Auckland Today Magazine 109

Issue 109 | November 2014

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Wearing it well Why Rob Fyfe’s role at Icebreaker fits like a glove

What’s in a name?

There’s a lot more to your handle than a few letters

Take a break Running your business on holiday while still having a holiday

Create a culture you can count on Unhappy employees are bad for business – it’s as simple as that

• Coaching your sales team • Top time management tips

Auckland Today Transport Supplement inside

• Hiring with tomorrow in mind • Creating a logo that works for you

News | Initiatives | Interviews | Personalities | Success | Profiles | Finance | Property | Sustainability | Export | Transport | Retail | Solutions | ISSN 1173-1508

Changing the way we invest Martin Dunn knows a thing or two about Auckland property In the USA, you wouldn’t buy a house without a good buyer’s agent to represent you.

That same sentiment is also making its way into countries like Australia and England.

Closer to home, we’re unlikely to have ever worked with a buyer’s agent, we Kiwis are a DIY kind of people. But one man aims to change the way we invest in property with newly launched Auckland Buyers Agency, City Sales Investment.

If there’s one thing that Martin Dunn believes, it’s that New Zealanders need to do more to prepare for their futures. Once bitten by the share market and untrusting of finance houses, he believes that investing in Auckland housing is the way to do it.

“As long as we have more house buyers than houses, Auckland house prices won’t stop growing.”

“As long as we have more house buyers than houses, Auckland house prices won’t stop growing, so if people my age are finding it hard to buy a house - spare a thought for their kids.”

And the house buyers keep on coming, already passing the 1.5 million mark, Auckland was said last year to be adding to its population every 19 minutes. As for the houses themselves, Auckland planners estimated a further 400,000 dwellings will be required over the next 30 years – a challenging task with Auckland’s Unitary Plan demanding most development take place within our green belt.

“The Auckland Council has got it right with this one. They say we won’t extend Auckland up to Warkworth and down to Hamilton, creating a sprawling traffic jam with huge limitations on what kind of infrastructure we can build.

Auckland will progress as most great cities do – upwards rather than outwards with intensification. This allows brilliant advances in infrastructure and brings a culture change to many Auckland suburbs.”

Dunn says Auckland’s unique situation brings an unprecedented opportunity with housing investment. “When I was growing up, Parnell was a dump.

But there aren’t many Aucklanders who could buy a house in Parnell today.

I once had a young couple call me complaining that they couldn’t buy a house in Ellerslie… I didn’t have much sympathy. The couple should be buying in Mangere and holding on to the house – ideally passing it on to their kids.”

It’s this kind of culture change, paired with infrastructure change, which City Sales Investment uses to select its investment properties. Intimate Auckland suburb knowledge and performance research is also relied on, as is a specific filtration system which excludes several Auckland suburbs and house types, including anything built post 1990.

“I once had a young couple call me, complaining that they couldn’t buy a house in Ellerslie…

I didn’t have much sympathy.”

“The City Sales Investment target purchase has doubled in value each 8-9 years since 1982 and we expect this growth to continue.”

Dunn claims his clients are mostly professionals who are fed up with spending their evenings researching listings and sales data and their weekends at auctions and open homes. “If property investment was easy, everyone would be doing it.

There comes a time in life where you deserve a couple of weekends off!” he laughs.

“My team uses state of the art technology to cover the research and selection, they analyse things like suburbs, egress systems, culture, schools, planned infrastructure, aesthetics… there are many, many filters. When we find an investment property our client is happy with we negotiate the purchase price on their behalf. As professional negotiators, it’s here that we aim to minimise, if not negate our modest fee.”

Though some CSI clients like to be involved with the process, Dunn says most like to have the whole process carried out for them on their behalf.

“I’m going to change the way people buy investment properties.

I’ve been involved in Auckland real estate for 30 years now, so people tend to know me. The agents certainly do and I can speak to them on a different level to what a layman can. This has helped us to start off strong as clients trust my knowledge and experience and know that I’ll be acting in their best possible interest.”

City Sales Investment carries out research, selection, negotiation, purchase and management on an investors behalf. Download their brochure at www.citysales.co.nz/invest.

P. E. W.

(09) 3030 601 invest@citysales.co.nz www.citysales.co.nz

Issue 109 November 2014

Cover photo by Chris Dillon: www.dillon.co.nz

In this issue...

Viewpoints

Features

In Business

6 Sales Business consultant Kevin Vincent talks about coaching your sales team

12 Taking IT seriously Ignore online security at your own peril

38 Property & Construction The Lite-House’s sustainable approach to building design, Refresh Renovations, Good Electrical, Silverdale Kitchens, PanelTech Construction, Sika Homes, Shore Homes, Timco Construction, Cavern Home Solutions, Pinepac, Mokoia Developments, Henderson Demolition, Sunshine Homes, Absolute Construct, Watts and Hughes, Active Engineering, Global Engineering, The Paving Slab Company and Allied Exteriors

6 Management Colin Clapp from The Business Factory on why working on a business is not such a great idea

Auckland Today

7 Tactics Martz Group boss Martz Witty on how hard data, opposed to just having an opinion, measurably aids business growth

Issue 109

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8 Online Website specialist Suzanne Carters outlines the six mistakes killing your website conversions

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22 What’s in a name?

There’s a lot more to your handle than a few letters

MEDIA CONSULTANTS

10 Working life Workplace advisor Karen Degan outlines the tough choices to face if your passion has deserted you

Clive Greenwood Mogens Petersen Steve Dando Tina Aiono

Auckland Transport Supplement inside

11 Sustainability When it comes to solar installations, EnaSolar’s Trevor Foster says you get what you pay for

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ISSN 1173-1508(Print) | ISSN 2230-6168(Online)

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71 Focus Amediate Engineering, The Roofing Store, Mr Whippy’s 50th anniversary and Chevpac Machinery 76 Initiatives How the Asthma Foundation works tirelessly for those who can’t breathe easy and coffee with a conscience via the Honest Coffee Company

30 Wearing it well Why Rob Fyfe’s new role at Icebreaker fits like a glove

80 Design and Manufacturing Taranakipine is delivering products designed for better buildings

32 Creating a culture you can count on Unhappy employees are bad for business – it’s as simple as that

81 Logistics Unico Logistics is helping businesses take the next step and Farmers Transport’s innovative tracking system

33 Seven steps to success The personality types you need onboard to drive your business forward

82 Transport & Motoring Straightening out the kinks with Browns Bay Panelbeaters

34 Lifestyles Everything from gadgets and gizmos to hat stands and baubles

84 Travel Bachcare holiday homes management for the best weekend away you can imagine

36 Destinations Zadar, a small Croatian town on the Adriatic coast, really is an eastern gem

85 Boating & Marine Blair Boats brings masterpieces back to life and Balex Marine delivers the ultimate launch and retrieve system

NEWSROOM Jonathon Taylor EDITOR Davina Richards JOURNALISTS Laura Hall Marie Sherry

67 Sustainability Tempest Air Conditioning is delivering systems tailored to each client’s specific needs 68 Architecture The Te Mirumiru childcare centre in Kawakawa is a marvel of modern architecture, and the desirable designs of Cook Sargisson and Pirie Architects

10 Working life Robyn Pearce’s top time management tips

SALES & ADVERTISING Warren Wilks Akash Sandhu Evelyn Gray AJ Norton Mariska DuPreez Melissa Sinclair Chris Graves

16 Take a break How to ensure business doesn’t fall apart when you’re on holiday, but still have a holiday

8 Business growth Business coach Leigh Paulden on why you should hire with tomorrow in mind

Gary Collins

Grant Williams

14 Entanglements with employment law How someone too drunk to work wins $8,500 from their employer

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STAGE THREE

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Viewpoints | Sales/Management

Why working on a business is not such a great idea

The proccess and benefits of sales coaching

Colin Clapp is an author, speaker and founding member of The Business Factory. Learn more at www.accountable.co.nz and www.thebusinessfactory.org.

Kevin Vincent is a director of business improvement consultants Vincent and Nugent Limited.

Visit www.vincentnugent.co.nz

Sales coaching is an ongoing process of analysing and discussing the performance of your salespeople with the goal of improving aspects that need strengthening, while reinforcing those that are performed well.

At the end of any coaching discussion, salespeople should have a positive feeling about themselves and the skills they’ve performed well.

They should also be determined to strengthen any skills identified as development needs.

In order for you to achieve these results, it’s important to reinforce skills that your salespeople execute well, and get them to discuss areas which can be improved. Two way discussions and idea sharing between yourself and your salespeople are critical to the coaching process.

In your coaching discussions, it’s important to distinguish between types of coaching: Field coaching focusses on developing the specific selling skills and knowledge of your salespeople: selling benefits, handling objections, closing, product/application knowledge, etc. Ideally, you need to be with the salesperson on the sales call, to observe skills and behaviours.

Distance coaching is accomplished virtually from anywhere. While the coaching process is similar, you are relying on the salesperson to provide you with performance accurate and complete feedback. Tools are required to help the sales representative be objective and to recall facts related to past sales calls.

Communication with the manager takes place via telephone and email.

Strategic coaching is aimed at improving a salesperson’s strategies for specific accounts: how they approach their accounts, what decision makers they should be calling on, what the account’s needs are and how they can best be met, what the competition is doing and how their moves can be countered.

the salesperson faces. It means getting salespeople to brief you on the background, or history, of the account, and to define their objectives for the call or for the account. It also means making certain the salesperson understands your expectations and objectives for his or her development.

Effective coaching also takes place after the call — to analyse how the salesperson handled the sales presentation, or a particular part of the presentation. This analysis after the call is one of the most important times in coaching. It requires that the salesperson break down the key points and help analyse how the call went. This analysis will provide both of you with the basis for strengthening the salesperson’s performance.

Virtual sales coaching should take place on a regular basis with all of your salespeople, allocated according to development needs and “coachability.

Strategic coaching is done on a less structured basis and is often triggered when a salesperson perceives an obstacle blocking the way to a specific account’s penetration. It’s also a good idea for the sales manager to periodically initiate strategic coaching sessions. This enables you to have input on key sales calls and to reinforce individual strategy development needs.

Field coaching is one of the most important activities you perform in terms of developing your people and achieving sales improvement in your district or region.

It’s important to determine priorities for how you will spend your tactical coaching time and which salespeople you will work with the most.

Also, you need to handle your role in the call with skill, by making the salesperson feel at ease, and by directing the customer’s attention to the salesperson, if necessary.

When should sales coaching take place?

Effective coaching takes place before the sales call - to “set the stage” for the situation

Since the publication of Michael Gerber’s best-selling E-Myth back in the 1980s, small business owners around the world are nearly all encouraged to work on their business, and not in their business.

Yet despite this much quoted cliché, the lifespan of most small businesses continues to be alarmingly short. In New Zealand, about one in 10 small businesses fail in their first year, and 70 percent capsize within the first five years (NZ Statistics 5/12).

The rationale is that those who work in their business perform tasks that bring money in now, while those who spend time working on their business perform tasks that will lead to better and more sustainable revenues in the future. However, working on a business means owners are still attached to their businesses.

Like the opposite of in is actually out, I suggest all business owners consider taking a step back and realise that unless they work out their business, working ‘in’ and ‘on’ it will both prove to be slow, ineffective and less rewarding journeys.

Every successful business owner reaches a point where they must transition from ‘doing’ to ‘leading’ in order for their business to grow.

It involves stepping back from the day to day operations and taking on more of a governance role.

By implementing a number of what I call workOUT strategies, this will be an easy transition for business owners to make. Here are the three simple WorkOUT strategies all business owners should implement to allow their business to thrive: 1. WorkOUT an exit plan It doesn’t mean an owner has to use it, but unless they have a means of enabling the business to survive without them, then they don’t have a business - they just have a job.

An exit strategy will force them to develop systems that ensure the business can survive and thrive in their absence. In turn, their business value increases substantially and will

give them more choices when and if the time comes that they need or want to sell, or personal circumstances mean they have no choice to workOUT of their business (ill-health).

2. WorkOUT a compelling client value proposition This means getting answers to the great sales questions; business owners need to understand what business they are really in and what problems do they solve?

Until they get to the heart of these questions, they haven’t really worked out what their business actually does and how it brings value to the marketplace.

The sooner they work out what their business really does, the sooner they will be in a position to exploit their compelling client value proposition.

3. WorkOUT efficient and effective systems This workOUT is about investing the required effort and energy to make any business grow.

Just like a workout you or I might do at the gym to increase our health and wellbeing, all small businesses need to workOUT in order to build strength and create business wellbeing.

Efficiencies and effectiveness comes as a result of relentlessly tweaking the resources and processes that make up the systems in all businesses and methodically implementing measures to track their progress.

Test and measure everything; from capturing leads and training people, right through to collecting revenues. In turn owners can then work out better ways to run their business.

Although working in and on a business plays a role in current and future success, I strongly recommend working out of a business provides a far better concept for most business owners to enjoy the real motivators behind their business investment; i.e. more meaning, more money and more freedom.

To summarise, an exit plan, a compelling client value proposition and efficient and effective systems puts the power of any business into the owner’s hands – ensuring they can run their business, rather than the business running them.

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6 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Viewpoints | Tactics/Branding

Opinions

The logo design process - how the professionals do it Martz Witty heads the Martz Group, aligning chartered accountancy with the creativity of business development. Visit www.martz.co.nz

Many years ago (well about 25 years ago) I was doing a joint venture with an engineer in respect of turning around a small three partner firm. His approach was “off the planet” from anything I had experienced to that date.

Our meetings were far from easy. Every step was challenged, checked, tested, measured and monitored; accountants and engineers make for strange bed-fellows.

issues. This is very necessary when working with people and in business.

With that clarity in decision making comes clarity in execution. Suddenly (some) things just become a whole lot easier. That is an amazing moment for your business – one you never forget.

So what about when you don’t know what you need to know? How does one assimilate data and information on something you just don’t know.

Well, it’s not as hard as you might think. It’s fair to say you might not know, but that’s where All that said though, the (end) result was you call in the cavalry. Business colleagues, amazing. A total business turnaround and total your accountant, lawyer, banker, advisory success after the blood, sweat and tears. group, staff – they all will have a perspective There was however, one very large piece of and I have yet to read a book where asking for learning I experienced in all this. I recall one day help is a sign of weakness.

I was busy arguing a point. I had an opinion on something and by hook or by crook I was going As you ask around these people and they will have opinions – and maybe little or no data to be heard!

– but that’s okay, because you can go and His answer was as short as it was bitter sweet. find the appropriate data and grow it into the information once you know what and where “Martz, a man with an opinion and no data is and why you are looking where you are. just a man with an opinion,” he quipped.

How powerful was that! Yes, there’s place for managing business on ‘gut’ but sometimes you need more, much more. From that moment on when I wanted to share an opinion I would have data – measurable data to back up my argument. A magnificent lesson learned!

The data then grew into information. A potpourri of data, linked with relationship, so that together it meant so much more than the individual data samples. Much like synergy shows us, the total is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

In business, for the last 25 years, I have made a purpose of helping people determine the appropriate data and information measures in their businesses.

Anything you can measure you can manage and that is a fact - a very powerful fact.

It becomes a starting point – and that’s a whole lot further than you were just a few short moments before addressing that business calamity.

Now please don’t mistake the notion of finding data and then information as a method of paralysis by analysis. Far from it! There is a risk that you can get bogged down in detail. Clear and concise thinking, planning and action can make this work so much more smoothly.

Therein lies the secret – you must plan.

Not enough planning goes on, in my opinion, and yes, I have data to prove that opinion… lots of it!

Just by looking at the turnarounds I get called in to help with, all stem from a core root problem and deficit of appropriate planning.

So there’s your challenge, should you choose Another huge advantage in moving from ‘gut’ to to accept it. data, and then through to information, is that as Plan to work your business. Glean an the progression happens there can be a striking opinion, back it up with measurable data, reduction in ‘emotional charge’. find the interrelationships and we can call it information. Then go and be the difference you Decisions become more matter of fact rather than a ‘feeling’ charged about an issue or want to see in your business.

Christopher Reid is the managing director of branding, design, advertising and promotion agency, Stimulus Creative. Visit www.stimuluscreative.co.nz

Your logo says a lot about your company – it’s the single most visible manifestation of your business.

Assess and research It is important to research your target market to assess any competition and determine your ideal positioning. The overall vision and plan begins to build from here.

For this reason, a well designed logo is an essential part of every company’s overall marketing strategy. So how do you get the logo that’s exactly right for you?

Formulating a brief A clear and solid brief provides direction and guides decisions throughout the design process. Reaching agreement on a brief means you can be confident you are on the same page with your designer before the work really begins.

It takes more than raw talent to deliver great logos time and time again Without exception, a great logo designer needs to have an abundance of creative talent.

Take the time to browse potential designers’ portfolios – you should be inspired by what you see before you consider hiring them.

Not every designer will be your greatest asset. Designing a logo is an organic, creative process and it is important to feel a sense of synergy and flow with your designer.

It is very important to ask about the design process. This is essential to understanding and feeling confident in what you are signing up for.

What does a professional design process look like?

Designers who deliver consistently great design work from a proven and robust design process. This process should allow for both strategic and creative thinking.

Clear communication is another important element. There needs to be room for you to be involved throughout the design process.

Without this, you won’t feel connected to the final design.

From the outset, your designer should outline each step along the way so you understand how the process will unfold.

The process may differ from designer to designer, but here is a guide to follow: Getting acquainted This involves asking lots of questions, as well as listening to you and your story.

Understanding your goals and dreams for your business is important. This begins a professional, fun and supportive working relationship and creates a foundation that makes magic possible!

Concept drawing and drafts Not all designers start with pencil and paper – some prefer to go straight to technology.

But for many, starting on paper helps get their creativity flowing.

Sketching can also allow multiple concepts to be explored quickly before deciding on the strongest one/s for further development.

Develop Usually, one or two concepts are clear standouts that express the right look and feel, but just need more development. If the foundation has been set well, you shouldn’t need to waste time ‘trying out’ too many different concepts. The font, colours, logo mark and maybe a descriptor or tagline, all need to work as a cohesive whole.

Your designer should be checking in with you; showing developments and asking how you feel about the design as it takes shape.

Refine and finish A professional designer will pay special attention to the details; delivering fantastic results that are professionally drawn and ready for any kind of manufacture or implementation.

Drawing out the essence of your brand At the end of the day, you need a designer that really ‘gets’ the essence of your brand. They can then draw on this to create something unique and powerful that will spark the right connection with your audience.

Bringing this together into a creative vision that has the right strategy behind it will ensure your new logo has the energy and feeling to really give life to your brand image.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 7

Viewpoints | Business Growth/Online

Hiring with tomorrow in mind

Six mistakes killing your website conversions Suzanne Carter is the business development manager for website design and development company Limelight Online Ltd. www.limelightonline.co.nz

Leigh Paulden is a Gazelles Business and Executive coach who works with Auckland CEOs, senior management teams, boards and business owners that are serious about growth. Visit www.ssbg.co.nz

In business your people are most likely the biggest “investment challenge.”

I highly recommend a strategic approach to this exercise. It’s not unusual to see the current leadership retained and then new positions created under them to accommodate growth.

And I say challenge, because as a growing business you need to hire people that are not only right for the now, but to help you move the business to bigger and better things in the future.

But, is this really the best option? Is it the best strategic move or just the simplest? Often that’s a tricky call and one that is best made with an outside perspective to help guide the decision making.

In my work with companies, both medium and large, it’s a challenge they all seem to have, that of hiring for the future.

Next, you have to move to the process of establishing the accountabilities for each of the strategically important seats on the bus.

What KPIs are the seats accountable for and what are the responsibilities and skill sets for each seat?

When a role becomes vacant or the business has reached a stage where a new seat needs to be added on the bus, I often see the employer set the accountabilities and responsibilities for the role with what is required right now. There has been very little consideration given to what this role will be in five years from now.

This can and often will very quickly create a bottleneck in capability. Thinking five years forward, even two years, can be challenging, but this is where a professional, outside assistance and the creation of a clear strategic plan makes a positive difference.

From a consultancy perspective this is where we can add a lot of value helping businesses gain clarity on where the business is going, what skill is really required, what key roles look like in the future - all helping people to hire and to grow their businesses capabilities.

The first question asked is what will the role look like in relation to future turnover. If the company is at $30m revenue now, and in five years the projected revenue is $75m, is the job description for this role now what it will need to be when the revenue is increased?

This is when you have to stop and consider what is needed in the future and how you can shape that into the job which needs to be filled right now.

Ask yourself - are we creating a bottleneck by looking at what is described here? Are we looking at what will be required of this roll when we have $75m in revenue? And, do we need to go back and look at all the seats on the bus and determine which ones are really going to be required for the company at $75m revenue?

I have just been through this exercise with three clients - each had a key position that needed filled. In all three cases, the strategic planning and looking forward has resulted in each of the companies altering the profile of the person that they were looking to hire. Each has a job description that allows for the additional skill sets and accountability the company will need going forward.

During this process, it also became clear that the warehousing facilities one of the companies was planning to meet its capacity for the next 10 years plus, would not even be sufficient in three to four years’ time.

This is now being looked at again from a strategic level to ensure it will align to the company’s longer term strategy. A big mistake has been avoided simply by focussing closely on where that particular bus is pointing in the short to medium term - and of course that has to align with the company’s bigger purpose and goals.

Getting the right people in the right seats is essential if a business is to grow, and in my work as a business consultant - it’s the one area where we can add immense value to our clients to ensure their growth is continual and as stress free as possible.

You pour a lot of time and money into your team - so make sure it’s the right people you are investing into.

I was on a mission. I had forgotten a friend’s birthday and thought it would be a lovely idea to send some flowers. I searched on Google for florists near where my friend lived and with credit card at the ready I was all set to make an order.

This should have been a relatively quick and easy task, but after half an hour of frustration I gave up. Each website I looked at made it difficult for me to find what I was looking for and to make my purchase.

What I experienced was poor website usability.

What is website usability?

In a nutshell usability is providing the user with such a great experience on your website that they find what they are looking for and take action. In my case, action would have been to purchase a bunch of flowers but it could be to subscribe to a newsletter, fill out an enquiry form, book a table at your restaurant or to simply call you.

These actions are called conversions. A bad experience on a website means that you are killing your conversions i.e. making it difficult for users to take action.

Many companies invest a lot of time and money into their websites, so it makes sense that those websites should do their job and bring in extra business. If this is not happening then perhaps visitors to your site are also experiencing bad usability.

Below are six common usability mistakes that could be killing your customers’ experience and your bottom line.

1. KISS - keep it simple stupid It’s true! The secret to creating a great user experience is to keep it simple. For example, your site navigation/menu must be clear so users can easily find the pages they are looking for, no crazy animation, no annoying pop-ups, lots of white space.

2. No strong calls to action In order to convert users to new business they need to take action. Tell them very clearly what it is you want them to do. If you want them

CHANGE YOUR JOB? CHANGE YOUR LIFE! WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF JOBS READY FOR YOU NOW. 8 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

to ask you for a quote then have a prominent button saying ‘Get A Quote Now’ that leads to your contact page or quote form.

A very common mistake is that telephone numbers are sometimes difficult to find. Why? You are effectively saying that you don’t want people to call you. Be proud of your telephone number and let it stand out from the rest of your content – the top right hand corner of your website is the most common place to put it (as well as in your footer and contact page).

3. Searching but not finding If you have an ecommerce site with a lot of products, make sure that users can search by category, by price, by colour, by size, by availability etc. Not all of these will be relevant to your products of course but you get my point.

4. Not giving users what they want Visitors to your site will generally be there because of a need. It could be to find your telephone number, to check out your services or to buy some flowers!

This means that all content, imagery, functionality and forms on your site must be 100 percent relevant to these needs.

Before you design your site and write your content you really need to get to grips with your target market’s needs. Identify your visitor’s ultimate goal and then create a site that’s sole purpose is to help them achieve that.

5. High quality content Well written and well laid out content can be the ultimate difference between success and failure of your website.

Content should solve the pain points of your target market. It defines the benefits of your product or service, it provides engagement, it excites, it encourages action.

High quality content doesn’t contain industry jargon and abbreviations, the wrong use of words (complimentary instead of complementary), spelling and grammar errors.

6. There is no communication Always give visitors a way to communicate with you and your team. Allow them to report bugs, to share their experience, comment on blogs or to ask for help if they get stuck in the process of, say, buying flowers.

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Viewpoints | Working Life

Top time management tips

I lost my passion - is it time to call it quits

Robyn Pearce is a time management expert, helping people turn time challenges into high productivity.

Visit www.gettingagrip.com

‘No’ is your most powerful time management tool When we know what our values are, and when we have a clear set of goals in all areas of our lives, we’re in a much stronger position to politely and appropriately say ‘no’ to potential time-stealers and less relevant activities.

Every week, block in a few important non-urgent actions It’s too easy to get caught up in everlasting deadlines. Change that emphasis by making appointments with yourself, written into your diary or organiser, to work on one or two activities per week of long term and longlasting value. Not sure what you could do?

Think of the big tasks put off until you ‘have time’. Almost certainly they can be broken down into small chunks.

Constantly ask, ‘What is my highest priority right now?’

This is a great focussing question. When applied we find it easier to stay on task with activities that really make a difference. We’re also less likely at the end of the day to find we’ve not dealt with our highest priorities.

‘How can I do this task more efficiently?’

Become a ‘walking question mark’. There are always better ways to do things. Every time you do a task, look for a shortcut, a way to trim a few seconds or a minute off the task. They mount up to a surprising total over a week.

Block in regular sanity gaps Why be wonderfully efficient if you don’t take time to enjoy life? When did you last take a complete weekend off – no email, no business calls, no responsibilities other than the people you’re with?

Many of us know it’s important to clean out old files and regularly defrag our computers – it’s a house-keeping process that helps them run better.

Manage your energy well and time looks after itself Around the world I’m hearing the phrase ‘energy management’ more and more. Think of your energy levels as your filter or indicator as to whether you’re doing the right things. Sluggish energy is a powerful clue – if something isn’t flowing smoothly there are almost always ways to either change activity or improve things.

Karen Degen is the owner of Set Free with EFT, a company that changes mindsets to create business success. Visit www.setfree.co.nz

Motivations for going into business include making better money, flexibility of time for yourself and a sense of passion and belief in what you do.

had time for themselves. Often their sense of identity is tied up in what they do.

Going without time for yourself can be tolerated while the passion for the business is present, but once that becomes tarnished, so does the desire to work. When passion for work becomes lost a sense of discontent can grow, increasing into unhappiness over time.

If passion is no longer present in the workplace it is important to find this passion elsewhere in life, perhaps through activities such as playing a musical instrument, art, sport, hiking, or spending quality time with the children or grandchildren.

When discontent has grown to that level there are only three options: Eliminate clutter in all areas of your life This links in part with the previous point. When • Entrust parts of the business you no longer you walk into a clean tidy environment, how do enjoy to someone else, allowing you to you feel? The more you’re connected to that return to what you were passionate about environment, the more impact it will have on you. in the beginning.

Someone else’s messy and untidy space may or may not have an obvious effect on you, but I guarantee you’ll virtually never want to linger. Some people only sort out possessions and ‘stuff’ when they move houses; others do it every spring. Run a constant ‘clutter filter’ on yourself.

• Work fewer hours and rediscover passion outside of the workplace.

Don’t make email the first thing of the day If you get hooked into email first thing in the day it takes over. In fact, it’s an addictive medium.

Instead, you take control of your day. Spend time on the most important tasks for the day, and (unless it’s truly vital) don’t look at email until at least mid-morning, and then only for a defined chunk of time.

If passion has been lost then it is absolutely vital that time for yourself is created. This will almost certainly involve working fewer hours.

Have two or three email slots through the day and you’ll keep on top of most of it, with the occasional bigger catch up session. If people rely on email for urgent information they’re using it wrongly. A phone is still almost always the best way to alert someone that there’s something urgent waiting.

• Exit the business completely.

Often the right decision can be unclear, which means no action is taken and the unhappy state remains.

For many people this can be a very uncomfortable thought and they may not feel able to make that change without first clearing the beliefs and emotions around it. For example a belief that ‘you have to work hard in this life’ can create a sense of guilt when we don’t.

If everyone else seems to be working longer and harder and we are cutting back, there may be the fear of being perceived as ‘unable to cope’.

Some people have worked so hard for so long they have no idea of what they would do if they

If there hasn’t been time for hobbies or interests in the past it can seem daunting to suddenly try and find something they would enjoy doing if they had time on their hands.

Many people harbour an inner passion for starting a new business that they have not yet acted on. Often it is something so different from what they do professionally now that it seems impossible to seriously consider it.

Blocks such as fear of failure can obscure that inner passion. If the passion or ‘inner knowing’ about the new path is strong then happiness is unlikely to re-emerge until that path is taken.

The decision about whether to remain in the business while working fewer hours, or to leave it completely, can be easily clarified in the hands of a professional. If seeking to self analyse however, one question to ask yourself might be “If I won Lotto would I continue in this business?”

If you had enough money would you use it to create time for yourself whilst still having involvement in the business, or would you use it to do something completely different?

For either answer a professional coach might then ask “what is stopping you from making that change now?”

Find a way to love what you do. If it is not possible to put your heart into, it then take yourself out of it.

Best of Both Worlds in KARAKA - NZD $985,000 This must be the opportunity of the year. The vendor / builder has accepted two big projects and has made a business decision to sell this beautiful home on a half acre section at cost price of $985,000. Snap up this prestigious new 314 sqm, five bedroom home and enjoy being located in the ultimate lifestyle estate of Karaka Inlet.

This one storey home allows a growing family or professional couple the freedom of country lifestyle, yet still in close proximity to town. It’s practical and spacious open plan living, modern kitchen with walk-in pantry and open wood fireplace, creates the warmth and ambience you would expect.

www.bayleys.co.nz/1950111 The sunny outlook to extensive views from the two big patios leading outside delivers great indoor/outdoor flow. There’s a generous sized master ensuite with walk-in wardrobe, three large sized double bedrooms, rumpus room, a large modern full family bathroom with separate toilet, excellent laundry with spacious linen cupboard and carpeted triple garaging.

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Secure this exciting lifestyle and take action now. You are welcome to attend the open home each week Saturday / Sunday 12.30 – 1.30pm or call for a private viewing.

10 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

M 021 268 3464 | B 09 295 0119 collett.duplessis@bayleys.co.nz Dirk Brak

BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LTD, COUNTIES. LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

Viewpoints | Sustainability/Events

Quality - you get what you pay for right!

EVENTS DIARY

What’s happening on the business and entertainment front MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Trevor Foster is the general manager at EnaSolar.

Visit www.enasolar.net

Without question the title is true, but be aware as not all are created equal! Quality is not just hardware – it must also be considered in terms of performance and reliability. You must take into account the design, software, warranty and support and how this effects your solar installation many years from now.

companies during the last two years. Needless to say, at least two are no longer in business.

However, they were cheap!

When considering solar we have the three primary building blocks: the PV panels, the inverter and the installation. However, ‘quality’ extends beyond this and attention should also be given to the quality of the warranty, support and the manufacturing company itself.

Framing: Enquire as to how the framing is constructed and ensure that mechanical strength is to New Zealand conditions.

Panels When discussing panel options you must look for and ask about the following: Glass: Durability, weight and if it is tempered.

Does it have high impact resistance and high transmission?

Connectors: What types are they and what rating should they have ~ look for IP67 rating.

Temperature: We have extreme temperature and wind conditions in New Zealand. Be sure to understand the temperature coefficients of the panel. Good quality panels will be warranted to cope with -40C and up to 90C.

Toast of Broadway Toastmasters Communication skills are vital if you want to operate your business efficiently.

Toastmasters can help you practise and improve your speaking and leadership skills in an enjoyable environment. Toastmasters of Broadway welcomes anyone who would like to improve their communication skills to join their free meetings.

For more information, visit: www.toastofbroadway.org.nz

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 – 7 Leadership Skills for Supervisors The comprehensive two day course will give you the tools to lead a team in order to achieve personal, departmental and company goals.

The course will cover leading and motivation, establishing direction, managing performance, communication, delegation and dealing with difficulty. It is best suited to entry level management staff.

To register, go to: www.leadingedgetraining.co.nz

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Motivated staff can make or break a business, but inspiring people to work at their best is not an easy task. This one day course will give you the tools and techniques to create a motivating environment that encourages people to work at their best and lift performance. You will cover the shared management model, setting goals and standards, coaching and training, feedback and performance reviews.

