66 | CONTRACTING Road Materials Workgear T T Russell Fredric Workwear supplier streamlines operations T T to page 69 Big names like Levi’s, Carhartt, Stoney Creek, Swanndri and Swazi don’t tend to be associated with a health and safety store, but these are just a few of the brands stocked by Road Materials Workgear. The Dunedin-headquartered business specialises in supplying PPE (personal protective equipment), work clothing, footwear, branded uniforms and corporate wear, and has experienced considerable growth and change in recent years, a trend its directors expect to continue. Established nearly 70 years ago and family owned, Road Materials Workgear is run by fourth-generation Calum and Alison Wenlock (nee Owen) and Alison’s brothers Mike and Ben Owen, with their retired parents Roger and Anne Owen having been the third generation. Calum is the company’s managing director, Mike is the Central Otago general manager managing the company’s Cromwell branch, Ben runs the warehousing and distribution operations, and Alison handles all things design and branding. Between them, the family bring a diverse range of skills to the business. “In the last 12 months, in terms of Dunedin, everything in our business has changed,” Calum and Alison say. “We’ve consolidated three sites into one. We have rolled out a new website, and a completely new ERP system that handles inventory, orders, and accounting/financials.” In November 2021, the company purchased a Dunedin screen printing and embroidery business (Uptown Workroom, formally Uptown Art) a move that was particularly strategic for its corporate workwear, while continuing to provide screen printing and embroidery services to the public. “Bringing these services within our portfolio means we can essentially do all the branding in-house and offer our customers a true endto-end experience,” Calum says. A year ago, Road Materials Workgear moved to its modern new site in Birch Street, which houses the retail, warehouse, and branding arms of the business in a 2000sqm building. As well as having a good profile and ample car parking, it provides 300sqm of retail space, and is a game changer for both staff and customers. “We’ve operated across three separate sites in Dunedin for a long time and our retail showroom was becoming harder for our customers to access,” Calum says. “There was a need to future-proof all aspects of our premises.” Grisport boots are designed for demanding outdoor work, combining comfort, durability, and protection in every pair. Made in Italy, the range includes heavy duty, lightweight composite, and waterproof options. Built to handle long hours on your feet, Grisport delivers reliable safety footwear trusted by workers across New Zealand. www.grisport.co.nz
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