88 | Vivian Construction Ltd BUILDING Turning negatives into opportunities Sue Russell Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? www.stratus.kiwi 0508 STRATUS info@stratus.kiwi Commercial Electrical • Residential Electrical Project Management and QA • Uninterupted Power Supply (UPS) Electric Vehicle Charging (EV) • Solar Panel Installations (PV) One of the things Jeff Vivian is most proud of is that three brothers work together, as Vivian Construction, something he acknowledges for many siblings isn’t necessary possible. Jeff has had 20 years in the construction sector, but it was only four years ago that he got together with Matt and Tom to form Vivian Construction. “We are extremely proud of this achievement. Our parents brought us up to work hard and have high standards and this philosophy absolutely underpins our success to date,” Jeff says. Asked about how Covid last year and this has affected business Jeff says that when it first struck early 2020 there was definitely a greater sense of uncertainty than there is now, having ‘been there, done that’. Coupled with the fact that demand has gone through the roof and the stresses showing clearly in the material supply chain, especially with timber, Jeff acknowledges these aren’t easy times. “We manage these stresses in a very proactive way, turning a negative into a positive as much as possible. Using what was the Ameri- “We manage these stresses in a very proactive way, turning a negative into a positive as much as possible. Using what was the America Magic base in the viaduct, that we built for them for the Americas Cup, as a timber store area is an example of this.” ca Magic base in the viaduct, that we built for them for the Americas Cup, as a timber store area is an example of this.” The large shed has transformed into the company’s distribution centre, and its perfect given its locality in central Auckland. “We’re very fortunate with our strategic supply partners and have been able to order early and build up stocks in timber. We have a great team of suppliers and subbies who are integral to our success.” Matt Vivian is the company’s Commercial Manager, while Jeff and Tom focus on the nuts and bolts of daily operation. In early October, when Business North spoke with Jeff, the company were involved in constructing a ground-breaking new approach to a police precinct in Tāneatua, inland from Whakatane. The design, by Design Partners Architects, is revolutionary in its approach to how a community police hub should look and feel. With no holding cells and no barriers in front of the counter, reflecting the community’s input that they wanted to feel protected rather than prosecuted through its form. “We had undertaken work with mana whenua Ngāi Tūhoe before so when the opportunity came up to be involved in this really worthwhile project we jumped at the chance.” Constructed with rammed-earth walls and lots of timber, Jeff says the $5 million building promises to be quite outstanding when it is completed. In Auckland, Vivian Construction is building 29 houses for Ngati Whatua’s Oneroa development, 29 apartments in Glen Innes, 21 units in Mt Eden and 8 luxury New York style townhouses in central Auckland. “At the moment in Auckland there is a huge focus on residential. We undertake residential projects that are commercial in scale.” Vivian Construction is made up of a team of 15 full-time professional staff and a further 20 construction crew. “When we formed we had a very clear goal of what we wanted to be and how to get there. Very planned and strategic, in the first two years we kept things small to ensure we had our systems well formed to cope with growth.” Asked whether they focus on one particular sector of construction Jeff says they prefer to be generalists, engaging in refurbishments of iconic Auckland buildings into office spaces and residential apartments. The company strives to negotiate 80% of its work and Jeff says they always look to engage with like-minded, good people. “Construction is stressful enough without dealing with developers who don’t measure up to how we expect to be engaged with, so we are fussy.” Jeff is convinced Vivian Construction will continue to thrive in these less certain times. “We’re very solutions focussed, turning negatives into opportunities is what we do best.”
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