46 | CONTRACTING Master Plumbers Awards 2023: Advanced Plumbing HB T T Sue Russell Producing top plumbers in the Bay Advanced Plumbing HB’s Tyson Kihi took out this year’s James Douglas Medallion for outstanding recently qualified tradesperson. Located on SH 51, Mangateretere, between Havelock North and Hastings, Advanced Plumbing is a sizeable company offering an array of services to the region. The business has been situated where it is now for eight years and Managing Director, Mark Watkins, says it holds a prominent place in the region. “We cover all of the Hawke’s Bay and with a branch also in Taupo we extend across the Volcanic region. We specialise in high-end residential ,commercial and industrial sectors, supporting this great region to continue to punch above its weight in Primary production,” Mark says. We are proud of the fact that Advanced Plumbing supports local wine producers, in a region recognised now as the “ 12th Great Wine Capital of the World” Advanced Plumbing Hawke’s Bay has been in operation for 14 years, growing from scratch. A challenge in growing the company has been finding great staff, so instead, the business has grown its own, investing time and money in creating employment and apprenticeship opportunities for the team. The company prides itself on taking on projects other plumbing entities might turn away from, in Mark’s view, the more complicated and challenging the better. The pride Advanced Plumbing has in the team is palpable when we talk of adult apprentice Tyson Kihi, who having just completed his qualifications in Plumbing, Gas- Fitting and Drain-laying took out this year’s prestigious James Douglas Medallion, for outstanding recently qualified tradesperson. James Sandilands Douglas JP (1872 – 1957) was a plumber, a politician, who served as Mayor of Dunedin from 1921 – 1923. The medallion is considered the highest award within the trade and can only be received once. It’s aimed at recognising those who have exemplified themselves through their apprenticeship pathway and who are full of potential to contribute hugely to the industry in years to come. “Tyson was an adult apprentice who had been employed at the freezing works. He is extraordinarily motivated and wanted to find a career where he could provide for his family and thrive. He has just gone from strength to strength and thoroughly deserves this national recognition.” Describing Tyson as ‘full of drive with a huge work ethic’ Mark says he’s thrilled Tyson received this recognition from within the industry. “While at the awards he sat on the Gender and Diversity panel discussion. This was a great experience for him. Whilst not comfortable speaking to such a large crowd , Tyson showed fierce courage to overcome this and Speak with confidence. Mark says one of the core values of Advanced Plumbing is pride. This is demonstrated in high quality care of staff and clients alike. “We talk about being good buggers, having a good time and a professional time and encouraging everyone to be their best. We have several adult and younger apprentices.” When Business Central spoke with Mark, on the slipstream of the burden Cyclone Gabrielle brought to the region he said they had been busy helping with the flood relief effort. “We volunteered the Team and all trucks and diggers to go to places most impacted to help assist with clearing the ground and reinstating vital services.” Advanced Plumbing Hawke’s Bay Ltd also services the horticulture and agriculture sectors so important to the region. Other projects have includes work at the hospital, the Volcanic region’s airport and in schools. “We have the capability to work across a wide range of industry, sectors and situation. I’m thrilled with where the business has grown since its forming. This is a wonderful region to work in and its great to think we do our fair share to make it so.”
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