Business Central February 2021

| 79 Mitchell Construction BUILDING School expertise to the fore Richard Loader Mitchell Construction specialises in education and light commercial construction, along with shop and office fit-outs and general maintenance work. Proud to support Mitchell Construction on the Whatawhata School project. MANUFACTURE | SUPPLY MAINTAIN | RETRO-FIT RESIDENTIAL | CUSTOM COMMERCIAL Experts in all single & double glazing 5 Norris Ave, Po Box 10423, Te Rapa | P: 0800 264 5277 E: info@cmglass.nz | www.cmglass.nz W aikato’s Mitchell Construction is well on track to complete a much needed four-classroom room block at hatawhata primary school before Christmas. Growth in the rural township and surround - ing area has resulted in an increasing roll for the school and the brand new classrooms will be a welcome addition. Mitchell Construction’s Managing Director, Colin Mitchell says that over the years his company, along with other building compa - nies, has completed a number of projects at Whatawhata School including upgrades and additions. “This project went out to tender earlier in the year and we were lucky enough to be awarded the contract. It’s a bit of a fast track programme because of the size of the school roll.,” says Colin. “We commenced site works just after Covid lockdown but a key requirement was for the project to be completed and handed to the school prior to Christmas.” Project scope includes all site works along with construction and fitout of the building so the classrooms are ready for use at the start of the 2021 school year. Designed by Te Awamutu practice, Whit- marsh Architects, the building has been attractively designed with the exterior clad in traditional timber weatherboards to blend with the school’s existing buildings. In addition to the single story four class - rooms, the block will include ablution facilities and common areas that will be used for class breakouts. Based in Te Rapa, Hamilton, Mitchell Con - struction specialises in education and light commercial construction, along with shop and office fit-outs and general maintenance work. “Our focus is light commercial projects for the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and ACC, but we also do private projects. We do everything from maintenance work right up to $3 – 4 million projects. “The largest we’ve done is a $5m earth - quake re-fit-out and seismic upgrade in Rotorua. We also do the occasional residential project.” Colin founded Mitchell Construction in 1987, after completing his apprenticeship and spending a number of years working in South - ern Africa and Europe. Returning to New Zealand he worked in the light commercial sector before taking the opportunity to start his own business, which has grown to a construction crew of 35 along with an administrative team. A family orientated business, Colin says experience and commitment to stand behind all projects have been the bedrock of success over the businesses 33 year history. “In building, things can go wrong—no one intends for them to go wrong but they do and you have to stand behind your product, giving our customers the security if something goes wrong we will fix it. I think that’s important. “It’s also important your team knows they have a secure job.” Colin says Covid illustrated the importance of standing behind your staff. “One of the key things was giving security to your team and I did appreciate the Govern - ment’s stand on it—they got behind everyone. I’ve never seen that before in my life as a businessman. It was like they had our back and guaranteed Covid payments. We paid our workers 100% but the Government gave us the confidence to do that.” “Our focus is light commercial projects for the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and ACC, but we also do private projects.”