PlaceMakers year in review

With 2023 drawing to a close, we thought we’d take the opportunity to look back at the moments that made us proud throughout the year. From individual achievements to group successes and initiatives we’re delighted to have been involved in, the past 12 months have been a whirlwind! 

Back in February, PlaceMakers was nominated in five Hardware and Builders’ Supply Merchant categories at the 27th annual Hardware Awards. The nominations demonstrated our branches’ expertise and exceptional customer service across New Zealand. 

Being a nominee is a noteworthy achievement in itself, and two of our five went on to win their categories outright. PlaceMakers Riccarton was named Trade Store of the Year for the second year running, while Jeremy Donoghue from PlaceMakers New Plymouth & Hawera won the Bud Little Young Achiever of the Year award. 

“We were incredibly proud to pick up the Trade Store of the Year award for the second consecutive year,” said Christchurch Hub Operations Manager Malcolm Ross. “We’re a large store, but we’ve always worked hard to nurture close relationships with our builders and ensure we listen to their changing needs.” 

Meanwhile, Jeremy’s success was praised by New Plymouth Operations Manager Lauren Mackintosh. 

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

Demonstrating PlaceMakers network-wide commitment to the building industry, other finalists included PlaceMakers Mt Wellington (Trade Store of the Year), Vinny Harvey from PlaceMakers Whakatane (Trade Account Manager of the Year), Andrew Wintle from PlaceMakers Westgate (Retailer of the Year) and Hayden Finlayson from PlaceMakers Riccarton (Young Retailer of the Year). 

All over H1

While we are proud to be recognised in the industry’s leading awards, PlaceMakers commitment to its builders is most importantly demonstrated through its actions.  

The recent changes to Clause H1 of the Building Code were tricky to digest for even the most experienced builders, which is why we developed the ‘All over H1’ printed guide and website. 

Our goal was to make it as easy as possible for builders to understand the new regulations and product solutions. We did this by collecting new and existing information in one central resource –online and in print – working in collaboration with regulatory bodies and suppliers. 

The feedback we’ve received from builders so far is that our H1 guide has proved to be a useful resource in navigating these complex changes. 

More award winners!

Warm congratulations to PlaceMakers Pukekohe Account Manager Rowena Massey, who took home the Excellence in Construction Administration title at this year’s National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards in July. 

“I see my role as keeping my builders happy, while also creating a connection between myself, my work and the community,” said Rowena. “Pukekohe is a small community and our work and personal life all tie in to each other, so I think it’s really important to be supportive. 

“Being female in the industry can be hard, and I always try to make sure to bring other females through and give them the confidence to know they can add value to any business in the industry.” 

The awards evening was “humbling but special”, said Rowena. 

“NAWIC put on an amazing evening and made people feel very welcome and special. For example, all finalists were presented with a pounamu. It’s a night I’ll never forget.” 

Joint effort

NAWIC and PlaceMakers also teamed up to host several ‘We Belong in Construction’ events across the country, designed to bring women together from across the sector to network and share stories, ideas and encouragement. 

“The Waikato Chapter achieved its biggest turnout yet for this event,” said Mel Reid, NAWIC Waikato Chapter Chair.  

“Guest Speakers Liz Watson (Council Member and Past NAWIC Award winner), and Jasmin Lawrence (NAWIC Awards Highly Commended Rising Star 2023) spoke about the Fletcher BUILDhers Project currently under way in Auckland, along with the highlights and challenges of being a woman in the construction industry, which was both inspiring and motivational.  

“Thanks to PlaceMakers for their fabulous hosting both in venue and catering, and to the current and ‘future’ members of NAWIC who attended. It was great to see such an awesome and supportive crowd.“ 

Support for the industry Continuing its advocacy for females in the construction industry, PlaceMakers provided support to Women in Trades (WIT) by giving a presentation at its Getting Women Into Trades event and profiling its work in Under Construction. 

WIT is a non-profit organisation that promotes trades for women and plays a crucial role in advocating for women in trades, as it seeks to close the gap between the number of women and men in the industry. 

“We want to present women with educational opportunities to help them connect with the industry – whether that’s public or private training enterprises,” explained WIT co-chair Kylie Taffard.  

“Presentations from PlaceMakers and Fletcher helped attendees see that there are businesses who want to employ women and have interesting opportunities for them.” 

Annual conference and gala dinner

In September, we hosted our two-day annual PlaceMakers Conference and Sales Forum at the Viaduct Events Centre, hosting more than 500 attendees. 

The first day was dedicated to a Trade Expo with 74 supplier stands on show. 

In the evening, PlaceMakers held a Force for Good event, which saw more than 150 backpacks filled with school supplies, 15 bookshelves filled with books, over 150 food parcels packed, and 45 bikes built for school kids.  

“We believe that every child should have the same opportunity to learn and develop,” said Bruce McEwen, PlaceMakers Chief Executive – Distribution. 

“Our Force for Good event helps to provide much needed supplies to some of New Zealand’s most disadvantaged communities, and gives us a way to say ‘thank you’ to our local communities.” 

The Conference was wrapped up with a Gala Awards Dinner to celebrate individual and group successes of our nationwide PlaceMakers team.