESMEC-manufactured trenchers, surface miners, and supporting equipment, and serves enterprise infrastructure clients such as Wellington Electricity, Downer, Fulton Hogan, Electra, KiwiRail, Meridian Energy, Network Delivery Alliance, and Waka Kotahi. The company differentiates on safety (no worker trench entry required via laying box), cost (up to 40% reduction vs conventional methods), and speed (400–2,500m/day depending on ground conditions).

Marais Laying NZ monetises through project-based contracting and equipment rental, with no public pricing disclosed. The go-to-market is sales-led via direct engagement, competitive tendering, and relationship-driven enterprise sales, supplemented by LinkedIn presence, a quarterly newsletter, industry events (Quarry NZ Conference), and earned media (Quarrying & Mining Magazine). The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications, and has maintained SiteWise Gold status (100% score) for three consecutive years. CEO Adrien Merceron also serves as General Manager for TESMEC Australia, positioning the business for trans-Tasman expansion.

Name

Marais Laying New Zealand

Legal name

Marais Laying New Zealand Limited

Website

https://www.maraislaying.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Marais Laying New Zealand offers trenching and industrial cable laying for energy, pipeline, and telecom projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Utility Infrastructure Construction Services

NAICS

Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130), Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Cable Installation & Construction Services (trenching, duct banks, HDD, pulling, cable laying) (EUADADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Distribution Network Construction (Feeders, Laterals, Service Drops) (IMAFAHAC)

Keywords

• Trenching services
• Cable laying
• Utility installation
• Micro-trenching
• Surface mining

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Trenching and Cable Laying Services: Project-based contracting for trenching and industrial cable laying services across utility, renewable energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure sectors. Revenue is earned through direct project delivery to clients.
2. Equipment Sales and Rentals: Rental solutions offered to customers aligned with project specifications. Diversified fleet of specialised machinery (trenchers, surface miners, georadar, cable carriers, reel carriers) available for short- and long-term rental. Also offers aggregate and washplant services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Marais Laying New Zealand provides project-based trenching, micro-trenching, and industrial cable laying services for utilities, renewable energy, telecommunications, rail, and civil infrastructure clients across New Zealand. Service delivery is supported by a diversified fleet of Tesmec trenchers, surface miners, ground-penetrating radar, cable carriers, and proprietary mechanical laying technology, with a complementary offering of specialised equipment rental with supplied operators.