To register, go to: www.minervapro.co.nz

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Be Cash Positive The short Be Cash Positive workshop will teach you how to budget and manage cash flow so you always have cash when you need it. You will cover cash flow forecasting, the importance of cash flow management, cash conversion cycle, working capital and cash flow ratios. The course is targeted at small business owners with revenues up to $1 million.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 -12

I have been offered a warranty of up to 99 years from several Asian branded PV panel

More than 170 business owners and senior business managers get together every second

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To register, go to: businessaucklandnz.com

Performance Management

Hardware Let’s look at the hardware, such as solar panels. They all look same, right? How can I tell Inverters the difference I hear you say? So here are some These do not all look the same. One key element tips on what to look for and what to ask about: in an inverter is the unseen components, the Warranty: There are usually two parts to a PV efficiency and again its design. solar panel warranty: The module warranty, The biggest killer of all electronics is heat! which should be in the region of 10 years, and The more efficiency an inverter has the less the performance warranty. heat it will generate inside, adding to the life A quality brand will offer a 20-25 year warranty expectancy. So, quality, high temperature rated components and how you cool the inverter is on performance in that it will be performing crucial and should be a major consideration in to more than 80 percent of its original determining the quality, regardless of what the performance 25 years from now. brochure and warranty say.

A key consideration now is the company! A There are some very good, well priced panel warranty is only as good as the company’s manufacturers out there with a good selection ability to honour that warranty and if an unknown brand is used, then the warranty may to choose from. Be very careful about brand and be at risk. While an extended warranty does not excessive warranty and performance claims from unknown brands and small suppliers. necessarily mean a quality panel!

Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Ventilation

month for the BEN Breakfast and keynote speaker. The breakfast at the Bruce Mason Centre is a hugely successful meeting ground for business owners; introductions during the breakfast further increase networking benefits.

The keynote speaker for this month’s breakfast is Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon.

Get to the Point – Payment Conference The Get to the Point conference will bring together some 300 influential delegates plus local and international speakers to talk about key developments in the payment industry. Throughout the two day conference learn about best practises, knowledge and industry innovations plus network with like minded people. Anyone involved with the payment chain, should attend this conference, particularly those in account management, systems operations and payment service providers.

To register, go to: www.theicehouse.co.nz

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Customer Service Skills

To register go to: www.paymentsnz.co.nz

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 BEN Breakfast

Top quality customer service creates loyalty, repeat business, referrals and bigger sales.

This full day course will give you the skills and ideas to deliver a customer experience that exceeds expectations. You will learn about buying habits, building customer loyalty, how to understand the type of customer you are dealing with and much more.

To register, go to: aucklandchamber.co.nz

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www.thermo.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 11

News | In business

Economic outlook optimistic Economic indicators are giving cause for optimism.

The latest BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the September quarter signposts economic growth at an annual rate of around three percent, at mixed levels across various sectors and regions.

Business and consumer confidence remain positive on the back of the Christchurch rebuild and Auckland housing growth driving a buoyant construction sector.

While strong net migration inflows and robust housing and construction activity could be expected to increase inflationary pressures, Reserve Bank statements indicate that the economy has already responded to interest rate hikes earlier this year.

BusinessNZ chief executive, Phil O’Reilly says with pre-election uncertainty now resolved, it will be hoped that regulatory policy can be improved to address some of the factors holding the economy back, including housing affordability.

“It is helpful that the issue has been taken out of the political arena, with land supply processes now being reviewed by the Productivity Commission.”

He says the health of the economy would be significantly influenced by prudent management of government spending. “The combined surplus between now and mid-2018 is forecast to be $6 billion - down $1.5 billion on the May Budget forecast - so spending restraint will be needed.”

He says risks to the economy include the recent drop in global dairy prices and high levels of private debt, in particular agricultural debt, in excess of $50 billion.

The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast incorporates BusinessNZ’s Economic Conditions Index (ECI) which tracks 33 indicators, including GDP, export volumes, commodity prices and inflation, debt and confidence figures.

The ECI sits at 10 for the September 2014 quarter, up six on the previous quarter and up five from a year ago.

Companies empowering women Businesses taking active steps to empower female employees have been formally acknowledged via the White Camellia Awards. And BusinessNZ itself is congratulating the award winners for empowering women in the workplace.

The BNZ, ASB, Westpac, Deloitte, Bell Gully and Farmers Trading Company have all won White Camellia Awards for their work supporting workplace equality.

BNZ took out the supreme award for progress in implementing UN Women’s Empowerment Principles.

BusinessNZ chief executive, Phil O’Reilly says the awards highlighted how companies could lead through supporting diversity in the workplace. “Companies empowering women are showing their commitment to equality in the workplace, making workplaces better for everyone.”

The awards are for policies and action based on the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles to: • Establish high level corporate leadership for gender equality • Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support human rights and non-discrimination • Ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all women and men workers • Promote education, training and professional development for women • Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practises that empower women • Promote equality through community initiatives and advocate • Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality.

Lewis Build provide a complete design and build service, helping our clients from start to finish.

As organisations evolve towards an information-centric business model, the strategic importance of a strong security governance model is critical.

It has been well communicated that there is a challenge for the CIO to become more strategic within the organisation. With only 60 percent of CIO’s reporting to the CEO this is an opportunity to argue the need for a seat at the table, he says.

And as such IDC New Zealand says New Zealand organisations are at risk of taking their eye off the ball when it comes to IT security.

“New Zealand organisations should ensure that someone at the leadership table carries the responsibility for information and security. This will force the attention and profile required to ensure that security is well considered in all technology investment decisions,” says Adam Dodds, research manager at IDC New Zealand.

IDC New Zealand’s latest security study, based on recent IDC end-user surveys, reveals that security is the leading strategic initiative to deploy by the end of 2015.

However, when it comes to the specific technology investments, such as the 3rd Platform investment (cloud, mobile, social and big data), security is not even in the top three priorities for organisations.

The strongest intentions for security investment were detected in retail/ wholesale, financial and public sectors.

From a business demographics point of view, the most intensive security adaptors are organisations with less than 100 seats and more than 1,000.

“The mindset of Kiwi CIOs (chief information officer) is that security is perceived as a supportive, risk-managing initiative, rather than a primary solution for business goals.

This is vastly different from both Australia and AP that place security as the top investment area across all new technology initiatives” says Donnie Krassiyenko, market analyst at IDC New Zealand.

Residential renovations and extensions Construction and design New homes

Call 022 539 4785 or visit www.lewisbuild.co.nz 12 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Kiwi companies warned about IT security

IDC advises that organisations should look to categorise the security risks relative to their impact to the business and the level of the risk represented.

IDC recommends following these simple steps for CIOs and IT managers to take control of their organisation’s IT security: • Set up good configuration with 100 percent visibility to understand the attack surface.

Risks must be prioritised to be adequately addressed relative to the organisation industry risk profile.

• Establish and anchor a security budget that includes contingency funds as part of the IT strategy. Selling it to executives as an ongoing asset risk management initiative will be critical.

• Choose a security vendor based not only on its track record, but also on its security capabilities and risk management expertise.

News | In business

Entanglements with employment law - Drunk employee wins $8,500 Despite Turei Peters being too drunk to attend work following a Boxing Day drinking binge, his dismissal was deemed to be unjustified by the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).

Mr Peters, a knifehand cutter, had texted his employer, Bay Packers (NZ) Ltd, saying “Apologies ray 2 crook to mke it in. Turei”. The next day he explained he had been drinking until 3am and was therefore too drunk to come to work for the start of his 5am shift.

As a result Bay Packers sacked Mr Peters for serious misconduct.

Contributing to their decision was a meeting that was held in November where it had been explained to all employees the importance of turning up to work during the busy season.

They were told if they were absent without a reasonable excuse they could be dismissed.

Mr Peter’s admitted he recalled the meeting, but not clearly.

He also had an Employment Agreement which stated that reporting to work under the influence of alcohol or unauthorised absence from work was serious misconduct and the employer may terminate employment without notice.

Christine Summerville is a consultant for Chapman Employment Relations. Visit www.chapmaner.co.nz

Mr Peters raised a personal grievance claiming the dismissal was unjustified.

The process the employer followed to dismiss Mr Peters was closely examined by the ERA. Unfortunately this is where Bay Packers came unstuck.

Mr Peters was given only 30 minutes’ notice of the disciplinary meeting. This was deemed to be insufficient time for him to prepare his response or arrange for a representative, despite Mr Peter’s advising he did not require a representative, and therefore it was unfair.

Mr Peter’s claimed that although he confirmed at the meeting he was too drunk to work, he was not provided with the opportunity to explain why. At the ERA hearing he said he some personal issues with his partner which resulted in him feeling stressed, and when

offered an alcoholic drink the consumption of this had the effect of lessening his stress.

The ERA determined it was also unfair of the Bay Packers to take into account a similar incident of about 12 months previously, as it was too long ago and hadn’t resulted in any disciplinary warning.

It was finally concluded the employer should have taken into account Mr Peters’ four years of service and disciplinary free record before deciding to dismiss.

Bay Packers was ordered to reimburse Mr Peters $8,528 for three months loss of wages.

However, there was no award of additional compensation because Mr Peters had contributed “100 %” to his dismissal.

Costs of $1,571.56 have also been awarded against Bay Packers.

The ERA didn’t say Bay Packers couldn’t have dismissed Mr Peters for the absence - the problem was the process they followed.

Unfortunately it is more often the failure to follow a fair process, rather than the substance of the matter, that results in a ruling a dismissal was unjustified.

New trade expo launched - Facilities Integrate 2015 A new trade show bringing together the facilities management and system integration industries has been launched.

“For exhibitors, the show will provide maximum opportunities to connect with qualified trade visitors and make new sales. For visitors, the exhibition will be a rich source of high quality suppliers and enable them to compare offerings with ease,” she says.

Exhibitors and visitors alike will be able to network with their peers, keep up to date with industry trends, upskill themselves, attend relevant industry events, and gain the resources they need to respond to marketplace demands.

Facilities Integrate 2015, the first exhibition of its kind to take place on New Zealand shores, will officially be unveiled to a cross-section of the industries at a launch event on Thursday, October 30, at that ASB Bank North Wharf.

“We believe the time is right for a major new trade exhibition in 2015 that will bring together the two separate but highly compatible industries into a single, world class business platform.

“Facilities Integrate 2015 will provide a unique showcase for businesses that operate, maintain and upgrade buildings, facilities, and infrastructure, or design, install, and integrate

ASB North Wharf, Auckland

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Dona White, CEO of North Port Events, the company behind the new exhibition, says it is designed to provide a unique platform for companies to fuel growth, boost sales and network with peers within this highly innovative sector.

The launch will feature presentations from North Port Events about the new event and from ASB Bank about the venue, followed by a networking session.

AV and ICT systems. If your business involves making buildings, facilities, and infrastructure smarter, safer, and more efficient, this is the event for you.

energy savings. This event will capitalise on these and other trends while also taking advantage of the natural synergies between these closely related industries.”

“Global trends are driving increased demand for facilities management and system integration services in New Zealand, including technological advances, economic recovery, renewed building activity, and the need for

The exhibition is designed to attract substantial numbers of influential key buyers and also provide a professional business platform designed to facilitate growth, drive sales and provide networking opportunities.

“We chose to host our launch event at ASB Bank North Wharf because the building exemplifies cutting edge integrated technology and environmentally smart design. It’s exactly the kind of project that the audience for this exhibition aims to get involved with, so it seemed singularly appropriate to us.”

For more information and invitations to the launch contact Alisa Keall-Grant: T (09) 360 0385, or email lise@theprshop.co.nz

FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPING NEEDS IN AUCKLAND AND BEYOND If you are tired of your messy and high maintenance garden, our team will be able to do all the hard work and give you the outdoor area you have always wanted.

Based in South Auckland, we provide our services to the surrounding area and focus on all aspects of hard and soft landscape design and constructions.

So for friendly service and high quality workmanship, call Evolution Landscapes today.

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239 Waiuku Otaua Road, Auckland 1010 | Ph: 09 235 8685 | M: 021 120 6422 | E: dandjhyde@clear.net.nz | www.evolutionlandscapes.co.nz 14 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

The best floors in the business A tree takes 100 years to reach maturity and, although it cannot compete with the physical age of timber, Auckland’s Solid Timber Floors certainly can compete with the inherent strength and integrity of the product it represents.

Established more than two years ago, Solid Timber Flooring has already racked up a considerable number of pleased customers throughout the greater Auckland region.

A qualified timber installer and floor sander with a Master’s Degree in Parquet and Flooring from the Technical Institute for Trade Studies in Germany, Solid Timber Floors owner Julian Phipps is about as qualified as they get when it comes to timber flooring installation.

Pastor Luka and Jo employed Solid Timber Floors to add flooring to a property going on the market. “The workmanship was excellent with outstanding results,” Pastor Luka says.

with more than 17 years of skill and expertise under his commercial belt, it’s likely few could match his capability.

“I had been working other jobs,” Julian says. “But I enjoyed seeing the work in progress and seeing the impact of a finished floor change the whole ambiance of a house and I got hooked.”

But the real beauty of timber is that its benefits are not restricted to aesthetics.

With the natural insulating properties, timber is a practical, cost effective and versatile flooring option which requires little to no maintenance.

Strong and resilient, timber flooring is hardwearing and promotes the easy installation of under floor services. “Because it doesn’t trap dirt, pollen and allergens the way carpet does, timber is hypo-allergenic and easy to clean, which is great for asthma sufferers,” Julian adds.

“It’s a natural product, so timber maintains a real warmth to it.”

Most importantly, when it comes to adding solid timber flooring to your new or existing home or business, there are a wide range of options available.

“We provide full timber flooring installation, including stairs,” Julian explains.

“We offer parquet, tongue and groove and overlay flooring from New Zealand natives, to oak, maples and walnut. We provide the full sanding service and we can customise the flooring to suit individual preferences with stains before coating with polyurethane or oil, or we can sand and coat existing timber flooring.”

Solid Timber Flooring can also provide the full supply and installation of pre-finished flooring and engineered timber flooring, great for damp environments due to its resistance to higher moisture levels.

Engineered timber is timber with added load bearing and structural strength, offering additional sustainability, versatility, aesthetic warmth and appeal, predictability of performance under fire and damage resistance under earthquakes.

Roger and Vivienne were incredibly pleased with their completed flooring and didn’t hesitate to recommend the company. “Julian is such an efficient worker with such a great knowledge of timber flooring,” Roger says. “Solid Timer Flooring is highly qualified and comes highly recommended. The finished floor looks awesome.”

“This was confirmed by those inspecting our home during our open home days commenting about the precise finishing of the flooring and how professional it looked. We sold the house within a week. Thanks.”

Keith and Jackie were also pleased with their new home flooring. “Solid Timber Floors came recommended. Julian completed the flooring project in time and on budget. We are very pleased with the outcome. We would highly recommend his expertise.”

It’s a competitive industry, but keeping promises is a key point of difference for Solid Timber Floors’ success. “We always aim for the highest quality and we hold promises with time – that’s how we operate – on time and high quality.

“I believe that quality products paired with quality workmanship equals a job well done.”

American oak is a popular timber option at the moment, and an oil finish is very environmentally friendly, while Julian recommends a lower sheen which is easier to maintain and looks better. Low sheen polyurethanes and oils are hard wearing, natural looking coatings which assist in hiding any scratches or imperfections over time. Fantastic if you have children or pets.

“People expect there to be a significant amount of dust during installation. We fully mask the house off and all our machines have a vacuum capability which sucks up the bulk of the dust. We can’t allow dust in the air prior to coating the flooring as it will settle and be visible in the finished product.

“

There’s nothing like seeing a happy customer and the satisfaction of the high quality finished product.

Julian Phipps - Sold Timber Floors

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SOLID TIMBER FLOORS

0800 S FLOOR | 022 064 3105 info@solidtimberfloors.co.nz | www.solidtimberfloors.co.nz

News | Trends

Take a break

By Laura Hall

Are you worried to take a break from your business because you fear it will fall apart while you are gone?

You may feel you’re critical to the daily operations of your business or you may just be too busy to take a break.

people know you’re on holiday until a specific date and when, if at all, you’ll be checking your emails.

There is never going to be the perfect time when there is absolutely nothing at all that needs your attention. So seize the moment to enjoy the break you need (and no doubt deserve) all while staying connected and in control of your business.

Tip – set your return date a few days later than your actual return so you have a couple of days to catch up.

An escape to a warm tropical island may be exactly what you need to re-invigorate and re-energise motivation for your business and taking the time off isn’t as hard as it may seem.

With a little organisation and planning to assist with the ‘need to be in two places at once’ quandary you should be able to go on holiday without a care in the world.

Email organisation Several weeks leading up to your holiday attach a note in your email signature notifying your customers and clients of your holiday dates so that they can make plans for your departure in advance.

When you speak with these people remind them of your holiday plans so your absence doesn’t come as a shock to anyone.

While you are out of the office for your much needed break set an auto-responder message to your emails. This feature will send an automatic reply to all of your emails letting

Delegate and entrust Handing over your business into the hands of your employees can be a tricky task for some business owners. But if you have trained your staff properly then your team should be well equipped to run things smoothly on their own.

Before you leave have a thorough preparation meeting with your staff to discuss any extra duties they may need to take on and to make it clear what you’re not comfortable with them handling.

Finally empower them to take charge; by showing your employees you have confidence and trust in them they will have faith in themselves they can do a good job.

talk over any questions or concerns your staff may have.

But remember that you are on holiday, so limit interaction with your business to 1-2 prearranged meetings, so you can actually kick back and enjoy your break without rushing to check on work every five minutes.

Preparation is paramount Write any newsletters, documents or blog content before you pack your bags.

while you are away. This is important for your clients so they know what services they can and can’t expect while you are gone.

But it is just as important to have clear rules for yourself about what you will and won’t be doing on holiday. Self impose these boundaries to ensure you have a relaxing break.

Step back

Keep in touch Unless you are going to a remote island untouched by the civilised world, then you should have the Internet, even cruise ships have Internet access.

By preparing any written documents in advance you can ease a little stress off your shoulders.

Most programs will automatically post or send electronic documents if you schedule the date in advance.

Letting go of your duties and handing over the reins to someone else for a few days can be one of the hardest things for a SME business owner to do. But if you have taken a few of these measures or put some of your own tactics in place then your departure should be smooth sailing.

Before you go on holiday organise a time with your staff to have a Skype meeting. The meeting will give you a chance to check in and

Set boundaries Make it clear to your staff and most importantly your clients what you will and will not be doing

Your business is not going to fall apart if you have a break so take a deep breathe, step back and let go.

0800 TECHCRETE Techcrete is the only supplier of both Readymix and Sitemix Concrete in New Zealand, giving us the unique ability to give you the best of both worlds.

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old concrete, this means that the concrete can always achieve its maximum strength.

Everyone knows the deal with Readymix, ideal for those jobs where you know the exact amount of concrete required or those large pours where the concrete plant is in close proximity.

The Sitemix system also excels in remote areas where there isn’t a local batching plant or the local batching plant is not fast enough.

Each Sitemix truck when loaded on site and pumped can produce up to 50m3 of fresh concrete per hour and can keep doing so as long as there is Aggregate, Cement and water available.

Whereas with Sitemix you don’t need to know the exact volume required, and since the concrete is always made on the spot, the water cement ratio is exact, there isn’t a need to add extra water to

www.techcrete.co.nz | Email: rod@techcrete.co.nz 250 Oruarangi Rd, Airport Oaks, Auckland

16 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

News | Jackson Electrical Industries

Leaders in their field Jackson Electrical’s core business is electrical manufacturing, with a focus on continual product development.

One example is the company’s recently developed new temporary site lighting system called a TSL. Managing director Jim Jackson says after manufacturing a similar product during the past three years, this represents a generational change. “Construction sites demand systems that can withstand the demands of a very harsh environment; they need something reliable that can endure rain, wind, snow and the unforgiving nature of the industry.

“The Jackson TSL has a place in the market for people requiring temporary site lighting that is safe, robust and reliable,” he says.

Jackson Electrical is highly regarded for its lighting solutions and has the only IP-rated temporary lighting system in Australasia. TSL is available in variable lengths, with water tight and dustproof IP66 and IP68 rating options.

TSL comes standard with 2.5 metre spacing between fixings, although light strings can be ordered with any spacing required. The Jackson TSL also allows customers to select the number of lights they want on each circuit/set, ensuring they receive an easy to install temporary lighting system which is fit for purpose.

Each TSL undergoes a rigorous testing regime in order to ensure compliance.

Jackson Electrical manufactures and supplies a range of high quality electrical products, including: Lifeguard Electrical – portable equipment, lighting equipment, wallmounted products and accessories.

ABLSursum – flange outlets, surfacemounted sockets, plugs and connectors, circuit breakers, Eaton RCCBS and panelmounted inlets and outlets.

Automation – touch screens and SCADA, programme logic controllers, motion controls, and vessel alarm monitoring information and control systems (VAMICS).

Elsafe soft wiring – accessories, audio visual panels, desk-top modules, floor boxes, in-desk boxes, power sockets, starter sockets, umbilicals and messengers, and USB chargers.

Fuji Electric – Circuit breakers, magnetic contactors, industrial relays, control gear and PLC. Equipotential Earthing Systems (POAG) – surface stud, flush stud, angle socket, connecting lead, surface stud wall unit, flush stud wall unit and 12 conversion plate.

Wieland Multipole – accessories, lever on hood, lever on housing.

The Jackson Electrical sales and hire team

Safety is key Jackson Electrical has been providing leading portable power solutions and industrial power applications across New Zealand and Australia since 1977. Formed by managing director Jim Jackson in 1977, the family owned and operated company employs 60 staff and manufactures the renowned Lifeguard range of electrical products.

Lifeguard power distribution systems are built to the highest standards and are protected by residual current devices (RCDs). Safety is the highest priority for Lifeguard electrical equipment and Jackson has been instrumental in the development of RCDs in New Zealand.

“We designed Lifeguards to be the first and final defence for people needing reliable power beyond the reach of electrical installations safely installed by electricians,” Jim says.

“Whether for temporary power to get construction sites up and running or for public events, Lifeguards are specifically designed for people protection, and that’s how they got their name.”

Master tooling Jackson Electrical is a leader in envelope tool production and advanced tooling methods and was heavily involved in Emirates Team New Zealand’s last America’s Cup challenge.

Jackson Electrical was the first New Zealand company to begin manufacturing large envelope tooling in 1988. Since then, it has been at the forefront of envelope tool production and advanced tooling methods.

Jackson Electrical has the capabilities to carry out detailed 3D machining

The company’s need to continually improve manufacturing techniques for fibreglass moulding of its Lifeguard power units led it to begin composites engineering.

Focus on quality Jackson Electrical has developed a solid reputation for quality and innovation during its 37 years of operation. “There’s a lot of innovation of product within our company that we hope meets our customers’ expectations,” Jim says.

“We’ve always been involved in the developing and refining of our core products. We want repeat business and to do that we need to be able to show that we supply a quality product at a good price.”

Jackson Electrical has product that has been operating for 35 years and is still going strong.

“Our product has longevity and we’re very conscious of that, as they go into some really tough industries,” he says.

“Their longevity is reinforcing our position that we make something that’s a very high standard and will give our customers many years of reliable service into the future.”

Jackson Electrical Industries Limited 18/20 Gloucester Park Road Onehunga Auckland T (09) 634 3376 E sales@jackson.co.nz www.jackson.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Jackson Electrical Industries Limited

Project Categories: ABL Sursum, Automation, Building Projects, Civil Projects, CNC Projects, Concrete Formwork, Elsafe Softwiring, Lifeguard Electrical, Lifeguard Hire & Service, PLC Design & Service 18 Gloucester Park Road, Onehunga, Auckland 18 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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News | Top Tips

Employee engagement sometimes requires ‘difficult’ conversations

By Stephen Lynch

One of our clients emailed me recently wanting to know, “how do you hold people accountable or punish bad results and unmet deadlines in a professional manner, especially in a small family business where employees I’m responsible for have more experience than me?”

That’s a good question. As a leader, you get what you tolerate. People do not repeat behaviour unless it is rewarded. If you fail to hold people accountable you are by default rewarding them for poor performance with your silence.

Here is my take on a framework you could use: Open the discussion with respect Let people know that you value them as a person and you value their contribution.

Reinforce accountability Let people know firmly that everyone is expected to honour their commitments to the team. For example, when you enter a due date for a task, think of it as being like a promise you As a manager, the key things you need to hold are making to everyone in the team. In order to people firmly accountable for include: build a high performance culture, we need to be date we can count on and that you are willing • Getting tasks done on time to be held accountable for, because we are able to trust each other to do what we say we counting on you to get it done. are going to do.

That includes everyone from the • Achieving the required performance standard CEO to the newest team member. in their role Likewise when setting goals. Give a “green” target level of KPI performance that the team • Demonstrating your core values.

No surprises policy can count on being delivered, by each individual, Many years ago I read a book called Fierce I appreciate that sometimes things come up nine times out of 10.

Conversations which provided some good that can cause delays, so if that happens, make You want everyone to finish each week with guidelines for having these “challenging” types sure you note the reason and inform the team their KPIs in the green, and their tasks done on of conversations. The book is based on the as soon as possible. No surprises! time. We all want to feel like winners every week fundamental truth that most of the time we have We don’t want to wait to find out at the and go home with our heads held high, knowing polite conversations rather than real ones. next meeting that someone didn’t honour that we had a good week.

We talk about things that are safe rather than the their commitments. things that really need to be talked about. Fierce Consequences Extending due dates should be the exception, conversations are not about being aggressive.

Accountability is meaningless not the rule.

When you enter a due date for a Rather, they are about having moral courage, without consequences. task, think it through first.

Give the team a due making clear requests and taking action.

Often when you set the right expectations and people are clear on what is required you can improve employee engagement.

20 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

While I think being asked why something hasn’t been done in front of one’s peers is punishment enough, I have observed some companies who meter out small “punishments” to people who do not get their tasks done on time.

Perhaps they have to wash the dishes that week, or maybe they have to put $5 into the social fund. Whatever it is, they make it fun but attach just enough pain to the consequence so that people do not want to make a weekly habit of missing deadlines or not meeting their numbers.

Who do you need to have a fierce conversation with this week?

Stephen Lynch, chief operating officer of Global Operations at RESULTS.com

News | Ideas

What’s in a name?

By Laura Hall

Shakespeare once pondered the question “What’s in a name?”

If he was referring to names for start-up businesses or companies re-branding, then the answer is a hell of a lot.

When choosing a new company name or if you’re contemplating rebranding, there’s a huge number of factors that need to taken into consideration, including the words you use, how potential customers react to said new name and trademark infringements.

The job of naming your business can be a stressful and confusing task. It can also be filled with pressure, because the right name can make your company, while the wrong one can break it.

But by investing an ample amount of time, giving it some meaningful thought and possibly investing some money early on in the naming process will pay it off in the long run.

Brainstorm Your new business name needs to communicate your product, service or expertise simply and effectively. Here are several brainstorming do’s and don’ts to help you get off on the right foot.

Using your initials or a string of numbers or abbreviations is a big no, no. Names including these techniques are difficult to remember, meaning customers will easily forget you.

Don’t box yourself in. Names which mention a geographical location, specific product or service are useful to indentify with customers in a particular area or industry, but being too specific can limit your opportunities to expand and diversify in the future.

For example, if the recently formed ‘Auckland PC Repairs’ sees an opportunity in Christchurch… well… you see the conundrum.

Finally when you are creating your new company name keep in mind the following: Choose a name which appeals to the type of customer you are trying to attract.

Favour words which are familiar and evoke happy thoughts to create an emotional tie with your customers.

Business directories are often in alphabetical order; to instantly increase the chances of customer inquires choose a name which starts with a letter close to A. Stay away from long, complicated and confusing words which have little association with your work.

If you are determined to have a unique name with a coined word why not consider a new form of spelling an existing word or combining familiar syllable from two words. This way Firstly avoid coined or made up words that will only confuse potential customers. Unless you’re you’ll have a less generic name but it should still be easily understood. a large corporation such as Google or Yahoo, with a massive marketing strategy to familiarise Ask the experts your name with customers, then creating new words is off the table.

If you’re not feeling particularly creative or inspired, it may be well worth consulting a Instead favour real words which actually naming firm, after all they are the experts at it. describe your line of work. Short words with two syllables or less which are commonly used They know the trademark laws like the back of their hand and have detailed systems and easy to understand are best.

22 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

for creating new names which will tick all the boxes.

While naming firms offer many pros, the con can be their price. Some professionals can charge thousands of dollars which can be a big hit for a small start-up. It is important to weight up this option and decide if it is best for you.

Test Narrow your potential names down to three to five choices. Now it’s time to put them to the test.

Some entrepreneurs just go with their personal favourite, but if you want to be 100 percent sure you are choosing the right name, then using a survey is the most efficient and accurate way to find ‘the one’.

Avoid trialling them on family and friends as they can be bias, instead conduct your own consumer research by asking potential customers, investors and co-workers to rank the names from favourite to least favourite. It is also useful to ask questions about the names to see if they give the right impression.

Try sketching what the name might look like on a sign or business card and read the name out loud to get a good feel of how it might sound on radio advertising.

Legalities Armed with your favoured name from the consumer research, you are now ready to do a trademark search.

You don’t have to trademark your business name, but you do need to make sure you are not infringing on anyone else’s trademark name, or you could risk costly legal battles in the future.

If you are not trademark search savvy then you should seriously consider hiring a trademark search firm or trademark lawyer.

It is also important your business name matches your internet domain name, so check if your preferred domain name is available. If you have to use an obscure domain name which is hard for customers to find, you are depriving yourself of business.

Now your business has an identity put all of your energy and enthusiasm behind marketing the new name to your customers.

Sensible packaging solutions which are environmentally friendly The packaging, which surrounds almost every consumer product, is in the hands of the consumer fleetingly. But, in the moments before you discard it, take a moment to think about the journey it took to create, make and apply that packaging ... and how you will dispose of it.

This is the second of a three part series in Auckland Today, where we open up the packaging industry to reveal its complexities, fascinating dynamics and cutting edge technology. Join us as we reveal the life cycle of packaging, the unsung hero of the consumer age.

There is no denying that packaged goods make a huge contribution to the New Zealand economy, but it is essential to our environment that the wrap around our increasingly incessant demand for ‘stuff’ is resource efficient.

Sensible packaging solutions are vital to ensure the quality, health and safety of goods, to delay spoilage of perishables, and to brand and market products effectively. Of course, the product inside the packaging is of prime importance to the purchaser, how it looks, how it functions, and how it protects the goods leads the charge, but increasingly, the consumer is interested in how that packaging was produced. And, if you are not one of those consumers - you should be. Earth’s resources are limited and with about 12 per cent of landfill made up of packaging, and significant resources being consumed in the manufacture of the packaging, the industry is a substantial player in a more sustainable supply chain.

Creative, yet environmentally friendly packaging design, is entirely possible, and if producers get clever with how the packaging is made and put together, this can go a long way in delivering consumer expectations around the environment, believes the Packaging Council of New Zealand’s (PAC.NZ) executive director, Sharon Humphreys.

“Packaging should be designed to minimise the use of materials and other resources without compromising product quality, safety and economic viability,” she says.

“One of the biggest impacts around packaging lies in production. In recent times, the upgrades, improvements and the integration of sophisticated technology and processes into manufacturing plants has had some of the most positive impacts on resource efficiency.”

The challenge is the fine line drawn between under-packaging which can result in damaged goods, or in the case of food, spoiled produce and the over-abundance of packaging materials...think Christmas and the battle to release, seemingly over engineered packaging used to house toys! Not a job for the faint hearted.

But, to bring about production efficiency, it’s essential every part of the manufacturing and packaging chain is precisely designed. “What on the face of it is over engineering is in fact a complex matrix of cleverly designed individual elements which enable high-speed, sophisticated, efficient production lines- saving on resources, both environmental and economical.”

The strategy and preparation that goes into the humble package, is a strategic exercise in planning, research, science, technology, testing and expertise. There is a multitude of decisions to be made every step of the way. This is where the Packaging Council comes into its own. It has developed a comprehensive Code of Practice, which covers all considerations required of the industry - from design through to end of life options.

Who is the Packaging Council?

• It’s an organisation representing the interests of industry in public policy and debate on packaging issues, including reducing the environmental impact of packaging through cost effective solutions and product stewardship • It represents the whole packaging supply chain, including raw

material suppliers, packaging manufacturers, brand owners, retailers and recycling operators • The Council represents more than 80 percent of the packaging manufacturing industry and 75 percent of New Zealand’s top 100 food and grocery brands • Packaging Council members represent approximately NZ$20 billion within the New Zealand economy.

The council’s code of practice, a comprehensive and highly useful tool for the industry, uses four key principles to evaluate when considering packaging: • packaging functionality

• resource efficiency

• low impact materials

• end-of-life options.

Integral to the Code are the performance indicators, which are included throughout the key principles sections. These can provide guidance to aid companies establish appropriate metrics to measure and monitor efficiency aspects of their business.

