| 81 CONTRACTING A P Plumbing & Gasfitting T T Russell Fredric Expanded services boost growth A P Plumbing & Gasfitting works in residential servicing, gas installations, commercial construction and civil infrastructure. CONGRATULATIONS AP PLUMBING & GASFITTING LTD ON 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS mico.co.nz Proudly supporting our plumbing customers Plumbing World Palmerston North 309 Rangitikei Street | 06 354 2150 plumbingworld.co.nz backing locals Proud to support A P PLUMBING & GASFITTING LTD After three decades in business, diversification has become one of A P Plumbing & Gasfitting’s defining strengths. Soon after it was established, the Whanganui-based company secured maintenance work across a large rental portfolio, creating a springboard for growth. Owner Andrew Palmer says early jobs extended beyond plumbing, building relationships that opened the door to more specialised and larger-scale work. “I picked up a maintenance contract for 500 rental properties, which made the decision for me early on. I wasn’t just doing plumbing; I took on whatever was needed, and that quickly built a client base.” As demand increased, the business expanded its services into new housing, central heating and gas installations, including becoming a Rinnai service centre in the early 2000s. This progression led into commercial work from around 2010, with projects spanning service stations, hotels, apartment buildings and the healthcare sector. This shift has been supported by a focus on systems, training and understanding the business side of the trade. Learning contract frameworks and adapting to changing compliance requirements has allowed the company to take on more complex work. “To be a good tradesman is one thing, but to survive in business is another,” Andrew says. Today, A P Plumbing & Gasfitting comprises a team of around 20 to 25, including three project managers, with capability across residential servicing, gas installations, commercial construction and civil infrastructure. The current workload reflects that spread, with roughly half of the work now in the commercial sector. That adaptability has been tested on projects such as the Wakefield Hospital redevelopment in Wellington, a multi-stage build involving coordination across plant rooms, operating theatres and specialist facilities. The project required managing shifting costs and evolving design requirements. “It was one of the most challenging projects – constantly changing goalposts and working right through Covid, but we got it across the line,” Andrew says. “We have quite a decent client base in Wellington on the commercial side of things. Some big players, so we’ve done lots of work down there, but Wakefield was a project that was probably the most challenging.” Handling that level of work relies on planning and technology, with tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) enabling coordination across trades before construction begins. “BIM is massive – it’s a collaborative 3D model that lets you solve problems before you even start building.” Investment in technology extends to GPS-enabled site layout and job-management systems, improving accuracy and efficiency. This sits alongside a strong emphasis on people, with more than 100 apprentices trained over the years. Long-term connections and referrals continue to bring in new work, supported by industry networks. Being a member of Master Plumbers and the networking opportunities it provides has been a great asset to the business, Andrew says. Reaching the 30-year milestone has brought a shift in focus, with new shareholders stepping into leadership roles, and the next era of the business centred on continuity. “Our priority is training good, competent tradesmen and stepping back to let the new generation take more control. One apprentice I trained has been with us 20 years and is now a 25% shareholder, Jordan Crawford,” says Andrew. “My son Hamish has also come through the ranks, spent time overseas and returned as a 25% shareholder. They’re both motivated to grow the business as I step back.”
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