Business Central July 2021

| 87 JOINERY Stu Martin Joinery Setting the bar high Stu Martin Joinery has a reputation for creating high quality kitchens. L ooking back on the experience of being made redundant, back in 2007, Taupo joiner Stu Martin says it was the best thing that could have happened. “I’d been doing joinery all my working life and when this happened it forced me to get off my butt and try to make a go of it,” Stu says. After a few months working from home Stu and partner Sarah seized the opportunity to lease a workshop space and haven’t looked back. Stu puts this success down to taking up the opportunity with the New Zealand Busi- ness Mentoring system to really learn about what good business practice is. “We understand our business a lot more now and established really good processes in place. I would recommend use of this service to anyone setting up in business. Six years on we have established a fantastic relationship with the lady we are working with.” Today the team has grown to five staff and Stu says the decision to promote internally has added value and capability to the busi- ness. Stu is a member of the New Zealand Master Joiners Association and is certified Level 5 in Kitchen design. The process took two years to complete, with a week off the tools attending training in Auckland, and four 6-month assignments to complete and pass. He is also a Certified Kitchen designer and has is a member of The National Advisory Group(NAGS) for Kitchen and Bathroom for BCITO Back in 2011, Stu received the award for Best Regional Master Joiner for Waikato/Bay of Plenty/Taupo. T Sue Russsell When the couple moved into the workshop at Matai Street, Tauhara, they originally leased only 60% of the building and today the design and manufacturing business occupies the whole building. Apprentice Josh McLean has just completed his first week training at WINTEC in Hamilton and is proving to be a great new addition to the team. “He shows real flair and aptitude for joinery and has the makings of a great craftsman about him. He came to us straight from school.” Josh recently entered a kitchen that he made into the Master Joiners Apprentice Awards. He scooped the ‘best fitment’ catego- ry in the awards by demonstrating superior workmanship, skill and the ability to produce a complex, visually appealing result. “We’ve won quite a few awards in the past but this one is different,” Stu says. “While it’s great to be recognised for the high quality kitchens we create, it means a lot to know we’re nurturing local talent, too. And Josh is a star.” Stu says undertaking the design course proved really valuable, covering basic princi- ples such as work-flow, the working triangle, appropriate height and being really client-fo- cussed. On a day to day basis Stu’s responsibilities lie in design, client engagement, sales/pricing and overseeing the workshop. Shaun Hastings has just been promoted to Operations Manager and has worked in the joinery industry for a number of years. He has just signed up to with the BCITO to get a professional qualification that recognises his existing skills and experience. P 07 378 8049 | 49a Matai Street, Taupo | M 021 250 4807 E info@smj.co.nz STU MARTIN JOINERY CLEVER BEAUTIFUL MADE GLASS TO COMPLIMENT YOUR KITCHEN & BATHROOM 0800 93 77 66 Stu Martin Joinery, Taupo Phone: 07 578 5024 Address: 51 Koromiko Street, Judea, Tauranga Email: info@pacificstone.co.nz Website: www.pacificstone.co.nz