For businesses with no relevant internal measurement systems these indicators could provide a useful starting point, or for businesses who already have reporting systems in place these could help identify further metrics. Including indicators which are linked to globally recognised reporting frameworks, enables New Zealand businesses to measure the efficiency of their packaging transparently and comparably with other businesses across the globe, essential for exporters who face increasing scrutiny of their internal environmental practices.

Resource efficency PAC.NZ has identified five areas where consideration needs to be made when looking at resource efficient packaging for a product.

1. New product development Sharon says packaging which is not essential to the distribution, sale, storage, use or safety of the product should be avoided. “It’s at the time of design where the greatest impact can be achieved in creating a resource efficient package.”

The balance between optimal and practical design is a tightrope for those creating or improving packaging, as every part of the supply chain has an influence on how that packaging will perform.

It’s important that the reduction or elimination of one packaging component does not require the additional use of another material that will compromise the overall benefit.

Considerations include the total cost of the packaging, the weight, product to packaging weight ratio, material used, storage and handling conditions, reuse or recycling options of the materials used and the code of practice in the packaging’s production.

2. Existing packaging review Using all the consideration of a new product development, the council encourages people to see if it’s possible to down gauge material to something more lightweight and/or optimise the package design to reduce materials.

“Consulting with suppliers and customers could lead to ways to minimise packaging and ensure recovery/recycling is easily achieved.”

To learn more about how your business can beco

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3. Minimise material Good packaging design requires only as much material as is necessary to perform the task of getting the product in perfect condition into the hands of the end user.

“Packaging systems should ensure a balance between the need to produce and product with minimal packaging materials and the need to avoid compromising the product’s shelf life, marketability or saleability as well as efficient retail shelf utilisation and presentation,” adds Sharon.

4. Transportation (supply chain) efficiencies All packaging needs to be designed to maximise the efficiency of transport and final distribution. Sharon says there are a whole raft of considerations; back loading, consolidation of volume, footprint efficiency, pallet stacking efficiency, warehousing constraints and method of transportation among them.

5. Water and energy efficiency PAC.NZ is encouraging companies to measure, monitor and improve performance in this area, not just in the production of the packaging, but also the impact of any alternative materials used. Areas to be monitored include global warming potential, ozone depletion, photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), respiratory effects and non-renewable resource depletion as well as the more obvious resource uses - water, electricity, gas, emissions, etc.

Growing business while protecting the environment PAC.NZ and its partners are taking a collaborative approach to efficiencies across the entire packaging industry. All embrace packaging as essential to society but increasingly companies are voluntarily agreeing to work towards a vision where all production, distribution and consumption contributes to a more sustainable society.

PAC.NZ encourages its members to consider the three pillars of sustainability in all decision making - environmental impacts, economic considerations and social responsibilities.

Countdown is among the corporates taking a lead on sustainability. Seven years ago, the supermarket giant planned to grow its shop space significantly, but did not want to do this at the expense of the environment, says general manager strategy and corporate affairs, Richard Manaton.

“Our boldest target was to bring carbon emissions back to its 2006 level of 140,000 tonnes, irrespective of business growth. We needed to achieve roughly a 40 per cent reduction to meet this target and are on track to achieve this.”

The number of stores has increased to 171, serviced from four distribution centres and three meat and seafood processing plants and sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges.

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The Salvation Army is one of the organisations that benefits from Countdown’s Food Rescue Programme - an environmental initiative that stops tonnes of food entering the rubbish chain.

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Another company utilising reusable packaging is OfficeMax who, last year, launched the returnable carton. Director of operations, Alan Elliott says the initiative was to reuse cartons for retail fulfilment and internal distribution transfers.

Another initiative that has arisen from the 2014 commitment to define, report and improve its sustainability was the launch of the Auckland Distribution Centre’s automated box profiling system. This analyses customer orders and selects the appropriate carton size. “We have had some challenges, but we continue to see benefits in our delivery profile and consequently retain the confidence and support from our customers.”

Alan says OfficeMax is always looking to explore other avenues that will improve its environmental impact, and its current initiative is to review the amount of void fill being used in cartons and whether a ‘plastic air pillow’ would be a better solution.

Food waste – a global issue

Roughly one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — approximately 1.3 billion tonnes — gets lost or wasted, according to a Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations-commissioned study.

For Countdown, its Food Rescue programme is helping to combat the issue of wastage. “Food which is still fit for consumption is given to our community charity partners, including The Salvation Army, Kaibosh, 0800 Hungry and Fair Food.”

In the last financial year, Richard says this was placed at an estimated $3.2 million of food rescued and reused. We also provided an estimated $1.1 million of food to farmers for stock feed, largely made up of bread and vegetables.”

Additionally, Countdown has enhanced its recycling facilities in all stores to maximise both plastic and paper recycling.

Award for increased efficiency Coca-Cola Amatil NZ is another company taking resource efficiency seriously.

Recently it opened its new blowfill lines in its Christchurch and Auckland carbonated soft drink plants. The $50 million dollar investment was a supply chain driven decision that has delivered on several positive environmental outcomes for its business.

The new technology means that it produces the lightest weight PET plastic bottle in the country, effectively delivering around a 20 per cent reduction in the carbon footprint of every bottle.

The upgrade won the company the Scion award for Supply Chain Influence on packaging systems (providing positive environmental outcomes) in the 2013 Environmental Packaging Awards. The judges comments noted that the entry fitted the criteria perfectly maximising transport efficiencies, minimising space and storage and reducing the carbon footprint significantly.

A little under a decade ago, Countdown sent more material to landfill than to recycling. That figure has been turned on its head and twice as much is recycled now, compared to what is dumped. “Waste going to landfill is down over 40 per cent and we are improving on this annually,” Richard adds.

“We recycle where we can or we try and develop reusable packaging such as produce crates and meat containers to remove one time use packaging altogether.”

Another company utilising reusable packaging is OfficeMax who, last year, launched the returnable carton. Director of Operations, Alan Elliott says the initiative was to reuse cartons for retail fulfilment and internal distribution transfers.

“We saw an opportunity to reduce our packaging costs and to reduce our impact on the environment. We currently process approximately 1600 returnable cartons per month and hope to expand this initiative next year. We are confident that each carton will be reused at least five times thus maximising the benefits.”

77 Greenmount Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland Phone: (09) 271 4044 | www.packaging.org.nz

ome more sustainable, head to www.packaging.org.nz or chat to the organisation today on (09) 271 4044.

News | North Shore Toyota

The cars we love There’s no arguing the fact: Toyota is New Zealand’s favourite car.

Why choose North Shore Toyota for your servicing needs?

To make your service experience hassle free and less time consuming, North Shore Toyota offers:

Kiwis have had a love affair with Toyota for decades, with nearly one in four vehicles driven on New Zealand roads being a Toyota.

• Complimentary pick up and delivery of either you or your vehicle

North Shore Toyota in Wairau Valley is one of the largest Toyota dealerships in the country, with its Link Drive premises covering 10,000 square metres. The dealership, which has been servicing the North Shore for more than 35 years It is a family owned business now in its second generation of ownership.

Chief executive Mark Jago says Toyota is an iconic brand and one that’s found favour not just on New Zealand roads, but has achieved global success few can dream of. “Toyota has been part of the New Zealand psyche for nearly 40 years, and it’s been the number one brand for new car sales for 25 years,” he says.

“That’s because of their dependability, reliability, resale value and the fact that it is such an iconic brand. People feel very at ease with the brand; it’s not a hard decision to buy a Toyota.”

Mark says although Toyotas tend to sell themselves, his very experienced sales and support teams have excelled themselves. North Shore Toyota has become the highest volume new and used vehicle Toyota dealership group in the country.

• Appointment times through the day from 7am to 6pm, six days a week • All your vehicle needs in one location • Replacement vehicles available during your service.

North Shore Toyota has the widest range of New Toyota vehicles in Auckland, from the stylish and compact Yaris through to the 4.5 litre twin-turbo diesel Land Cruiser 200.

“There’s a vehicle to fit any lifestyle,” Mark says.

And North Shore Toyota also has a large used car showroom, which has a huge range of used vehicles for sale. In addition, it has the only dedicated Toyota Signature Class display yard in the country, displaying more than 40 vehicles at any one time. Signature vehicles come with a standard three year unlimited kilometre Toyota-backed warranty, ensuring trouble-free motoring.

Parts and service North Shore Toyota’s service department is now open six days a week, offering greater convenience to customers.

Mark says the dealership extended its service department opening hours to include Saturday afternoon about 18 months ago.

“A lot of customers can’t make it during the week and are busy on Saturday mornings with sport. Now that we’re open the full day on Saturday they can come in during the afternoon when they have some time,” he says.

Service is key The North Shore dealership’s team of friendly sales specialists is devoted to helping customers find the most suitable vehicle for their needs, with a large range of accessory options and finance packages available to help them achieve their vehicle goals.

“The difference we offer to the public is we have a dedicated sales team that will listen to the needs of the customer and help them find the right vehicle to meet those needs,” he says.

“A car is the second biggest purchase you’re going to make, beyond a house. We spend dedicated time with the customer to find out what they need and make sure they get it right.”

North Shore Toyota 2 Link Drive Wairau Valley North Shore City T (09) 442 3600 E admin@nst.co.nz www.nst.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

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Fantastic friendly service, good customer service, & comunication, efficient, could not fault it. Thanks

North Shore Toyota has been offering quality motoring advice and sales to the Auckland public for over 28 years.

We have the widest range of new Toyota vehicles in Auckland.

We also have the most experienced sales and service team in the most customer friendly dealership in New Zealand.

Couple this with superb trade in values and extremely competitive finance packages North Shore Toyota will make your next purchase even more affordable.

Mark Jago - CEO

Contact our Team (09) 442 3600 | www.nst.co.nz 26 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Businesses stand up to solve youth social issues As New Zealand’s youth organisations face an unprecedented funding crisis, businesses nationwide are standing up with new social brand Y for YOUTH to solve our serious youth social issues.

New Zealand has the highest youth suicide rate in the developed world, yet there are more than 6,000 charities dedicated to assisting our youth throughout the country.

Y for YOUTH co-founder Alex Greig says “There are hundreds of very successful programmes out there already in the community. The problem is that they are competing with each other for a diminishing pool of government grants, public donations and gaming trust money, which is limiting their ability to scale and expand capacity and in some instances threatening their very survival.”

Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation CEO, Craig Pollock says he and his organisation are fully aware of the impending youth sector funding crisis.

“Even as one of the larger youth organisations, it is a major challenge finding alternative revenue streams just to fund our current programmes. I suspect a lot of smaller youth organisations may simply not survive the next few years.”

Yet as traditional funding sources for the charity sector continue to decline, New Zealand’s alarming youth social statistics, such as bullying and suicide, continue to increase. Just last year there was a 40 percent increase in youth suicide for 15 – 19 year olds.

What can we do about our youth social issues and the youth sector funding crisis?

“New Zealand’s youth social problems are not going to be solved with sausage sizzles and the old method of rattling the bucket outside shopping centres. Our serious social problems require serious resources and funding,” Greig says.

Y for YOUTH is a turnkey corporate social responsibility platform that enables businesses to contribute to the youth sector in such a way that they benefit from positive publicity and increased sales.

Businesses and brands contribute a percentage of their profits to the Y for YOUTH support network.

In return companies display the Y for YOUTH trademark on their products and advertising, similar to Fairtrade or the Heart Foundation Tick branding models. Consumers are then encouraged to purchase from these companies.

Consumers want to buy from companies that support our communities Greig says that today more than ever, consumers want to buy from companies that contribute to our communities. “We have developed a system that makes it easy for companies to donate to the youth sector, but in such a way that they

benefit from increased sales, positive publicity and an improved brand image. It’s a win-win.”

Through the creation of a sustained funding platform for New Zealand’s youth sector, youth organisations’ fundraising burdens can be alleviated so they can focus on expanding their programmes and impacting as many youth as possible throughout New Zealand.

Y for YOUTH co-founder Lara Jane says “We’re talking about transformation and positive social change for all of New Zealand. The more youth that are positively impacted, the more youth that grow up to be happy, healthy, contributing members in our communities.”

100 Founding Angels As Y for YOUTH works towards becoming financially sustainable, it has created an opportunity for 100 forward thinking businesses and community focused individuals who wish to be involved in a movement to reduce New Zealand’s youth social statistics, to become Founding Angels.

Founding Angels support the development of Y for YOUTH by making an initial $5,000 donation (or $500 per month x 10 months), then $100 per month for three years.

Well known entrepreneur Michael Mayell, founder of Cookie Time, was one of the first to step up and claims that becoming a Founding Angel is a good way of practising corporate social responsibility. “This is just a great opportunity to give back, and it makes it very easy for businesses to do it.”

Twenty eight companies and individuals have already come on board as Founding Angels to support the development and growth of Y for YOUTH including Blacksmith Ltd, Navman Wireless, Academy Publishing, Coca–Cola, Tiki Taane, Kim and Mona Dotcom and Sales Star.

For further information and to get involved visit www.yforyouth.org

The New Home FIFA, the world governing body of football, is comprised of six Confederations including our very own Penrose based Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

The OFC may be the smallest of the six Confederations, but their passion and drive to use the game of football to empower social development has birthed some impressive progress in local sporting infrastructure.

The OFC membership comprises 11 countries – American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Auckland is home to many iconic sporting facilities and the OFC is proud to add a new name to the roll of honour – ‘The New Home of Football’ at Ngahue Reserve.

After almost a decade at Mt. Smart Stadium, the OFC is delighted to announce a football-specific venue which will become a future focal point for the Confederation due to its centralised location.

Nestled in a pre-existing sporting hotbed, which includes Auckland Netball, Tennis Auckland and the institutional Colin Maiden Park, the New Home of Football will include two full artificial playing fields, three practise areas and an indoor court for the ever popular game of Futsal.

September 15, 2013, saw an array of representatives collect on the St. Johns, Ngahue plot to turn first soil and mark the future of football in New Zealand. The party included OFC president David Chung alongside representatives from the New Zealand government, Ngati Whatua, Auckland Council, the Korean Football Association and an Orakei local board member.

An esteemed collection of enthused delegates were accompanied by FIFA general secretary, Jerome Valcke, who made the trip from Zurich to show support on behalf of the world governing body of football.

OFC President’s Cup Teams • Auckland City FC - Regular attendees at the FIFA Club World Cup and repeat OFC Champions League Winners.

• Amicale FC (Vanuatu) - Finalists at the 2010-11 and 2013-14 OFC Champions League, beaten both time by Auckland City FC (watch out for that rivalry).

• Fiji U-20’s - Preparing for next years U-20 World Cup in New Zealand after a successful qualifying campaign.

• Singapore U-23’s – National side preparing for the qualification rounds to hopefully reach the Rio Olympics in 2016 • Bodden Town FC – Cayman Islands champions 2013 and 2014 season.

• Busaiteen FC – Bahrain champions 2012-13 The six day tournament will be a spectacle showcasing some of Oceania’s brightest footballing talent. The mix of international and club teams is a rare treat for football fans who will have the opportunity to experience the thrill of competition football before the FIFA U-20 World Cup arrives on our shores in 2015.

The OFC President’s Cup takes place 17-23 November, at the Trusts Arena, Auckland, please visit www.oceaniafootball.com for more details.

In his address OFC president David Chung stated that the occasion “… marks a milestone in the history of OFC, as this ground breaking ceremony signifies the start of the construction of a home for football for Orakei, for Auckland, for New Zealand and for the entire Pacific region”.

Chung and his team are delighted to be moving forward with the project after they were given the blessing by Tangata Whenua and Iwi of the land. First soil is now turned and Stage 1 will be inaugurated in late 2014.

The New Home of Football will be widely available for community use, for around 70 percent of the year, which will allow local children to enjoy top class football facilities and hopefully encourage more involvement in the game.

Minister for Youth Affairs, Nikki Kay is pleased to see the world game have a solid presence within the Auckland community and New Zealand as a whole.

“I meet so many young New Zealanders who are passionate, not just about rugby or sailing, but actually passionate about football,” she says. “So we feel very privileged as a country that we are going to be able to have this facility and I think it will bring people together.”

The New Home of Football at Ngahue is a prime example of Mr Chung’s altruistic vision for the improvement of football facilities and accessibility within New Zealand and the Pacific region.

www.oceaniafootball.com

FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015

level – in 2010 this work culminated in PNG’s Hekari United becoming the first team outside of New Zealand and Australia to win the OFC Champions League.

For a few weeks of 2014, football reigned supreme. The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil was a resounding success, living up to its reputation as ‘the global game’ and the stars were certainly on show.

During Chung’s tenure football activity in Papua New Guinea has flourished with the men’s national team playing more regular fixtures and the women dominating the Pacific scene almost exclusively.

The likes of Messi and Ronaldo dazzled amongst a host of other up and coming players, but those two megastars of the world game, cut their teeth in the Under 20’s before progressing through the pinnacle of national football. That is an exciting prospect considering New Zealand plays host to the U-20 World Cup in 2015 – the stars of tomorrow will be performing on our very soil.

Outside of his own nation, both New Zealand and Tahiti have enjoyed experiences at FIFA events, with the latter hosting the Beach Soccer World Cup where they finished fourth. They also qualified for the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

David Chung’s vision for the OFC David Chung, OFC president, is fully aware of the social and developmental power of football in the Oceania region. In the first edition of the OFC’s bi-monthly magazine, OFC Insider, Mr Chung states that “We have a huge responsibility to develop the game at all levels, but this does not end with courses and competitions – it extends to using the power of football for human development and bringing hope to the less privileged”.

The Oceania Confederation contains a host of under privileged countries rendering the socio-economical balance very delicate however, through the implementation of schemes such as Just Play, a grassroots programme to help improve Pacific children’s lives through football, the OFC has made sizeable social and individual progress by using football as a vehicle for change.

More than 150,000 children have benefitted from the Just Play programme, a wonderful achievement buoyed by the 2,600+ volunteers who coach and educate children on matters such as social issues and inequality, ultimately using the game for greater good whilst simultaneously developing football skills.

Mr Chung’s vision and dedication has been recognised with the OFC being awarded the Federation of the Year at the Peace and Sport Awards in Monaco at the end of 2013 with Just Play a notable reason for the success.

Mr Chung has been influential in using the international language of football to spread positive and educational messages, including the co-ordination of events to raise awareness for issues including HIV/Aids, which have plagued his adopted homeland Papua New Guinea in recent times.

The evolution of the OFC Futsal Championship from an Oceania event to a panregional competition that involves Australia and Malaysia, two teams from the Asian Football Confederation, is ground breaking. The Technical Development programme churns out over 70 new courses per year in goalkeeping, women’s football, beach soccer and futsal, refereeing and education, all led by a small but dedicated team of experts based in the OFC’s Auckland offices.

As a former player, coach and referee, Mr Chung has experienced many facets of the game and his business acumen has helped raise funding to provide better facilities for the developing nations of the OFC during his three year tenure.

With the best interests of game and social development at the core of the OFC’s operations, Chung’s credentials as a former business man and football enthusiast have served the Confederation well and his vision has helped the Pacific region as a whole, benefit from the global game.

OFC President’s Cup 2014 Chung’s decision to host the inaugural OFC President’s Cup at Trusts Arena in Auckland in November was designed to further the brand of the Oceania region and its football activity outside of its boundaries.

The desire to strengthen relationships with fellow confederations in Asia, North America, Central America and the Caribbean is no accident. Chung believes for OFC to flourish, strengthening sporting and political ties with organisations where there is strong cultural alignment is key to a bright future within the FIFA football community.

The competition will engage the local New Zealand football community as well as the expatriate Fijian-Indian isthmus for whom Fiji U-20 hold much interest to a football public eager to connect with home.

After moving from Malaysia to PNG aged 23, the multi-lingual Mr Chung soon became involved in sport. Firstly rugby league and then his focus turned to football.

He has certainly helped elevate the status of football in PNG which is no simple task, given the country’s geographical/spatial difficulties and the sporadic infrastructure.

These obstacles aside, his work in PNG has been tireless but successful. His guidance has influenced grassroots in a variety of ways and markedly at elite

OCEANIA FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION PO Box 62-586, Greenlane, Auckland 1546 (09) 531 4063 | info@oceaniafootball.com www.oceaniafootball.com | FB: Oceania Football Confederation

Images provided courtesy of Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.

of Football

News | Cover Story

Wearing it well

By Laura Hall

Rob Fyfe has a renowned reputation as a world class CEO and is one of the best known names in New Zealand business; but he’s anything other than your stereotypical boss.

30 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Photography by Chris Dillon: www.dillon.co.nz

News | Cover Story

He regularly wears jeans and a t-shirt to work, he hasn’t had an office in more than nine years and outright rejects workplace hierarchy systems.

This defiance to conform to traditional norms that come with management roles goes some way towards making him the success he is today and perhaps it’s this quality all great leaders exhibit in one form or another.

His rise to fame is a well -known story. It began with him becoming Air New Zealand CEO in 2005 during a time when the company had been bailed out by the government; the planes were old, the employees had lost confidence in the brand and customer numbers were dwindling.

It is this legendary turnaround he is renowned for; firstly with mass employee cuts and secondly by breathing new life and charisma into the company with his trademark spark.

But since his departure from Air New Zealand in 2012 he has been largely off the radar; until now.

Back in the saddle

represents the spirit, personality and character of New Zealanders.”

His time out helped him realise the strong devotion he has to New Zealand and what that meant for his career moving forward.

“The reason I was able to turn Air New Zealand around was because I’ve got this deep sense of empathy and connection with the New Zealand spirit. I realised if I was going to run an airline in Asia, it would be a real challenge because I wouldn’t be able to work intuitively, I wouldn’t be able to connect with the culture and I wouldn’t be able to communicate with the same sense of passion in a foreign language.

“So I actually made a conscious decision to say my future is in New Zealand - that’s where I want to make a difference and that’s what I am passionate about.”

He began looking for companies with their roots invested in New Zealand, citing two criteria the company needed to meet in order to be a viable prospect.

Firstly, it had to have the potential to be a world class company working on a global scale while still embracing the New Zealand culture.

Secondly, he was looking for a company which had a strong stance on remaining New Zealand owned and operated, now and into the future.

While there are a lot of up and coming New Zealand companies, he says many of their mindsets are ‘how do I grow this company and sell it to an offshore multinational’.

“For me it’s not about making a buck; I didn’t want to build something to have it sold offshore.

I want to create a company that is an enduring legacy for New Zealand – a company which

The thing that gives me the biggest buzz is when I bump into someone that simply tells me a great story about an experience they had with a product or service that my company is responsible for providing. I live for that. I feel like a kid in a candy store.

Handing over the reins The founder of the merino outdoor clothing company is Jeremy Moon; the company is his life project, establishing it in 1994 at just 25.

He is not building it to sell and he sees himself as always being the majority shareholder are attributes that immediately flipped a switch for Rob. “I thought ‘wow that is exactly what I want’.”

In the early days Jeremy was involved with all of the product design, but as the company grew his attention was being drawn away from design as the complexities of running a larger company became ever more demanding.

He arrived at a point where he realised his strengths firmly lie in the creative department and the company needed a strong, business minded leader - someone who could take the company to the next phase of growth.

You could be forgiven for thinking Rob had gone into retirement; parked up on a tropical beach living off his $2.6 million Air New Zealand salary.

It was perfect timing for Rob and in June 2014 But he says he was taking a much needed pit stop while carefully planning his next assault on he officially took up the reins as Icebreaker CEO, while Jeremy moved into the roles of creative the business world. director and chairman.

After leaving the company job offers swiftly began to fly in. He had a number of large New horizons overseas airline companies, the majority from With Rob now at the helm Icebreaker should be Australia and Asia, approaching him offering preparing to buckle up. Because if Rob’s track CEO and consulting roles. But he says that record is anything to go by the company’s in for wasn’t surprising, casually shaking off the a wild ride. invitations many business people would strive their whole careers for.

“This is a whole new industry for me which is really exciting. I love to learn, I’m drawn to new He explains it was a good chance to stop and challenges and getting out of my comfort zone think about what is really important to him. “I actually had no desire to work in another airline to explore new places and things I haven’t done before and this role offers those opportunities.” job. If I had a desire to keep working in that industry I would have stuck at Air New Zealand because I still really love that company.”

“

After 18 months of scouring the country for a business that fitted his wish list, there was only one company that ticked all the boxes – Icebreaker.

In just over four months he has quickly got up to speed, travelling to Icebreaker stores in Germany, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Canada and America to meet customers and staff on the shop floor. And, in true Rob Fyfe fashion, he has made a lot of changes to the leadership team, disestablishing some jobs and appointing new roles.

The retail market may be a new industry for Rob, but the principles of business management are universal, making him a formidable asset for Icebreaker.

A five year plan for the company is already well in the making, the exact details of which are not yet ready to be divulged, but the gist of it aims to further propel Icebreaker onto the global stage.

“In order to be successful in the competitive outdoor apparel industry we need to make the Icebreaker name famous around the world; we will do that using the New Zealand brand.

”

awareness. It’s a tough challenge because we have very limited resources and we are competing against really big brands which dominate their home markets.”

The foundations for his business success are centred on strong mutual relationships with his employees and the ability to inspire staff to feel enthusiastic about their work.

Not one to back down from a challenge, he is facing it head on. “We are opening our fifth store in Canada in December and we currently have eight stores in the USA, so by the end of the year we will have 13 stores in North America.” A gutsy investment considering most Americans have never heard of them.

He says he rarely communicates through text because, truthfully, he is a very slow reader.

He prefers a verbal hands-on leadership style which focusses on speaking face to face with all of his team mates.

Winning formula So what makes him such an accomplished expert at business management?

His past offers some clues. He studied engineering at the University of Canterbury graduating with honours. Engineering trained him to master problem solving using methods and systems to find a positive outcome.

He worked as an engineer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, before growing tired and moving to Postbank. He eventually became Postbank manager and from there moved through various general manager roles including the Bank of New Zealand, National Australia Bank group and Telecom.

“New Zealand’s image is our greatest asset; the brand conjures up powerful visual imagery of picturesque landscapes and a trust worthy name worldwide.”

Despite Rob’s hugely successful career he confesses he never actually had a plan. “I took on new jobs because they looked really exciting and interesting and when I felt like I’d exhausted all of the growth opportunities, I’d move on.”

Six years ago the company was selling $60 million worth of clothing a year with a majority of those sales in New Zealand and Australia.

This year it will sell $200 million with 80 percent sold in the Northern Hemisphere.

It’s fair to say his success can’t be credited to his career planning, but it’s obvious from the way he speaks and interacts with his staff that his charming, charismatic personality is a major ingredient to his winning formula.

But despite growth in the international market, Rob says “outside of New Zealand we are still undiscovered… most people have never heard of us.

But people won’t be getting their hands on this winning recipe for success anytime soon because it hasn’t come from a text book.

“People ask me my formulae for success and I often have to apologise, because I don’t have a complicated method - it’s just about caring.”

“We’ve got a really big challenge to project our brand into the foreign markets and build brand

“If you put another CEO in my chair and they looked at all of the reports, they’d largely make the same decisions that I’d make. The thing that makes a company different and what success is ultimately founded on is my ability to inspire people to come to work, make a difference and be the best they can be.”

How he inspires his employees involves some expected and some unexpected techniques. Rob is well-known for getting out and about serving customers and was often seen on aircrafts serving tea and coffee at Air New Zealand.

“I’ve spent plenty of time out and about in stores and chatting to customers since joining Icebreaker. I can’t wait to get out and spend some time serving on the shop floor. I haven’t had my own office in the last nine years because I don’t like being closed off - it’s all about being accessible and having open and free communication.

“I come to work at least three to fours days a week in jeans and a t-shirt; it’s not about being disrespectful towards suits, but being approachable to everyone. I don’t work on a pedestal, you have to work along side people, that’s the first step in gaining their support and sense of connection and purpose with the company.

And lastly he says you can’t be afraid to have a personality. “You have to be real, not just a gimmick.”

It is not a complicated method for success, but it works like a charm, which is why Rob is and will continue to be one of the best known names in the business.

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 31

News | Your Place

Creating a culture you can count on

By Davina Richards

As a leader in your company, when was the last time you asked an employee about company culture? If you can hear your answer echo into what seems like a bottomless void, then here, let me hand you a red flag... or two.

Alarm bells should be ringing if when you spend a moment eyeing the corporate landscape and see that workers are clearly unengaged, lack enthusiasm, aren’t talking to one another and general body language translates into “this job is soul destroying”.

If you don’t see this as a problem I don’t know what will. An employee who is unhappy and represents your company in a negative way is bad for business – it’s as simple as that!

Here are some of the reasons why companies should maintain a healthy company culture: • Attracts high quality workers • Retain valuable employees • Engages staff • Employees remain loyal • Reduce staff turnover • Reduce HR costs • Positive energy in the workplace is contagious and feeds success

• Solidifies the company’s reputation as being a Well, your staff might be sitting in silence, but high performance business you don’t have to look too hard to spot the telltale signs of an unhappy company culture: • Encourages staff to work efficiently and deliver a high standard of products and • All work, no play. Believe it or not, most services, thus improving profits. people actually want to work hard and succeed, but if you don’t allow them to Employees need stimulation, especially in those interact and communicate every so often jobs which requires them to sit at a computer throughout the working day, don’t expect all day or tag cardboard boxes in the warehouse them to be on top form every minute out the back.

We’re humans. Not robots. Workers need to know they’re valued and are able to grow and excel professionally. Leaders can show this is possible by providing training, organising workshops and offering opportunities to advance.

Just to give you a glimpse into what employees say about the companies they work for, I’ve turned to American career website Glassdoor. com, which announced the winners of its Employees’ Choice Awards 2014.

Twitter is cemented in second place for the best place to work and LinkedIn came in at a cool number three. Some of the review highlights for Twitter include “Team meetings on the roof are the best”, “good work/life balance” and “real sense of care of employees, and a great development environment”.

While LinkedIn beams with “open culture”, “happy employees who love what they do”, “fun culture that senior management works hard to maintain”, “exciting company that is growing fast offering employees endless opportunities to learn and grow”, and “personal growth emphasised as much as professional”.

It might have all been said behind their company’s backs, but it’s feedback of the good kind and reinforces their company’s reputation. So what do your employees say about your business?

32 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“

An employee who is unhappy and represents your company in a negative way is bad for business – it’s as simple as that!

• Belief system. If your employees have lost motivation, morale has diminished and all sense of pride has seemingly gone out the window, you’re business is potentially missing out on the creativity and great ideas thought up by staff members who simply haven’t been improve company culture is to listen to what able to step up because they’re not getting your employees have to say. what they need. Give them a reason to work hard for you This way you have a clear picture as to what your staff need as well as acknowledging • For or against? The thrill of competition which areas could use a little more attention; is great when your staff are working together from here you can organise the appropriate and focussed on battling an external entity, event to suit. but when they decide to turn on each

”

other, there’s not much point in sharing a company vision

• Broken record. Issues arise all the time and most are resolved as quickly as possible to resume business. However, if the same problem keeps popping up, it’s clear no one cares enough to take action and it’s possible communication has broken down somewhere along the line, too • Low grade performance. If you find that even some of your A-star workers are struggling to deliver magic results, ask yourself why.

Rather than taking a wild guess at what your employees want, such as a tab at the bar for one night only (a temporary solution to a long term problem), probably one of the best ways to determine what steps need to be taken to

If it isn’t possible to speak to every individual, consider sending out performance evaluations which will provide valuable feedback from team members. Re-evaluate every month or every three months to show you are putting priority on your staff and to see if the seeds you’ve sown have come to fruition.

Saying nothing and doing nothing will not retain employees and you risk losing some of your best workers if nothing changes.

Don’t let your staff think of work as just “a job”. Make their hearts sing and nourish their spirit by implementing a healthy work culture which preserves morale and boosts business productivity.

The bottom line is that happy employees perform better. Fact!

News | Your People

Seven steps to success

By Davina Richards

In a perfect world your business is composed of a dream team who can demonstrate executive leadership, solidify the corporate vision and impress with their drive to move the business forward… but it’s not a perfect world.

Ever found yourself thinking “If only I had 20 of so and so”? Well, you could… but it depends on who you hire.

You may have big job titles waiting for the ideal candidate to be honoured with, but hiring someone based solely on whether or not that person will fulfil the position isn’t necessarily going to unlock your company’s fullest potential.

Of course, you certainly need to hire someone to fill the spot, but employing someone who meets both skill set requirements and wields key qualities is crucial to developing your business.

There’s a whole mix of characters working at your company who no doubt have the ability to keep things running smoothly, but for many business owners and managers, there’s probably only a handful of people they can count on to make a real difference.

The normal procedure during an interview is to look over the candidate’s CV and then observe their character. OK, so they can do the job on paper, formulate a good conversation, have a sense of humour and their overall character speaks volumes about whether they’re likely to get on with others or not. The thing is, there’s a good chance the people working for you already possess these qualities.

