24 Wairarapa Midweek
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
OPEN DAY 337 Ngaumutawa Road, Masterton
Saturday 19th October, 9am-2pm
TUMU MASTERTON:
Bigger and Better
Scores of people relocating to the provinces dreaming of a more relaxed lifestyle and a custom-built home, land for new subdivisions going like hot cakes, and large-scale commercial developments in each major town: it’s been a whirlwind few years for construction in Wairarapa. With the building boom predicted to reach even dizzier heights, the region’s largest supplier of building materials is gearing up for busy times ahead – starting with an expansive new facility. Tumu ITM Masterton, previously based at Railway Crescent, moved into a purpose-built space on Ngaumutawa Road in April, allowing the business to expand its product lines and comfortably cater to a wider range of clients – tradespeople, farmers and DIY consumers alike. Tumu’s new building, which covers over 3,600 square meters, includes a sizeable bulk store and retail area, an area for admin and accounts, and a spacious kitchen, bathroom and laundry showroom – so far garnering rave reviews. It also has two sprawling yards for building timber and rural supplies. The Tumu team will host an Open Day for the Solway site on Saturday, 19 October, featuring barbecues, children’s
entertainment, and giveaways. Branch manager Corrie James [pictured right] said the facility was a long time in the planning – he and several other senior managers spent a year working on the design, with input from the Masterton staff. For the next two years, Tumu worked with M B Brown Ltd as the principal building contractor, with Strata Group providing engineering assistance. Corrie says he is thrilled with the final result – which has increased the business’ visibility and professional edge. A step up from the old premises, which he refers to as “a dusty old shed”.
“It all went really well. MB Brown were brilliant to work with - and it was important to us to be inclusive, and take staff feedback into account,” Corrie says. “With the population surge, there are so many building projects on the go: new homes, new businesses, and new infrastructure. “In the Solway facility, we feel more confident that we can effectively deliver to builders’ expectations during this busy period. “People are making big investment in construction – and they’re coming to us for supplies.” Tumu Masterton is one of six stores in the Tumu Group throughout the
eastern North Island. The stores are independently owned, with each manager holding shares - making an investment in and commitment to the community. As an Independent Timber Merchant, Tumu stocks everything needed to build a house from scratch: quality, architecturallysound timber, concrete and cement, exterior claddings, insulation, flooring, roofing and plaster boarding materials, and a range of power tools and paint accessories, to name a few. The Masterton branch has buying power over 90 ITMs nationwide – ensuring the new site stays well-stocked.
Corrie says tradespeople make up a good 85 percent of Tumu’s customers – many of whom have formed a long-standing relationship with the store, thanks to staffers’ engaging service and awareness of their needs. “There’s a positive vibe here – our staff make everyone who comes in feel welcome. We work with a lot of small teams of building contractors – and we make sure we can support them throughout the whole process, from the foundations up to the roofing.
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“People are coming here because it’s a lovely place to live – great climate, no congestion, and more bang for your buck in the housing market.”
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“We talk about all sorts. We know which power tools they like to use – but also where they go fishing, who are their favourites in motor sport, which rugby team they cheer for.” Corrie and the team look forward to exciting times ahead as the Wairarapa community expands.
“Some of them are on their 10th house with us. It’s awesome we can be there alongside them for multiple projects.”
YOU’RE LOCAL. WE’RE LOCAL. LET’S DO BUSINESS.
The staff also make an effort to get to know their trade clients on a personal level – sometimes hosting social events for regular customers, such as Christmas barbecues.
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Wairarapa Midweek
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Join us in celebrating our new store
Selling The Vision: The Showroom One of the jewels in Tumu Masterton’s crown is its new, stateof-the-art showroom - which is certainly helping to raise Tumu’s profile with the general public. The space, impeccably designed and laid out by Janeece Shieffelbien, features a wide variety of kitchen, bathroom and laundry finishes and accessories across a range of brands. From taps and drawer handles, to baths, sinks and tubs, to compact vanity units, to bench tops with classy quartz finishes: if renovations or new builds are on the cards, Tumu’s got you covered. The showroom even has a working shower, so customers can test out the different types of shower heads available. Branch manager Corrie James said Tumu had sold kitchens and bathrooms from its previous location – but didn’t have the space for any major displays.
“That made it hard for customers to visualise the layout – to see if the colour and sizes were right for them. Now we’re in the new place, we can actually sell the vision. “People have been blown away by the showroom. They’re really impressed with the range, and the value of the packages on offer.” Janeece says Tumu’s customer base has grown hugely over the three years she has worked with the company – including the “serious DIYers” doing their own home renovations.
“People will come in and spend a long time looking around – you end up having long conversations with people about benches and shower doors,” she says.
The showroom has also piqued the curiosity of the wider community – with a lot of people wandering in off the street to have a look, especially on weekends.
