| 131 JOINERY Molloy Joinery T T Sue Russell Embracing new technologies key Simon Molloy says that to a degree his arm was twisted to consider taking over his father’s joinery business in Napier, but he came to realise that designing and creating wonderful pieces of furniture and the like, was a positive career move. Kevin Molloy created the company in 1976 and Simon took over about 7 years ago, having spent a few years overseas, to, as he says, ‘get a good perspective’ on things. When he returned, he undertook further learning. Today, Simon leads a team of 20 staff, spread over various roles. “We have our own bench top division where 3 people work, creating laminate and acrylic bench tops, we have a spray painter for our painted cabinets, pre-finishing staff, admin people, a designer and a CNC programmer, so we’re in a very good situation to take on a wide array of joinery work. We have three apprentices currently.” Asked to comment about the training pathway, Simon reflects that the way learning is assessed has changed, moving away from the block course practical and theory moments to more internally assessed. “Our apprentices get signed off with what they are able to complete and what they are competent in,” says Simon. He also admits that new technologies surrounding the science and art of joinery is something that is continually evolving. “We embrace new technologies as and when we can. A lot of businesses are not in a position necessarily to be able to do this. The purchase of a CNC machine in our case was the biggest game-changer for us.” A CNC machine, essentially a computerised cutting machine, delivers precisely cut joinery pieces in volume, as needed, and has revolutionised capacity for many in the industry. “It also cuts out a sheet of joinery material in the most efficient way, reducing waste and costs accordingly and speeds up the process to manufacture cabinetry.” Being such a well-established business, Simon has come to know well a number of architects and work has extended further than all over Hawkes Bay, even up to Whangarei. Molloy Joinery undertakes commercial work as well as bespoke residential projects. “We’ve been lucky to work on a number of school projects and even for the Mission winery.” Simon reflects that through the years he’s been fortunate to have employed some really good young people. Naturally, not all stay, and this is to be expected, but gaining joinery experience and qualifications is a great step on the career ladder. He says joinery is a skill that can easily be taken overseas. Molloy Joinery has also been a place where joiners from overseas have come to work. Since the days of the covid lockdown Simon says there’s been a steady demand from customers. He puts this down to the fact that initially funds that may have been spent on overseas travel and the like, were directed toward home improvement projects. Asked about a particular project, Simon talks about a colourful kitchen built for a chef, completed around Christmas time. “The client wanted the kitchen to have a semi-commercial look and feel to it. It was quite a colourful job and the client had a lot of input into the kitchen’s design which would allow for significant catering volumes to be produced through it.” Molloy Joinery are members of the Master Joiners Assn, an organisation that has se professional standards members must meet. The association also has quite a social aspect to it, where local members get together to discuss latest trends and ideas, along with common problems the industry faces. All in all Simon says he’s pleased with the current size of the business. “We’re a family business that has rolled with the challenges over the years. We’ve built a solid reputation within the industry and our projects are often challenging and very engaging.” WE ARE SOLIDWOOD SPECIALISTS dedicated to enduring top quality products, individually handcrafted for your Home, Kitchen or Corporate Space. Some of these products include benchtops, stair treads, slats, screens & cabinet doors. 0800 149 663 sales@woodsmiths.co.nz woodsmiths.nz GET IN TOUCH sales@sharpedge.co.nz | sharpedge.co.nz 37-39 Thorn Place, Onekawa, Napier Simon leads a team of 20 including a bench top division where 3 people work, creating laminate and acrylic bench tops, a spray painter for painted cabinets, pre-finishing staff, admin people, designer and a CNC programmer.
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