Ask yourself, do you have a person (or even better, a team of people) in your business that is capable of getting the job done on time?

Someone who can be left to distribute the workload and match the right people to the right tasks? Someone with a nose for good opportunities? Someone who yearns to learn as much as they can? Who is eager to climb the ladder and keen to train others?

Essentially, instead of looking at what you do have, you need to look at what you don’t have.

Here are some personality traits you should look out for to help your business be the best it can be.

Mr Teacher We all started our careers at the bottom and worked our way up. Some of us may have done this through sheer motivation to thrive and others may have had help along the way.

It’s useful (and saves money) to have a set of employees who can help others to upskill in the workplace. A good mentor loves to share their knowledge and nurture fresh employees. This person helps speed up the learning process, improve productivity and effectively increase contributions to your business.

Mr Facilitator There are common objectives which need to be achieved when working in a business and a facilitator is someone who inflicts a healthy dose of haste onto others to make sure everyone knuckles down and gets the job done.

“

Mr Morale booster There’s a whole mix of Businesses stumble and hit the ground when characters working at your they experience a bout of low sales, have concerns with suppliers or competitors, or company who no doubt have internal issues such as lack of employee engagement or personal loss. have the ability to keep There can be more questions than answers things running smoothly, and morale can hit an all time low for every one. Difficulties arise at any given moment, so but for many business make sure there are people on your team who can lead by example, carry out random acts of owners and managers, kindness, set goals and reward workers, and offer compliments to those who have gone there’s probably only a above and beyond. handful of people they can count on to make a real difference.

This person has presence and turns frowns upside down - even in the darkest of tunnels.

Mr Reality check Tim Alpe, founder of JUCY rentals, says he’s not good at saying no to opportunities, but is thankful for his workforce “who have been able to ask tough questions – is this the right thing for the business and then having the balls to turn around and say no, don’t do it”.

Having someone in the team who can speak up and question an idea or corporate direction bodes well for the future of a successful business.

”

T H IN K

Unfortunately, not everyone likes this guy. But every team needs one.

O U T S ID E THE BOX

Mr Knowledgeable Knowledge comes with experience, but you can also find it in documents, customers, employee relationships and professional associations.

Those who thrive on knowledge have the power to filter it through to the veins of work culture, either by day to day chats, or by using incentives and training. Sharing knowledge can improve the efficiency of workers, improve their skills and encourage thinking.

Mr Attention to detail Attention to detail is the difference between a good business and a great business, which is why you need someone who works hard, who cares and is passionate about what they do.

This person provides exceptional service and is consistent. They make promises and over deliver, and as a result your business sustains a wave of repeat and loyal customers.

Mr Dependable Having someone who is trustworthy makes them an essential asset to the team.

This person is thorough, careful, disciplined and communicates well. They are capable of deploying tasks and know how to keep their team on track.

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Honest, hard-working staff gets the job done and done right, no questions asked. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 33

News | Lifestyles

Lifestyles

By Davina Richards

1.

Biting the dust

Vacuum cleaner If you’re anything like me, a good vacuum is a must in your household. The way it glides easily into corners and tight spaces, and how its powerful suction picks up dirt, dust and stuff you don’t even know what it is. Believe in the power of Dyson’s digital motor V6, the number one selling cordless vacuum in New Zealand.

RRP: DC59 Multifloor $599 and DC59 Animal $649 Available from: www.dyson.co.nz

2.

Smart little thing

Galaxy Tab S If you’re one of those people who leaves half a cup of coffee on the breakfast bench before shooting out the front door, notice a cheeky undone button on your shirt in a meeting, and carry a heavy briefcase vomiting paperwork, the new Galaxy Tab S is for you. For those constantly on the go, the Tab S is the package in the palm of your hands allowing you to access content on-demand wherever your feet rush you to.

RRP: 8.5 inch 16GB $599. 10.5 inch 16GB $749.

10.5 inch 32GB $849 Available from: www.samsung.com/nz

3.

Lookin’ good

Alba necklace When you walk past the ORE Jewellery flagship store in Christchurch your eyes immediately catch the sight of the eclectic range of stunning jewellery pieces. Sourced from around the world and stamped with an affordable price tag, ORE Jewellery is a magnet to those who love statement pieces and high quality handmade jewellery. Your outfit’s not complete without a dramatic necklace to tie it all together.

RRP: $89.99 Available from: www.orejewellery.co.nz

4.

‘Tis the season

Herb stand It’s not quite a pencil holder but it does have similarities.

The Normann Copenhagen herb stand offers a home to organise your scissors and herbs in a neat and tidy fashion.

Parts can be separated or used together to function as you please and the saucer ensures an even watering. Crisp white, clean lines and functional, it comes complete with a pair of stainless steel scissors so you can sprinkle fresh herbs on your meals like a Masterchef.

RRP: $120 Available from: www.designdenmark.co.nz

34 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

News | Lifestyles

Lifestyles 5.

Sturdy and stylish

Hardwood bowls One of New Zealand’s newest online retail stores, Mister Mister has a beautiful range of luxury homewares and décor you couldn’t overlook even if you wanted to.

One product that stands out is Nicole Porter’s range of stunning beech wood plates and bowls made from a single plank which is dried and transformed. Lovingly hand painted using acrylic paints and protected with a non-toxic film. Just looking at it makes you smile, which is why it makes the perfect wedding or housewarming gift for the stylish and eco-friendly home.

RRP: $75 (diameter 7’’) Available from: www.mistermister.co.nz

6.

Water safe

SteriPEN Ultra Ensuring you top up your water levels with clean and safe water is imperative when you’re hiking or travelling, so don’t let sickness strike you down while you’re having fun in the great outdoors. Using its UV light technology the SteriPEN purifies water in just 45 seconds, eliminating more than 99.9 percent of bacteria, viruses and protozoa which cause water-borne illness.

RRP: $199.95 Available from: www.macpac.co.nz

7.

Namaste

Mat strap Yogi’s who want to make that extra stretch by walking or cycling to yoga class may like to invest in a stylish mat strap. If you’re not carrying your yoga mat how about rolling up a picnic blanket or securing a camera tripod? Namaste.

RRP: $70 Available from: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DTBros

8.

Rest easy

Tent Adventure can be demanding and exhausting, so when it comes to taking a break from the elements, this twoperson waterproof tent is the perfect retreat to rest up and restore your energy levels. It comes with multiple storage pockets, storage hammock and safety reflective details; built for outdoor people for life outdoors.

RRP: $899.98 Available from: www.kathmandu.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 35

News | Destinations

An eastern gem

By Corazon Miller

The town of Zadar

Paris, Rome, Barcelona and the other ancient hubs of Central Europe are no longer the token hotspots to visit while passing through the old continent.

the Dalmation countryside we witnessed a stark transformation from the relatively dry coastal area through to the greener, lusher rich mountainous landscape of central Croatia.

For Melanie, whose dream it is to be an environmental biologist, the park is her version of Disneyland, with its emerald green lakes, schools of fish, floating ducks, the odd shy snake and underground caves. And for me, the proud city-slicker that I can be, I was just as mesmerised by the natural beauty of the park’s many lakes and waterfalls.

As the world’s many borders continue open doors into the once un-visited foreign lands, a few up and coming contenders in the east are giving the traditional European gems a good run for their money.

Croatia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic have become some of the new exotic hotspots to be explored. Many of these countries came to independance in the latter half of the 20th century. Some still hold memories of less peaceful, uncertain times, ruins and many patches of bare land expose the scars of conflict. However, things are looking up for many of these countries who are now emerging into brighter days. And so when I was offered the chance to visit this not-so-little corner of Europe - I took it.

My Australian friend Melanie, who was living in Paris at the time, and I decided we needed a break from France. So we decided to take a four day trip; enough time to gain a small glimpse at the rough eastern gems. My door into Eastern Europe was Zadar; a small city along the Croatian coast by the Adriatic Sea.

Zadar old town centre

The old town As we walked through the centre of Zadar’s walled old town, there was ample space to move, while we meandered through at our pace, taking in the mystic surroundings we found ourselves in.

Something that never fails to amaze me about many a European town is the ancient tales to be found in our very surroundings. Here it was in the old Roman ruins, a mere shadow of what Zadar once was scattered through the centre, surrounded by the creamy white buildings, brown terracotta roofs and slippery marble paths of the new and growing modernday Zadar.

If truth be told, this was not an educated choice - Melanie and I had simply scrolled down the list of destinations frequented by the budget European airline Ryan Air, picking the cheapest and closest destination that suited both our dates and our wallets.

From our base - the Boutique Hostel Forum right off the main square, Melanie and I spent many hours just wandering through the maze of streets that wound around the city centre, basking in the sun amongst the cracked stones of the old Roman forum, enjoying a soft melting scoop of gelato.

So for a mere $200 return (no baggage or fancy frills included) Melanie and I made the journey east to Croatia (Hrvatska in Croatian).

Being a port town there was no real beach in Zadar itself, though one could be found a simple bus ride away. In the centre of the old

36 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

town, instead of a beach, most of the water is bordered along its clear blue edge with concrete walls, paths and stairs.

One of the best spots we found was by the Sea Organ. It’s an art installation, designed by a Croatian architect, which harnesses the wind and water to create a pleasant gentle melody.

The steps that make up the organ provided the ideal location for us to sit and look at both the new and old faces of Zadar. To the right can be found the docked cruise ships, sitting tall against the backdrop of taller apartment blocks that make up the new town... to the left the vast expanse of water that lines up against Zadar’s ancient town.

Dalmatian beauties The great thing about Zadar was its close location to two of the Dalmatian country’s great national parks: Plitvice Lakes National Park and Kornati National Park.

The highlight of this trip for both of us was the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Even the hour or so drive from Zadar to the park was an adventure of its own. As we travelled through

The trek’s grand finale came as we were walking across the final boardwalk leading out of the park. It is here we were greeted with a spectacular view of the Plitvice’s waterfalls; a mix of emerald green water, white plumes of tumbling spray and tufts of green vegetation.

Croatia’s golden truffle No trip to Croatia is complete without a taste of truffle - this small black fungus can be found in many a risotto or pasta dish, offering a delectable subtle taste to be savoured.

Tragically it was on our last night that we stumbled across this culinary gem at Restaurant Groppo, situated just next door to our hostel.

This happy discovery was the best restaurant we found in Zadar.

While of course we were only there for four days and it’s likely there are plenty more restaurants to discover, the place’s elegant decour, small but tasty menu crowned with a truffle-infused dish and attentive service, quickly jumped to the top of our list.

If I was so lucky to still be living in Europe, I’d make another trip to Zadar just to visit this restaurant.

However, despite our sadness at only getting one chance to enjoy Restaurant Groppo, there was no better way to complete our jaunt to Eastern Europe than with a dish of homemade pasta in a white truffle sauce, accompanied by a smooth glass of wine.

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Property & Construction | Lite-House

Designs for today’s way of life In a rather short space of time, sustainability has evolved from an idealistic catch-cry to a tangible, practical and arguably vital component in the way we now live. And one area where sustainable practises are making a dramatic impact is in how today’s homes are designed and built.

But what exactly is sustainable architecture and building?

It can mean many different things to different people and sometimes sounds a bit vague and difficult to understand - but to the talented team at Lite-House it is more than just a buzzword.

What it translates to is “Buildings that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of those in the future to meet their own needs”.

Driven by global awareness about climate change and energy costs, Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) is gaining momentum in New Zealand, reflecting overseas trends favouring a more sustainable approach.

So, since 2008, Lite-House has taken a proactive stance, going beyond the plethora of government and industry initiatives and regulations to leave a lighter footprint on the earth and reduce, reuse and recycle.

The trick here, of course, is turning this concept into a reality, but this is exactly what the Auckland based firm is doing.

Company owner Bryce Ardern says a site specific design approach, which is adopted on every project, ensures homes are uniquely designed to integrate into their sites, both physically and environmentally.

And the way they’re going about it is through specialisation; creating homes designed to not only fit into where they are positioned, but for the people who are going to be living in them as well.

This ensures they not only look great, but also perform in terms of their situation in relation to the sun, aspect, privacy, topography, vegetation and exposure to predominant winds and natural elements.

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customised to meet their owner’s needs, whilst surpassing current standards set out in the Building Code with ecologically responsible building methods and technologies.

“We make sure the home performs well with passive solar heating in the winter and passive ventilation / heat stacks in the summer, so you don’t need to spend a lot of money firing up the heat pump. That means getting the windows

in the right place and utilising concrete to get a lot of thermal mass for the most benefit to all areas.”

As is the case for any effective design, the devil is in the detail. “Computer 3D modelling and complete sun study analysis are undertaken to ensure eave overhangs are designed so the home doesn’t overheat in the summer, also ensuring they are not too wide, as you don’t want them blocking sun out in the winter.”

Of course the one vital component any well designed house simply has to have is liveability, and marrying this with sustainable living is something Bryce and his team have given plenty of thought to.

“We recognise kitchens are the hub of the house and we design for good flow to a variety of indoor and well designed sheltered outdoor areas. Creating inventive storage areas out of wasted spaces is important to us keeping homes clutter free. We like to ensure the home is a fun, healthy environment, therefore a happier place to live.

“We also have a real passion for using recycled materials where possible, to add character, warmth and a sense of history. There are so many ‘throw-away’ products now-a-days that it is great to reuse materials that have been made to last. We use materials found in

the environment and respect the architectural vernacular,” he says.

Why choose Lite-House?

As you’d imagine, when designing and building homes for individual families in specific locations, the Lite-House team offers a very personalised service.

Since this is your house, designed and built specifically for the way you live and the place you’re living, a user-friendly approach is vital.

So Bryce and his small team ensure clients don’t have to deal with a separate architect, quantity surveyor, builder, project manager and interior designer who, collectively, come at a huge cost, and make the entire experience overwhelming and complicated.

What the Lite-House team delivers is an enthusiastic approach about providing costeffective, quality solutions to meet their clients’ brief, maximising the opportunity of every unique site and providing a very competitive package.

Bryce does all the company’s architectural design work, making the whole process easier for the client. He is a quantity surveyor, an LBP design D3 and Site S2, professional member of ADNZ, and the winner of many design awards.

And for client peace of mind, the company is an award winning Registered Master Builder and Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP).

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38 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Property & Construction | Lite-House

Setting the standard It’s said actions speak louder than words and in this regard, Lite-House owner Bryce Ardern really is the kind of guy who leads from the front.

He has 35 years in the building industry and an in-depth understanding of every part of the design and build process, allowing him to turn design dreams into reality.

“We set excellence standards in craftsmanship with the design and build work we do and we have a proven track record. We won’t compromise those standards and make sure only the best materials and building methodologies are used.”

And the proof, as is also said, is in the pudding.

To this end Lite-House has won a number of RMB House of the Year Awards in recent years, including a national award for a shared home and office space, which set new standards for a sustainable mixed use building that remain unsurpassed even five years later.

With this physical shift comes a new focus and that is expanding its building services throughout Auckland.

While the company gained a huge amount of experience designing and building bespoke renovations and new homes on Waiheke Island, Bryce says he and the team are now relishing the opportunity working in Auckland provides.

Breathing new life into Farm Cove The expansion into Auckland marks an exciting time for the company with it opening up a range of new projects, including a major renovation at Farm Cove.

A circa 1970s home was given an extensive makeover to bring it into the modern era.

Now in town

The outdated home, although structurally sound, had been poorly re-clad, had original aluminium joinery and was uninsulated. Really showing its age was the building’s lack of indoor outdoor flow and that fact it had nowhere to relax and enjoy the sea view, basically squandering its northern exposure.

Bryce recently made the plunge and moved his company from Waiheke Island to East Tamaki.

Bryce and his team introduced the building to the 21st century via installing double glazed

windows, new insulation, adding extensive decked areas, and creating an enclosed alfresco area connected to both the kitchen and the family room. “There is so much you can do with a room that can be opened up in summer or closed in winter. You can create great spaces for a growing family or to entertain.”

“We bought a home with the intention to do a major renovation on it, but after a few months of living in it, and after completing feasibility studies on improving it, we decided that it would be more economical to demolish and start again.

Interior space was created by removing walls to expose these rooms to the views and formal living area. With a brand spanking new paint job the end result is basically the creation of a new home.

“It’s been quite a transformation. The ways in which we create spaces for families to grow has really changed in the last 30 years and most homes in this area were built in the 1970s and 80s; decades not renowned for taking advantage of outdoor spaces,” Bryce says.

Bryce says, with the move into Auckland, there now stands great potential for Lite-House to do more of this type of architectural renovation.

Another major project the company is currently undertaking is the building of two high quality 300sqm plus homes on a site it has purchased in Farm Cove.

“This is always a possibility with this type of development to be decided on a case-by-case basis,” he says.

“We’d also like to get more into lifestyle development work, similar to what we’ve done on Waiheke Island and are really looking forward to what lies ahead.”

So if you see the home of your dreams in your immediate future, then giving Bryce a call at Lite-House might be the best way to make it a reality. AT Lite-House Ltd PO Box 51139 Pakuranga Auckland T 0800 372 100 M 027 291 5882 E bryce@lite-house.co.nz www.lite-house.co.nz

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NEW HOMES • RENOVATIONS ADDITIONS • RESTYLING

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 39

At A Glance| Refresh Renovations

At A Glance | Good Electrical

Injecting new life into Hard wired your home For the hardworking team at Auckland’s Good Electrical Limited, the job isn’t just about rewiring electrical circuits, it’s also about building relationships and meeting new people.

For a home renovation design and build, the first step is to find the company capable of delivering what you want, when you want it and at the right price.

Good Electrical offers electrical services to the residential market, including new builds and renovations across the region. It is a company with skilled and capable staff, who have extensive experience working with reputable builders to deliver some of the country’s best high-end homes.

Because renovations are highly technical you’ll need dedicated specialists and this is where Refresh Renovations comes in.

Refresh Renovations is a design and build renovation specialist committed to delivering the renovation of your dreams, within your budget.

Refresh was established by Traffic in 2010 (Traffic is New Zealand’s leading business strategy and marketing firm) and services the entire country, from Auckland city down to Dunedin. Refresh is a franchised business with 30 franchises established nationwide - and is currently looking to expand to 60 franchises.

It has a tight knit team of designers, builders and tradespeople who work together to design and deliver high quality renovations. As a design and build renovation specialist, Refresh is set up to do a great job and be highly cost-effective.

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During the last four years the company has worked on classic brick and weatherboard homes, completed villa extensions, bathroom and kitchen makeovers, as well as bungalow, lifestyle block and historic house renovations.

The company offers 3D concepts so you can visualise exactly what will be built, and if it isn’t what you imagined, you can make alterations so you’re completely happy with your design.

Refresh realise it is far more cost-effective to get the concept right than to decide to make changes during the construction phase.

Forget speaking to different workers onsite to learn about the construction of your home, Refresh has one point of contact for the entire renovation process from start to finish. Having a project manager means you understand what’s going on and learn of the consequences of your decisions.

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Good Electrical was incorporated in 2000, and since its inception has expanded and contracted as the building industry has fluctuated. One of the challenges owners Martin and Rochelle Good have met, has been managing staff levels to accommodate the highs and lows of the industry. The company recently became the licensee of Mastercraft Electrical Auckland.

By choosing Good Electrical, customers not only get the benefit of Martin’s 25 years’ experience as an electrician, but also the wealth of knowledge he has gained working in the building industry.

“We are a friendly approachable business.

Martin has an uncanny ability to recall jobs from years ago, making customers feel important, recognised and comfortable, no matter how big or small the job,” Rochelle says.

“The key to our business success is having systems that allow us to work efficiently.

We‘ve had wonderful staff over the years, and trained apprentices who’ve gone on to become great tradesmen.”

Good Electrical provides superior technical support to enable clients to get on with their

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projects. Customer satisfaction is guaranteed with, good communication and attention to detail.

One of the company’s recent projects was working closely with an award winning builder, throughout the intricacy of an architectural project. “We came up with solutions for specialty electrical requirements, including extensive LED strip lighting inscribed along window frames and concrete block to create ambience.

This project went on to win the 2014 Registered Master Builders’ Association House of the Year Award - Westpac New Home over $2 Million – Northland.

“Another area we cover is spa and pool electrical repairs, maintenance and new installation. We also cater to the commercial market with experience in retail fit-outs and school electrical maintenance.”

Good Electrical works with key builders, including PSL Construction, which specialises in architecturally designed new builds, Life Style Builders, which focusses on renovations, and Plum Construction, which covers the commercial and education sectors.

“Our future vision for Good Electrical is to provide the best service we can, by fine tuning our current systems and expanding,” Martin says. AT Good Electrical Limited PO Box 104213 Lincoln North Auckland 0654 T Nor-west: (09) 416 WIRE (9473) T West: (09) 838 WIRE (9473) T Central: (09) 376 WIRE (9473) www.aucklandelectrician.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Property & Construction | Silverdale Kitchens

Behind every good cook is a great kitchen Your kitchen is not just the heart of your home, it’s also the busiest room in your house and in real estate terms, it’s worth more than any other room. This means that the quickest way to add value to your home is to update your kitchen.

Silverdale Kitchens has been creating stylish, functional and affordable kitchens from Pukekohe to Ruakaka for more than

After

30 years. Offering a full design, manufacture and installation service, Silverdale Kitchens is your one stop shop to create the kitchen of your dreams.

Brooke Dalzell is continuing the Silverdale Kitchens’ tradition for high quality products and superior service from his father, who passed away three years ago. He believes that because your kitchen is such an important room, it is important to get it right.

“The kitchen is the hub of the modern home, so it deserves careful planning and attention to detail. The design, the products and the finishes – these all contribute towards making a kitchen that performs well, looks good and stands the test of time.”

Before

Originally a panel beater, Brooke joined his father’s company because he liked the idea

“Using CNC technology also means that we can pretty much design anything for any space.

Our kitchens are custom made, so it’s no problem if the space has strange angles or other unique features.

of getting out and about more, as well as the variety the job offered. Since then, he has developed a passion, like his father before him, for fine craftsmanship and wellconceived design.

“We manufacture from scratch and we take pride in creating kitchens and cabinetry for our clients they can be proud of. At Silverdale Kitchens, we listen to our customers and work with them to transform their ideas into reality. We take into account their style and taste, the space available and the budget available to come up with a finished product that exceeds our customers’ expectations.”

When Brooke joined his father’s business, everything was done by hand – measurements were taken, plans drawn up and joinery was cut using a bench saw. It was a laborious process.

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“We use CNC technology now. The advantages are that it is twice as quick, so our turnaround time has increased dramatically, and it’s incredibly accurate.

Making cabinetry is a very precise – one millimetre out can spell disaster. Using CNC technology means that everything is cut exactly, there is no room for error now.”

CNC stands for computer numeric control.

Essentially, plans are drawn up using computer-aided design software, and then converted into numbers. These numbers are like coordinates of a graph and they control the movement of the cutter.

“That’s one of the disadvantages of using modular cabinetry – your space has to fit the cabinets, whereas we make the cabinets to fit your space. And then there’s the after-sales service. With modular kitchens, once you have bought them, you’re on your own. At Silverdale Kitchens, we provide a five year warranty on our work.

“We also use high quality materials. We have a range of products and finishes that customers can choose from, but they are all things we would use in our own kitchens. We’d never sell anything we wouldn’t use ourselves.”

Silverdale Kitchens is so confident in its ability to meet clients’ expectations that not a cent has to be paid until a client has agreed upon a preliminary set of plans. The team will come to the site, measure the space, and then come up with a design. Once the client has agreed to the design, only then does a deposit change hands.

“I suppose it’s a risk we take, but we know what we’re doing.”

With more than 30 years in the industry, Silverdale Kitchens offers a wealth of experience and knowledge, and has a reputation for exceptional service. Call the team today to discuss your new kitchen. AT Silverdale Kitchens 36 Forge Road Silverdale T (09) 426 6915 E sales@silverdalekitchens.co.nz www.silverdalekitchens.co.nz.

— Advertising Feature

Specialist manufacturers of exceptional quality kitchens & customized cabinetry We pride ourselves on offering a quality range of services including complete design, manufacture and installation using state of the art CNC technology to craft superb kitchens, bathroom vanities, laundries and tailor-made cabinetry.

42 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

With over 25 years experience, let us help to create your new dream kitchen - visit our showroom today or contact us for an appointment.

Phone (09) 426 6915 | Email sales@silverdalekitchens.co.nz | www.silverdalekitchens.co.nz

Property & Construction | PanelTech Construction

Doing it right the first time Measure twice, pour once with concrete,” says PanelTech’s construction manager, Barry Dyke.

“That may seem obvious and rather flippant, but the significance is that we have to get our concrete pours right the first time because it is very difficult to remedy incorrectly laid concrete.

A Northland owned and operated company PanelTech is part of the United Civil Construction group, specialising in the construction of precast and cast in-situ reinforced concrete structures.

The company’s reputation for expertise, quality and exceptional service in this industry is of paramount importance to them. Barry says they pride themselves on having the skill and resources to deliver concrete projects to the very highest of standards, whether it be the construction of a one million litre underground storage tank for a wastewater treatment plant, the manufacture and erecting of concrete panels of various sizes for a large commercial building, or the construction of heavily reinforced and elevated platforms for an industrial process unit.

“We can provide clients with precast concrete structures of any unique shape or dimension.

This offers a cost-effective alternative to laying concrete in-situ, though we have the expertise to do that too.

“We can construct foundations and slabs above or below water level, with full water-proofing for below ground projects. We also have many years’ experience in the construction of concrete tilt slabs for commercial and residential buildings and for civil infrastructure.

“Not only that, but we offer a complete design and construct service, as well as undertaking concrete repairs and maintenance.”

Barry emphasises that PanelTech offers real advantages to clients through the fact they can carry out all aspects of a concreting project,

PanelTech’s Services • Pre cast concrete structures of any unique shape or dimension

we will be able to fabricate no matter what the weather.”

• Panels and tilt-slab construction for commercial/residential building and civil infrastructure

The team at PanelTech has plenty of experienced tradesmen and concrete workers and they are also Licensed Building Practitioners, giving clients the surety that their projects will delivered with the highest quality and value.

• Laying of foundations and pads for civil and commercial projects – variable shapes using variable concrete mix designs

Fifteen to 20 years working in the concrete

• Complete design and construct service • Concrete repairs and maintenance of existing infrastructure. from reinforcing and fabrication through to erection and joint sealing. They can also arrange transportation and cranage.

“We aren’t limited in location because we are able to transport concrete for some distance.

Recently we transported 28 concrete panels – 240 tonnes of concrete – 40 minutes drive south of Whangarei. This was for the construction of a 600sq metre Celtic Barn at Waipu; quite a complex project with a variety of

detailed panels really giving us an opportunity to showcase our range of services.”

PanelTech has also supplied, erected and joint sealed panels for a new K-Mart in Whangarei and for a new service station at Oakley, as well as for numerous in-house projects for United Civil Construction and for external clients.

Expansion PanelTech is currently expanding its capacity with the building of a new indoor workshop.

“Up until now we have done our precasting outside, which has meant our operation has been weather dependent. With the new facility

Proud to support Paneltech Construction 0800 4 ALLIED (0800 425 543) www.alliedconcrete.co.nz

PanelTech Construction Ltd 19b Rewarewa Road Otaika Whangarei T (09) 438 0354 E info@paneltech.net.nz www.paneltech.net.nz — Advertising Feature

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PROFESSIONAL CONCRETE SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES Our team understand that all concrete is not the same and that customers have different needs. Whatever the job, Allied Concrete will work with you to find the right solution from our wide range of concrete products.

industry is not unusual for members of the PanelTech team. Clients reap the benefits of this experience and of the team’s strong customer focus. “If we didn’t look after our customers we wouldn’t continue to exist.” AT

10 Tonne rough terrain crane to 100 tonne all terrain cranes available.

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PO Box 575 Whangarei hg@hgcs.co.nz 09 438 7139

Proud to Support Paneltech Construction | Engineering Waipu’s heritage to stand tall | www.hawthorngeddes.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 43

Property & Construction | SIKA Homes

SIKA’s award winning ways Selecting a builder can be difficult but SIKA Homes, multi award winning Master Builders and Licenced Building Practitioners, has certainly made that choice a little easier.

Having previously won House of the Year awards, the recent recipients of the 2014 Master Builders’ House of the Year Gold Award and claiming a Regional Category award for 2014, SIKA is already well on its way to achieving some lofty ambitions.

Company founder Blayne Pollock says “We want to become the go-to builder for Auckland and to achieve this we need every client to not only be happy and return, but to refer us to their family and friends. To ensure we get this level of quality, we view our work as a craft.

“We don’t build houses - we build fully functioning works of art.”

SIKA Homes’ specialities ‘Mother Policy’ is an absolute standout in terms of delivering integrity that the SIKA team swear to.

The policy, stated on the website and adhered to by the staff, reads “To treat every client as we would treat our own mother, with respect, politeness and availability to answer questions about any process.”

This policy is the driving force behind the company and instantly comforts the client.

As such, the awards just reinforce that SIKA aren’t just nice guys, they’re astute professionals too.

SIKA Homes founder and director Blayne Pollock (left) receiving a RMB House of the Year award

<

Mother Policy

SIKA specialties: • Character renovations • Architectural new homes.

AT

SIKA Homes Ltd 526 Manukau Road Epsom Auckland T (09) 638 SIKA (7452) E info@sikahomes.co.nz www.sikahomes.co.nz This home went on to win Gold, Gold Reserve and Category awards at the RMB House of the Year Awards

<

“

— Advertising Feature

In their words

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As a first time property developer I contacted SIKA Homes to provide a quote for building a new 300 sqm home. The house was to be a high quality home aimed at attracting discerning buyers and an estimated value of around $1.5-$2m.

Being the first time building an investment house, I involved the architect a lot in the decision about which building company I would use. Blayne’s professionalism and keen attitude, as well as the previous references he was able to provide, were a large contributing factor in contracting Sika Homes to build this house.

While SIKA Homes wasn’t the cheapest quote we received, it was still very

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reasonable and the only company that quoted cheaper simply wasn’t an option. Blayne provided regular progress updates, arranged regular site meetings and was constantly offering ideas of ways to save some money in some areas or improve the final product.

A few times I took Blaynes advice and decided to make some changes and upon completion of the house could see that it definitely was the right decision.

As the project progressed over approx. nine months, I asked Blayne to oversee more and more aspects of the project, as I found that the management fee proposed by SIKA Homes was worth every cent and made things run so much smoother and more efficiently, not to mention that their contractors and material sourcing was usually the sharpest option.

TIGHTLINES

“It is with pleasure that I write this reference for Blayne Pollock and SIKA Homes ltd.

It was obvious from the start that Blayne and his staff took pride in what they did and they went out of their way to assist in any way possible. By the end of the project SIKA Homes was responsible for choosing, organising and managing even things such as interior furniture staging.

The feedback we had from the open homes and other contractors was that everyone was consistently impressed with the quality of the finished product. It is for this reason that SIKA Homes will be used not only to build my next high-end spec house, but also my own personal house in the near future.

We wish Blayne and SIKA Homes all the best, and thank them for making the building experience an enjoyable one.”

- Igor Zhukov

TLELECTRICAL LIMITED

Proud to be supporting SIKA Homes For a Commercial or Residential Registered Electrician in Auckland Give us a call: 0274 932 415

”

Property & Construction | Shore Homes

Homes built for you Reading through Shore Homes’ list of building specifications it’s easy to see that this Auckland company builds high quality homes; something that is quite evident in its stunning new showhome at 10 Remuremu Street, Long Bay on Auckland’s North Shore.

Roofing Solar Heating

Pump Shop

Shore Homes’ beautiful new show home in Long Bay, Auckland

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Shore Homes is a family owned boutique building company that prides itself on building high quality homes for Aucklanders who want something better than average in their new home.

Plumbing

The new showhome Managing director Adam Partridge says the company’s new Remuremu Street showhome is an outstanding example of its abilities and commitment to quality.

“We stand for quality above all else. We have had a huge response to the showhome which is just outstanding and people keep coming back to view again and again,” he says.

The large 4/5 bedroom semi-contemporary home of 274 square metres is spacious and sophisticated, yet still informal, in keeping with the character of the surrounding coastal area.

It incorporates many of the energy efficient and future-proofing features that Shore Homes builds into all of its projects. These include a 2.7m downstairs stud height for extra spaciousness, fully tiled frameless glass shower cubicles, eco-ply external wall bracing and patented superior quality aluminium joinery.

The home has been designed with maximum flexibility in mind. It features dual downstairs living areas which open out on to a sunny covered garden room, plus there is another upstairs multi-use retreat/family room which could also be a fifth bedroom if required.

The kitchen features a full length glass splash back with a Rangitoto image, a butler’s sink, a huge walk-in scullery with black granite bench tops and sophisticated European appliances.

