62 | hockey competitions, developing the teamwork, discipline, and resilience that continue to serve him well in business today. During his apprenticeship, he was selected for the Skills New Zealand Outward Bound programme at Anakiwa in 2015, recognising him as one of the country’s high-achieving apprentices. He also competed in plumbing skills competitions throughout his apprenticeship, representing the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions at the New Zealand national finals of the World Plumbing Championships at Wintec in consecutive years. Since joining the family business, Tim has built extensive experience across commercial construction, maintenance, and project management. Today he oversees staff scheduling, operational systems, project co-ordination, client relationships, and the day-to-day running of the business. Craig believes developing business skills and capability within the trades is becoming increasingly important. “Many plumbers become business owners, but they’re not always taught governance, financial literacy, management skills, human resources, contract law, or strategic planning. Those skills are just as important as technical ability if you want to build a successful, sustainable business.” To support that vision, Plumbing Works has invested in professional development, including business management training and specialist industry mentoring, while maintaining its association with Master Plumbers New Zealand for more than 40 years. As the next generation takes the reins, Craig is confident the values that have shaped Plumbing Works for more than 40 years will continue to guide the business. CONTRACTING Plumbing Works The Plumbing Collective +64 27 871 1093 • smithmachineryhire@gmail.com • smithmachineryhire.co.nz Don’t have what you need to get the job done? We do. Excavator Hire • Tip Truck Hire • Plate Compactors ENQUIRE TODAY GET IN TOUCH We are a residential building company that specialises in bespoke carpentry projects, new builds and renovations. 021 944 260 pablo@pbslimited.co.nz Wade’s World - enjoying the collective approach T T Russell Fredric All the ingredients for a strong future T T Kelly Deeks Wade Bennett is building The Plumbing Collective on a simple philosophy; do good work, back good people and create a business that clients return to. After leaving school, Wade completed a plumbing apprenticeship before striking out on his own. What began as small weekend jobs for friends and family and word-of-mouth referrals has grown into a Tauranga business employing eight people and servicing residential, commercial and development projects throughout the Bay of Plenty. The company’s name reflects Wade’s original vision. Rather than a conventional plumbing business, he imagined a network of trusted contractors working together on larger projects. While the business has evolved into a permanent team, it still brings in specialist contractors when required. Today The Plumbing Collective offers plumbing, gas fitting and drainlaying services across everything from emergency maintenance and commercial fitouts to multi-unit housing developments. Wade says the mix of work helps keep the team adaptable and engaged, with projects ranging from planned construction programmes through to urgent callouts, allowing the business to support clients at every stage of a property’s lifecycle. He describes the business as “specialist generalists”; comfortable tackling a broad range of work while recognising when another contractor is better suited to a particular job and being honest about this. “There’s no point overcommitting and then not delivering. The best thing is the client gets what they want, even if that means pointing them to someone else. If they get a good result, everyone comes out looking good.” That approach extends to the relationships the company has built with builders and suppliers. Progressive Building Solutions After more than four decades building one of the Bay of Plenty’s most respected plumbing businesses, Plumbing Works founder Craig Coxhead is focused on ensuring the company’s future is every bit as strong as its past. Established in Tauranga in 1982, Craig has grown from a one-man operation into a multi-disciplinary business delivering plumbing, drainage, gasfitting, roofing, guttering, and heating services across residential, commercial, industrial, and rural projects throughout the region. Today, succession planning is firmly in place, with Craig’s son Tim stepping into a leadership role as he prepares to take over the day-to-day management of the company. Craig began his plumbing apprenticeship in Waihi in 1977 and established his own business in Tauranga aged just 22. Within two years, the business had expanded to eight staff and was delivering major projects across the Bay of Plenty. Over the past four decades, Plumbing Works has completed significant commercial and infrastructure projects, including work for Fletcher Construction, both Tauranga Harbour Bridges, Tauranga Hospital’s Project Leo redevelopment, the Tauranga City Council Chambers, numerous schools, and major shopping centres throughout the region. One of Craig’s proudest achievements has been mentoring the next generation of tradespeople. “I’ve helped train more than 50 apprentices throughout my career,” he says. “For me, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of the job. There are a lot of people in Tauranga who have worked for me at some stage over the past 40-plus years.” Building long-term relationships has also been fundamental to the company’s success, particularly with suppliers that have supported both Plumbing Works and the wider plumbing industry for decades. “Companies like Marley, Kembla, Caroma, Methven, and Rheem have supported New Zealand plumbers for many years, and we recognise how valuable those relationships are. “Looking after the people who have supported our industry has always been part of who we are.” Tim brings a strong combination of technical expertise, business capability, and leadership experience to the next generation of Plumbing Works. Before entering the trade, Tim was a regional representative in national has become an important repeat client, with several projects currently under way, including high-end new homes and renovations. For Wade, those relationships are about more than simply winning work. “Businesses like Progressive Building Solutions make it easy. There’s enough that can stress you out on a project, so we like working with people who communicate well and want the same outcome.” The Plumbing Collective also relies on Smith Machinery Hire when additional equipment is needed. Although The Plumbing Collective owns excavators, hiring job-appropriate machines provides the flexibility to scale resources without additional capital outlay. The company is a member of Master Plumbers NZ which offers practical benefits such as discounted business software and access to HR, legal support and resources to stay ahead of the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. Wade values belonging to an organisation that advocates for the industry and provides customers with confidence that members meet recognised professional standards. Developing the next generation of tradespeople is equally important. The company currently employs apprentices and regularly participates in Tauranga Boys’ College Gateway work experience placements, giving students an opportunity to experience the trade before committing to an apprenticeship. “I think it’s a no-brainer. If nobody trains apprentices, eventually there are fewer plumbers, drainlayers and gasfitters. Gateway programmes are great because young people find out whether the trade is really for them, and employers get to see them in the real world.” After navigating a softer construction market, Wade says enquiry levels have lifted noticeably during recent months and confidence is returning. “The last quarter has been much busier than the quarter prior. We’re already thinking about hiring again. I’m pretty upbeat about where things are heading.” Craig Coxhead.
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