16 | Northland: DHS Construction T T Karen Phelps Innovation underpins firm’s success DHS Construction has experienced huge growth, doubling every year for the past three years and on track to do the same in 2023. Being a vertically integrated group of companies allows DHS Group to provide clients with a seamless service and a high quality end result, says company director Sarah Stewart. “Because everything is completed in-house by our skilled team this means we have great control over quality and timing of projects,” she says. Sarah, who has a diverse background in law, media and business, and husband Dylan, an LBP, started their Whangarei-based business in 2012 as DHS Construction to focus on high end architectural builds including commercial interior fitouts. The group has grown organically and now also encompasses Wai Plumbing, Kahu Roof & Clad and Manuka Developments. All of the companies work in together on clients’ new build home projects as well as undertaking work specific to the particular brands. With regards to new homes, Sarah says that DHS Group’s unique point of difference is that it makes architectural builds affordable. “There is a perception that architectural builds are more expensive. But with smarter design and innovation in the building process you can achieve a very similar price point to a cookie cutter style home,” says Sarah. Manuka Developments, in particular, has been delivering this unique product to the local market via architecturally designed house and land packages and completed homes designed with community and liveability in mind. It has been working extensively in Jessie Development’s Redwood Green subdivision in Whangarei and has several homes available for purchase. “All homes are designed specifically for the site and utilise high spec materials making them stand out,” says Sarah. She says DHS Construction has experienced huge growth, doubling every year for the past three years and on track to do the same in 2023. A major reason is its philosophy of innovative and forward thinking. A good example is that it has just won an Excellence in Environmental Awareness and Management Award at the 2023 Te Hiringa Taitokerau Māori Business Awards. “Construction is one the biggest waste industries so it’s about how to work smarter. That the practical aspect but it’s more of an ethos we have – caring for the environment and leaving a legacy for future generations. We want to front foot it,” says Sarah. The goal of their recycling programme is to reduce waste by 30% and DHS Construction has hired someone full time to sort all the waste on its sites so it could recycle and reuse as much as possible. “All construction allows for a percentage of waste when ordering but it’s about looking at the project carefully and ordering exactly what is needed. Also because our people are highly skilled and trained we do not have to allow for so many mistakes. It’s the measure twice cut once mentality. It’s about having respect for the products and valuing them,” explains Sarah. One example of sustainability, and also a contributor to a high quality end product, is that DHS Construction does all its own framing rather than using prenail, which means less waste as it is cut exactly and any offcuts can be used for nogs. Any product on site that can be reused heads back to the workshop to be re-purposed whenever possible, for example using offcuts as materials for apprentices to practice on. Sarah says DHS Construction has a young team who has enthusiastically got on board and clients have likewise reacted positively: “People don’t necessarily realise how much of an issue waste is on construction sites and it’s not until we start having a conversation around this that they see the value. Clients have always commented on our tidy sites and our recycling programme enhances this. From a productivity point of view everyone works better in a tidy space.” Future innovation includes a project to make it easier for construction sites to sort their waste. “Time is money in construction so anything we can do to streamline the process of how and when waste is sorted is really beneficially and makes it easier for the whole industry to look at this while still hitting budgets and timelines.” DHS Construction also received a highly commended in the Māori Enterprise Award (Employing more than 14 staff), which considered the entire operation of the business. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Phone: 09 437 9420 | Fax: 09 430 3418 | Email: sales@whangareiitm.co.nz Website: www.itm.co.nz/whangarei Proud Supplier to DHS Construction
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