And it also offers a transferable 10 year Masterbuild Guarantee on all new homes built.

Eco-Tech Homes Shore Homes Ltd is all about building eco-friendly homes with durable energy systems using a wide range of building materials sourced from renewable resources.

The company uses recycled building materials, rainwater collection, greywater recycling and water-efficient appliances.

All internal walls and mid-floors are fully insulated, including the garage.

Premier subdivision

“

We stand for quality above all else. We have had a huge response to the showhome which is just outstanding and people keep coming back to view again and again.

Shore Homes has recently been selected as building partner for the large new Weiti Bay development on Auckland’s eastern seafront, north of Long Bay (www.weitibay.co.nz).

- MANAGING DIRECTOR, ADAM PARTRIDGE

The development will feature an exclusive gated community with 150 premier sites overlooking the sea, with sites selling now.

Shore Homes Limited PO Box 89-019 Torbay 0630 T 0800 636 737 M 021 050 5918 E john@shorehomesnz.com www.shorehomesnz.com

While titles will not be available until next year, Shore Homes is already receiving inquiries and working with owners to help design their dream Weiti Bay home. AT

Pool & Spa

”

— Advertising Feature

The home is fully insulated with a thick nontoxic sandwich of polyester insulation in all external and internal walks plus ceiling and mid-floor.

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Quality is the key Shore Homes is a Registered Master Builder, not a franchised group home building company, which allows it to offer superb value for money through low margins without compromising on quality.

“People come to us because they want a better product, they don’t want an average housing build which is being turned out on volume quantities,” Adam says.

156 Main Road PO Box 128 Kumeu

“We are builders who also do renovations and re-clads as well as new builds throughout the North Shore and Rodney areas.”

High quality is a feature of every Shore Homes build, including the company’s new show home

<

The company employs its own skilled team of designers and can design a client’s dream home from scratch, or it also has a range of interesting plans that can be modified to suit.

Phone 0800 532553 Fax (09) 412 7555 Email info@kpl.co.nz www.kpl.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 45

Property & Construction | Timco Construction

Creating accessible landscapes It’s not everyone that can claim the “glory shot” for some of the most scenic and stunningly built features in the natural landscapes of Auckland.

But this is how managing director of Timco Construction, Les Gorvett describes the immense satisfaction and sense of privilege his team gets from constructing the many park and reserve features around the region.

The work is undertaken for a range of clients, the Auckland City Council being among the largest.

“We are so privileged to do the work we do.

It’s stuff that is highly visible and people truly appreciate our structures,” he says.

Based in Manukau, this civil construction company specialises in the building of minor roading works, walkways, pavements, boardwalks, skate parks, playgrounds, access ways, landscaping, concrete, drainage work, and pedestrian bridges.

“We really do have the best job in the world.

We work in nice environments, get incredible outcomes and complete jobs that give us immense satisfaction.”

And the best bit, says Gorvett, is the company gets to come in after all the hard work is done - the design, the logistics, the consents and

public consultation. “It is the happiest job and people love us for what we do.”

Gorvett says his diversely skilled team has a solid, sound and “lovely” track record of jobs.

And it’s a track record that extends across 21 years. During these two decades, Timco Construction has forged a reputation as a hard working, genuine company that gets the job done and done well.

“We are a small team, but highly productive.”

Add to this the diverse and modern equipment and machinery owned by Timco Construction and it’s easy to see why they are the company of choice for councils and other organisations.

Be it a reinforced, complex concrete structure, or kilometres of twisting and turning boardwalks and bridges through wetlands, reserves and parks - the crew has the skill, experience and knowledge to do the job well.

From preparing Mt Smart Stadium for rock superstars Bruce Springsteen and Mick Jagger, to the crafting of complex mountain bike tracks, or building a pathway through a park the projects are as diverse as the skill within the team.

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With over 14 years experience in the industry we strive to offer high quality service and product.

Timco Construction has recently completed around ten kilometres of premier mountain bike track through one of Auckland’s top reserves, Totra Park. Located just off the Manukau Motorway exit, the trails are a mix of beginner to intermediate - gentle grades, but challenging at pace.

Gorvett says the team has the skill and experience to go into the natural landscape, construct the infrastructure required and do it with the least impact to the environment. He cites the Runway Mountain Bike Trail (as it’s called) as a good example of this.

Another project that is hotly anticipated is the country’s first full-on skate park to be constructed within a school. Construction is soon to be completed on the park at Manurewa Intermediate School.

Deputy principal Greer Doidge says the school is aware of the need to engage our children in activities that are positive and popular.

“In some areas, skate parks get a really bad reputation. By having it at our school, we can ensure that this facility is well kept, safe and well used. It’s all about encouraging children to be risk takers, to have a go, to follow their

dreams, to achieve excellence, be productive and a good citizen and this is just one facility within our school that offers opportunities to do this.”

Attention to detail Gorvett says he is proud of the level of detail and attention in everything his team does. “We work hard and the appreciation and huge number of repeat customers is testament to our skill.”

Gorvett, who holds a BSc in Building Management and an MBA has extensive experience in the construction industry - both on the tools and as a project and construction manager.

Since purchasing Timco Construction in 2008, he has upgraded many of the systems, the equipment and the abilities of the team.

“There is little we cannot do in the civil construction sector. We concentrate on our knitting and do what we do well.” Add in the strong network of sub contractors and partner trades, and the skill available to the team is broad.

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Property & Construction | Timco Construction

Find good people and then make them happy The Timco Construction business philosophy is simple - we work on jobs we like, with customers we like and then we do everything we can do to keep them happy,” he says.

Attracting good people into the company is always a priority. “We are always looking for people that have the same passion as we do.

Timco projects This portfolio shows some of the diversity and beauty of the landscapes Timco Construction has the privilege to work in and enhance.

Flat Bush Timco Construction built around ten kilometres of premier mountain bike track through one of Auckland’s top reserves, Totra Park.

Te Puru Pou at Maraitai, installed by Timco Construction.

Flat Bush is New Zealand’s largest and most comprehensively planned new town project.

Located on approximately 1730 hectares of land in the south east of Manukau and is expected to reach a population of at least 40,000 people by 2020.

Flat Bush will provide a mixture of housing densities serviced by five smaller neighbourhood centres. This bridge at Salford Road, constructed

by Timco, is one that helps connect the walkways which join up the new sub-divisions that make up Flatbush. AT

Beachlands is a seaside settlement, bound on two side by the sea, north facing, both gentle sloping and flat. This natural playground features an expanding networks of walkways and bridges.

Timco Construction 4 Grayson Avenue Papatoetoe Manukau Auckland T (09) 278 7155 E info@timco.co.nz www.Timco.co.nz Timco were part of the team preparing for international superstar, Bruce Springsteen - among the structures put in place to cope with the crowds were this new set of steps and access ways at Mount Smart Stadium.

— Advertising Feature

Auckland’s leading manufacturer of Prenailed Frames and Trusses based in East Tamaki Huge range of building materials Timber - Hardware - Tools Catering to both Trade and retail customers makes Akarana Timbers your ultimate one stop shop Knowledgeable staff to help you including Mandarin speaking staff in store

The Kiwi Esplanade Jetty and Wharf is where Timco replaced the old structures with new improved infrastructure.

Manurewa Intermediate School skate park - the first to be placed into a New Zealand School.

TIMCO CONSTRUCTION LIMITED CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS

28 Trugood Drive, East Tamaki Ph. (09) 253 9010 www.akaranatimbers.co.nz

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Accessways • Retaining Walls • Concrete Paths Foot Bridges • Boardwalks • Park Developments Park Maintenance • Skate Parks • Jetties • Play Grounds 4 Grayson Avenue, Papatoetoe, Manukau City, Auckland | www.timco.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 47

Property & Construction | Cavern Home Solutions

Making an impressive entrance Established in April this year, Cavern Home Solutions is a commercial newborn, but the talent and testimonials of the Northland newcomer belie its age.

With more than 30 years of experience in the building field, both here and in Australia, owner Ken Dugdale is already making significant savings for people, while creating their dream homes.

The benefits of a Cavern Home Cavern Home Solutions has five scheduled meetings throughout the construction of your new home:

“Overhead structures eat significantly into profits, so companies traditionally absorb that cost into their prices,” Ken explains

Site meeting prior to starting: • Frames up • Lock up • Pre-handover • Practical completion.

During these meetings if you have any concerns they can be discussed onsite to avoid any unnecessary worry.

This makes for: • Better service • Better building advice • Quality construction • Better designs • Quality products used.

Cavern Home Solutions ‘five point guarantee and promise: • Fixed price contract to code of compliance • No hidden costs • Guaranteed build time • Your design, their design or a combined effort • Ten year Master Build Guarantee.

“With Cavern Home Solutions, I do the ordering, the sales, the costings – everything. This enables us to cut a large number of overhead expenses, savings which we then pass on to the customer.”

With foreman John Hancock a Master Builder also with more than 30 years of experience, Cavern Home Solutions has the experience to make even further savings during concept and design stage. The company was recently able to save a customer $20,000 in materials, then a small design alteration resulted in further savings of $10,000.

All ready to sign with another company, a friend of Robyn Sibtsen and Dean Phillips, from within the building industry, suggested the couple contact Ken for one final quote before proceeding.

“From that first phone call I was impressed with the professional manner in which Ken started us on a painless journey of building our dream home,” Dean says.

“We already had our plan, but Ken quickly showed us ways in which our building costs could be saved and take advantage of our amazing views. Ken and Karen are professional, organised and dedicated to building an absolutely quality home.”

Clarke

Ken naturally demonstrates a strong sense of humility when it comes to the success of his business, and he’s certainly a ‘take it in his stride kind of chap’ when it comes to the competitive nature of the industry. But there’s certainly nothing laissez fair about his attitude towards getting the job done, with a strict 14-16 week turnaround, dependent only on weather.

So despite having started in April, Cavern Home Solutions has already completed two homes with another due to be completed in late November.

The team is focussed on completing a maximum of 12 to 15 homes a year – with each project the result of a real labour of love.

“By not over committing to a large workload, there’s no rushing or stressing and we easily manage a strict time frame from plans out of council to handing the keys over 14-16 weeks later,” Ken explains.

Plumbing Drainage Earthworks

“We could take on as much work as we want, pumping houses out, but it’s simply not what this is about for us. We want to be able to understand exactly what a client wants from their dream home and give each build 100 percent of our focus.”

The benefits of building with Cavern Homes are a fixed price contract to code of compliance, no hidden costs, guaranteed build time, your design or theirs, or a joint effort, plus a 10 year Master Build guarantee. The Mangawhai based building company will take on jobs north of Warkworth.

“All our builds are at a fixed price, including plans and earthworks, so there’s no surprises at the end of the job,” Ken explains.

Ken provided a fixed price and time frame up front for recent customer Peter Collins, but Peter admits he was sceptical. “We rather doubted his ambitious completion date, as it didn’t seem

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We have 5 scheduled meetings throughout the construction: • • • • •

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Ph: 09 431 4171 or 0800 22 83 80 | www.cavernhomes.co.nz 48 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

5 POINT GUARANTEE AND PROMISE • Fixed price contract to Code of Compliance • No hidden cost • Guaranteed build time • 10 year master build guarantee • Your design or ours or joint effort

Property & Construction | Cavern Home Solutions

At A Glance | Pinepac

The right timber every time New Zealand has a strong history of growing, sawmilling and building with timber ever since the early European settlers arrived in the 1800s.

Today we still carry on this tradition, with timber being the building material of choice for construction companies across the country.

Timber is a versatile, cost effective and environmentally friendly product which is widely used for framing, fencing, roofs, decking, skirting, landscaping, custom furniture, stairs, doors and more. possible to us that someone could build a close to 200 square metre home in four months,” Peter says.

“We had some atrocious weather during the build but Ken still managed to give us keys just one week later than he promised.”

He had met Ken five months ago, purely by chance. “We were having a look at a four acre section on the Mangawhai Ridge Farm Park,” Peter says.

They knocked on the neighbouring property, looking for advice on the area, and were met at the door by Ken’s wife Karen. “When we mentioned we were looking to possibly build she said, what a coincidence, that’s what my husband does’.”

Upon meeting Ken the couple felt instantly at ease with his approach. “It was from this very first meeting, Rachael and I decided if we were going to build in Mangawhai, Ken would be our man.”

The property the couple ended up purchasing came with plans, building and resource consents. Ken took their ideas into consideration, redesigning the inherited plan to get the most out of the site’s spectacular views, spending a week re-working the plans.

“The final plan idea came to him late one night; he rang us first thing the next morning and sounded so excited. On opening the email we could see why. It was exactly what we wanted,” Peter says.

And the total cost, including plans, quilla decks, carpet, tiles and granite bench top was $296, 500.

Ken’s passion for the industry is palpable when you speak with him, and it’s clear this is a sentiment shared by the entire team. “Our main concern is the house owner themselves and our sole aim is to meet their needs, which is why we

have basic plans and charge nothing more to change them.”

He has laid the foundations for a boutique, bespoke building company – investing a wealth of previous experience into the Cavern Homes Solutions name to ensure those foundations will not be vulnerable to any challenges that come their way.

With the added expertise of qualified interior designer, wife Karen from KD Designs, Cavern Home Solutions can offer the full design and build package, house and land packages or even just kitchen design.

Moving forward, Ken plans to step back from the building, with a role which is focussed on the day to day running of the company. “I never want to find the company in a position where salesmen make promises which aren’t followed through. I want to ensure I can keep my finger on the pulse of the company.”

A wide range of 17 different house designs are available on the website www.cavernhomes. co.nz, so you can see the wide range of options available. Cavern Home Solutions employs a professional architect to customise your plans and maximise your site. AT Cavern Home Solutions Mangawhai Northland T 0800 22 83 80 Office 09 431 4171 E info@cavernhomes.co.nz www.cavernhomes.co.nz

Pinepac, one of New Zealand’s leading privately owned timber manufacturers, is an old hand in the industry.

It started in 1943 when felling was still done with hand cross-cut saws and axes.

As business grew during the years Pinepac remained at the forefront of the industry, developing with the introduction of heavy machinery to streamline the process.

Seventy years on, Pinepac brings the experience and expertise of more than six decades in the timber business to its customers. Adding value to the process and the product is what it does best.

Pinepac mission statement “The Pinepac Group is dedicated to the production and marketing of fine New Zealand Radiata Pine from sustainable yield forestry for the domestic and export markets and the quality assured supply of timber, hardware and building supplies to our valued customers.”

The company has the invaluable experience and the experts on hand to help select the right timber for the job.

GT ROOFING LTD

M. 021 114 0486 • A/H. 09 438 0228

Products Pinepac has an extensive range of New Zealand Radiata Pine Timber products, they include: • Framing and structural especially high grade options in SG10 and SG12 • Outdoor • Fencing • Retaining • Industrial grades • Roundwood posts and poles • House piles • Speciality products and services.

Quality management

High quality timber

— Advertising Feature

Glenn Taylor

Old hand

It prides itself on delivering high quality timber products made to suit the specific requirements of each individual customer. So you can rest assure you are getting the right grade and the right timber, processed to the exact tolerances.

Its fully integrated forestry, sawmilling and processing operations allows it to grow, mill, cut, dry and treat its own New Zealand radiata pine for local use or export. This means that they can offer a great range of quality products on demand.

Pinepac has a strong commitment to a high standard of quality; as a result it has a number of guidelines and processes in place to ensure its products constantly achieve and exceed expected standards.

In 1993 the company achieved International Standards Organisation accreditation for production, processing, manufacturing and retail operations.

Pinepac works under the guidelines of the Timber Preservation Council New Zealand.

This control body oversees all timber preservation plants and carries out regular testing to ensure preservation and branding is to the required standard.

Pinepac is also a registered user of the WOODmark Quality Assurance brand. The WOODmark brand gives you peace of mind that the is timber correctly treated and will resist insect attack and decay. AT Pinepac 2 Airport Road Whenuapai Auckland 0618 T (09) 416 8164 E pinepac@pinepac.co.nz www.pinepac.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

WE ARE PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH CAVERN HOME SOLUTIONS. FULL LAYING SERVICE PROVIDED FOR CARPET, VINYL, TILES AND TIMBER Email sales@midwaycarpets.co,nz for site measures or plans can be sent direct to us for pricing. Visit our retail store at 675 Whangaparaoa Road, Whangaparaoa.

PH 09 424 3790 | www.midwaycarpets.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 49

Property & Construction | Mokoia Developments

Four generations of building excellence Building is in the blood of the McMillan family.

Brothers Clive and Lloyd served apprenticeships with their father Tom, who in turn served an apprenticeship with his father, Jack. The two brothers started their own company 25 years ago, Mokoia Developments, and both have their own sons on the payroll.

That’s a long line of builders and a wealth of invaluable knowledge passed down through the generations that serves the company well today.

Based on Auckland’s North Shore, Mokoia Developments covers all aspects of a building project – from planning with an architect to council consent, right through to the building process, including managing trusted subcontractors and final compliance.

Clive McMillan has no problem mixing business with family. He and his brother work well together, but managing the next generation – Angus, 20, Louis 16, and Thomas, 21 – can have its challenges.

“They give us a bit of cheek from time to time, but at the end of the day work is work and they are employees. Everyone falls into line and we think it’s good to keep it in the family. The boys are hard workers – like their dads – and we all share a commitment to the highest standards in building and customer service. A stubborn determination to do our best certainly runs in the family,” he says.

Mokoia Developments has extensive experience in house renovations and new builds, as well as commercial and interior fit-outs. The team of five qualified tradesmen, one hammer hand and three apprentices can tackle any building project, big or small, with the support of their trusted casual tradesmen if required.

“We are currently working on a major residential refit in Parnell. The original home was essentially gutted inside and is being rebuilt. There is a huge amount of satisfaction seeing a project through to completion.

Sometimes it is completely unrecognisable when it’s all done. We are really proud of what we can help homeowners achieve.

We are a family business who not only pride ourselves in providing a warm and professional service but as we purchase our carpet and vinyl in bulk, also offer the best pricing throughout NZ.

Builders Welcome 10 WAIRAU ROAD, Wairau Valley, Auckland 09 444 0123 | www.carpettime.co.nz

50 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Property & Construction | Mokoia Developments

“

Why you should insist on a certified builder

In their words

All certified builders begin their careers by obtaining a professional trade qualification – learning the right way, from a trade-qualified craftsperson.

Here’s what recent clients have said about working with Mokoia Developments: “I have no hesitation in recommending Mokoia Developments to any homeowner wishing to undertake a similar job. In addition to this, we were given good advice regarding structural design, which led to improved aesthetics and money saved.”

Working with a certified builder means you will be eligible for the one of the most comprehensive independent guarantees around. The Homefirst Builders Guarantee includes cover for the following: • loss of deposit • build completion • non-structural defects (up to two years) • structural defects (up to 10 years) • weathertightness (up to 10 years) • accommodation, removal and storage allowance.

Ideally, any renovation work should add value to your home. Certified builders know where to invest to maximise the value of your property. Whether it’s clever use of space or specific finishes – they know the tricks of the trade.

Finally, working directly with your builder means you get the best advice when you need it the most. There is no one in-between to cause confusion. This helps to eliminate misunderstandings and helps the project run smoothly from start to finish.

For the best possible job and peace of mind, choose a certified builder for your next building project.

“Commercial projects often come with their own set of unique challenges. Earlier this year, in April, we finished the Stanley Wharf passenger terminal waiting rooms. That project involved building over the water, which was new to us. We get a lot of variety in this business – no two jobs are ever the same.”

We often hear that people are the most important asset of a successful business and this is never truer than for a family business.

“We believe in investing in our people to help make our business a success. And because

- Adrian Pickstock

it’s a family business, we also have a vested interest in watching our family succeed on a personal level. I think this gives us a unique commitment that other businesses may not have.

“We require all our staff to keep up to date with the building code and regulatory changes, attend relevant professional development courses, have a good knowledge of health and safety issues, and read the product literature for new products.

“Basically, as a company, we have a commitment to ongoing learning. I think that’s important in this industry because things change quickly – we have to keep up or we‘ll get left behind.”

Both Clive and Lloyd are licensed building practitioners with the Department of Building and Housing, and members of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand. The company’s trade membership reflects its commitment to both the industry and its clients, as it strives towards excellence in the construction industry.

Being a member of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand means Mokoia Developments can offer the Homefirst Builders Guarantee, which is the most comprehensive building guarantee on the market.

This guarantee gives the new homeowner additional reassurance in the quality of the workmanship provided by their certified builder.

As well as having building in their blood, the McMillan brothers also appear to have romance in their genes. This could be why they made reference to the Maori legend of Hinemoa and Tutanekai when naming their newly formed company in 1989.

Hinemoa and Tutanekai were forbidden lovers who united on Mokoia Island, in Lake Rotorua, against the wishes of their family.

Or maybe they made reference to Mokoia because their office was originally located in Birkenhead, near Mokoia Road.

“Admittedly, we liked the story, and the fact that there’s a link to our office premises, the name just worked for us.”

If you are planning a building project, come and meet the family. You can trust them to do the best possible job – their reputation and their families’ livelihoods depend on it.

So feel free to call Clive on 021 882 623 or Lloyd on 021 982 623, or visit www.mokoiadevelopments.co.nz for more information. AT

“Throughout the project we found Lloyd to be professional and proactive in his communications with ourselves and capable in managing the execution of the works described in our documentation, to a standard that met our expectations. We would be happy to work with Lloyd again in the future.”

- Lance Herbst, Herbst Architects “The Mokoia team started the job when they said they would and finished on time and on budget despite a very tight deadline. Their mix of professionalism and practical common sense made them a pleasure to deal with.”

- Todd Valentine, CEO Elldex Packaging Group

Mokoia Developments T 021 882 623 T 021 982 623 www.mokoiadevelopments.co.nz

”

— Advertising Feature

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Striving towards excellence in the construction industry For further information contact Clive Mcmillan 021 882 623 or Lloyd Mcmillan 021 982 623 or www.mokoiadevelopments.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 51

Property & Construction | Henderson Demolition

Deconstruction with a difference As the construction industry has evolved to create modern complex structures, the demolition trade has adapted alongside it, to ensure these complex structures can be safely and efficiently removed.

“The biggest change is that today we deconstruct as opposed to demolish a building,” explains managing director of Henderson Demolition, Glenn Henderson.

“Demolition is so much more involved than I think anyone realises; it’s so much more than just tearing down a building.”

Established by Glenn and his wife Joan as a small demolition team in 1999, Henderson Demolition has evolved almost as much as the industry itself. Now, running a team of 50 to 60 staff, Henderson Demolition is well placed to take on some of Auckland’s most significant demolition and deconstruction projects, while still taking on the smaller jobs which helped cement its name in the local industry.

One of the most recent jobs for the Ports of Auckland has involved the deconstruction of a 12,000 square metre building. With access

issues and a high wind zone, the demolition is being predominantly carried out by hand.

In Queen Street, the company has cut and craned 300 tonnes of concrete off the side of a building – another job carried out manually due to access and safety concerns.

“We’ve grown steadily over the years, investing significantly in equipment to be able to take on the larger jobs. Then when the Christchurch

earthquake hit, most of the Auckland companies went down there and our workload just exploded,” Glenn explains.

He’s happy with the size of the company as it stands, which is primed to take on the jobs both big and small, while maintaining the impeccable standards the Henderson name has become renowned for.

“We’re at the size we want to be; the guys here are like part of the family and that’s how we want to operate,” Glenn says.

One of those key members is general manager Rikki Jones, who joined the crew in 2006. “There’s a huge amount happening around Auckland,” Rikki says. “We’re about to start phase two of the old National Women’s Centre at Greenlane Hospital.

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“We’re able to carry out almost any demolition job – standard residential jobs, high rise strip outs, concrete cutting and fire burnouts.”

Health and safety, as well as the associated staff training, is a top priority for the Henderson Demolition crew.

The removal of asbestos is also becoming an area of increasing importance. Until the late 1980s, more than 3,000 products containing asbestos were used in construction. When renovating or demolishing older buildings, there is a very high probability of encountering asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that were commonly used in construction.

Glenn prides himself on the company having ACC Tertiary Accreditation and an impeccable record. Demolition work has always carried inherent risk, including the possibility of falls and unplanned building collapses.

ACMs must be removed and disposed of by trained and qualified workers before renovations or demolition begins.

But present-day demolition workers are required to have training in working at heights using winches and harnesses, lifting and cutting gear, as well as a good knowledge of New Zealand health and safety regulations, Codes of Practice and relevant industry standards and guidelines.

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Property & Construction | Henderson Demolition

Up with the play “When a multi-level building needs to come down, ensuring that building comes down safely is all down to the skills of the company behind it,” Glenn says.

“Every single demolition crew member has to have safety training qualifications such as Site Safe, which I think is a great thing for our industry. When you’re painting at heights, you’re simply working with heights.

Henderson Demolition offers: When time is of the essence and you need a skilled demolition contractor to complete a job on time and on budget, call on Henderson Demolition for all your demolition needs. The company’s trusted experts provide many services in an organised, methodical and fast manner.

Ask them about:

“In demolition we do the lot – working at heights while working with heavy machinery for example; when you’re demolishing a building, you do it all.”

• Commercial and industrial demolition

And, as with any industry, compliance comes at a cost. “What’s changed the most in our industry over the last five to 10 years is the compliance costs. The levels of compliance required have changed so much and will change again in April 2015 with the increased health and safety requirements.

• Insurance work

“Health and safety is a huge part of our industry, but it ensures we get to send our guys home safe at the end of every day,” he says.

A member of the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association (NZDAA), a national body that represents both the demolition and asbestos companies, Henderson Demolition is passionate about improving the overall operating environment of both the demolition and asbestos industries.

“Like any industry, there are cowboys out there and unfortunately in this industry cowboys can mean serious injury to someone.

The NZDAA has grown from a handful of members to over 50 members and one day we would love to see every demolition company in New Zealand become a member.”

It’s a capital intensive industry and Henderson Demolition needs to ensure it is up with the play in terms of machinery and equipment.

“Because of the game we’re in it’s important

The biggest change is that today we deconstruct as opposed to demolish a building.

”

- Henderson Demolition, managing director, Glenn Henderson

• Residential demolition • Certified asbestos removal • Concrete cutting and drilling • High-rise strip outs.

• Don’t hesitate to call for more information about the services or for a free quote.

we maintain high quality plant and equipment, so we run a workshop with three fulltime mechanics to ensure everything is operating at top performance.”

Waste is also a key concern within the demolition industry. Henderson Demolition has an agreement whereby other companies purchase product from them, direct from the site, and the recyclable products are then removed before demolition resumes.

Timbers are crushed and used to burn as fuel or to create the likes of embankments for motorway jobs and road works, concrete is crushed and re-used in numerous applications, while copper, aluminium and steel are also recycled. “About 70 to 80 percent of a building is currently being recovered and reused, with 25 to 30 percent remaining as scrap,” Glenn says.

Glenn is certainly a ‘take it in stride’ kind of chap when it comes to both the fiscal and literal

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“

“Where there’s a problem, there’s always a solution and we will always do our utmost to find that solution.”

ups and downs of the industry. Henderson Demolition has weathered some of the biggest industrial storms in its 15 year history, including the 2008 Global Economic crisis, which saw even bigger players lose their financial footing.

But most importantly, Glenn says the company simply wouldn’t be where it is today without the strong support of a loyal group of suppliers.

“The recession was hard for everyone, but it was the great companies we work with that kept us going.

And he sees the competitive commercial landscape as nothing more than something to push companies like his to do the very best they can do.

“They stuck with us through the recession and hopefully one day we can return the favour.” AT

“We carry out a diverse range of work in-house,” Glenn says. “From stripping out buildings to concrete cutting and asbestos removal. Our health and safety standards are exceptional and the attention we give each job is 100 percent, with a full time site supervisor overseeing every job. We find out exactly what each individual client wants and we work with them to get the outcome they want within the timeframe they require.

Henderson Demolition 2 Parker Street Papakura Auckland T (09) 298 0960 E glennhenderson@xtra.co.nz www.hendersondemolition.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Call us now on 09 298 0960 for a FREE quote or visit our website www.hendersondemolition.co.nz for more information. www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 53

Property & Construction | Sunshine Homes and Cabins

Building on a budget with Sunshine With the Auckland housing market continuing to rise, a growing number of people are choosing to put minor dwellings on their own property.

This is where Sunshine Homes and Cabins comes in; the company builds high-quality small transportable homes that are incredibly affordable, yet provide all the luxuries needed for comfortable living.

Sunshine has been building small transportable homes and buildings for 22 years, focussing on meeting the needs of clients on a modest budget.

Generally between 60 to 100 square metres, Sunshine homes are ideal for use as minor dwellings, granny flats, baches, cottages and offices. From a compact cabin to an expansive home, there’s a Sunshine solution to fit every budget, site and personal preference.

Sunshine’s range of plans is just a starting point for clients, who are free to tailor any design to meet their individual needs.

Managing director Tony Snushall says Sunshine offers a range of added value services, including design, consenting and total project management.

Why buy a Sunshine home?

With more than 2000 Sunshine homes and buildings located throughout New Zealand, there are many reasons so many Kiwis choose to build with Sunshine, including:

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• Plenty of choice - your home can be customised to meet your needs, including alternative materials, plans and colours • Vest value natural timber houses available

Clients can be as involved in the building process as they want, from having their new building fully constructed in Sunshine’s purpose-built Whangarei factory and installed hassle-free onsite, to having their home delivered in kitset form ready for their own construction.

“About 80 to 90 percent of our work is transportable homes built in our factory and then delivered to site,” Tony says.

“The benefits are in the quality, speed and efficiency. Sometimes we’re required to just provide a shell, or it can be right through to decks, pergolas and plumbing; we offer a flexible range of solutions, plus the Sunshine process is faster than the traditional building process.”

Choosing to have your Sunshine home built in-factory is the fastest, easiest and best value option. However, for larger homes or more challenging sites, a build onsite is often the best option.

The perfect bach or minor dwelling Tony says with Auckland house prices continuing to rise, many families are looking at alternative ways to house children or ageing parents. Many are choosing to put a minor dwelling on their family property.

“Minor dwellings can be up to 65 square metres and are allowed in many parts of Auckland as granny flats or extra accommodation,” he says.

“Families are putting a small dwelling in for their children who can’t afford their own property. It’s often quite a surprise to people how easy it is to get one of our buildings onsite; you just sign off the design and wait for it to be delivered.”

The bach market is also starting to pick up around Auckland and Northland, as confidence grows in the stable economy. In addition, Sunshine Homes and Cabins’ buildings are ideal for use as offices and education facilities.

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54 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Property & Construction | Sunshine Homes and Cabins

Property & Construction | Absolute Construct

Complex builds made simple If anyone takes building seriously it’s Absolute Construct Ltd in Auckland.

Stylish, solid homes and buildings Quality is a huge focus for Sunshine Homes, which has developed a reputation as a provider of well designed small homes and buildings.

Sunshine sees itself as a factory builder of quality homes for people on a budget. “Quality is a big thing for us and we encourage people to come to the factory and look at our houses being built as part of investigating Sunshine,” Tony says.

“We’re proud of the houses we build. We think timber is a great renewable and high-quality material to build houses out of and we use plenty of it.”

While Sunshine traditionally featured all timber interior walls, today clients can choose the type of interior finish they want, including plaster and paint.

All Sunshine buildings include a Coloursteel roof, insulation, a choice of three exterior

cladding options, treated timber framing and floors and aluminium joinery, and are delivered with full building consent. Quality kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, wardrobes and laundry cabinets can also be part of the initial build.

“We try to just build good-quality homes at the lowest possible price for our customers,” Tony says.

“Our focus has been on building quality and letting our reputation be our greatest marketing tool. Most of our leads come from word of mouth.” AT

Sunshine Homes and Cabins 15 Waipanga Road Kamo Whangarei T 0800 485 800 E info@sunshinehomes.co.nz www.sunshinehomes.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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Established in 1994 by Kevin Bruce and his wife, Andrea, the pair subsequently changed the company’s name from Absolute Building Services Ltd to Absolute Construct Ltd in 2013.

Absolute Construct mostly focusses on mid to high-end residential homes and during the years the target work has changed from building straightforward homes to more complicated and challenging projects.

The workforce consists of eight hard working, friendly and adaptable building staff, two of which are apprentices, with a third apprentice on the horizon, who each bring a broad range of skills and experience, and offer sound advice to their clients.

“My ambitions/future goals are to continue working with top architects and clients on exciting and challenging projects.”

The company would like to thank MCB Plumbing and All Safe Scaffolding for all their help and consistent sub trades during the years. AT Absolute Construct Ltd 28 Ponsonby Terrace Ponsonby Auckland T (09) 376 5513 E office@absoluteconstruct.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Kevin worked as a qualified boat builder working for the Lidguard boat yard before moving into the building and construction industry.

