Best of the best

PlaceMakers staff are committed to providing you with the best service possible – and there are some who go the extra mile to make things happen. Our annual awards evening acknowledges some of these outstanding individuals

Young Achiever of the Year

This award identifies rising stars, who have delivered a noteworthy achievement, personally or within the team they lead. This year’s winner, Philippa Myers, began her career with PlaceMakers Dunedin in August 2003, and was promoted to operations manager in 2014. She is extremely focused on creating a strong team dynamic, with a clear commitment to team and personal development.

She is also responsible for putting development plans in place to support the successful roll out of the PlaceMakers service promise.

High Achiever of the Year

This award recognises an exceptional individual, who has been instrumental in assisting their branch or manufacturing plant in delivering a significant business initiative or outcome. This year’s recipient, Ian Gare, started with PlaceMakers in January 2011 as a business development manager for Central Otago, before being promoted to the role of branch manager Cromwell in July 2012.

Ian is highly driven and passionate, clearly demonstrated by the strong sales and engagement results produced by the Cromwell branch.

Trade Account Manager of the Year

The Trade Account Manager of the Year award went to Rowan Wade, who started with PlaceMakers at the ground level in 2003 and is now flourishing as an account manager. He’s gone the extra mile in his personal development by undertaking the BCITO theory training for apprentice builders.

Rowan’s goal last year was to shift his focus towards the commercial market in Auckland, to meet the challenge of serving a different type of clientele with very different needs and expectations. He’s done extremely well, receiving excellent feedback from customers.

Best Overall Safety Performance

This award is presented to the branch with the best record for managing safety, and this year’s fight for the top in health and safety was a close one. Four branches received full marks in the audit and assurance process. However, Whitianga was this year’s winner. What set them apart from this breakaway group was their spectacular FBUSay H&S results, along with a year free from avoidable injuries.

Branch of the Year

The Riccarton branch was the deserving winner of Branch of the Year, an award based on excellence in all areas of the business. Riccarton performed extremely well, achieving excellent sales, growing major categories above company performance and playing a major part in the Canterbury rebuild. Grant Close and the team have also obtained one of the highest customer satisfaction results, a real tribute to their commitment to delivering excellent service.