Chris Tummon: COVA Haywards was officially formed in 2018, but the collaboration between the two companies dates back much further. Originally, both companies worked together on various projects through separate engagements.
COVA’s history stretches back to the early 1980s when we began as an engineering consultancy, heavily focused on the materials handling space. Over the years, we participated in joint ventures with other firms, including partnerships with engineering companies and contractors like John Holland. In those ventures, COVA provided engineering, procurement, and commissioning services.
Prior to the formation of COVA Haywards, COVA was involved in another significant joint venture with one of the major OEMs. In this joint venture COVA provided engineering and commissioning in Australia, focusing on shiploaders, stackers, and other materials handling systems. Throughout that time, Haywards handled fabrication and site construction for many of the same projects.
COVA and Haywards had a history of complementary skill sets and a strong working relationship. By combining our engineering, procurement, and commissioning capabilities with Haywards' fabrication and construction expertise, we created an integrated joint venture. The result was a seamless project delivery model that offered clients a full scope of services.