“The Stanley Point Road project really highlights the sort of challenging work we do.

It was a very significant renovation project with major structural challenges on a tight, steep site with difficult access. Architects required exacting attention to detail while working through the issues one after the other,” Kevin says.

To achieve a high standard of finish within the required time-frame, Kevin says choosing the right clients, selecting the right tradesmen to complete the jobs, and meeting clients and architects who share the same vision is vital.

He adds that he enjoys being able to hand over a finished project to clients that meets, or exceeds their expectations.

The team at Absolute Construct is rightfully proud of the key business achievements it has accumulated during the years, most recently as a finalist in the 2014 Master Builders’ House of the Year competition $500,000 Renovation category.

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www.allsafescaffolding.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 55

Property & Construction | Watts and Hughes Construction

Building NZ for 30 years Watts and Hughes Construction is celebrating 30 years in business, an achievement that is not easy to come by in such a competitive industry.

Established in Auckland in 1984 and in Tauranga in 2004, the company has since built a large number of high quality projects.

Today it has operations in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Wellington, with a Christchurch division formed three and a half years ago.

Watts and Hughes takes clients through every step of the build project, from initial design to completed construction, and recognises that client requirements are of extreme importance.

Control and management of all projects are overseen by directors Craig Watts, Mark Gutry, Peter Wilkinson and Rob Murphy, who ensure their key people possess the technical excellence, experience and construction industry knowledge to get the job completed on time and to the highest standard. <

Watts and Hughes has completed a new two-level office/distribution centre for Ceres Enterprises in Auckland

Employing more than 109 people across its Auckland, Mt Maunganui and Christchurch operations, with 50 working in Auckland, the vast experience of its staff ensures each project is managed effectively.

It also chooses every subcontractor carefully, particularly for design and build work. “We don’t always take the cheapest subcontractor,” contract manager Jim Wylie says.

High quality construction

“We take the best for that particular job and always look for someone we know can perform on time and is good at that particular work.”

Rightfully proud of its 30 year anniversary, several staff members having worked with the

company for more than 15 years. “That’s quite a good sign of the longevity of the company and our ability to keep good people,” Jim says.

Watts and Hughes Construction’s in-house quality control programmes ensure the highest standards of construction are maintained, while still keeping the project within time-lines and budget controls.

The company’s achievements have resulted from careful planning and an awareness of the changing, complex nature of today’s construction projects and client needs.

By adopting and implementing robust company policies in the areas of project methodology, quality assurance, health and safety and environmental control, Watts and Hughes Construction is able to offer clients the confidence that their design and construction projects will be professionally managed from start to finish.

Focus on the client Client satisfaction is the foremost priority for Watts and Hughes Construction.

The company’s services have an ongoing commitment to providing exceptional quality

of design and construction that exceeds its clients’ requirements.

Staff are committed to meeting every client’s requirements through regular communication.

Directors Craig Watts, Peter Wilkinson, Rob Murphy and Mark Gutry are fully involved in every aspect of their business and are always available to talk to clients and make decisions quickly.

The company ensures clients have regular communications concerning progress and if they need answers fast, they can contact a Watts and Hughes director.

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56 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Ph. 09 279 8443

Property & Construction | Watts and Hughes Construction

Close working relationships Blue Rock Civil Limited has worked closely with Watts and Hughes Construction since the 1980s, when it was the company’s major contractor.

Blue Rock director Mike Adams says while his business is no longer Watts and Hughes’ main contractor, the businesses still work together on a regular basis.

“We’ve been with them from the tight times to the good times. They’re a fair and reasonable company and they’re quite innovative and do a range of different types of work,” he says.

Blue Rock Civil has worked with Watts and Hughes on a range of projects, including Moyes Motor Group and a large new subdivision in Mt Wellington.

“We wish them well for being in business so long and wish them well for the future.”

New medical facility Auckland businesses are continuing to benefit from Watts and Hughes Construction’s vast range of construction knowledge.

Contracts manager Jim Wylie says the company is enjoying a busy year in Auckland, with several good projects on the go.

Watts and Hughes has built a number of specialised medical facilities during the years and is currently working on a $7.9 million project at 123 Remuera Road for Tuatara Assets.

Watts and Hughes Construction is renowned for high quality construction

<

“They were like a family company when they first started out and I still have a lot to do with Rob Murphy, their construction director.”

“It’s a new facility for the Eye Institute. We initially contracted for the base building, which we started last year, and about three months ago we won the $2.5 million fit-out project, which is now underway,” Jim says.

“The 123 Remuera Road project is a five level building; two levels are underground carpark and three are above ground. It includes offices, an operating suite, laser room and consulting room for optical specialists, as well as administration and rooms for dermatology.”

Medical institutes require a high standard of quality and finish, with 123 Remuera Road being quite unique in its shape and style, as well as its interior finish.

“There are a lot of curved walls with Tasmanian oak battens and other unique details. There’s LED lighting in the numerous alcoves, ceiling recesses, toe spaces and joinery fixtures.

There is also a lot of special features such as solid-glazed walls with frameless glass and automated doors.”

Significant projects on the go Watts and Hughes is also constructing two separate apartment buildings at 464 Remuera Road for Albatross QT Limited.

The project involves a total of nine upmarket apartments, which feature a high quality finish and ocean views.

“We’ve just finished BMW Mini in Newmarket, which was a two level building with function rooms and toilet areas upstairs and a showroom and service shop downstairs,” Jim says.

<

Watts and Hughes is celebrating 30 years in the construction industry

“Last year we completed a new two level office/distribution centre for Ceres Enterprises.

Ceres is a natural health and organic product company and the project was a five-star green building, as Ceres wished their building to display its philosophy. We’ve used recycled and sustainable material for the project, which comprised 4,500 square metres of warehouse and 800 metres of offices.”

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Watts and Hughes is also building a new 12 classroom block at Auckland Grammar School, which Jim says is posing particular challenges.

refurbishments, design and build proposals and presentations for tender work.

“We’re always available to talk to people. We’re busy but we can always be busier.”

Other major projects recently undertaken:

Thank you

• A $9.2 million mixed-use development in Albany • A $6 million industrial project for Goodmans in Highbrook, East Tamaki • Stage 1 of the Manukau Courts, with additional work refurbishing existing buildings coming up • An extension to the existing Dressmart store at Onehunga • A conversion of the old Farmers building in Browns Bay into a modern development providing six tenancies.

Jim Wylie says 2014 has been a great year so far, with the company also busy doing smaller

Watts and Hughes would like to thank all those companies it works with for their continued support and particularly Blue Rock Civil, Asian Tilers, Stainless Kitchens, TS Bishop, Kiwi Roofing, Master Kelwin and Bioresearches for the assistance in this article. AT Watts and Hughes Construction Ltd 15B Vesty Drive Mount Wellington Auckland T (09) 573 5750 E auckland@whconstruction.co.nz www.whconstruction.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 57

Property & Construction | Active Engineering

Specialised print industry services Skilled engineering staff

The high cost of technology involved in the printing industry means it’s vitally important to service and maintain your printing machines properly, which is where Active Engineering comes in.

Active Engineering in Mairangi Bay has a dedicated team undertaking general and precision engineering and specialising in the installation, service and repair of printing machines.

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Neville says staff undertake ongoing training throughout the world to keep up with the continually changing technology in the printing industry. “As the models keep changing if you don’t keep up the training you can get left behind. We’re hoping customers will start to build the service and training costs into their purchase.”

Active Engineering specialises in breakdowns and modifications of all graphic art equipment

General manager Steve Neville says servicing the printing industry is a major focus of the company, which has worked its way into the niché market over many years. “As the older printing engineers have given up we’ve become the agents for all the machinery suppliers,” he says.

Its service staff are on call to travel to the South Island, Australia, the Pacific Islands and Asia as well. “We’ve bought special tooling and have a database for preventative maintenance,” Steve says.

“It’s such a small market for suppliers of machinery and we do all the major brands, as they can’t do the maintenance themselves.”

“We used to just do planned maintenance over Christmas but now it’s done throughout the year. We have a new print services manager, Shayne Booth, and have sharpened our maintenance service up.”

Active Engineering employs a team of printing and packaging machine specialists with three fully equipped vehicles dedicated to providing 24/7 service to all makes of printing machinery in the North Island.

Repair work is carried out with minimum down time. Hard to source spare parts are repaired or manufactured in Active Engineering’s sophisticated workshop with the latest technologies.

Installing your printing machine In addition to servicing and maintaining printing machines, the team at Active Engineering also undertakes installation of new machines and operator training.

“We’ve just installed a large new Komori printing machine at Image Centre in Auckland,” Steve says.

“It was a turnkey operation that involved unpacking and installing the machine in conjunction with two engineers from Australia. We’re also doing a demonstration and some training.”

Customers are encouraged to consult Active Engineering before invest in new machinery or relocating their premises.

477 Rangitikei Line, Palmerston North 0800 KOMATSU • 027 449 1605 www.machineryspecialists.co.nz

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“Having to train for all the different models of machinery is quite hard, but with our staff retention rates we’ve got good skills.”

The company recently bought new printing machinery from France, Canada and Germany, which the company will test and pack up before unpacking and installing for the customer.

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Active Engineering also trains apprentices and currently has three on its books. The company has an ongoing relationship with Long Bay College, which provides young people for its apprenticeship programme.

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The company is New Zealand’s only service agent for Roland, Komori and KBA printing machines, and is also a specialist in Bobst, Enco and Yoko Die Cutters. It specialises in breakdowns and modifications of all graphic art equipment, as well as guillotines, die cutters and binding machines.

All its printing engineers are trained professionals who will take care of all your printing requirements and are adept at handling different printing equipment and machinery.

The company can advise on the foundations and services required for smooth installations and reliable running.

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Property & Construction | Active Engineering

Repair work to printing machines is carried out with minimum down time.

Professional engineering services, include: • Onsite machining • Printing machine servicing • Precision and general engineering • Milling, turning, lineboring, drilling, keyway broaching and grinding • Welding, shaft repair, fabrication • Engineering project management • Programmed maintenance • Machine installations.

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Active Engineering is a specialist in servicing Komori printing machines

mechanical machinery repair services are comprehensive.

resulting in a quality product at a competitive price. It also undertakes urgent jobs 24/7.

Five fully qualified tradesmen, supported by additional tradesmen, give it the ability to produce 480 man hours per week for urgent assignments.

Its machining equipment includes: • Milling machines up to 1500mm x 500mm tables

Mechanical repair work includes:

• Surface grinder

• Gearboxes, conveyors and drive assemblies • Presses

Active Engineering’s modern workshop contains some of the best machinery in New Zealand.

The company boasts full workshop facilities, eleven mobile vans for onsite and urgent assignments and a wealth of experience reflected in its prestigious client base. It is equipped to handle almost any engineering work from small to large fabrication jobs.

It can work in all materials from plastics to stainless steel.

Active Engineering provides an onsite workshop maintenance service to a range of clients in the areas of manufacturing, processing, production and other related industries. Its machine maintenance and

• Radial drill • Hydraulic Press - 60 tonne

• Tanks, valves, batching and mixing equipment • All hydraulic and pumping/refining systems

Well equipped machine shop

• Vertical bandsaw

• Breakdown repairs • Workshop machinery repairs.

The company’s fabrication and machining capabilities include computer controlled equipment to cut, bend and machine steel to any shape or size necessary.

Investment in these computer controlled machines means Active’s engineers can produce multiple parts faster and more accurately than before. The programmes are stored so if subsequent parts are required they can be easily reproduced with minimum delay.

A 24/7 repair service Active Engineering has the ability to manufacture complex parts in-house,

• Porta-power - 60 tonne • Welders MIG, TIG, Arc and Arc/Air gouging.

Comprehensive onsite machining service Active Engineering has the largest portable line boring operation in New Zealand and can undertake mobile welding repairs for a range of industries, including marine, earthmoving, forestry, roading and power stations.

Directors Steve Neville and Keith Fleming recognised that a lot of machinery is too large to be easily transported to their workshop and have developed an onsite machining department to carry out high-quality maintenance at customers’ premises.

“Our onsite industrial machining work is quite unique in New Zealand and Australasia.”

Steve says.

Portable line boring The portable line boring and facing machines cover a whole range of repair or modification projects onsite, whether they are in emergency or planned maintenance situations.

And the company has the largest portable line boring machine in the country. It can line bore up to 1000mm in diameter.

It can build up and line bore any bearing or pin bore back to original size, or if preferred, the bore can be oversized and sleeved. Shafts up to 609mm diameter can be machined onsite, as well as keyways cut, flanges refaced and holes drilled, tapped or resized.

Its line boring equipment is frequently used to repair joints of excavators, loaders, graders or anything that pivots.

Active stocks and fits high quality Acti-Bush hardened pins and bushes to get your machine running again in the shortest possible time. AT

Active Engineering Limited 19 Parkway Drive Mairangi Bay Auckland T (09) 478 7880 E info@activeengineering.co.nz www.activeengineering.co.nz — Advertising Feature

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 59

Property & Construction | Global Engineering

Engineering solutions you can count on Boom and bust; both terms familiar in business and yet expansion invariably means investment, which translated, generally means debt. And while business is booming for Auckland based Global Engineering, and expansion is continually occurring, it’s very aware of how the broader economy can impact its business.

Managing director Andrew Jackson openly admits his philosophy is a staged growth plan where debt is well managed. It would be simple, he says, for the general, structural and precision engineering company to go out and purchase or build all the new equipment it desires to manage its increasing workload. “But I don’t want to stretch debt beyond what is reasonable.” Sound and sensible business practise, most would agree.

“We have a willingness to tackle jobs other companies might not touch, and with high standards of quality and attention to detail, and a vigorously competitive approach to pricing and management of resources, we have formed a solid reputation for delivering quality on time.”

Global Engineering has just moved into custom built premises; a move that has been long anticipated. The land in Kumeu was purchased seven years ago, but with the grey cloud of financial doom looming on the horizon, plans to build were put on hold.

This saw a major revision of the path forward and Andrew says he is glad of it, as the outcome has been a more cost-effective building, but still one that can grow and expand with the business.

The 1,500 square metres of workshop houses two fabrication bays, each measuring 15 by 45 metres. The building is designed to allow new bays to be added. Plans for the third bay are already underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

The Kumeu site also gives Global Engineering 1,500 sqm of yard and storage space and a further 400 sqm of office and communal business space.

Global Engineering has just moved into custom built premises; a move that has been long anticipated

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With the recent global recession still front of mind, Andrew knows the success of his business is closely linked to that of the construction sector. Times were tough for a few years, but Global Engineering rode the GFC out, and Andrew puts this down to his company’s ability to tackle complex, highly detailed and unusual jobs.

On the move

The vast majority of Global Engineering’s work is in commercial construction detailing, fabricating and erecting structural steel.

However, the abilities of the company are diverse; its skill base encompasses a variety of projects from high quality medical equipment through to food-grade stainless screw conveyors to machinery for a variety of specialised manufacturing processes.

“We take a craftsman approach to everything we do, building products of the highest quality

and durability. Whether its manufacturing, fitting, fabrication, finishing, coating or erection; all receive the same dedicated attention to detail ensuring we get the best possible result.”

And as in any skilled profession - the quality of the job is dependent on the people who complete it. “We are committed to ensuring that the highest calibre of staff are invited to join our team in order to provide the best possible service to our clients,” Andrew adds.

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Property & Construction | Global Engineering

The right fit One of the biggest challenges with structural steel and metalwork in the construction industry is ensuring the thousands of parts that make up a steel structure all fit together correctly when delivered to site.

Recognising the need to stay at the forefront of the industry, Global Engineering invested into specialised draughting software systems some 12 years ago. In addition to having their own in-house design and draughting team, it utilises an integrated management software as the basis of its robust quality control system.

“All incoming information, from both the architectural and engineering specifications, including the client’s time-line and required delivery sequence, is fed into the management software. Our highly skilled draftsmen then translate this into the 3D models

and the comprehensive shop drawings for manufacturing to follow.”

Andrew says in the background the software automatically produces and updates all the relevant data required for quality control throughout the model adjustments.

“Consequently, every part of the process is closely monitored, from initial inquiry through drafting, fabrication and finishing to delivery and installation on-site.”

The in-house advantage Helping to set the company apart from many of its competitors is that it does all of this, draughting included, completely in-house, enabling it to be in complete cost saving control from day one.

“This software-based system has proved its worth with great success in a number of recent projects both in New Zealand and offshore,” adds Andrew.

The team’s expertise does not stop when a product leaves the production line

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Trucks can drive through the building and be loaded and unloaded by overhead gantry cranes

“Just about everything we make is a one-off.

That’s why we need to be very exact about what we do. We have developed an excellent system if checking work throughout the manufacturing process and we are continually working on quality assessment procedures, especially around material certification.”

Additional computerised automation will be introduced as part of the staged expansion.

First up, says Andrew, is a new leading technology cutting saw, a Beam Line for drilling precision holes automatically and plasma cutting equipment.

“Throughput is the most essential element of the process for us, so everything we invest into is around increasing production and efficiency.”

The move into the new premises has facilitated this. Trucks can drive through the building and be loaded and unloaded by

overhead gantry cranes, each with a capacity of 6.5 tonnes. Previously all loading was done outside with forklifts and mobile cranes.

“Handling materials forms around 20 percent of our business, so to increase our ability to do this better and faster is a massive move forwards for us.”

The team’s expertise does not stop when a product leaves the production line. Global Engineering has a steel erection and site installation team. “Our onsite team members have been hand picked for skill, reliability and experience, and are all accredited Site-Safe workers with a variety of qualifications which are needed today to ensure safer, healthier work practices.

“We have a high degree of flexibility and control over the delivery, erection and installation process with our own mobile cranes and truck cranes.”

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www.unitedsteel.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 61

Property & Construction | Global Engineering Superior reputation Customer service ranks high on the list of attributes at Global Engineering.

“You know you are well respected when your clients, the owners of some of Auckland’s top commercial construction companies, come to you to get structural steel when they build their own homes.”

Andrew knows the superior reputation the company enjoys is based around its willingness to do difficult work. “We spend a lot of time getting to know every job and we work smart - looking for the best solutions and then delivering everything we promise, and more.”

Recent offshore projects include Kiribati, Niue, Norfolk Island and Vanuatu, all of which have been a demonstration of the company’s robust, quality and management systems, and the ability to compete in a broader field, adds Andrew.

In the precision engineering side of the business, the machine shop is well equipped to handle a variety of work that has included intricate optical equipment, tunnel boring mechanisms, motor, marine, and specialised machinery - not to forget the occasional new invention.

The highlights so far ANZ Tower, Albert Street The impressive new entry lobby and canopy consisted of large box beams up to 700mm

P P S

P.P.S. Industries Limited

In the precision engineering side of the business, the machine shop is well equipped to handle a variety of work

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On the structural steel work and metalwork side of the business, some of Global Engineering’s achievements include bridges, stadiums, commercial buildings, churches, high profile showrooms, high quality private homes, and all manner of ladders, stairs, walkways, balustrades and handrails.

major refurbishment and earthquake proofing.

The main challenge was to fabricate and install a new stair, lift and service shaft from basement to level five.

deep, 350mm wide and 20mm thick. Not exactly ‘off the shelf’ steel sections.

To be able to fabricate and weld these box beams, Global built an 18m long automatic welding bed that robotically welded two full penetration sides of the beams at a time.

Kilometres of weld was then hand ground and sanded to achieve the perfect high degree paint finish required.

“Weighing in at 70 tonnes, all the steelwork was delivered through a small opening in the basement and erected without the use of a crane. It was one of the most difficult and physically demanding contracts we had ever undertaken.”

“Simultaneously we were fabricating and installing a new steel stair that had to be installed floor by floor through 18 floors of the 32 story building. Every aspect of that stair was extremely hard work.

The contract also included a spiral staircase 3.2m in diameter with a 75 degree diameter central column, plate balustrades all finished with clear urethane over the bare steelwork.

“All of the steelwork was broken down into sub assemblies to fit into the goods lift and welded together on each floor.” First, the support beams, installed under each floor to allow the new openings to be cut out, then the stair units were welded together and installed.

Waitakere Stadium Grandstand Installing the grandstand roofing steelwork was a mighty challenge. “The kind we thrive on,” adds Andrew.

The concrete bleachers needed overhead crane access with no roof in the way. The roof needed ground crane access with no bleachers in the way, careful planning was essential.

A roadway was built parallel to the roofline

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Repairs & Maintenance, Fitting & Turning, Site Work Ph AK 836 6008 | Fax AK 836 6019 | 25 Wookey Lane, Kumeu info@globaleng.co.nz | www.globaleng.co.nz 62 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Global Engineering services: • Tendering • Planning • Drafting • Fabrication and welding • Surface protection • Steel erection and site installation • Metalwork • Machining • Machine building • Maintenance.

for a 150 tonne crawler crane, so that the bleachers and the roof, including a series of six tonne cantilever rafters 33 metres long, could be built simultaneously, section by section. “Timing was critical. Everything had to be dead right first time, and it was.”

Grafton Bridge The 100 year old Grafton Bridge had become a serious safety concern. A curved glass screen, also serving as a footpath canopy, was architecturally designed as a barrier on both sides.

“Our part was to manufacture the individual elliptical steelwork supports. This included the design, fabrication and fitting of unique expansion joint hinges to allow the glass to move as the temperature causes the bridge to expand and contract.” AT Global Engineering 25 Wookey Lane Kumeu T (09) 836 6008 E info@globaleng.co.nz www.globalengineering.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Property & Construction | The Paving Slab

The go-to paving company Beautiful paving can finish off the exterior of your home perfectly and with The Paving Slab Co, you can get a quality paving job for an affordable price.

The Paving Slab Co manufactures and supplies its own range of concrete pavers and garden products direct to the landscape trade and general public.

The Paving Slab Co can meet all of your outside paving and concrete garden accessory needs, including:

The company has been supplying Aucklanders with high quality concrete paving stones and garden products for more than 25 years. All products are handmade onsite at its East Tamaki depot, using quality cement and aggregates to ensure production of the best product available.

• Wet cast and precast pavers

It has one of Auckland’s largest ranges of concrete pavers for patios, pools and paths.

This range includes standard and premium pavers in a wide range of colours and finishes, exposed aggregate pavers, textured paving and bull-nosed pool coping pavers to enhance your swimming pool.

• Legacy pavers

• Garden accessories • Pavers that feature colours, textures and unique grinding • Pool edging • Practical advice from paving experts • All pavers are designed and manufactured in Auckland for local weather conditions • Buy direct at affordable prices.

Transform your kitchen with The Paving Slab Co’s range of bench tops

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The company also manufactures a range of precast concrete products, including kerbing, stair treads, tree rings and decorative “feet” that can be used as stones.

• Architectural and commercial precast concrete pavers

All products can be viewed 24/7 at The Paving Slab Co’s outdoor paving showroom in Neil Park Drive, East Tamaki. Staff are available to offer practical advice and help you achieve the best results for your project.

Manager Bryan Trusler says The Paving Slab Co can make just about anything in concrete.

“A big percentage of our sales are due to our pricing,” he says. “We don’t have big sales staff and people at the top end that are getting paid a lot of money. We’re just a small company in East Tamaki that makes paving for the general public and contractors.

“We don’t have the overheads that other companies have and because of that we can produce paving at a realistic price.” AT

“We’re not a big pre-cast company; we specialise in the smaller work that the big companies don’t do,” he says.

“Our concrete pavers, garden accessories, stair treads, pool surrounds and terrazzo bench tops have transformed hundreds of gardens, paths, patios, pools and kitchens into beautiful outdoor and indoor living environments.”

Bryan says customers receive a personal one on one service and can take their time choosing the ideal product for their needs. “We don’t have any fancy sales pitches or promises that don’t happen.”

The Paving Slab Co 10 Neil Park Drive East Tamaki Auckland T (09) 274 5496 E pavingslab@xtra.co.nz www.pavingslab.co.nz

Pavers available at great prices

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The Paving Slab Co manufactures its own range of concrete pavers

The Paving Slab Co does both residential and commercial work, and customers love the company’s high quality products, which they can buy at great prices direct from the manufacturer.

— Advertising Feature

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 63

Property & Construction | Allied Exteriors

Future proof your home with Allied Exteriors When it comes to real estate, the old adage doesn’t ring true – books are judged by their covers. One look at the state of your home’s exterior will determine whether potential buyers stop for a better look, or just keep driving.

refurbishment projects throughout the Auckland region, ranging from house repaints to major exterior plaster refurbishments and full reclads. With a permanently employed team of painters, exterior plasterers and builders, Allied Exteriors provides a one stop shop for exterior cladding maintenance.

A shoddy house exterior could also mean your home is not weatherproof. We have all heard about the leaky home crisis, so we should all understand the importance of weathertightness.

If a structure is not weathertight, it can cause health problems for the inhabitants and may eventually lead to the house becoming structurally unsound. Regular and proper maintenance is the best way to ensure your home continues to look great and remain dry.

Signs of a leaky home

Inga - Shrinkwrapped

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During the past eight years, Allied Exteriors has successfully completed hundreds of home

Director Steve Jameson says “It’s a lot easier and more efficient to deal with just one company and we cover all aspects of the job – exterior plastering, painting and building components. We have a lot of technical expertise and experience with remedial and corrective building work, which means we can recommend the right solutions for our clients.”

Preventing water from entering the structure of your home through cracks in the exterior plaster and poor detailing is critical for homes built prior to 2004, when drainage and drying cavities were not required.

Once moisture enters the building structure, the moist environment provides ideal conditions for the spread of timber rot and moulds. Homes built with untreated timber are even more susceptible to timber decay as untreated timber has very little resistance to rot.

Allied Exteriors would like to thank the many suppliers who help to achieve great results for its clients; some of which are listed below: • Stoanz • Aluminium Joinery and Glass Repair • Phoenix Aluminum • Panorama Scaffolding.

Typical signs of moisture ingress include: • Cracks in plaster • Delamination of plaster • Leaking around windows and doors • Water staining on carpet or interior walls • Dampness, mould or musty smells • Swelling of skirtings or window sills

“

We only use the highest quality materials from Resene and Sto, and because Allied Exteriors is a licensed plaster system installer, we know how to undertake durable repairs and which products to use to obtain the best results.

- DIRECTOR, STEVE JAMESON

• Flaking plaster or paint.

Repair options for plaster homes There are a variety of options to repair cracked or failing plaster cladding systems, ranging from targeted repairs and corrective

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”

detailing to full recladding. The most suitable repair option depends on a number of influencing factors, including: The type of problems with the plaster system • The extent of damage to the structure of the home • The age of the home • Your intentions for the property (long or short term) • The current value of the property (i.e. is cost of a reclad justified?)

• The potential value of the property after targeted repairs or recladding • The cost of various repair options • The availability of funding to complete the repairs • Your appetite for risk – the more you spend, the more you get and the lower the risk of future failure.

Allied Exteriors specialises in all aspects of repairing exterior plaster facades, as well as full contract recladding in weatherboard and modern plaster systems.

The team has a wealth of experience and expertise in this area and can provide an unbiased overview of all the options, along with the benefits and risks attached to each option.

Property & Construction | Allied Exteriors House painting Spring is in the air and the weather is improving, so now is the time to start thinking about home maintenance. A new paint job is a great way to freshen up the exterior of your home and ensure your valuable asset is protected from the elements.

Allied Exteriors paints all types of homes throughout Auckland, including weatherboard, masonry and plaster homes.

“We only use the highest quality materials from Resene and Sto, and because Allied Exteriors is a licensed plaster system installer, we know how to undertake durable repairs and which products to use to obtain the best results.”

If you are thinking about repainting your home, contact Allied Exteriors on (09) 479 8901 or call into the showroom at 19A Triton Drive, Albany.

Exterior plaster refurbishment For more than seven years, Allied Exteriors has specialised in refurbishing exterior plastercladding systems. It uses the Sto Armat Remedial Plaster System for these types of remedial projects and has repaired many homes and commercial buildings.

“The key to a successful refurbishment project is to make sure that any high risk or poorly detailed junctions are remedied in conjunction with the Sto Armat Remedial Plaster System. For example, installation of sill tray flashings under joinery, diverter flashings and cap flashings will protect against future waterproofing issues.

“We have received lots of positive feedback from clients when they have come to sell their homes. A well-maintained and dry home has allowed them to maximise the value in their property and sell their home quicker.”

If you would like to discuss the options to refurbish your plaster home or building, contact Allied Exteriors on (09) 479 8901 or call into the showroom at 19A Triton Drive, Albany.

Recladding For homes suffering from significant leaky building issues, recladding may be the only viable repair option to ensure a comprehensive solution.

“We have learned a lot about this complex area of building over the last five years, and one thing we have learned is there is no substitute for experience when it comes to leaky building remediation.

By recladding, properties are returned to fill value

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“We are often sought out by owners of plaster homes because of the specialist plaster maintenance service we provide in conjunction with our house painting,” Steve explains.

“If there are cracks in the plaster cladding or other issues with the cladding system, it makes sense to get those issues repaired before repainting.

The Sto Armat Remedial Plaster System is unique in New Zealand – it is fully waterproof, breathable and flexible, and comes with a 10 year warranty. Furthermore, a new plastercoating system affords the opportunity to change the final texture and colour scheme of your home to provide a more modern look.

“Every recladding project has its own set of challenges and requires remedial solutions to be developed throughout the repair works,” Steve says.

Many of Allied Exterior’s clients take the opportunity to renovate their homes at the same time as recladding the exterior. “Most projects end up with design changes, upgrading to double glazed joinery, interior decoration, and changes to the cladding system. The end result is a new looking, completely revitalised home built to the modern building code. It’s always great to see our clients’ excitement grow as the project takes shape.”

Most people are aware that unrepaired leaky homes sell at substantial discounts.

“By recladding, properties are returned to full value. In fact, many of our clients have realised

an increase in value as a result of upgrades incorporated into the building process. This is an equation most of our clients consider before recladding and is often the driving influence behind the decision to reclad.”

Trust Allied Exteriors to future proof your home by ensuring it can withstand the harshest weather and retain its real estate value. AT

Allied Exteriors 19A Triton Drive Albany Auckland T (09) 479 8901 E info@alliedexteriors.co.nz www.alliedexteriors.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Pheonix Windows and Doors are proud suppliers to Allied Exteriors

Phoenix provides a wide variety of windows and doors, for residential and commercial projects.

Whether a reclad, new, or renovation project our systems provide for trusted performance.

Visit us at our showroom - 78 Ellice Road, Wairau Valley

Contact us on 09 477 4090 www.phoenixnz.co.nz AUCKLAND - NORTH SHORE - WHANGAREI

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At A Glance | NZ Bookkeepers Association

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NZBAI vice president Lisa Martin

Good bookkeeping is the cornerstone of business success.

With this maxim in mind, the New Zealand Bookkeepers Association (NZBAI) has raised the bar in the industry to ensure New Zealand businesses are building their futures on solid bookkeeping foundations.

The association was formed in 2010 by founding member and now president, Melanie Morris, who had identified a need for a professional body that would set and provide industry standards, as well as educational, developmental and community support.

The NZBAI holds year-round training seminars and networking events, as well as an annual conference and awards ceremony. It also launched National Bookkeepers Day on March 19th.

Run by an eight woman team of industry volunteers from accounting and bookkeeping professions from around the country, the NZBAI currently has some 250 members.

While the association is still in its early days, it has already been recognised as a valuable interface between the industry and several organisations including Inland Revenue.

Its reputation as the ‘go to’ help centre for accountants and bookkeepers is growing and increasingly companies, individuals and

the world!

Individuals and companies can sign up for NZBAI membership. The benefits include having access to a strong support network of like-minded professionals, as well as a library of resources and templates.

Members receive regular communications and industry updates, and can take advantage of discounts on software, events, training and seminars. Importantly, each member has the opportunity to take an online exam and become certified. Certification shows that a high industry standard has been met.

Certified bookkeepers are similar to master builders in that they are at the top of their game. They offer a standard of service that has been recognised by an approved industry body.

To find a Certified Bookkeeper anywhere in the country, simply visit the NZBAI website. AT

CALL FOR A FREE SAMPLE PACK!

66 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

“The NZBAI confronted this misconception and now presents bookkeeping as a valid and rewarding career choice. Through our conferences and training programmes, we also demonstrate that bookkeepers are skilled professionals who are highly dynamic and innovative,” Lisa says.

If you’re a New Zealand bookkeeper or accounts clerk looking to excel in your career, NZBAI will keep you up to speed, so that you’re getting the best out of your work, and essentially, out of yourself.

Efficient, economical, mobile bookkeeping and general accounting solutions.

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“One major challenge has been to bring bookkeeping into line with other recognised professions. Traditionally, bookkeeping has been perceived as something that ‘anyone’ can do,” vice president Lisa Martin says.

