PlaceMakers returns to South Auckland

Tradies welcome PlaceMakers back to South Auckland

South Auckland PlaceMakers tradies are pleased to have their own trade-only shop back in Takanini, where building activity continues to increase.

“For the past few years, there’s been a gap in the South Auckland area,” says national property and development manager Matthew Grainger. “By opening this temporary trade facility ahead of the 2016 launch of a co-located PlaceMakers and Mico branch, we can still offer our customers the support they need.”

“The temporary shop has no showroom – only a warehouse, yard and drive thru – but it’s meeting most local builders’ basic needs.”

General manager of operations and marketing, Gary Woodhouse, says PlaceMakers is committed to maintaining an ongoing presence in the area.

“This is a period of growth in the building sector and Auckland in particular. Initially, we will employ a total of four full-time staff, and that will be revised to 16 after the new branch opens in 2016,” says Gary. “We want to deliver the service levels and standards that a busy trade customer expects.”      

The store officially began trading on 1 July, and has been well received by builders in the area. PlaceMakers Counties manager Tony McDrury is managing the branch and says it “meets PlaceMakers aim of ensuring that no one is easier to do business with.” 

Trade sales manager at both stores, Darren Pitman, says the trade-focused approach has proved attractive to a number of builders in the region.

“We’ve filled a hole in the area and already we’re noticing that not only are new customers coming through the yard, but we’re also getting people returning to PlaceMakers because of the convenience factor.”

The store stocks a range of products and has over 100,000 available by order. Furthermore, they promise that there will be no ‘out of stocks’ on 250 core building products.

Extensive product range

Following in the footsteps of stores in Taupo, Whitanga, Kerikeri, Palmertson North and Wanaka, the new facility will be a partnership between PlaceMakers and MICO Plumbing – offering tradies a ‘one-stop’ shop.

PlaceMakers chief executive Dean Fradgley says co-locating MICO Plumbing and PlaceMakers makes perfect sense and is all about offering more convenience for customers.

“It’s an opportunity to genuinely enhance our plumbing and bathroom category under the specialist MICO banner – something which customers have told us they want,” says Dean. “The feedback we’ve had from customers at the other stores confirms it’s the right move.”

MICO and PlaceMakers will continue to offer their respective brands and product ranges at the new store.

Photos: Simon Hebrides