60 | CONTRACTING iPlumb Plumbing and Gas Digital marketing ‘vital tool’ for firm Kelly Deeks Dunedin-based iPlumb was named the overall national winner at the 2021 Kiwi Business Heroes Awards. Small but significant Dunedin business iPlumb Plumbing and Gas has been named the overall national winner at the 2021 Kiwi Business Heroes Awards, recognised for its perseverance through difficult times and its contribution to the local community. Started by Matt Maley in 2015 when he was just 25 years old, iPlumb had its fair share of challenges from the beginning, including what you’d expect – cash flow issues, late payers, and demanding work schedules. “At times I would feel like a tiny fish in a big sea of accomplished business people,” Matt says. Matt’s existing network of friends and acquaintances helped to grow his business initially, as did iPlumb’s social media presence. After about six months, a combination of hard work, competitive prices, and great customer service saw iPlumb grow to the extent Matt needed a hand. He hired an apprentice, and has added one more staff member each year since. By year two, iPlumb was turning over seven figures. Now in year six, iPlumb employs six plumbers and gasfitters and an office manager From the beginning, iPlumb has given back to the community that supports the business through sponsorship grants of more than $50,000 to local sports teams and charities. Every year at Christmas, iPlumb buys $1000 worth of Christmas presents and donates them to wishing trees at multiple locations. “We enjoy giving back in this way, and putting a smile on a child’s face on Christmas morning!” Matt handles all of iPlumb’s marketing, and is proud to have the biggest social media following in the country as far as plumbers go, with nearly 3000 followers on Facebook. iPlumb is now recognised as a key part of the Government-backed Digital Boost Skills Training and Support programme, with Matt speaking at seminars throughout the South Island. He says digital marketing is a vital tool for service businesses in today’s climate. “It’s incredibly powerful and a lot of it is free and very effective when done correctly,” he says. “So many people are scrolling through Facebook on their lunch breaks, and we’ve got our branding popping up in front of all of those people.” Matt’s digital marketing strategy has driven iPlumb to the high end of the residential market. “We are talking multi-million dollar homes so you can imagine the complexity, they have every bit of plumbing technology available and it’s a lot different from your conventional plumbing. We’re installing digital shower mixers and touchless toilet panels. A lot of tapware is becoming digitised and it looks really cool.” Matt has always felt Dunedin is a sweet spot with plenty of potential for a plumbing business with a point of difference. Current commercial infrastructure development like the new Dunedin hospital build bringing an estimated $429 million to the local economy and employing thousands of construction workers, and a number of refurbishment and development projects at the University of Otago are creating a housing shortage issue and Matt says developers are putting up new houses and apartments ‘left, right, and centre.’ Matt is now developing iPlumb into a franchise model, initially targeting the lower South Island and looking for great tradespeople to come on board. Masterlink is New Zealand’s only national group training organisation specialising in the plumbing industry. masterlink.co.nz Looking to become an apprentice or take one on in your business? Visit our website to find out how we can help you! Congratulations iPlumb Plumbing and Gas! We’re proud to support your award-winning company, Matt, and the top-quality apprentices you’re training to become NZ’s next generation of plumbers, drainlayers & gasfitters.
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