Lisa adds that NZBAI intends to “continue to grow its membership, to keep improving standards within the industry, to offer more training and networking events, and to continue positioning good bookkeeping as essential to every business in New Zealand”.

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NZ Bookkeepers Association Incorporated Level 4 James Smith Building 55 Cuba Street Wellington 6141 T 0800 463 488 E info@nzbookkeepers.co.nz www.nzbookkeepers.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Sustainability | Tempest Air Conditioning Systems

Air-con systems made to measure Tempest Air Conditioning specialise in the manufacturing and provision of efficient, sustainable air-con systems with a focus on unique designs tailored to each client’s specific needs.

From the company’s sizeable sheetmetal shop located on Ellice Road, Glenfield, Tempest’s team of highly skilled fabricators and designers oversee the precise manufacturing of ducting systems onsite, which are then flat-packed and delivered to site for installation, countrywide.

Tempest has been flat-packing air conditioning systems since 2008, a process which saves manufacturing time, transport costs and keeps the product quality consistent.

Tempest thanks all its clients and suppliers and would like to thank Mitsubishi Electric for their support with this article.

Tempest services • Modular systems • Semi ducted systems • Installation.

Tempest solutions • Bulk retail complexes • Shopping centres • Warehouses • Industrial and production facilities • Showrooms and exhibition halls • Auditoriums and public areas • End information box.

In-house manufacturing

Plus the company can mitigate the waste through accurately refining the design and execution phases, resulting in a more sustainable product at a reduced cost.

Tempest is the go-to company for modular air conditioning systems and even manufacture for other air conditioning companies, including Site Measures.

Mitre 10 Many tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts visit a Mitre 10 store… every now and again. Tempest recently completed a full scale air conditioning and ducting contract for Mitre 10; so next time you’re in the orange and black warehouse, look above the lofty shelves and witness for yourself the extent to which Tempest must design with absolute intricacy.

For the ducting systems in a large commercial building, the functionality has to be matched

by the aesthetic appeal, as the systems are mostly exposed.

Tempest is the go-to company for modular air conditioning systems

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There are multiple benefits to having an inhouse design and manufacturing capability.

The team is well versed in the ‘design-buildtest’ routine which minimises the chance of onsite issues or defects.

With one of the most cost-effective HVAC solutions in the market, it’s clear to see that the 21 year old company has the key to quality air-con solutions.

Sheetmetal workshop manager Dave Bell says “Our in-house sheetmetal production facility provides a controlled environment for the safe manufacturing of large scale ducting systems for a wide variety of projects”.

Tempest is wholly New Zealand owned and operated and after 21 years delivering innovation in the HVAC industry, they still strive to surpass their own remarkably high standards. AT Tempest Air Conditioning Systems Unit 4, 54 Ellice Road Glenfield North Shore City T (09) 415 6960 www.tempest.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

TEMPEST Air Conditioning Systems

▶ Leading NZ Designer, Manufacturer and Installer of Commercial and Industrial ▶ Air Con Systems ▶ Simple, Effecient and Cost Effective ▶ Large Retail, Commercial, Education, Industrial Phone (09) 415 6960 ▶ Nationwide Installers www.tempest.co.nz www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 67

Architecture | Te Mirumiru

A marvel of modern architecture The Te Mirumiru childcare centre in Kawakawa is a stunning piece of architecture designed to not only fit into its natural surrounding, but to have the least impact on them as possible.

Designed by Collingridge and Smith Architects, Te Mirumiru achieved a 6 Green Star rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council; one of only three buildings in New Zealand to attain this, and the only Green Star-rated early childhood center in the whole of Australasia.

The passive environmental features include north facing glazing, a super insulated earth roof, rainwater capture and a solar hot water underfloor system. All spaces are naturally

lit and need no additional electrical lighting during the day. The result is a building that is 70 percent more energy efficient than a similar code compliant building.

Harnessing the natural environment, the design uses natural ventilation and mass to cool, sun to heat, daylight for lighting and rainwater harvesting to supply water, whilst the grass roof and bank blend seamlessly into the natural ecology.

About Te Mirumiru Architects - Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA) Location - Kawakawa, Northland Structural engineers - McNaughton Consulting Engineers Client - Ngati Hine Health Trust Quantity surveyors - Kwanto Gross internal floor area - 572 sqm Total cost - $2.2 million Lighting consultant - Mike Renwick, Lighthouse Remuera Main contractor - Howard Harnett Builders Photographs by Simon Devitt Guyco Joinery Ltd are proud to be the suppliers of quality joinery and kitchens to Collingridge & Smith Architect • JOINERY INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR • OFFICE AND SHOP FIT OUTS • KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS • DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE

Photo: Te Mirumiru Early Childhood Education Centre in Kawakawa (image courtesy of Simon Devitt)

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68 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Built for Ngâti Hine Health Trust in Kawakawa, the design brief called for a building which would not only accommodate the client’s children, but would teach them about their culture and customs on a daily basis, whilst having a minimal impact on the environment.

“Our concept for the building is based on the Maori tradition that all life is born from the womb of Papatûânuku (earth mother), under the sea: the word for land (whenua) in Maori also means placenta,” Collingridge and Smith say of the project.

Maori architecture is historically rich in symbolism, and so the design is conceived by shaping the land into a womb-like form, with the building forming just like a baby within: the building literally grows out of the land.

The only opening to the building is along the north facade, and reads as a cut in the earth.

The building is located on marshy ground, with the ‘womb-like form’ appearing as an island, relating back to the tradition that all land is born from under the sea. A bridge is formed to give access to the island, which is symbolically shaped into the tribal waka (canoe) Ngâtokimatawhaorua, representing the journey of the tribes forefathers from Hawaiki to Aotearoa.

The earth that mounds up over the building makes reference to Ngâti Hine-pukerau (Ngâti Hine of a hundred hills - a local name derived from the landscape). The interior, below the earth, represents the nearby Waiomio caves where the ancestors lay buried and the Ruapekapeka pâ where the ancestor Kawiti cleverly used underground shelters as defence from attack. The circular form of the design also draws inspiration from traditional pâ.

It was equally important to integrate passive environmental design features into the building, so all ‘symbolic’ features have many environmental purposes: all glazing is oriented to the north for maximum solar gain, whilst the super-insulated earth roof results in minimal heat loss, which is further assisted by the unheated circulation space placed to the south.

For further internal comfort, exposed concrete construction and natural ventilation allows the building to be passively cooled in summer, with minimal heating back-up in winter provided by a solar hot water underfloor system.

About Collingridge and Smith Architects Collingridge and Smith Architects is an award winning international architectural practice, founded by Graham Collingridge and Phil Smith in 2012, delivering unique, innovative and sustainable architecture.

The practice carefully combines architectural, landscape, interior and furniture design skills to ensure that projects achieve a holistic integrity.

With offices in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, Collingridge and Smith Architects design and deliver projects that range from refurbishments to new builds, from domestic scale to urban master plans and from conception to completion. AT

Collingridge and Smith Architects Ltd 28 Spencer Street Remuera Auckland T (09) 529 0403 E phil@casa-uk.com www.casa-uk.com

— Advertising Feature

Great planning from the ground up It goes without saying that a project with the unique environmental characteristics of Kawakawa’s Te Mirumiru deserved the engagement of a team of experts whose own commercial characteristics would align with the childcare centre’s mandate, philosophy and future vision.

Enter Kwanto Limited, an experienced team of professional quantity surveyors that prides itself on strong green principles and environmentally sustainable practices.

A commercial member of the New Zealand Green Building Council and holding an Eco Warranty rating itself, Kwanto was invited to provide the estimation and cost planning of the highly complex architectural build by architect Phil Smith in 2010, while the project was at concept and design stage.

“One of the key appeals of this project was that it was a Green Star rated building,” director James White explains.

Although the construction techniques were standard, the design itself was highly technical, requiring a high level of involvement from the quantity surveying team to establish the cost plan.

“We are generally contacted by an architect or directly by the client to assist in construction cost advice, as was the case with the Te Mirumiru project with the client looking for an idea of what the overall budget was likely to be.

operating is sympathetic to the environment, right down to our worm farm.

“We provided this by way of a cost estimate, which gave them an idea of the total budget. This enables our clients to gauge the feasibility of a build prior to commencement.”

“We consider ourselves to be great listeners and our aim is to understand the project so we can become fully invested in it, in order to give the clients the absolute best result we possibly can.”

Despite the unique build and the resulting challenges, Kwanto’s overall estimate fell within a couple of percent of the final build cost, resulting in a very satisfied client. “Kwanto worked alongside us on this project providing estimation services at the early stages,” project architect Phil Smith says.

Yet the key to the company’s success, James says, is people. “Our people are really what make us stand out as a company. We’ve got a really good bunch of people all focused on giving the client a great result.”

“This is something we hold near and dear to our hearts. To be able to work on projects with environmental policies which align with ours is a great opportunity and the Te Mirumiru project is one which is clearly head and shoulders above the rest.”

“Which was not easy as the construction was very unique, but thankfully they were able to draw on their experience to provide an extremely accurate estimate of cost – to within two percent of the actual cost. Their professionalism and attention to detail has assisted in the successful completion of the project and the client is very happy with the result,” Phil says.

Designed for the Ngāti Hine tribe, the brief called for a building which would not only accommodate the clients’ tamariki (children), but teach them about their culture and customs on a daily basis while having a minimal impact on the environment.

Incorporated in 2006, Kwanto provides key financial management services for a wide variety of projects and developments, spanning residential and commercial. “Essentially anything to do with the building budget,” James explains.

Te Mirumiru was designed by Phil Smith of Phil Smith Architects whose aim to create a genuinely Maori building, rather than the usual Western building overlaid with Maori carvings, has proven a success. The ground-breaking Kawakawa preschool is not only striking and technically accomplished, but it is the first 6 Green Star education building in the country, with a number of accolades already under its belt.

“We are responsible for setting the budget and ensuring the project is keeping to that budget, which illustrates the importance of bringing a quantity surveyor on board early in the project, to ensure a successful outcome that is in line with your initial budget.”

With Maori architecture historically rich in symbolism, the unique womb-like structure is covered by earth and grass, a design based on the concept that all life is born from the womb of Papatūānuku (earth mother).

“Getting involved with projects with a strong environmental bent is a big motivation for what we do.”

A client-centric approach also enables the company to stand out in a crowded marketplace. “Clients are central to everything we do,” James explains.

Working alongside ground breaking architects like Phil Smith is an important facet of job satisfaction for both James and the Kwanto team. “We consider ourselves to be construction cost consultants and aim to break down the legacy issues for quantity surveying, so we’re breaking the mould of quantity surveyors,” he says.

“So it’s great to align ourselves with people like Phil Smith who are breaking the mould in an architectural environment, which is parallel to the one we’re operating in.”

It’s a competitive space to operate in, but Kwanto is all about doing things differently. “We try to occupy a niche corner of the industry,” James says.

“As a company, we are members of the New Zealand Green Building Council, we also hold an Eco Warranty rating, which involves monitoring our own internal systems and processes to ensure how we are

KWANTO 4 Minnie Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland 0508 (KWANTO) | (09) 368 5570 | info@kwanto.co.nz kwanto.co.nz

At A Glance | Cook Sargisson & Pirie Architects

At A Glance | Blue Pacific Minerals

Desirable designs

Blue Pacific’s magic mineral formula

Innovative, quality architecture is truly a thing of beauty to behold and admire.

Like the natural resources Blue Pacific Minerals extract from the earth, the business itself is strong, sustainable and stable… and again poised for massive growth.

Cook, Sargisson & Pirie Architects are the masters at designing innovative quality architecture and has the experience and accolades to prove it; thanks to 46 years at the forefront of the New Zealand residential architecture industry.

The highly experienced practice has won multiple awards with more than 35 architectural awards for its outstanding work, including environmental and heritage awards.

The three directors who head up the firm, Marshall Cook, Peter Sargisson and Simon Pirie, have more than 115 years’ experience in the industry between them. The trio offer a vast depth of knowledge backed up by a core staff of 10 architects.

A three bedroom home in Parnell designed by Peter Sargisson

Its extensive work in the industry means it has amassed an impressive body of work that emphasises a distinctive New Zealand style across the spectrum from residential, commercial, educational and urban design.

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Body of work

The New Zealand owned and operated mineral processing and manufacturing company based in Tokoroa, extracts and refines zeolite and perlite taken from two open quarries just south of Rotorua.

Director Simon Pirie says their work “consists predominantly of residential work ranging from alterations and new builds through to multi-unit developments and apartments. We also have experience in mixed-use developments, resort and tourism work and educational work.”

Simon says it is vitally important to the company that it “maintains high design standards and delivers projects in a professional manner.”

Its residential projects extend from sophisticated inner city houses to casual weekend retreats. Commercial work includes retail, resort tourism, rest homes, childcare centres and multi-use buildings.

Simon says their area of the industry presents a number of obstacles in the future, but they are up for the challenge.

History snapshot The firm was first established in 1968 by Marshall Cook, Terry Hitchcock, and Peter Sargisson and was known as Cook, Hitchcock and Sargisson.

After Terry Hitchcock’s retirement from the company in 2000, Simon Pirie became a director and the company changed its name to Cook, Sargisson and Pirie.

High design The Parnell based practice is of a size that can offer personal service, but still has the resources and capabilities to take on large scale projects. It works collaboratively with all parties involved, clients, consultants and contractors to deliver buildings that positively influence all who encounter them.

It strives to expand on every client’s brief by utilising its design expertise to deliver built

environments that are innovative, sensitive to their surroundings and responsive to the social dynamics of everyday living.

Up for a challenge

“Providing well designed housing to meet the future demands in an affordable and sustainable manner is a challenge facing the industry. Affordable; not only with respect to the initial build or purchase price, but also the ongoing costs such as maintenance, power and water usage.

“It is essential to be aware of the new technologies, materials, and construction techniques that can impact on costs and efficiencies of a building. In addition to our usual work, we are currently undertaking projects that explore alternative materials and construction techniques.” AT

Cook Sargisson & Pirie Architects Ltd 11 Earle St, Parnell Auckland T (09) 5203089 E info@cooksargisson.co.nz www.cooksargisson.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

When you specify a NURALITE waterproof membrane you can do it with confidence, knowing that you are specifying a roofing system that has stood the test of time.

It’s the country’s largest processor of both minerals, captured from its own quarries in the volcanic regions of the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. The natural minerals have wide uses for domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial applications.

To meet the increasing demand for its products Blue Pacific is in the midst of a capital investment programme of $9 million.

This includes an upgrade to its quarrying equipment and quarry storage facilities, expansion of current buildings and the addition of a 4,500 square metre building to house the new zeolite processing plant that will swing into production in 2015.

Managing director David Hill says the company’s reached the stage where it cannot get any more wholesale capacity improvements from its current plant capital.

“We’re at full capacity, so the next step is to complete these developments to meet projected demand and then continue to invest in product development and in the exploration of new markets.

“Our medium term direction will see significant growth via both capital investment and sales volumes across both domestic and export sectors.

“We have found that the rises and falls of the New Zealand dollar, although having an effect, has not slowed our growth. With the product and market mix we have developed, the company has become a very sustainable, stable business.

“We have resources lasting more than 80 years for both minerals,” he adds.

Strong export demand Sixty percent of its processed products are exported and are in high demand, especially in Australia and South East Asia.

Other specific, targeted high growth markets include Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand,

Bangladesh and Malaysia, with well in excess of 1,000 containers per annum forecast this financial year.

It is this growth which has spearheaded another round of investment for the company. In 2009 and 2010, Blue Pacific expanded significantly, invested in a rebuild of the existing Tokoroa plant, increasing production four fold since the late nineties.

“Our relocation in 2009 was a big step for the business and the availability of natural gas, transport arteries, proximity to our quarries and the Port of Tauranga have all been significant factors in subsequent growth.”

This new round of investment will see the operation ramp up significantly yet again.

Zero waste The company’s operations are as completely sustainable as an extraction-based business can be, according to Hill.

The resource is plentiful with total surveyed deposits exceeding six million cubic metres.

Everything extracted from the two Blue Pacific Minerals quarries is used.

Hill describes the process like taking slices off a loaf of bread. “It is a clean and simple extraction process. We do not blast; the minerals are extracted using a 30 tonne excavator.”

From the raw material, 100 percent is processed and sold into suitable markets. “There is zero waste. The top soil is reclaimed and kept for rehabilitation, as is the ash overburden. We then selectively mine the quarry face to be used for either ex-quarry Stockrock sales, or for redirecting to the Tokoroa facility for further processing.

“Everything that comes from the quarries gets sold. There are markets to consume it all.” AT Blue Pacific Minerals 11-17 Huttloc Drive Tokoroa T (07) 885 0550 E info@bpmnz.co.nz www.bpmnz.co.nz www.stockrock.co.nz — Advertising Feature

NURALITE IS PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH COOK, SARGISSON & PIRIE ARCHITECTS OVER THE YEARS

Fiorini NZ are proud to be associated with Blue Pacific Minerals and congratulate them on their upgrade. Our personnel have been involved with Blue Pacific Minerals for many years and have been witness to their innovation and growth. We look forward to being part of this exciting progress and long term business partnership.

53a Victoria St, Onehunga, Auckland ┃ Phone: 09 579 2046 Fax: 09 579 5136 ┃ Email: info@nuralite.co.nz

70 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

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Focus | Amediate Engineering

Engineered solutions Amediate Engineering Ltd is a true Kiwi success story.

Projects and scope of work • Sheet metal fabrication • Stainless steel welding and fabrication

The company’s grown from humble beginnings 22 years ago, when it had hardly any staff, to now fill an industrial warehouse and manufacturing plant in East Tamaki today.

• Structural steel • Truck and trailer fabrication • Custom design and build projects

“We now have 15 full time highly skilled employees and with our order book so full we could probably use more staff,” explains director Tania Brown-Bayliss, who oversees the administrative and accounts side of the business. Tania’s husband, Ken has his sleeves rolled up supervising the busy production and fabrication workshop, as well as ensuring that the supply of work never dries up.

• Telecommunications towers • Signage LED pylons • Crane access • Platforms, ladders, walkways • Decorative iron and metalwork • Brewery, bar and café fitouts.

And there is not much sign of that. “We have never been busier since we started and the work keeps coming,” Ken says with great deal of pride.

Amediate has been no overnight wonder and talking to the long list of regular clients, which include 2 Degrees, Spark (Telecom), Vodafone, Downers and Arrow International, it is easy to see why they are so highly thought of as a specialist engineering firm.

While no two jobs are the same, the company has built a reputation for quality work in the communications sector, constructing towers, Comments such as “work of the highest quality” walkways, access ladders, cable trays and and “excellent workmanship” or “efficient antenna infrastructure. and reliable” crop up frequently and perhaps As an extension of this, the company has just explain the strong level of repeat business the won a large tender to design and build a dozen firm enjoys. large LED sign towers. These state of the art “We are good at what we do and take real towers will be installed at Auckland airport pride in the service we give to all our loyal initially, but will ‘roll out’ to other prominent customers.” A fact attested by a nomination in public venues nationwide.

2014 in the Westpac Business Awards.

Breweries, bars and hospitality outlets also form Clients such as Arrow International like the fact another customer segment for regular work. that Amediate provides a one stop solution – all Specialist stainless steel welding of tanks and the work can be completed in house, quickly, bar pourers, or even decorative iron work, is all efficiently and at a reasonable cost. on the menu with Amediate.

Main Carr

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“We are able to understand a client’s brief, conceptualise and draw up a solution, fabricate it and install it, taking care of all the civil work and project management headaches along the way,” Ken says.

Many retail shop and hospitality unit fitouts are carried out by the experienced and skilled staff, all of whom hold 4711 welding tickets and site safe passports.

looks very assured for Ken, Tania and the team, although the prospect of another move to larger premises (their fourth in 15 years) is not very appealing to Tania!

With the 20th anniversary celebrations well behind them, the priority now for Tania is to ensure Ken and the team get quality rest away from the long and hectic work weeks.

That might well be the price to be paid for the continuing success of Amediate Engineering. AT

“If we are to sustain the strong growth of the company over the next 10 years, we have to ensure that we continue to employ the right set of people and look after them well,” reasons Ken.

Amediate Engineering Ltd 8 Turin Place East Tamaki Auckland T (09) 265 2200 E ken@amediate.co.nz www.amediate.co.nz

With more and more clients returning with larger and more complex projects, the future

— Advertising Feature

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 71

Focus | The Roofing Store

The right roof for you Many thousands of years ago, humans didn’t have the luxury of phoning the local roofing contractor to request the latest design of weatherproofed roofing.

So, in the clever industrious way of our forebears, mankind learnt to construct dwellings with what was available. As architectural design progressed, roof design followed and today those clever contraptions continue to afford us the comfort and protection we know today.

After being a part of the Kiwi Steel NZ Ltd group since 2011, The Roofing Store was established in January 2014 as a standalone company to ensure the very comfort and protection roofing affords us is both customised and suited to the individual needs of a growing customer base.

The Roofing Store range The Roofing Store provides a wide range of products, from a variety of longrun roofing profiles, metal tiles, guttering to wall cladding and fences - the applications are endless. Where Kiwi Steel differs from other pre-painted steel providers, is that it has the ability to offer clients not only flat rolled pre-painted steel, but also the ability to provide a rollformed product.

• Longrun roofing • Apex Metal Roofing tiles • Insulated panels • Accessories.

“The Roofing store is your one stop shop for all your roofing needs,” manager Josh McGrory explains.

“We use KiwiColour for our coil supply; it is imported from Korea – one of the largest and most reliable manufacturers in the world.

It has been tested for New Zealand’s harsh environment and excels in its results. It is lead-free and comes with a full and extensive warranty, which gives our customers reassurance it is long lasting and reliable.”

With branches in Albany, Christchurch, Katikati, Manukau, Palmerston North, Waikato,

Wellington and Whangarei, The Roofing Store can meet the longrun roofing needs of home owners, roofers, plumbers and builders, through to developers and commercial construction.

“With nine longrun profiles, metal tiles, architectural roofing and cladding systems, rainwater goods and all the accessories required, we believe we have a product or profile to suit all roofing requirements in New Zealand.”

The company is expanding, with a new store opening up in Tauranga, in the Tauriko commercial area, on December 1.

All products have been tested for the harsh New Zealand market, are lead-free and come with a full and extensive warranty, with a free estimating service available to all clients.

“The Roofing Store manufactures and sources a wide range of profiles and products that can match any application or aesthetic requirement,” Josh explains.

The company has demonstrated its commitment to the steel roofing industry with the significant investment of in-house roll forming and pressing facilities, and Josh

Proud Suppliers of Quality products to The Roofing Store

info@paulindustries.co.nz | 0800 330 320 | www.paulindustries.co.nz

Auckland wide Transport Specialists Swanson Transport is a specialist Hiab and General Freight provider with over 60 years experience in the Transport industry.

Swanson Transport provides efficient General freight and Hiab services to the greater Auckland area. We also provide dedicated trucks for our customers to cover their daily transport requirements.

Ph: (09) 833 6079 | Fax: (09) 833 8388 | E: info@swantrans.co.nz | www.swansontransport.co.nz 72 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Focus | The Roofing Store

“

One of the most defining features of any house is the roof. Our customer needed a roof to be simple and elegant, that’s why The Roofing Store was the only company for the job.

”

says the company will continue to expand the investment in plant and machinery to increase the range of products and geographic coverage.

The Roofing Store is experiencing growing success through distributing steel roofing materials and accessories direct to installers and end-users, who benefit from receiving the highest quality international product at a fraction of the price.

“People need to choose the right supplier, who can help choose the right product for their specific application,” Josh explains.

Store products have been tested against New Zealand’s extreme conditions and comes with up to a 20 year warranty with the Vitor+, Zenex+ and Lux ranges,” Rado says.

setting and the plastered walls. We also custom fabricated all the flashings to suit this demanding project.” AT

“Choosing a quality product is important, and an extensive warranty is also important so you can “One of the most defining features of any house rest assured it will last.” is the roof. Our customer needed a roof to be simple and elegant, that’s why The Roofing It’s early days for this innovative company and, Store was the only company for the job. in fact, the industry itself, so what does the future have in store for The Roofing Store? “To continue improving our products and product range and to provide the best service to our customers,” Josh says.

“The roofing features pre-painted KiwiColour in Ironsand, which complements the rural

The Roofing Store 12 Hautu Drive Wiri, Manukau city Auckland T 0800 277 271 www.theroofingstore.co.nz — Advertising Feature

So, although our ancestors couldn’t ring a roofing supplier, we now can and, thanks to the hard work and dedication of roofing suppliers such as The Roofing Store, we continue to have the comfort and protection of one of man’s most inventive, and practical, creations.

The proof’s in the roof Bultrade 2014 Ltd director, Rado Botev is a long standing customer who was beyond pleased with his recent project completed with The Roofing Store roofing.

“Our client was looking for a quality leadfree steel that would last the time under New Zealand’s harsh conditions. The Roofing

THE PROOFS IN THE ROOF ALL ROOFS COVERED BY EXTENSIVE WARRANTY Your one stop shop where you’ll find everything you need and want in a new steel roof. 100% New Zealand owned and manufactured.

0800 277 271

www.theroofingstore.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 73

Focus | Mr Whippy

Serving it up for a half century “Mr Whippy” is 50 years old.

During those years many thousands of Kiwi kids have rushed outside when they’ve heard “Greensleeves” playing.

Mr Whippy facts • 1958 - Dominic Facchino sets up Mr Whippy in the UK • 1962 - Mr Whippy set up in Australia • 1964 - Mr Whippy comes to NZ • Mr Whippy quickly becomes one of the most iconic, recognised brands and franchise network in the country • Mr Whippy now has over 60 vans and two stores – Queenstown and Auckland.

With change clutched in their hands and eyes wide with anticipation, they’ve ordered their favourite flavour of soft-serve ice cream. For these kids and their parents too, Mr Whippy has become one of the most iconic and recognised brands in this country.

What is the secret of Mr Whippy’s longevity?

It’s probably got a great deal to do with nostalgia and with New Zealanders’ passion for ice cream. Back in the 1960s Dominic Facchino, fresh from success with mobile ice cream vans in the United Kingdom and in Australia, decided to enter the New Zealand market on a franchised basis.

Twenty four pink and white Austin vans were made in the UK and shipped to New Zealand in time for the summer of 1964. We Kiwis love the outdoors in the summer and back in 1964 there was a real appetite for the mobile ice cream van around the streets and beaches of New Zealand.

Children enjoying Mr Whippy ice cream

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The concept was innovative and absolutely appropriate, and the response to Mr Whippy was phenomenal. The fleet of vans quickly grew to 50 by the end of the 1960s. That these vans sold ice cream was practically a fail-safe recipe for success, because New Zealanders are among the world’s highest consumers of ice cream per capita.

In March the Queenstown store won the Gold Medal for Concept Store of the Year in the New Zealand Retail Space and Design Awards.

Alongside the Mr Whippy products in the Queenstown store there is now also Mr Toasty, selling from a beach hut booth; a gourmet toasted sandwich menu designed by Jaimie Stodler, finalist in the 2014 Masterchef New Zealand contest.

So Mr Whippy has come to stand for all things Kiwi; the outdoor lifestyle, family values, happy smiles and lots of fun. The ice cream is pretty good too.

Generations of New Zealanders have had great times around Mr Whippy vans. Parents wanted to pass on to their children their love of the Mr Whippy experience and so the brand continued to flourish and became an integral part of New Zealand’s culture and history. Today it remains 100 percent owned and operated by New Zealanders.

To say thanks to New Zealanders for their support during the past 50 years, Mr Whippy gave away 20,000 ice creams around New Zealand on its actual birthday in March, with a gold coin donation per ice cream. All the money raised – some $10,000 - went to the Child Cancer Foundation.

But Mr Whippy and its franchisees know that ongoing success needs to be worked for.

So diversification is definitely the name of the game for the modern day Mr Whippy. We may think of Mr Whippy as being a summer outdoors experience, but that is only part of the role the vans play.

The fleet of some 60 vans has been upgraded to very smart and presentable Ford Transits with a modernised logo.

The most substantial development for the company however, has been the opening of two stores.

As well as ice cream manufactured by Morrinsville’s Tatua Dairy Company, the vans now also sell 97 percent fat free frozen yoghurt, tea and coffee. Up to 20 more vans will soon be on the roads of this country, extending into areas where there are franchises vacant, such as Rotorua, Porirua/ Kapiti Coast, North Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth and the West Coast.

The flagship store is on Shotover Street in Queenstown and there is a second store in Auckland. Both stores opened last year and mark the company’s foray into the cafe business with fresh fruit smoothies, coffee, cupcakes, breakfast parfaits and hot chocolate – as well as six flavours of frozen yoghurt and Mr Whippy’s signature ice cream.

74 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

A major source of revenue for the franchisees is weddings - some of them may cater for up to four a week with a treat for guests as they leave the ceremony venue itself, or as a dessert option at the reception.

Mr Whippy can also cater for concerts, parties, sporting, charity and corporate events… a guaranteed favourite with young and old. AT Mr Whippy event bookings: T 0800 494 4779 E information@mrwhippy.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Focus | Chevpac Machinery

The machinery specialists Chevpac Machinery Ltd has established a very strong presence in the New Zealand machinery supply and maintenance market.

Owner Danny Tanner sold the business in 2004 but purchased it back in 2012. Today he and his team have built the business on a solid platform of quality service, encompassing sales, installations, warranties and training.

Clients know too that Chevpac Machinery offers a good technical support and maintenance service, and that the company always carries a large and comprehensive inventory of machine spare parts.

“If we don’t stock it, we have strong networks in place to be able to source and supply spare parts - even by air if necessary,” explains Danny.

Little surprise then, with such a service focussed ethos, Chevpac has secured an enviable reputation for excellent customer service and fine quality products.

The service ethic also extends to assisting clients with new purchases by being able to offer comprehensive finance packages on new machines for qualifying customers.

TradeIn options are available as clients are encouraged to take advantage of technology advances and production efficiencies that come with the advent of the newest machines.

“Businesses in manufacturing are constantly looking for innovation, greater efficiencies and cost cutting which are going to impact positively on their margins and bottom line,” reasons Danny.

Chevpac is delighted to now be the sole importing agents for a Chinese CNC machine manufacturer, allowing them to import brand new CNC lathes for under $50,000, representing an attractive $25,000 saving over conventional pricing levels.

“As a result we have opened up the market to whole new sectors of industry and indeed the educational and training sector of technical colleges and universities, who can now afford these machines to allow students and apprentices to train on them.”

“

If we don’t stock it, we have strong networks in place to be able to source and supply spare parts even by air if necessary.

- OWNER DANNY TANNER

”

Plans are afoot for further expansion in the near future with the possible purchase of another warehouse to help with the storage of more than 16,000 line items carried on the company’s inventory.

Instructional videos of all new machines are available, as well as the ability to see, touch and experience the units. “We find this new approach to be popular amongst clients.

They have time and comfort to consider and my expert management team are around to answer any technical questions. We are able to discuss finance options, warranty periods or possible trade-ins against older machines.”

“Ideally we want to create a ‘one-stop’ option when providing our engineering solutions to business and home users. We want to be known as trusted experts in all things to do with the machine shop.

Chevpac Machinery (NZ) Ltd 30 Saleyard Road Otahuhu T (09) 570 1134 E danny@chevpac.co.nz www.chevpac.co.nz — Advertising Feature

TM

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“If we don’t carry an item in stock we will find it and obtain it.” AT

SOLID FLOORS

Coinciding with this new supplier relationship and Chevpac’s move to a larger premises at Saleyards Road, Danny realised the company needed a change in its sales strategy, moving forward.

As part of the new 3,000 square metre facility dubbed “Machinery City,” there is a smart new upmarket coffee lounge where customers can enjoy quality coffee, comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere while considering their purchase.

Under Danny’s strong leadership Chevpac look assured for a rosy future and he is rightly proud of being 100 percent New Zealand owned and operated.

If you’re looking for the best in audio visual / automation then look no further.

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0800 11 1234 www.safensoundelectrical.co.nz

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 75

Initiatives | The Asthma Foundation

For those who can’t breathe easy You probably don’t give it much thought, but 12 to 20 times per minute, every single day, you breathe.

Yes, thanks to a complex internal respiratory system, your lungs expand and contract, supplying life-sustaining oxygen to your body.

Yet, for one in six New Zealand adults and one in four of our children, breathing isn’t quite as straight forward.

That’s more than 600,000 Kiwis who experience asthma symptoms; 600,000 Kiwis who experience their airways tightening, partially closing up, swelling inside and creating more mucus; 600,000 Kiwis who regularly find it hard to breathe in and even harder to breathe out.

At least 52 of them per year – that’s one person every week – lose their lives.

You might have seen the blue butterfly popping up on goods from bedding and building products, from cleaning agents to carpets, from air purifiers and vacuum cleaners, even through to the paint you put on the walls.

