Masters of drainage

We talk to three drainage specialists at the top of their game, to find out the stories behind their success in this challenging sector.

AUTHOR: JE T’AIME HAYR

A good team culture is key to the success of Drainage Systems.

Drainage is the company’s sole focus and they know the trade inside and out, as it’s what they do all day, every day.

PRIORITISING PEOPLE & EXPERTISE

Ollie Silverton of Drainage Systems shares what sets their company apart.

Founded by Mark Newdick 30 years ago, Drainage Systems is now a family operation involving Mark’s son Sam (who has been with the company for 20 years) and his son in law, Ollie Silverton.

The team are focused on being the masters of one trade: the drainage sector. Whilst most of their business is drainage, water treatment and storage systems for new residential builds, they also offer drainage installation services and solutions for commercial customers.

There are three things that set Drainage Systems apart from competitors: efficiency, cost effectiveness and expertise. Their team of drainlayers are experts in their field and two of their staff have won Drainlayer of the Year for the Waikato Master Plumbers region. Their services don’t stop at installation. “We are a one-stop-shop from design to installation, which means we can assist with all aspects of drainage designs, including stormwater and wastewater management, before a spade hits the ground,” says Ollie. “Being involved from the start allows us to ensure that cost effective, functional and practical designs are included prior to any consents being issued.

“A combination of skills and experience means that our team know what’s best in any given situation and we get the job done properly the first time. These days, drainlaying involves a lot of engineered designs.”

With award-winning people and attitude, it is hardly surprising that the business has grown to three operations servicing the greater Waikato, South Auckland and Whitianga area. Ollie says Drainage Systems aim is simple: to exceed customer expectations on every job. Not only do they ensure a high standard of workmanship using premium products, but they pride themselves on getting the job done faster.

“Regardless of what is involved, we have the resources to get the job done quicker than anyone else,” says Ollie. “Our sole focus is drainage and we know the trade inside and out, as it is what we do all day, every day. That is great news for our customers because reducing the build time improves the bottom line.”

Staff expertise is one thing, but happy people are important too. To attract and retain exceptional drainlayers, Drainage Systems offer a great package and have a strong focus on team culture. “We have an awesome crew who all get along really well and have plenty of fun along the way. Plus, there is always a cold beer in the fridge at the end of a hard day’s work.”

A NATIONWIDE VISION

Nathan Williamson, owner of DrainPro, discusses his strategy for taking his business to every region.

Nathan Williamson is the third generation of his family to have a drainage contracting business, so you could say it’s in his blood.

Nathan founded DrainPro in 2014 while completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Canterbury University and, like any new business owner, he faced initial challenges. “Having a youthful face was a challenge; I was fresh out of university and people don’t always take young people seriously. I had to learn a lot about time management as I was juggling drainlaying work with my final year of university studies.”

He overcame those challenges and before long the business outgrew him, leaving him with a tricky new task: finding good staff. “Finding great people is never easy, but at that point (post the Christchurch earthquakes) it was extremely difficult.”

Fast forward a few years and Nathan is thrilled to have an exceptional team of 16 staff. Two of his apprentices were James Douglas Medallion Drainlaying award winners in 2018 (the year he joined Master Plumbers) and again in 2019. He is a firm believer in on-the-job training and currently has five apprentices on his team. “We teach them how we do the work and how we expect them to behave. There’s no quick solution; you have to invest the time in people, give them the opportunity to grow and the support to do that successfully.”

The company has gone from strength to strength and DrainPro now has franchises in Central Otago and Christchurch North, and company-owned branches in Christchurch South and Wellington. Nathan’s goal is to have nationwide coverage through franchisees. In fact, his franchise model is the first of its kind in the drainage sector. “I knew that we had a strong and sustainable business model. I also know there are a lot of exceptional tradesmen out there that could use my guidance when it comes to the nuts and bolts of running a business. Now, we are moving into new regions by setting up a company-owned branch and looking for franchisees, but we are open to converting existing businesses or franchisees starting from scratch,” he explains.

Although COVID-19 put the business on hold and caused some uncertainty around future investment in staff and equipment, Nathan is thankful that the company was able to retain all its people. “DrainPro is almost exclusively drainlaying for new residential builds and as the housing shortage is still an issue, we are ‘cautiously optimistic’, so we’re actively looking for people to partner with.”

Nathan is very particular about who builds the brand name, so there is an indepth application and selection process. “We are only after people that are motivated to grow a successful business. Once signed up, franchisees get a roadmap on how to run the business as well as mentoring and advice from the franchise support staff.” In his words, the most rewarding part of the business is “giving people an opportunity and watching them succeed at it”.

Nathan Williamson (seated) of DrainPro says he has an exceptional team. Operations Manager Kieran Howden (standing) was the 2018 James Douglas Medallion Drainlaying Finalist, one of two on the team to win this prestigious award.

WINNING ATTITUDE Sean O’Shea, drainlayer at Plumbing & Gas Works in Hamilton, reveals what it takes to be a winner.

As winner of the 2020 Master Plumbers Drainlayer of the Year award, Sean’s reputation for tireless energy, boundless optimism and clever problem-solving skills has spread far and wide.

Mike Foote, General Manager of Plumbing & Gas Works (PGW), describes Sean as a man that demands respect not by force, but by leading by example. “He is the first to get stuck in on the shovel and the last to stop.” When it comes to work ethic, Sean has it in spades. “I enjoy exceeding expectations, so I take full responsibility for quality and delivery, trying to add value to all aspects of the experience,” he says.

At 54 years old, Sean frequently outworks young apprentices. What is his secret? “I have a historical awareness of pushing too hard, so I know where the wall is before I hit it. I break a job into three stages: normal work, targeted work and game conditions, which is when I go nuts and fight to the finish.”

His drive to pass on his knowledge to apprentices is equally impressive. Sean has done everything from hand digging and pouring septic tanks in situ on Great Barrier Island to running 1050mm concrete pipe on civil construction jobs. “Sean shows apprentices the value of hard work and ensures that his skills don’t become a lost art,” says Mike. “Whether he’s installing kilometres of pipe in a 46,000 square metre glass factory, or hand digging in someone’s backyard to connect an extra toilet, each job is treated with the same respect.”

In addition to his physical efforts, Sean’s creative initiative is greatly admired. Mike gives an example: “A 250mm diameter HDPE fitting was leaking under a newly poured concrete drive and had to be fixed without damaging the concrete. Sean tunnelled under the concrete, installing bracing supports for the concrete as he went and re-purposed the driveway as a bridge, carried out the necessary repairs, reinstated the ground under the bridge and turned it back into a driveway.”

Regarding his positive outlook, Sean says he sees happiness as a long-term decision. “My mother loved life and my father was very encouraging. He’d say, ‘Men like us can do anything’, and then we’d move houses on rolling fence posts with block and tackle. As youngsters my brother and I were never afraid to fail. We’d research, make a plan and give everything a go.”

While Sean’s colleagues and managers at PGW have nothing but praise for him, he holds them in high regard as well. “I rang PGW four years ago by chance and I’m so glad I did. Working with drainlayers like Hayden ‘there will be no come back’ Scott and Jono ‘walk with a purpose’ Thompson, an understudy cannot go wrong.

“Under the navigation of Jacob Smith, the team has delivered excellence on many projects and each job is carefully planned for success by the business team—Sarah, Neil, Shane and Jacob, and Director Mike Foote.”

Sean’s winning attitude is clearly the result of a true passion for the industry and he doesn’t feel that drainlaying gets the attention it should as a trade. “There’s a lot to it. It’s pretty complex and really challenging and that’s what makes it such a great trade to be part of.”