| 53 T T Sue Russell Breadth of projects keeps firm busy Davcon Construction concentrates on the residential market and commercial work. Hawke’s Bay: Davcon REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Established in 2004, Napier building company Davcon Construction is led by registered Master Builder Julian Davis, who, when it was founded, brought with him a wealth of experience in various construction methodologies. Today, Davcon Construction concentrates on the residential market and commercial work. A team of about 20 builders, administrators, project managers and designers, work on some exceptional builds, as evidenced by the array of Master Builder’s House of the Year citations it has received.. Along with fulfilling projects for clients, Davcon Construction has undertaken its own development work, and in this space engages various business partners. Following the floods last year, Julian and the team became involved in a project for Presbyterian Support, when a local project manager Julian hadn’t worked with for many years contacted him out of the blue. The timing was perfect, as two major projects scheduled for this time, were cancelled, which meant everyone could continue to be employed, a responsibility Julian took very seriously. When Business Central spoke with Julian in early July, that project was scheduled to commence in a couple of weeks. “It’s a series of apartments built to enable those with disabilities to live well in them. We also gained a significant job, which turned into two renovations, again through an old building relationship, which is great at this time when the new-build residential market has slowed down in the region,” says Julian. While Julian leads the company he is well supported by project/site managers Mickey, Roger, Dan and Scott, who look after the dayto-day running of all the company’s projects. Within the team are three apprentices, along with a young man engaged through the school Gateway programme. Julian says he is all for encouraging young people nearing the end of their education at school to not leave too early as those years cannot be repeated. “I think it’s important for apprentices to have as many different building experiences as possible during their training, and not just be part of a company that churns out cookie-cutter homes. In this way, they’re given the opportunity to really discover where their own passion lies.” Once an apprentice has completed their formal qualifications and time, Julian likes to turn them into a ‘journeyman’ and lead them to be a 2IC, or back-up to a foreman. That way, he says, they come out with a well-rounded set of experiences and skills they can then apply to their own careers. Julian says one of the real strengths of the business is when he, as the builder, gets involved very early on with the architect through the design phase. “Early contractor involvement is a really good thing in my view. Architect Tess Fenwick and I did that with the current house under construction up at Esk Hills. “We designed it to a budget through value engineering. This is where we can really input positively to give the client what they want in the most cost-effective way, while recognising what is important to retain in the build. We look at the build from an extremely practical view to see where real savings, without comprising design, can be achieved.” In fact, Julian says, some projects have come their way, due to the value-engineered capability. And having worked now with most architects, draftsmen and engineers in Hawkes Bay, Julian says where they add value is in those early engagements, bringing a practical set of eyes to a build, based on the budget presented. “I guess you could say we’re in the business of finding building solutions.” It is the breadth of projects, from high-end, to entry-level social housing developments, that keeps the company ticking over so well, despite the current economic and market challenges that present. “We do a broad range and that’s the space I intend for us to remain in.” C R O M P T O N ’ S J O I N E R Y 13 Miro Street, Taupo www.cromptonsjoinery.co.nz 07 | 3787968 VISIT WEB PHONE www.gbml.co.nz
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