Janeece has been able to form close relationships with a range of suppliers, including for most of the top-end New Zealand brands and for several European imports.
These are clients with discerning tastes – and Janeece, who has worked with kitchen and bathroom showrooms for close to 30 years, is only too happy to share her expertise.
“Kitchens are a very personal thing – people spend a lot of time in their kitchen, so they want to make sure they get it perfect.”
“To non-trades customers, we were a bit of an unknown entity – but this has definitely helped make us more visible,” Corrie says.
All finishes on offer come in various sizes – able to fit into “every nook and cranny” of most kitchens and bathrooms. Janeece says customers
often bring in sketches of their planned designs, asking for advice. She will soon be able to take this service to the next level, when Tumu brings in new digital imaging software – so clients can see their potential designs in 3D. “The showroom is an awesome investment - it’s fantastic we can provide this resource for our customers,” she says.
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26 Wairarapa Midweek
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
OPEN DAY 337 Ngaumutawa Road, Masterton
Saturday 19th October, 9am-2pm
Running Seamlessly: Meet the Management Team In the dynamic and ever-changing construction industry, completing builds on time and within the budget is of utmost importance. Luckily, at Tumu Masterton, there’s a team of cool heads behind the scenes, making sure every job goes ahead without a hitch. He spent the next couple of decades working as an account manager in Auckland and the UK, before settling back in Masterton, his home town.
responsible for the day-to-day running of the store – keeping staff motivated, ensuring stock levels are consistent, keeping track of deliveries, and helping manage client expectations. “It’s my job to make sure we deliver on what we promise. “We work hard here – but we also have a real sense of fun, and lots of laughs.”
Operations Manager Mat is one of the new guys at Tumu, starting as Operations Manager/2IC in May.
If the miles of safety fencing protecting new builds in both districts are anything to go by, she’s got her work cut out for her.
However, he’s no stranger to the construction industry – starting work at DeWalt Power Tools at age 18.
“Construction [in Wairarapa] has grown hugely– the volume of new builds coming up is crazy,” Annetta says.
“Once you start in the construction industry, it gets you – it’s an exciting place to be, and there are always opportunities to keep progressing. “Sales is something I’m passionate about - my belief is that people buy from those they know and trust. “I strongly believe we have the right mix here to look after our customer base.” As Operations Manager Mat is
In November, she will move into the role of Account Manager for Masterton and Carterton – responsible for ensuring trade clients have all the required supplies for the entire duration of their projects. And, if not, making sure they’re topped up in a timely manner.
“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” Mat says.
Mat Pope,
homesteads.
“But it’s exciting.
Annetta Ryan,
“It’s been great to be involved with some of the big building projects, and see them through from start to finish.”
Account Manager Annetta started with Tumu in 2011 and has been responsible for providing quotes for construction projects – from simple sheds to million dollar
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Annetta attended the recent Women in Construction conference in Masterton, and she was heartened to see more women choosing to work in all areas of building.
Tim Wolland,
Account Manager Tim is another recent addition– and he’s arrived just at the right time. Tim started at Tumu in March, after 14 years working in firearms sales. He is now Tumu’s Account Manager with special responsibility for South Wairarapa: making sure the local builders’ supply needs are met as they work on some massive new developments. These include The Orchards,
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Wairarapa Midweek
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Join us in celebrating our new store an extensive new retirement village on the old Murphy’s Orchard site in Greytown, for which Tumu will be the principal supplier. “It’s awesome - there’s some brilliant stuff on the horizon in South Wairarapa.
clients at the coalface. “The builders are neat, downto-earth, outdoorsy guys. “It’s great to see them at work on their turf.”
“The Orchards will be a big job – about 120 self-contained units, and a hospital unit with 100 beds.
“The new facility is awesome – customers really want to come and see us.
“There are some cool builds in Featherston, including a beautiful new medical centre, which should be a real feather in the cap.
In Tim’s previous work, he was one of a two-man team – so joining Tumu’s large crew was, at first, “a shock to the system”. “But it’s good - we’ve got a great team environment. “When we work together, everyone runs seamlessly.” Though liaising with teams of builders, as well as product suppliers, comes with some pressure, Tim enjoys meeting
Lisa Forbes,
Office Manager Behind every successful company, and every stunning custom-built home, is someone who’s good with a spreadsheet. At Tumu, that’s Lisa – whose organisational skills are, say her colleagues, the rapid paddling feet beneath the serenely floating swan. Lisa has been office manager at Tumu since 2015: taking
incorporate an expansive rural yard, stocking supplies needed for fencing and stockyards. Plus, Tumu can arrange the design and supply of just about any style of poleshed.
