| 75 T T Kelly Deeks Material selection continues to reflect both trend awareness and longevity. JOINERY Kitchen Link Marking its tenth year in business, Kitchen Link celebrates a decade of delivering bespoke kitchens to homeowners, designers, architects, and builders across Auckland. Originally founded in 1999 and based on the North Shore, the manufacturer and installer has built a strong reputation for quality materials, reliable service, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into complex residential projects. Owners Craig and Paula Satterthwaite purchased Kitchen Link in 2015 as an already established business, bringing Craig’s background in building to a company with proven systems and a solid client base. “It was a well-functioning business when we bought it,” Craig says. “We kept the same commitment to quality and service, and most of the same staff are still with us ten years later.” That consistency has paid off. Kitchen Link maintains long-standing relationships with top-tier builders and repeat homeowners, including clients who have returned for multiple kitchens and builders who have engaged the company across more than 20 projects. The company’s customer base is diverse and project driven. A kitchen design may begin with an architect, a homeowner, or a kitchen designer engaged early in the process. In other cases, clients arrive with a completed design and require only manufacturing and installation. “Every project is different,” Craig says. “Sometimes the homeowner leads the design, sometimes the architect drives it, and sometimes the builder wants us involved early so they don’t have to manage that side of things. When we’re dealing directly with the homeowner, the builder can carry on with the rest of the job.” Material selection continues to reflect both trend awareness and longevity. Stained oak veneer has emerged as a standout finish, valued for its natural warmth, durability, and timeless appeal. “People like the look, the feel, and the functionality,” Craig says. “It’s earthy, neutral, and it lasts a long time. With kitchens that are built to last, you want to avoid something that dates too quickly. That said, if a client wants a pink kitchen, they can have a pink kitchen. The priority is making sure it’s well built.” Neutral palettes remain popular, though Kitchen Link’s design service ensures that any colour scheme can be resolved into a functional, cohesive space. Product specification is another cornerstone of the business. Quality hardware is used as standard, including Blum fittings, along with premium board and high-quality stone sourced through trusted benchtop manufacturers. Beyond kitchens, Kitchen Link regularly delivers full-house joinery packages, including wardrobes, bathrooms, laundries, libraries, fireplaces and television cabinetry. Coordination with subtrades is part of the service, particularly for comprehensive fitouts that demand careful time management. “It’s a massive jigsaw puzzle,” Craig says. “When you’re doing a whole house, there is a significant level of coordination involved, but that’s all part of the process.” The company employs six staff across manufacturing, installation, design, and administration. Precision CNC machinery supports the production process, with kitchens pre-assembled in the North Shore factory so clients can view their cabinetry prior to installation. “Every detail matters,” Craig says. “You want functional beauty for the most important room in your home.” Installation is carried out by Kitchen Link’s own team to ensure consistent quality from the start of the project right through to the final finishes. The current business environment remains positive, with a steady mix of renovations and new builds cycling throughout the year. “Some years it’s 70 percent renovations, then the next it’s a new-build frenzy.” Craig feels positive about the upcoming For Craig, the formula for longevity is straightforward: good service, quality products, and consistency. “That’s what keeps people coming back,” he says. “We’ve built our business on that.” TRANSFORMING SPACES Elegance meets functionality 021 987 940 victoria@vgdesign.nz victoriagaylard.design www.victoriagaylarddesign.nz Kitchens, Bathrooms, Laundries & Bespoke Cabinetry, Spatial Planning & Interior Design Get a Free Quote Today 09 906 3588 | safefreight.nz Trusted specialists in fragile freight and high-value transport Fragile Freight Logistics Quality and functional beauty
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