Meeting the required standard

Laminex is a leading supplier of high quality surfaces in New Zealand with both locally made and global products for benchtops, cabinetry, walls and building products which today also involves design inspiration and leading edge innovation. A real point of difference for Laminex has been the development of an in-house technical team and more recently the addition of a full-time specialist in sustainability. This allows them to respond to customer queries quickly and provide in depth customer support. Bob Nordgren from JOINERS Magazine spoke with their Technical Services Team Manager Murray Christensen about the team and their roles.

“The first contact our customers and end users have when it comes to material issues is through our website, Customer Services or through any of our Sales team. If there’s anything they are unsure on we tend to get involved.” explains Murray. “This is important both for our frontline staff on the one hand and the customer on the other. Wherever possible we can work together with the customer to answer questions and land satisfactory solutions (which is more often than not). One thing is quite clear, our experience has been that New Zealand is a very discerning market and the need for in depth technical knowledge is essential. This is more so as the New Zealand climate is quite demanding as well.” The members of the team have come together over the last five years or so to pool their considerable knowledge and expertise to act as an interface between the manufacturer and the market it serves.

Murray’s background is significant: he started as a Laminex customer and then as a contractor to Laminex for some seven years as a Technical Advisor and trainer for Acrylic Solid Surfaces. He started in a permanent role eleven years ago as Benchtop Surfaces Technical Specialist for all benchtop products Laminex offer including HI-MACS ®, Caesarstone ®, Laminam ® and Laminex™ Laminate Formica® and has led the team for the last four and a half years. Paul Clark is one of two Business Partner Technical Services. He is the expert on all distributor products including Strandfloor®,

“New Zealand is a very discerning market and the need for in depth technical knowledge is essential”

Strandsarking®, Seratone®, MDF and particle board along with all BRANZ appraisals and Code Marks. He has been in his current role for about four and a half years as well. Faye O’Neill is the third Business Partner Technical Services who has been in her role for three years. She comes with a vast knowledge of her specialty: timber veneers. She is responsible for all vertical decorative panels such as Laminex™ Acrylic Panel, Laminex™ Woodgrain Collection, Melteca®, edgetape and of course, veneer.

The latest addition has been Jamie Rodriguez who joined Laminex in mid-2021 as Sustainability & Compliance Business Partner. “The aim is to improve the environmental sustainability of not only Laminex’s products but also our manufacturing operations, warehouses and corporate offices through the management of raw materials, waste and energy consumption. This goes beyond being just a good corporate, it is now the way of the world.” comments Jamie. There are many examples of how Laminex translates sustainability into real terms. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain of custody certification is a key example, which ensures wood products are responsibly sourced. Sustainability goes wider to ensure there is transparency throughout the whole lifecycle of a product. End of life solutions and waste minimisation is becoming increasingly important too. “We have a packaging takeback scheme along with a wood waste project at our Taupo plant that makes energy bricks or ‘briquettes’.

There is a broader picture that the team also address. “As well as addressing technical issues as they arise, it is in reality a small part of what we do.” explains Murray. “We are also involved in all market information, training and testing of products. This involves the creation and checking of all Technical Data Sheets (TDS), for example, along with vetting all marketing collateral including brochures and online material. Product testing is vital to ensure what we sell is fit for purpose and what we are saying about them is accurate. Paul, Faye, Jamie and I as a team help Laminex meet the demanding standards required that in turn make it such a successful supplier to the New Zealand market.” laminex.co.nz

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