Karam Singh needed a durable, practical shed to protect his farm machinery. With Alpine Buildings, he found the perfect fit—spacious, birdproof, and built to last.
Since 2010, Karam Singh has been running Thiara Farms, managing the daily demands of farm life while ensuring his machinery remains in peak condition. Over the years, he’s expanded his fleet of tractors, implements, and essential farm machinery – all of which play a crucial role in keeping operations running smoothly. However, like many farmers, he faced a growing challenge: his machinery was exposed to the elements.
“All my gear used to sit outside and start to weather a lot,” Karam explains. “I like my gear to be nice and looked after, looking good for seasons to come.”
Karam knew investing in the right shed would protect his assets, reduce long-term costs, and create a more efficient workspace on the farm. After years of working with smaller, less practical sheds, he decided it was time for an upgrade – a durable, spacious, and well-designed structure that could handle the demands of his farm.
Finding the right fit
Choosing the right shed required careful thought. Karam needed something built to last for generations, while offering both strength and functionality. At the National Agricultural Fieldays, he came across Alpine Buildings and was immediately drawn to the quality of their materials and construction.
“I met them at the Fieldays, had a look at the building there, and I was pretty impressed,” Karam says. “Dad came in and had a look as well. He wanted to go for the wooden poles instead of a roll-form shed.”
After discussing his requirements, Karam opted for a 20.0m x 32.0m Alpine Buildings shed. The shed features a 20.0 x 12.0m fully enclosed, Clearspan workshop designed for carrying out machinery maintenance.
The timber-based design reduces noise from weather, tools, and machinery, providing a quiet, comfortable working environment. In addition to the workshop, Karam’s shed features two open-front bays, each spanning 10 meters wide. The wide bays and single pole line down the middle make it easy to park and access multiple pieces of equipment side by side.
Designed for practicality and efficiency
One of the most significant benefits of Karam’s new shed was its clearspan design, which eliminated the hassle of working around internal poles. With no obstructions in the workshop area, storing and accessing machinery became far more efficient. He had dealt with cramped storage spaces in the past and knew that wide bays were a must.
“I wanted wide bays (10m wide bays) just to get the gear in, so I wasn’t mucking around with poles and stuff,” he explains.
For a farm that relies on large, heavy-duty equipment, this made a huge difference. Whether it was parking tractors, shifting implements, or servicing machinery, the extra space allowed Karam to work freely. Even with dual wheels on his tractors, there was plenty of room to manoeuvre between the one run of centre poles.
“We opted for the single pole line in the middle, which works well. We can still drive our tractors between them, even with duals on, so there’s no issues there,” says Karam.
Beyond accessibility, Alpine’s birdproof steel purlins ensured that one of Karam’s long-standing frustrations was eliminated. Birds nesting in sheds can lead to machinery damage, hygiene issues, and increased maintenance work from corrosive bird droppings, but Alpine’s innovative design prevented this problem entirely.
“I hardly ever see any birds in here at all,” he notes.
“They fly around and then fly straight back out, so that’s a bonus. We’ve always had a lot of birds building nests and stuff, and since the tractors have been in this shed, we’ve had no issues.”
This key feature has saved Karam hours of cleaning and maintenance, keeping his equipment in top condition year-round, and “looking good for seasons to come.”
A smooth build process
One of the standout aspects of working with Alpine was how easy and efficient the build process was. Karam had heard stories of construction projects dragging on with delays, but his experience was the opposite.
“Most important thing is to go and meet them, talk to the boys, ring them up—they’re really approachable,” he says.
“I had no issues organising anything with them. They were all straight up and down, straightforward, and kept me posted the whole way through, so that was good.”
Once the build was underway, everything moved quickly. Alpine’s well-designed kitset system meant that assembly was efficient, ensuring minimal downtime. The construction team was well-coordinated, and before Karam knew it, the shed was fully operational. “The boys were pretty quick putting it up – no mucking around,” he says. “They had a great team of builders out here, no issues at all getting the job done.”
A smart investment for the future
Now that his Alpine shed is in place, Karam can already see the long-term benefits. His machinery is protected from the elements, reducing wear and ensuring a longer lifespan. With a spacious, well-designed layout, farm operations are more efficient, allowing him to store, maintain, and access his equipment with ease. The use of 8-10mm thick structural steel and durable timber framing ensures that the shed will stand the test of time, and with its 50-year building consent, Karam knows his investment is future-proofed. “It’s a good shed,” he says simply.
Would he recommend Alpine Buildings? Without hesitation. “I’d like to thank the team for doing an awesome job. I was really happy with the build and very impressed.”
Built for generations to come
For farmers like Karam, investing in a well-built, practical, and durable shed is about more than just storage – it’s about protecting their assets and ensuring the farm runs smoothly for generations to come. Karam’s experience with Alpine proves that quality craftsmanship, smart design, and a team that truly understands farmers’ needs make all the difference.
With his spacious, birdproof, and future-proof shed now standing strong, Karam can focus on what truly matters – running his farm efficiently.
For more information, visit alpinebuildings.co.nz