She is also the first port of call for clients coming in to pay their bills – her bubbly personality putting the more harried tradies at ease. She says she’s seen a significant growth in Tumu’s clientele in three-and-a-half years, more so since the move to Solway.
“Plus, there are about 50 new sections west of Greytown.
“And there’s always new stuff in Martinborough.”
care of balancing the books, payroll, customer queries, and keeping track of clients’ accounts.
“I really enjoy interacting with the clients – we see a lot of the old-school builders come through, but also lots of young apprentices. “The older ones are very to-the-point about what they need, and don’t suffer fools – but are very respectful. “And the younger ones bring real vibrancy. “We have a lot of great banter.” Lisa also helps with organising social events for the company and plans on holding regular social gatherings for women involved in construction.
Marcus also heads out on the road – travelling from Pongaroa to Ngawi to discuss potential projects with farmers.
Marcus Johnston,
Rural Account Manager Born and bred in Wairarapa, Marcus started out in farming, working on his family’s sheep and beef farm on the Masterton Castlepoint Road. After six years working in rural sales, Marcus joined the Tumu team as its rural Account Manager. As the “eyes and ears” for the rural community, he is responsible for finding out what farmers require for their various projects and ensuring that Tumu can supply it. Over the last year, Tumu has successfully expanded into supplying the rural community – including, viticulturists, orchardists and lifestylers. At its new store, the company has taken the opportunity to
“Having spent most of my life in farming, I know a bit about what makes farmers tick,” he says. “It’s helpful for them to work with someone who has the experience – who knows what farmers’ priorities are, what their budgets and farm conditions are like, what constraints they’re up against. “I enjoy getting to meet with farmers, and getting to chew the fat. Sometimes, on a visit, I’ll jump in and help with docking if I’m needed!” Marcus says he’s thrilled to work with a company which values farmers’ wellbeing – as exemplified by Tumu’s support of this year’s Will to Live mental health roadshow. “I think farmers’ appreciate that we’re looking out for their health, as well as their building needs.”
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28 Wairarapa Midweek
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
OPEN DAY 337 Ngaumutawa Road, Masterton
Saturday 19th October, 9am-2pm
Good On U: Tumu’s Sustainable Spirit As well as playing a key part in the recent construction boom, Tumu ITM Masterton has become synonymous with Wairarapa’s community spirit. The Tumu Group as a whole prides itself on its sense of social and community responsibility, and positive workplace culture - which it considers a key part of its longevity. The Masterton branch is no different, providing sponsorship to a range of community organisations: from sports teams, to animal welfare groups, to mental health roadshows. Tumu’s philosophy of community investment was started by its founder Hugh O’Sullivan, who established the first branch in Dannevirke in 1975. This has been expanded by John O’Sullivan, its current CEO, Masterton manager Corrie says. “Sustainability was a big part of our ethos – if a corporate business actively involves itself in its community, the longer the community is likely to
Tumu’s community passion is reflected in the way it looks after its staff. Across all branches, Tumu staff can receive free health checks and MoleMaps, are eligible for employer-funded insurance through Southern Cross, and can receive a share of their branch’s annual profit.
support that business,” Corrie says. “We want to be a sustainable company that makes a positive contribution. So we aim to ground ourselves in the community, and do what we can to give back.” As part of Tumu Masterton’s corporate community programme, it provides regular sponsorship and grants to a group of organisations known as “The Big Eight”: PAWS Pet Rescue, Netball Wairarapa, East Coast Rugby, Wairarapa United Women’s Football, Hockey Wairarapa, Wairarapa Sports Education Trust, the
Building apprenticeship programme, and Pukaha National Wildlife Centre. Tumu has recently become a Gold Sponsor for Pukaha, and was given the task of naming its seven new kaka chicks – Tumu, Cheeky, Whetu, Taonga, Pipi, Manu and Haututu. The business was an avid supporter of the Bring It To Colombo Trust – as well as providing funds for the upgraded Netball Wairarapa facility, it also organised substantial donations from leading national building materials manufacturers.
“I often drive by the facility and it’s very satisfying to see the teams playing on the new courts,” Corrie says. Tumu has been involved with a range of community events – including going to the recent Women in Construction conference in Masterton, which was attended by over 120 local women in the building industry. As Tumu often works with the farming community, it is aware of the stresses that farmers’ can experience– so the business donated to this year’s Will to Live rural roadshow for mental health.
The Tumu Group has also set up a fund called the Evergreen Foundation, to which each branch contributes. This supports the Tumu community for education and in times of hardship. In Masterton, staff nominate each other for the store’s Good On U scheme – where particularly helpful, friendly, and enthusiastic team members can receive vouchers for their efforts. “We have an inclusive, supportive and fun work culture here,” Corrie says. “It’s been exceptionally busy, and we work hard, but have a laugh whenever we can – which is often.”
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