| 101 T T Kelly Deeks Traditional craftsmanship built to last Creative Kitchens and Interiors operate in the mid to high-end residential market, delivering bespoke kitchens, vanities, wardrobes and custom furniture. Creative Kitchens and Interiors JOINERY Creative Kitchens and Interiors has again been recognised in the New Zealand Most Trusted Business Awards, marking eight consecutive years of customer-backed recognition and reinforcing the Tauranga-based company’s commitment to traditional craftsmanship in an industry increasingly driven by automation. Managing director Sean Wood says the repeat win reflects long-standing client trust and a deliberate decision to retain hand-built joinery methods rather than relying on automated machinery. “We’ve won these awards because people trust us,” Sean says. “Every piece is made here by a qualified tradesman.” He compares the approach to furniture built to last generations rather than products designed purely for speed. “Chippendale furniture was made 200 years ago and it’s still here today. Compare that to flat-pack furniture that’s gone in a few years. We’re seeing kitchens ripped out after only a year because they’re not built to last.” Founded in 1984, Creative Kitchens and Interiors operate in the mid to high-end residential market, delivering bespoke kitchens, vanities, wardrobes and custom furniture. Based in Tauranga, the company works nationwide with selected builders and directly with homeowners, with most work coming through word of mouth. Sean says traditional methods also provide resilience in the workshop. “I’ve managed factories that relied on CNC machines and when they stopped, everything stopped. Our workshop never does. We do everything in-house except the benchtops, and even then, we’re very selective about who we contract.” In-house capabilities include using automotive-grade two-pot paint systems, specialist French polishing using shellac, and traditional timber joinery techniques such as solid oak dovetail drawers and mortise and tenon joints. “Some of these skills aren’t even taught anymore,” Sean says. He is also outspoken about changes in trade training. “I did a four-and-a-half-year apprenticeship. Now the focus is speed. You end up with people without the depth of experience the industry really needs.” That emphasis on experience is reflected in the team, with the youngest tradesman currently aged 40. “Our clients expect professionalism and respect, especially when you’re working in high-end homes,” Sean says. Around 80 percent of clients are repeat customers. “We’re often invited back for dinner in kitchens we built,” he says. Project budgets vary widely, and Sean says informed choices help manage costs. “There are huge variations in drawers, fittings and benchtops. Our job is guiding clients to where it’s worth spending and where it is wasted.” As the business approaches its 42nd anniversary, Sean is making two significant investments in the company’s future. The first is introducing a shareholding structure for staff, giving the team a direct stake in the business’s performance. “Pay rises are expected,” he says. “But when people own part of the business, they think differently. “Quality improves, productivity improves, and everyone benefits.” The second is an internal workshop led by a leading architectural consultant, focused on refining systems and lifting performance. “No matter how good your systems are, how good your people are, there’s always room to improve,” Sean says. “That workshop is about strengthening what we already do well, which flows straight through to better outcomes for clients.” Despite interest from other large operators, Sean says company independence remains non-negotiable. “If you can’t name your last client, that’s not the business I want to run,” he says. Officewear • Hi Viz Workwear • Healthcare • Hospitality • UNIFORMS • EMBROIDERY • SCREEN PRINTING • PROMO PRODUCTS Piccadilly Arcade, 44 Grey St, Tauranga | info@unameit.co.nz | 07 571 8318 U Name It are proud to support Creative Kitchens and Interiors DESIGNED TO INSPIRE, CRAFTED TO LAST Kitchens, wardrobes, vanities, media units & custom furniture—crafted with care. At Creative Kitchens & Interiors, you’re never just a job number. We deliver affordable, quality joinery with genuine service, nationwide. sean@creativek.co.nz (07) 541 0554 www.creativek.co.nz 075785024 | 51 Koromiko Street, Judea, Tauranga info@pacificstone.co.nz | leanna@pacificstone.co.nz www.pacificstone.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=