Product overview

Marais Laying New Zealand operates as a construction trenching and cable laying specialist offering both equipment-based services and technology solutions. The company's core offerings include a diversified fleet of Tesmec-manufactured trenching equipment (Trencher ST2, SC3C, TR885, TRS300, TRS975EVO, TRS1150 1150 EVO Rock Hawg, 400MTC), supporting equipment (Cable Carrier RC320, Wrapping Machine, Laying Box), and proprietary technology (Georadar Explorer for underground detection, TrenchTronic 5.0 control system, Re.M remote monitoring, Mechanical Laying Technology). Service offerings span utility services (telecommunications, fibre, power, gas, water, drainage), renewable energy (wind and solar farm cable installation), infrastructure, rail corridor services, and equipment sales/rentals. The company is a subsidiary of Tesmec Group and has been operating in New Zealand since 2014.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Utility Services Expert utility service installation covering telecommunications, fibre optic solutions, power, gas, water, and drainage, using micro-trenching technology with installation rates up to 600 metres per day. Designed for utilities, contractors, and infrastructure clients needing underground network installation.
• Renewable Energy Services Wind farm and solar farm cable installation services including high voltage Tri Core or Single Core cables, turbine and solar panel grid connections, and sustainable infrastructure delivery. Built for renewable developers and civil contractors requiring cable deployment across large-scale sites and challenging terrain.
• Infrastructure Services Civil maintenance and infrastructure work for city councils including concrete surfaces, asphalt surfaces, kerb and channelling, and subsoil drainage. Supports urban infrastructure upgrades, road reinstatement, and community-minimising installation.
• Rails Services Specialist rail corridor services including under-track crossings, pit installation, fibre optic network installation, and micro trenching in tunnels. Built for rail operators and contractors needing installation in constrained and safety-critical rail environments.
• Equipment Sales and Rentals Flexible rental solutions for construction equipment including specialised Tesmec machinery (trenchers, surface miners, georadar, cable carriers, reel carriers), experienced operators, high-standard maintenance, and comprehensive spare parts, available for short- and long-term hire. Also offers aggregate and washplant services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Extracted 1,200+ tonnes per day in Canterbury quarry lime rock
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tesmec GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Tesmec Group, a leading Italian engineering company, acquired Marais Laying NZ in 2015. This acquisition enables the company to access Tesmec's proprietary trenching technology portfolio (mechanical laying, Georadar Explorer, TrenchTronic 5.0, Re.M monitoring) and the world's largest high-tech trencher fleet. Marais Laying NZ operates as Tesmec's New Zealand subsidiary, sharing expertise with Tesmec Australia for cross-regional projects.
• Groupe MaraiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Marais group, founded in the 1960s and based in Durtal, France, invented the mechanical laying technology that transformed network installation. Marais Laying NZ carries forward this 60+ year innovation heritage. Groupe Marais remains part of the Tesmec Group structure.
• TelarcminorOthersTelarc is New Zealand's leading certification body for ISO certifications. Marais Laying NZ has renewed its ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certifications through Telarc.
• SiteWiseminorOthersSiteWise is a New Zealand health and safety certification system for the construction and infrastructure sector. Marais Laying NZ has maintained SiteWise Gold certification (100% score) for three consecutive years.
• Tesmec AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Tesmec Australia and Marais Laying NZ (Tesmec's New Zealand subsidiary) for cross-regional projects. The Penong gypsum mine project in South Australia relied on shared expertise between both entities. Marais Laying NZ CEO Adrien Merceron also serves as General Manager for Tesmec Australia.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tesmec Australia: Tesmec Australia's trenching and surface-mining subsidiary is the closest peer, sharing fleet technology, parent group, and overlapping customers with Marais Laying NZ; the same CEO leads both entities, and they already collaborate on projects such as the Penong gypsum mine.
• Groupe Marais (France): The original French Marais group, now part of Tesmec, invented the mechanical laying technology and operates trenching and cable-laying services across Europe with comparable equipment and project profiles to Marais Laying NZ.

Broad incumbents

• Downer Group: Large Australia/NZ infrastructure services group that is both a major customer of Marais Laying NZ (Wellington Airport, UFB, SH1 ITS) and a broader incumbent in civil construction, utilities, and rail with in-house trenching capability that competes for adjacent work.
• Fulton Hogan: Major Australasian civil contractor covering infrastructure, airports, and utilities; a key client for Marais Laying NZ (Christchurch Airport fibre) and a broad incumbent competing for the same tendered work packages.
• McConnell Dowell: Australasian civil contractor delivering pipelines, cable installation, and trenchless infrastructure across NZ, Australia, and the Pacific; competes with Marais Laying NZ on pipeline and cable-laying tenders and brings broader self-perform capabilities.
• John Holland: Large Australian infrastructure contractor active in rail, tunnelling, and utilities, including NZ projects; competes for major trenching and cable-installation packages where Marais Laying NZ often participates as a specialist subcontractor.
• CPB Contractors: Major Australasian civil contractor delivering large infrastructure, rail, and utilities work; overlaps with Marais Laying NZ on pipeline and cable-installation scopes through both prime and subcontractor roles.

Regional players

• Broons Hire: Australian specialist in trenching, sawing, and surface-mining equipment rental and contracting, serving mining, civil, and infrastructure clients across Australia with comparable trenching and rock-saw capabilities.

Emerging players

• Vermeer Corporation: Global manufacturer of trenchers, horizontal directional drills, and surface-mining equipment with a presence in NZ/Australia; competes as an equipment and technology alternative to the Tesmec fleet underpinning Marais Laying NZ.
• Ditch Witch: Manufacturer of trenchers, vibratory plows, and HDD equipment widely used by utility contractors; represents an alternative equipment platform for NZ civil and telecoms trenching work that competes indirectly with Marais Laying NZ's specialised fleet.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqOiYcbYwLSs
• Facebookfacebook.com/MaraislayingNZ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maraislayingnewzealand

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marais Laying New Zealand