| 75 BUILDING SUPPLIES ITM – Stratford Grown through the generations Bathroom showroom. Calving Shed for Peter Cook (below). T T Lindy Andrews 1933 was a red-letter year for Taranaki. On January 11 that year, pioneer aviator Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith completed a 14-hour flight from Sydney to New Plymouth. The same year, Victor Henry began selling native timber from premises on the corner of Miranda and Regan Streets in the tiny rural settlement of Stratford. Since then, the company has continued to provide solid, grassroots quality and service to a region known for its proud sense of identity and ‘can-do’ attitude. “Victor set out to provide a quality timber at the right price,” says Business Operations Manager, Kym Henry. Ninety-one years later, Victor’s fledgling business Standard Timber flourishes under the ITM Stratford banner, still serving farmers whose ties to their land go back to their grandfathers. “A lot of farms are generational,” says Kym, “and we are still selling to their families.” The Henry family business has been nurtured and grown through the generations. Brian Henry began working for his father Victor in 1948 at the age of 15, taking over the running of Standard Timber from Victor in 1970. In 1993 Standard Timber became a member of the ITM group, now New Zealand’s largest independent timber and building supplies co-operative. Brian continued to run the business until he passed away in 1995. Since then, his son Mike Henry has carried on the business and has expanded its operation even further. “Mike’s father Brian joined ITM for its buying power,” Kym says. “It’s different to the large corporate brands. As a cooperative we still have meetings and vote on things. “We also have a support office. It gives you more say and the corporate buying power but without losing your independence or the personal touch.” Today’s customer can still buy the quality timber, posts and fencing materials on which the company was founded, along with a vastly expanded range of products and services. Stratford ITM specialises in farm buildings and lifestyle buildings. Its design and build service spans a wide range of farm buildings including calf and implement sheds, studios, American barns and much more. The Henry family has spent 50+ years refining its pole shed and workshop designs to make them increasingly durable and affordable, engineering them to handle the toughest of Taranaki’s harsh conditions. DIY enthusiasts, builders and gardeners are also well catered for, with the business branching out into landscape products - and for the new home builder, decorator or renovator – Dulux and Cabots products, bathrooms and laundries. Kym says that for the Henry family and its customers, great personal relationships and good old-fashioned service are more important than ever. Stratford ITM’s grassroots approach to business sees it play a huge part in fostering a true sense of community, providing many sponsorships. “We have a free barbecue trailer that we offer to non-profit organisations for their fundraisers, and we support many sports groups, as well as sponsoring pet days and round the mountain bike rides,” Kym says. “Hot rods, the A&P Show, golf days – you name it, we sponsor it.” Kiwi Lumber supplies an extensive range of structural, outdoor and appearance grade products to building merchants and re-manufactures across New Zealand “We’ll see you right” CALF SHEDS • HAY BARNS • COVERED YARDS IMPLEMENT SHEDS • WORKSHOPS FARM BUILDINGS 75Warwick Rd Stratford enquiries@itmstratford.co.nz 06 765 7800
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=