PlaceMakers celebrates a successful team

The 27th annual Hardware Awards took place in February, with PlaceMakers featuring heavily in the finalists of all trade retail-related categories – and winning two key awards

The annual awards evening celebrated the achievements of the trade retail and supply sector throughout a year characterised by challenges, supply shortages and price increases.

PlaceMakers was nominated in five ‘Hardware and Builders’ Supply Merchant’ categories, demonstrating its expertise and exceptional customer service across New Zealand.

Trade Store of the Year
Winner: PlaceMakers Riccarton

For the second year in a row, and ninth overall,  PlaceMakers Riccarton has been named Trade Store of the Year. The award recognises quality of service, and Christchurch Hub Operation Manager Malcolm Ross says the strength of the store’s customer relationships has carried them through the year.

“We’re incredibly proud to pick up the award two years running. We’re a large store, but we’ve always worked hard to nurture close relationships with our builders and made sure to listen to their needs.”

Branch Manager Hayden Finlayson added that a “back-to-basics” approach is the root of the store’s success.

“We’ve focus on getting the basics right, such as ensuring our service is always of a high quality and our communication with customers is good. We also managed supply issues as best we could during the tough year and looked to see if there was a better way to do things. We haven’t always got it right, but we’ve learned from our mistakes to improve our customers’ overall experience.”

Finalist: PlaceMakers Mt Wellington

The Mt Wellington store won this award in 2020 and came close to adding more silverware to its trophy cabinet.

Even though a win wasn’t to be, PlaceMakers South East Hub Sales Manager Jonathan Percy says he’s delighted to be recognised as one of the best stores in the country.

“I’m incredibly proud to be recognised as the highest-performing PlaceMakers store in the North Island, and to be one of three finalists nationwide shows that our continuous drive to give our customers’ the best experience possible is working.

“The team we have at Mt Wellington continues to humble and inspire me, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for the store!” 

Bud Little Young Achiever
Winner: Jeremy Donoghue

Named in honour of the late Bud Little, who founded the NZ Hardware Journal and Hardware Awards, the Young Achiever Award is presented to a young retailer on the cusp of something special.

The 2023 award went to Jeremy Donoghue from PlaceMakers New Plymouth & Hawera.

“Jeremy’s ability to create lasting working relationships with our customer base is unmatched,” said Lauren Mackintosh, Operations Manager at PlaceMakers New Plymouth.

Mackintosh puts that ability down to Donoghue’s silver tongue, quick wit and attitude towards his work.

“He can banter with the best of the builders, but he works hard to innovate our ways of working to fit our customers’ needs, finding solutions to the next potential issue before it even becomes an obstacle.”

He’s also gone the extra mile to make sure others can provide the best possible service to PlaceMakers customers.

“Jeremey has been involved in coaching team members to take a proactive approach with customers and being one step ahead, which has contributed towards creating great in-branch service levels. It’s a pleasure to work with and learn from Jeremy.”

Trade Account Manager of the Year
Finalist: Vinny Harvey,
PlaceMakers Whakatane 

This award recognised an account manager active in the building supplies sector, who has consistently displayed a high standard of sales and has a proven record in account management.

As someone who has owned and run a construction firm in the past, Harvey said his success stems from an intimate knowledge of the industry.

“I understand the challenges people face on site, so I can visit them, help them out and share some of the things I’ve learned along the way.”

Harvey takes pride in the fact that he’s changed the perception of PlaceMakers in the community he works in.

“A lot of my customers were previously with rivals, so I had to build trust with them to earn their business. In the three years I’ve been in the job, I’ve worked hard to support the industry here – it took at least 18 months to do, but it’s been worth it.”

Retailer of the Year
Finalist: Andrew Wintle,
PlaceMakers Westgate

This award recognises a truly outstanding retailer – builders’ merchant – of any age, who has shown initiative and enterprise in leading their team. Entrants will be owners, managers or JV partners of a hardware store or builders’ supply merchant.

Judges look for the “best of the best” in the DIY retail and building supply sector. As a result, every finalist is considered to be a benchmark for their profession.

Wintle, who has been in the industry his whole life, says he’s proud of the achievement but couldn’t have done it without the backing of his entire store.

“It was a privilege to be at the awards and represent PlaceMakers, but being a finalist is as much an achievement for my team as it is for me.”

Wintle’s parents started and owned their own hardware store before selling it to PlaceMakers 16 years ago, and he has worked his way through the ranks. From Yardie to Telesales to Yard Manager, Account Manager and Branch Manager, Andrew knows the product and his customers inside out.

“One of my big beliefs is that we have to be customer-centric, especially with our small and medium-sized customers. I’ve been around for so long that many of them know me from my time as a Yardie, while my stint as an Account Manager means that I’ve got a good understanding of what our customers need.”

Young Retailer of the Year
Finalist: Hayden Finlayson,
PlaceMakers Riccarton

This award recognises a young retailer – builders’ merchant (aged 32 years or under as at September 8, 2022) – who has achieved a high standard in their retailing career.

Hayden has only been with PlaceMakers for two-and-a-half years but has already made a splash. After just six months in his Digital Business Development Manager role, he was promoted to Branch Manager of PlaceMakers Riccarton – the winner of Trade Store of the Year.

“I’d never been a Branch Manager before I took up this role. It was a different challenge for me, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve got Malcolm Ross and Catherine Freeman-Breen to thank for trusting me with it.

“It was nice to be recognised as a finalist and a great opportunity for me to reflect on the past 12 months. It’s been an awesome ride. It’s an incredibly busy role, but I’ve really enjoyed the operations side of the business and I’m proud of the success the store has had.”