While the Sensitive Choice® programme and its approved products do not claim to offer cures or treatment for such conditions, through the Sensitive Choice® programme, The Asthma Foundation conscientiously strives to promote and educate on healthy environments in which we all live and breathe.

It is important to be aware of the importance of self-managing your asthma and how a few simple steps can significantly reduce the potential for triggering asthma and other allergies.

The blue butterfly logo will help you identify asthma and allergy-aware products to assist in making informed lifestyle choices.

If you see the blue butterfly when shopping, stop for a moment and think about the triggers to your family’s asthma and allergy: • Do you know your triggers?

• Are you taking steps to reduce your exposure to your triggers?

• Have you had an asthma and allergy review with your GP recently?

• Do you follow your asthma or allergy action plan?

• Do you take your medication as prescribed?

We breathe approximately 15,000 times a day… every day. Doesn’t it make sense to make every breath the best it can be?

Make a Sensitive Choice.

The Asthma Foundation Fundraising Team at the Auckland Home Show(Judy, Phile and Taniya) 2

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Businesses throughout the country are participating in making life easier for those who suffer asthma, allergies and respiratory illnesses, by supporting the Sensitive Choice® programme.

Be asthma aware

“

As the blue butterfly logo gains recognition in the marketplace, it will assist parents of children with asthma and allergies purchase with confidence, and Made4Baby is proud to produce products that can assist them.

”

“If you have a product you wish to be considered for the Sensitive Choice® programme, we have a formal application process,” Sensitive Choice® business development co-ordinator Taniya Wick explains.

“A panel of independent experts will look at the product or service, research that has been conducted, the ingredients and how it’s been made, in order to decide whether they are comfortable that the product is asthma and allergy friendly.”

If the panel (consisting of a respiratory physician, an allergist, a general practitioner,

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Rebecca from Made4Baby and Taniya at the Auckland Baby Show 2

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Proud to Support the Asthma Foundation Call us on 09 622 0828 www.cleanplanet.co.nz <

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76 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

a pharmacist, an industrial chemist, an engineer and a person with asthma), is not satisfied with any aspect of the product or service, a review procedure is available, allowing the manufacturer the opportunity to make the necessary changes for acceptance into the programme.

“Educating manufacturers and distributors is just as important to us as providing a wide range of products that are safe for the consumer,” Taniya says.

Natural skincare brand Made4Baby has been part of the Sensitive Choice® programme since 2012. “In our retail outlets, it really assists Made4Baby have a point of difference, and Sensitive Choice® helps us stand out,” the company says.

“As the blue butterfly logo gains recognition in the marketplace, it will assist parents of children with asthma and allergies purchase with confidence, and Made4Baby is proud to produce products that can assist them.’’

Auckland cleaning company Clean Planet recognises the productivity boost businesses receive from healthier environments. “Clean Planet is New Zealand’s first and only commercial cleaning company approved as a Sensitive Choice® partner and this helps to differentiate us in the marketplace. The company’s rapid growth in part has come from helping businesses to reduce staff sick days and boost productivity by creating healthier, happier workplaces.”

Initiatives | The Asthma Foundation < The Asthma Foundation Team and Prime Minister John Key

The Asthma Foundation’s goal: Reduce hospital admissions caused by asthma and other respiratory conditions by 25 percent, by 2025.

How the foundation seeks to achieve this • Raising awareness about respiratory illness and advocating to government

In 1963, Dr Graham Milne, a general practitioner in Naenae, despaired when he could not save the life of a young girl who died of an asthma attack.

“We have a national role in advocacy, research and education. We provide resources, disseminate research findings and provide support to our societies and trusts around New Zealand,” Asthma Foundation chief executive Angela Francis explains.

This prompted him to approach the Naenae Rotary Club (now Rotary Club of Eastern Hutt) with the suggestion they help set up a support group for those affected by asthma in the Hutt Valley. In February 1964, more than 100 people crammed into the Taita Community Hall in response to local advertising.

The 50th anniversary celebrations included the Asthma Foundation’s Achiever’ Awards for 2014. The biennial awards acknowledge and celebrate New Zealanders with respiratory conditions who achieve great successes in their lives despite the challenges they face.

Now celebrating its 50 year anniversary, The Asthma Foundation fulfils a diverse and wide reaching role. This not for profit organisation is committed to finding new solutions for people with asthma and respiratory diseases by contributing to the development of public policy, education and funded research.

“They have been brave, resilient and diligent in terms of managing their condition while also achieving excellence. They are an inspiration to us all,” Asthma Foundation patron Governor General, Lt Gen the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae said at the event held at Government House.

The Asthma Foundation continues to advocate on behalf of all people with respiratory conditions and increase awareness of respiratory conditions in New Zealand.

Key events held by the Asthma Foundation include the annual Asthma Awareness Week, which was held from October 13-19, with Balloon Day on Friday, October 17.

The Asthma Foundation has a poignant and moving story behind its formation.

“Many people think asthma is one of those things that happens and people just have to manage it,” Angela says. “But we’re trying to get the message out there that asthma is a serious condition, with very serious repercussions and at least 52 people die, every year from Asthma in New Zealand.”

The Asthma Foundation would like to thank all those who support their work, and appreciate Clean Planet and NZ Steel for their support in getting this message to print.

• Funding research for better treatments • Training more health professionals • Educating on best practise • Providing information and resources to asthma sufferers on their health • Supporting the 15 affiliated Asthma Societies and Trusts across New Zealand • Prioritising Maori respiratory health as a key strategic priority.

To join the Sensitive Choice®programme as a manufacturer or distributer, visit www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/sensitivechoice/join-the-programme AT

Relying on the public’s generosity to continue the good work the foundation does to achieve its vision of ‘better respiratory health for all New Zealanders’.

The foundation do not receive government funding. You can help by visiting https://secure.fundraiserpro.com/ asthmafoundation/, text Puff to 883 to donate $3, or call 0900 4 ASTHMA (0900 4 278462) to donate $20.

The Asthma Foundation T (04) 499 4592 E info@asthmafoundation.org.nz www.asthmafoundation.org.nz — Advertising Feature

www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 77

Initiatives | Honest Coffee Company

Coffee with a conscience It is difficult to imagine a country or people more fanatical about their daily caffeine fix than us Kiwis.

Well perhaps the French, who are known for their style and sophisticated chic in their love affair with the humble coffee bean.

But Kiwis drink close to a staggering 1.5 billion cups of coffee a year - that is around 350 cups per person, per year, which places New Zealand pretty high on the coffee consumption league table. Proof, if proof were needed, of the importance of the daily coffee fix to New Zealanders.

This fact is what encouraged young entrepreneurs Jayden Klinac and Josh Cole to start the Honest Coffee Company in 2013.

They commenced a working relationship with the Ethical Coffee Company of France, who are focussed on producing coffee of a higher quality than any other pod on the market and uniquely with a bio-degradable pod casing.

There is a great selection of beans and traditional roasting methods that, when sealed and locked into the pod, stay fresh for up to 12 months.

As well as producing a barista quality cup of coffee every time, the unique thing about the Honest Coffee Co is there is no long term waste, making the company ethical and fully sustainable.

Amazingly the used empty coffee pods, which are made from a combination of natural plant

fibres and starch, biodegrade straight from use, do not need to be emptied and can be put straight into the household rubbish or compost bin.

This means they break down fully within only 180 days (approximately) compared to the 100 year minimum required by some competitor pods made from aluminium or plastic.

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“The ethical distribution of this product throughout New Zealand remains the key focus

of the company… allowing Kiwis to enjoy an absolutely consistent, premium quality cup of coffee time and time again,” explains Jayden.

BNZ Partners are proud to support Honest Coffee Co and their bio-degradable

coffee capsules.

Got any banking questions? Ask us today.

Paul Gregory, Corporate Partner 09 415 3905

78 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

paul_gregory@bnz.co.nz

Initiatives | Honest Coffee Company

“

The Honest Coffee Company:

We appeal to the modern small office environment with a ‘green heart’ or social conscience and particularly to the home user market – people who want a premium quality coffee that’s consistent with every pour.

NZ Exclusive agent for Ethical Coffee Pods • Pod is fully biodegradable after use • Pod biodegrades in only 180 days • Only 95 cents per shot • 17 flavours/blends available.

”

- JAYDEN KLINAC

But ever since the café culture gripped New Zealand in the early 1990s coffee consumption has overtaken tea on these shores.

the market leader’s Nespresso – whose pods are not biodegradable and contribute heavily to urban landfills. In fact it is estimated that up to 20 billion coffee pods are now sold annually, which if placed end to end would stretch around the equator!

If further evidence of the excellent quality of the Ethical Coffee Company pod is required, look no further that the fact that more than 30 percent of all UK Michelin starred restaurants now serve pod coffee in preference.

endorsement of a Hollywood superstar for the brand – the product has a clear conscience and an environmental advantage that is as clear as day for anyone to see.

New Zealand consumes close to four million cups of coffee a day. Per capita that is more than the so called home of coffee, the USA and considerably more than the UK, who still remain a nation of tea drinkers predominately.

As the gap grows wider and more and more coffee is consumed, you can rest assured that Jayden and Josh at the Honest Coffee Company will be doing their bit for New Zealand’s environmentally green and clean country. AT Honest Coffee Company 15 Dilworth Avenue Remuera Auckland T 027 318 8998 www.honestcoffee.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Jayden is upbeat about the bright future of the Honest Coffee Company brand and more specifically the strong future and growth of the Ethical Coffee Pods.

“We appeal to the modern small office environment with a ‘green heart’ or social conscience and particularly to the home user market – people who want a premium quality coffee that’s consistent with every pour.”

The green lifestyle is becoming more and more appealing to many Kiwis. It is a real ‘no brainer’ for pod users to transfer to the Ethical pods.

“We offer proven flavour and quality, cheaper per cup prices and our pod is fully biodegradable within six months of being composted. No landfill is impacted and there is no carbon footprint, so it is difficult to see any opposition to its success.”

It is a common misconception that pod coffee means a loss in taste or flavour and that it is expensive. A box of 10 pods from Honest Coffee is only $9.50, meaning each cup is a mere 95 And while they may not have the might of a cents, compared to an average of four or five global multi-national, spending millions of dollars in a café environment. dollars on an advertising campaign, or the “Our machines too are flying of the shelves via our website and at only $450 for a quality Sjöstrands Swedish designed machine, represents great value. We simply cannot import enough of them at present,” laments Jayden.

Webb Farry:

But there are no worries as the Ethical Coffee Company pods will work in any Nespresso machine. While sales through the website are brisk, distribution via North Island Foodstuffs is also seeing the Ethical Coffee Company’s pods now on supermarket shelves such as New World and Four Square.

Dunedin based lawyers; love their coffee; offering “Solutions with Flair” to clients all over the country.

The pods remain fresh for a whopping 365 days (and even longer), so the guaranteed fresh flavour of an outstanding espresso or ristretto is only the press of a button away.

With 17 blends to choose from, including seven supreme blends, there is a flavour/blend to suit everyone’s palette, even the discerning coffee connoisseur.

In blind taste testing trials in France a study concluded that Ethical Coffee Company pods were preferred over all other pods, including

FREIGHT TRADERS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT HONEST COFFEE WITH THEIR FREIGHT FORWARDING REQUIREMENTS.

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Pleased to be supporting

HONEST COFFEE www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 79

Design & Manufacturing | Taranakipine

Products designed for better buildings Many millions of Radiata Pine trees have been planted, matured and been processed into quality timber and houses since Taranakipine started business some 60 years ago.

Taranakipine produces a range of products for the construction market: • Finger joint products • Mouldings • Door jambs • Weatherboards • Fascia • Laminated posts • Structural pergola products • Handrails • Trimboards • Window reveals.

The company stands as a leader in the New Zealand timber industry with its focus on innovative wood products, and aims to offer builders a better alternative to traditional construction products.

So far the feedback is positive. The Wood Lock weatherboard offers builders both time and reduced waste savings. Another benefit is that the joint is more moisture resistant and weather tight than traditional mitre joins, plus the fact that it is a tidier, neater finish too.

Established in 1954, the New Zealand owned Taranakipine specialises in the design and manufacture of engineered exterior and interior wood products.

“This innovative product is a fine example of how we intend to move the company forward in the future,” reasons Blair.

Market manager Blair Thomson explains that while the company is placing huge emphasis on new product innovation, it will always supply traditional building products.

But staying ahead and leading the market requires a heavy investment in both manpower expertise and machinery.

Taranakipine recently made a significant investment in a new Weing Powermat 2400 planer, which Blair says is one of the best, most modern, computerised wood processing machines available.

Employing Ryan Zhu as product development manager to drive the programme only emphasises this new company focus. “We’re trying to be innovative with products in an industry that’s traditionally commodity product led,” Blair says.

The first new product is a weatherboard with a locking end join, aimed to make cladding faster and easier for builders, thereby saving time and cost. “We’ve taken a traditional weatherboard product and researched what builders didn’t like about it. Research showed they didn’t like having to cut a mitre joint in it,” he says.

The planer outputs a better quality, more finished product and helps reduce down time.

“Because it is a lot more automated, it turns a piece of lumber into a weatherboard or piece of moulding, but it does it faster and more efficiently using a fully automated system.”

No man stands alone Taranakipine would like to thank PGG Industries, Hooker Pacific transport and the Packaging House for their continued support.

“Our solution was to machine a locking end joint on the boards, which addresses one of the key problems that builders have, which is also quite time consuming.”

This Wood Lock weatherboard is still in the development phase, but is due to be taken to the market within the next few months.

In another development, Taranakipine is working on new processes to provide an improved laminating facility and capacity. AT

Taranakipine Hudson Road Bell Block New Plymouth T (06) 755 9000 E blairt@taranakipine.co.nz www.taranakipine.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

General Industrial • Wood Finishing Powder Coating • Marine As a proud supplier, PPG Industries wish to congratulate Taranakipine on reaching this milestone.

5 Monahan Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland Ph: 0800 990 093 | Fax: 09 573 1201 | www.ppgnz.co.nz 80 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Logistics | Unico Logistics

Unbeatable business Are you ready to take your business to the next step, but your warehouse and logistic requirements are out of reach? Unico Logistics can help.

Unico Logistics can provide you with all of your warehousing and logistics requirements, so you can focus on marketing and selling your products.

Unico Logistics can also help offshore businesses set up in New Zealand without the hassle or cost of long term commitments.

Logistics manager Shawn Bristow says “we offer an effective way to setup shop without getting into building leases and all the overheads that come with it”.

Unico Logistics is a nationwide family owned and operated business with more than 50 years of experience in logistics, third party logistics (3PL) and warehouse management.

When you use Unico Logistics for your warehousing requirements you can be guaranteed your products will be in safe hands.

The long standing company has experienced staff and an outstanding reputation nationwide.

“We are not afraid to take on new challenges and we always go that extra mile for our customers,” Shawn says.

“We only look after a handful of customers so they receive high quality, personalised attention. Plus we offer a customised service because all of our clients are different and their needs are unique.”

The company caters to a variety of different industries including automotive, specialised building products and manufactured goods.

3PL service

such as pallets and cartons through to small, bulky, or odd sized products.

Unico Logistics will unload, palletise and manage your stock according to your requirements and store your product in MPI accredited transitional facilities.

Picking and packing Only the best practises in warehousing and logistics are used to store your products in its safe and secure environment. Your product can be ready at a moment’s notice to be picked and packed and sent to your customer.

Plus Unico Logistics can easily take care of urgent one off orders.

Logistics | Farmers Transport

Innovative tracking delivers results Farmers Transport in Hastings has developed its own IT management system in response to the need to improve its service to customers and be more efficient and cost effective.

“If a truck gets dispatched to pick up 500 lambs but gets to the property and finds there are only 450 lambs, then that gets updated at the completion of loading. It allows us to try to optimise our loading capabilities in a day; that truck can then potentially call in somewhere else to top up that load space.”

Chief executive Jason Roebuck says the company needed something to manage its trucking capacity and dispatch of trucks to jobs.

Customers are able to make savings on small jobs by pre-planned load-sharing, while the technology also improves traceability, an important factor in the meat industry.

After failing to find a suitable off the shelf product to digitise its growing operation, the company went in-house and devised an innovative IT management system that has put it at the forefront of New Zealand’s rural transport industry.

Farmers Transport is known for being an industry leader. In 2012 was New Zealand’s first accredited transport operator to NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing), a radio frequency-based system that uses electric ear tags to monitor stock movements.

Called FROST (Farmers Rural Operating System for Transport), the system harnesses the power of GPS, radio and mobile communication platforms to capture every detail of a job as it progresses, enabling better use of resources and more accurate calculation of service delivery costs.

“We’re recognised as a supplier to the food industry; that there’s a growing demand both here and offshore for maximum traceability and information that gives consumers some security about what they are buying,” he says.

FROST offers up-to-the minute information on the movement of stock and goods, with information tailored to meet the needs of farmers, meat companies, banks, stock companies or registered security holders.

“We’ve put in-cab equipment in our trucks that receives job information remotely, and those jobs can be updated in real time,” Jason says.

“That gives the seller another proposition for buyers to have confidence in their product, and we’re responding to that.” AT Farmers Transport Limited 1194 Maraekakaho Road Hastings T (06) 878 4040 E ftl.dvr@farmerstransport.co.nz www.farmerstransport.co.nz

— Advertising Feature

Unico Logistics offers a 3PL service; this means Transport it can provide its customers with third party Unico Logistics has a strong working logistics services for part, or all of their supply partnership with the country’s leading freight chain management. companies, meaning they can manage your It specialises in an integrated service including domestic or international product movement warehousing, packing and transportation. These from source to destination. Plus its freight services can be customised to your needs tracking system provides you with a real time based on demand and delivery requirements. view on your product’s delivery schedule and Your business will receive a convenient product proof of delivery. AT movement solution by ensuring accurate control of product receipts, storage and distribution on your behalf from its warehouses Unico Logistics based in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington 35 Maurice Road and Christchurch.

Penrose Auckland Warehousing T (09) 622 2550 Secure warehouses provide clients with flexible E shawnb@unicologistics.co.nz storage options catering to many different types www.unicologistics.co.nz — Advertising Feature of products. From traditional storage methods

a. artrodt TRANSPORT IS OUR BUSINESS

FROM SMALL TO LARGE: TRANSPORT IS OUR BUSINESS Our range of products offers you the optimum solution for every transport and logistics requirement.

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 81

Transport & Motoring | Browns Bay Panelbeaters

The power of three There’s a Latin phrase, “omne trium perfectum” which, loosely translated, means that everything that comes in three is perfect. A phrase penned thousands of years ago, it wasn’t written for the Shields Brothers business, but fact is, it might as well have been.

Although the Shields Brothers story began back in 1972 as a small Auckland panel beating business, it has grown to incorporate three fully-equipped panel beating factories – Browns Bay Panelbeaters (731 Beach Road, Browns Bay), Bush Road Panelbeaters (197 Bush Road, Albany) and Emerson Panelbeating (22 Curley Avenue, Silverdale).

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The lifeblood of the business is also another perfect set of three, the three Shields brothers themselves – Chris, Grant and Jason – who inherited their father’s fix-it flair. “Browns Bay Panelbeaters was established in 1972 by our dad,” director Jason Shields explains.

“We established Bush Road in 2001 from scratch and in 2009, after seeing the growth in Silverdale, we purchased an existing panel beater on Curley Avenue, bringing it under the Shields Brothers umbrella.”

When their father retired in 2005, the brothers purchased the company and have continued to build on the strong commercial name their dad built more than 40 years ago.

“A lot of our repeat business is actually second and sometimes even third generations,” Jason explains.

“The Browns Bay business gets a large number of referrals due to the good name it has earned during the years and the fact that it is a long standing local business.”

The industry has changed significantly since the early days of Browns Bay Panelbeaters. In the past when you were involved in an on-road altercation, the first port of call was the local panel beater. “Today the first port of call is the insurance company and they direct you to their preferred suppliers,” Jason explains.

“Whether working for private clients or through insurance brokered arrangements, productivity, quality and repeat business are our key principles and fast turnaround – on average two to three days dependent on parts – guarantees this repeat business.”

Technological foresight Investing in the latest technology has ensured Shields Brothers can keep professional pace with evolving consumer needs. “We have invested significantly in inverted spot and

- DIRECTOR JASON SHIELDS

“While other companies began slowly investing in new equipment, it wasn’t until they had been directed by the insurance companies.

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The Browns Bay business gets a large number of referrals due to the good name it has earned during the years and the fact that it is a long standing local business.

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We consider ourselves industry leaders, not industry followers, so we’re proud to say we began investing in advanced equipment before being instructed to.

“This foresight has ensured we have been able to maintain a competitive advantage and these technological assets are what sets us apart from a lot of other businesses,” Jason says.

The road to success is a road seldom travelled alone and such is the case when it comes to offering this competitive advantage. Loyal suppliers which are willing to help with expendables is an important part of Shields Brothers’ success.

BASF – the Chemical Company, law firm Simpson Western and IT management company Computerware Plus have all played key roles in the company’s success. “Albany Toyota is a supplier of work for us and we purchase their parts in return,” Jason says.

“Spray booths, electronic measuring systems for the chassis straightening machine have been supplied by Wyatt Machine Tools and North Harbour Ford is also a key part of the commercial puzzle.”

By utilising the same suppliers for all three shops, Shields Brothers is able to get greater buying power. “It’s also important to us to foster old relationships. We don’t want to be getting products from a million different suppliers – we would much prefer keeping to a few key suppliers.”

“

Whether working for private clients or through insurance brokered arrangements, productivity, quality and repeat business are our key principles, and fast turnaround.

- DIRECTOR JASON SHIELDS

”

certainly is just that. “Great people and awesome service,” Tamo describes online.

“They got my car fixed up in the time frame they gave me and even did an extra bit of a fix up for free. The guys working there were lovely and remembered which car belonged to me after a week of having it. A really good experience and I recommend to everyone.”

We’ve been taught that it’s what’s on the inside that counts and, although nobody will argue this, fact is, a well conditioned body and a flawless façade are pretty high on the agenda when you have four wheels.

So, when your car needs a doctor, visit any one of the three Shields Brothers panel beating businesses in Browns Bay, Albany and Silverdale. AT Browns Bay Panelbeaters 731 Beach Road, Browns Bay Auckland T (09) 479 4990 E info@bbpanel.co.nz www.shieldsbros.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Looking ahead Travelling down the commercial highway towards the future, Jason says growth is on the horizon and expansion is considered a significant priority for the business. “We want to grow our existing business independently and therefore the company as a whole.

“We will also look to acquire new pane beating companies in the future, but only if and when the right business comes along. By purchasing an existing business, we can maximise the assets that business already has.”

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Proudly supporting Browns Bay Panel Beaters www.albany.co.nz | 0800 65 77 55 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 83

Travel | Bachcare

Beauty in our own backyard New Zealand truly is a blessed country. Who doesn’t want to see more of one of the most astounding landscapes in their backyard and I can almost guarantee that at some point you’ve uttered something along the lines of “I’d really like to see more of New Zealand, we should get away this weekend... somewhere new”.

Well Bachcare has heard the calls of the adventurer, the weekend warrior, the R&R searchers and the thrill seekers who want to see more of Aotearoa. With summer upon us, the jandals and sunglasses will replace the Ugg boots and scarves and road trips will become the weekend sport.

With these holiday managers integrated within the holiday communities, Bachcare has grown exponentially during the past decade, going from five homes in 2004 to nearly 1,000 in 2014.

Bachcare is New Zealand’s only national holiday home management and rental company with dedicated seven days per week support from an Auckland base.

The Bachcare website is a buffet of incredibly appetising getaways with impressive variety.

It offers renters extra peace of mind with their pre-serviced holiday homes checked prior to arrival to ensure everything is as it should be.

Whether the intended trip is a romantic getaway, a corporate retreat or a family vacation, Bachcare has a wealth of services usually expected of hotels including, but not limited to cleaning, linen, and meet and greets by a local holiday manager.

Step into a world of variety

From executive holiday homes and apartments to classic Kiwi baches, Bachcare has something to suit every budget, and whether you’re looking for a beachfront getaway, or need to take the family dog, the easy to navigate site makes booking a bach incredibly simple.

Features such as real-time calendar availability and instant online booking make Bachcare the most efficient way to book a holiday home getaway in New Zealand.

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Gilligan Sheppard is a different kind of accounting practice that does more than just accounting.

First we listen. Then we provide a no-nonsense, cut to the chase solution that will be tailored to each individual circumstance and need. ...On helping Leslie’s growing business Bachcare Holiday Homes.

‘Gilligan Sheppard along with their experience and expertise have been there for Leslie and Bachcare when it has been needed.

Marion Garlick, Director of Gilligan Sheppard and the team have been a great resource to work with and help find resolutions to any issues. We enjoy working alongside proactive and progressive like-minded clients’.

Congratulations to Leslie and her team for their 10 year Anniversary!!

Ph: 09 309 5191 | Fax: 09 309 5260 | E: gilshep@gilshep.co.nz

www.gilshep.co.nz 84 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Letting people stay at your place Whether your bach is an investment or a family treasure, Bachcare manages the needs of their owners to ensure they achieve their rental goals, while caring for the property as if it was their own.

From maximising income or simply covering a few costs – whichever outcome is desired Bachcare works to achieve results by offering owners the most secure and effortless path to rental returns available. Plus, owners still have the flexibility to enjoy that slice of paradise as you wish! AT

Bachcare Ltd 5 Akaroa Street Parnell Auckland T (09) 307 1550 E enquiries@bachcare.co.nz www.bachcare.co.nz — Advertising Feature

Boating & Marine | Balex Marine

Boating & Marine | Blair Boats

Working wonders with boats Behind every single Blair Boats’ project is 25 years’ experience and a passion to create a masterpiece, or bring new life to an existing boat with unparalleled attention to detail.

The ultimate launch and retrieve experience The Van Diemen 11, a 65 foot Muir modern-classic built from cedar by Blair Boats

Blair Boats is a family run business established by owner Dave Blair in Warkworth 1989. In 2006 he relocated the business to Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands and today offers a full service boat yard with 700 square foot shed, hardstand facilities and experienced and passionate staff, including Dave’s son in law Michael Payne, a talented boat builder and craftsman with more than 12 years’ experience.

their clients and suppliers. “We have had the pleasure to share dreams and passion, to learn and create, and to enjoy enduring friendships in the name of building boats. We have partied with, cruised, raced on boats we have built with clients, now firmly friends,” Julie says.

“Our suppliers have supported us, shared their expertise and gone the extra distance.

Thank you, your consideration and efforts are appreciated.”

The team recently had the opportunity to reconstruct the wheelhouse on one of its client’s With a strong work ethic and high level of most treasured possessions; Bram Cone’s 42ft quality there’s no wonder Blair Boats clients traditional work boat called Meola. come back again and again. AT The boat is more than 50 years old and was previously owned by the Auckland Harbour Board. “Bram has been impressed and pleased Blair Boats Ltd with the result, which has created a clean 36 Oromahoe School Road finish achieved using a mixture of modern Kerikeri and traditional methods and craftsmanship,” T 021 423 118 Dave says.

E daveblairboats@gmail.com www.blairboats.com th On reaching its 25 anniversary, Dave and his — Advertising Feature wife Julie would like to express their gratitude to

ers ber Suppli im T t s li ia c Your Spe For Quality Supplies of: Cedar • Weatherboards • Fascia & Mouldings • TG&V Panelling Dressed Boards Joinery Stock • Beams • Kwila / Vitex Decking • Specialist Timbers T&G FLOORING — VENEER BOARD — MARINE PLY — RADIATA PLYWOOD 27 Kioreroa Rd, Whangarei Ph: 09 438 9368 - 0800 227 862 Email: office@bbstimbers.co.nz

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Designed and developed in New Zealand, the world’s first automatic boat loader has been under development for more than five years and has an international PCT patent pending.

With the product set to be released to market in early 2015, it is the first in a range of products in the Balex® Marine portfolio, aimed at improving the boating experience.

Based in Tauranga, Balex Marine is composed of a passionate and experienced team who specialise in the development, sales and marketing of the Balex® Automatic Boat Loader (ABL).

The company showcased its Automatic Boat Loader at the massively popular Hutchwilco Boat Show in Auckland earlier this year and won the award for Most Innovative Local Product. Balex went on to be named a finalist in the Bay of Plenty Export NZ Innovations in Exports Award.

The Automatic Boat Loader has an indicative RRP of $4,995 with installation by an authorised installer of around $300 -$500, depending on the configuration. It includes two remotes and a manual switch on the control box, located at the vehicle end of the trailer. It can pull up to five tonnes of boat and because of its efficiency, it works smoothly in all ramp and beach launch conditions with effortless style.

Boatie lover Lex Bacon developed the concept after recognising the struggles people endured trying to launch and retrieve their trailer boats.

He has been working hard on the concept for a number of years and even pulled in his two sons to help out.

Managing director and seed-stage investor, Paul Symes, who joined the company last year after seeing the potential of the ABL, is currently raising capital to complete product commercialisation and market entry in New Zealand, Australia and the USA.

Our purpose built trailer will give your pride and joy a safe and secure ride to its destination.

Call us today on 021 426 509 info@exclusiveboathaulage.co.nz www.exclusiveboathaulage.co.nz

‘We look after your boat as if it were our own’

“With 29 million recreation boats globally, Balex Marine offers investors the unique opportunity to combine something they love with an innovative new investment,” Paul says.

Balex has received masses of support for the ABL and is currently accepting pre-order sales and expressions of interest from resellers locally and overseas. AT

Balex Marine Ltd PO Box 14367 Tauranga 3143 T 0800 BALEX MARINE E sales@balexmarine.com

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— Advertising Feature

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www.aucklandtoday.net.nz November 2014 85

Health & Wellbeing | YMCA Fitness

Working for our wellbeing The YMCA is a worldwide institution built on a solid foundation of promoting health, activity, wellbeing, community and faith.

This October, the Auckland branch celebrates its 159thanniversary by unveiling the latest reincarnation of itself which will offer more than ever before.

How it all started In 1844 George Williams founded the Young Men’s Christian Association in Dulverton, a small village in South West England. In a bid to breed faith and positivity in the men of his age bracket, Williams’ movement gained quick traction and it wasn’t long before one of the early members, Richard Shalders established a YMCA presence in New Zealand.

Shalders began delivering lectures to young men and by 1855 New Zealand’s inaugural YMCA was formed.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In 1863, the High Street premises was ravaged by a fire but just three years later the YMCA bounced back in Phoenix-like fashion.

A new era YMCA Auckland manager David Toussaint is understandably passionate about the organisation’s legacy.

“

The ‘Y’ has been in Auckland since 1855, it’s an institution with an incredible history which has always strived to provide community-focussed, positive initiatives, locally and globally.

”

“The ‘Y’ has been in Auckland since 1855, it’s an institution with an incredible history which has always strived to provide community-focussed, positive initiatives, locally and globally.

“As a part of the YMCA, we will ensure we align with the global values and initiatives, whilst also taking care of our members. We’re very privileged to have a loyal member base here in Auckland, like the 25+ members who have been with us for over 40 years.”

As a socially conscious organisation, the YMCA Auckland is committed to enhancing the health and general wellbeing of our city’s inhabitants. The organisation has partnered with the council in a bid to help achieve the goal of Auckland becoming one of the most liveable cities in the world, this includes having the facilities to exercise and socialise – both priorities of the YMCA. Improving the health of our nation is of paramount importance. To assist in the fight, the YMCA works closely with the Green Prescription campaign, launched by the Ministry of Health, which seeks to use exercise and activity as a preventative measure.

The YMCA has the facilities on-hand to help those who need, or have been advised, to incorporate exercise into their daily lives.

Hangs fragrantly in the air, in a supremely hygienic washroom

The organisation also looks to help families with emotional support by organising the ‘send a family to camp’ scheme. The 60+ age group can also seek specialised assistance from the YMCA through its Never2old programme, as the group looks to empower all aspects of our community with the positivity of health and wellbeing.

Proud to support YMCA Fitness

Renovations To keep up with the ever changing fitness world, the YMCA has invested $1 million to revamp its premises, which will now include a functional fitness area, a dedicated group exercise studio, new changing rooms and varied equipment.

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86 November 2014 www.aucklandtoday.net.nz

Come October the new look facilities will be ready for YMCA members to enjoy.

Business memberships Corporate wellness is an integral part of the YMCA’s mission to improve the health of New Zealanders.

The YMCA offers onsite health promoting corporate seminars and exercise sessions to Auckland businesses.

Considering many studies have shown the impact of regular exercise on absenteeism, productivity and overall wellbeing, it could even help the bottom line by getting bottoms off chairs. AT

YMCA of Auckland Inc Cnr Pitt Street and Greys Avenue Auckland T (09) 303 2069 www.ymcaauckland.org.nz

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