Tumu transition will benefit builders

With Tumu switching its team colours to PlaceMakers blue, trade customers along New Zealand’s east coast can look forward to a range of benefits that come from being part of a strong and established national network – and one that doesn’t lose sight of local needs

In August 2022, Fletcher Distribution Ltd (FDL), which operates PlaceMakers across New Zealand, announced its purchase of six Tumu stores in Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Havelock North, Dannevirke and Masterton, as well as the Tumu Frame and Truss plant in Hastings.

While those stores have continued operating under the Tumu banner, they will now officially join the PlaceMakers network. The move will bring with it a host of positive changes for customers and staff alike, including greater support and new online services such as Skip the Counter and app-based trade support, while still enjoying the same service from the people they know and love!

Napier-based Trade & DIY Sales Customer Service Specialist Emma Chambers says she’s keen to start offering her clients this added value.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction. Being part of PlaceMakers will give us access to new technology, which is encouraging for our team and will help us support our builders more efficiently.

“We’ve built excellent relationships with our trade customers over the years and I believe this change will only strengthen them – and likely create some new ones.” 

Integrated technology 

Hawke’s Bay Account Manager Jamie Stockan agrees, saying the move will provide increased buying power and an improved IT offering.

“Jumping to PlaceMakers will increase our stock range and availability, so we can better service our local customers. It will also provide us with some amazing admin and back office tools, which will connect our builders’ invoicing to our account systems to save them time and unnecessary hassle.”

PlaceMakers equips its entire network with access to advanced tools such as Trade Support 2.0, which centralises builder information on one central database that is accessible by multiple support staff (read more on pages 7-8).

“It will make supporting our builders a lot easier and ensure that any member of our team can pick up a call and access an account, which will allow us to answer any queries much quicker. It’s a win-win,” says Emma.

Building better 

Jamie is confident that being able to access tools such as Skip The Counter will improve the customer experience for former Tumu builders.

“It will save them time as well as holding us more accountable, because builders will expect to have their orders ready and waiting by the time they arrive.

“On the flip side, it will help us become more efficient in our roles – and that will have a knock-on benefit for customers.”

There’s also an opportunity to improve communication, says Emma.

“PlaceMakers has an internal newsletter, which will allow us to communicate better as a network and take any learnings into the service we provide for our builders. The knowledge shared through the network will be invaluable for both sides of the relationship.” 

“Some of PlaceMakers sponsorship deals are pretty exciting too, such as the one with NZ Team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Being able to tap into that will be cool for us all!” adds Jamie. “I’m sure our builders will enjoy the benefits that come as being part of a bigger, well-equipped team.”