58 | CONTRACTING CONTRACTING Action Scaffolding Simply Plumbing Proud to be associated with Action Scaffolding Ltd Accounting Services • Business Advice • Taxation Advice All Tax Returns • Cashflows • Budgeting • Trusts 85 Riccarton Road, Christchurch. Phone 03 943 0111 Email info@copeshearing.co.nz Web: Email: Call: 0800 24 24 72 for Christchurch and Canterbury • Residential Housing & light • Commercial • Repairs • Roof work • Painting Aiming for steady growth Action Scaffolding operates as a one-stop-shop for scaffolding, temporary fencing, skips, portable toilets, wraps, and safety nets. T T Kelly Deeks Deep commitment drives company growth T T Russell Fredric Canterbury’s Action Scaffolding continues to focus on steady growth, strong safety systems, and long-term client relationships as it works through a challenging construction downturn. Director Mark Backhouse says the business has remained resilient despite wider pressure across the sector, including several competitors exiting the market. “We’ve been in business for 22 years and we’re not going anywhere,” he says. “We’ve got good systems, fully trained staff, and strong health and safety standards in place.” The company now operates with a team of 10, down from around 45 at the peak of the Canterbury earthquake rebuild. “After the earthquakes we grew quickly, but we’ve come back to a more normal level now,” he says. A key point of difference is compliance and workforce capability, with each gang including at least two ticketed scaffolders. “Every truck is registered and warranted, every scaffold is built for the end user, and every gang has two qualified scaffolders,” he says. Based in Belfast, Action Scaffolding operates as a one-stop-shop for scaffolding, temporary fencing, skips, portable toilets, wraps, and Selling their house to back a long-held ambition was a bold move, but for a Christchurch couple it laid the foundations for a steadily growing plumbing business. Co-owners Aaron and Emma Edmondston established Simply Plumbing in 2023, after Aaron had spent a decade talking about starting his own company. The idea finally became reality when Emma challenged him to stop talking about it and take the plunge. “We sold our house, downsized and just jumped in,” she says. What followed was a period of rapid change. Within three months, Emma had left her role as a team leader in the horticultural sector and begun a plumbing apprenticeship to help build the business alongside Aaron. That decision reflected the couple’s commitment to making the company work, although the path forward would soon take an unexpected turn. A back injury cut Emma’s time on the tools short after only a few months, forcing her into a full-time office role. Looking back, the pair now sees this setback as a turning point. “That’s when the business actually started to grow and make money, because we had time to quote jobs, answer calls and build relationships with new clients,” says Emma. While Aaron focused on plumbing work, Emma took responsibility for administration, customer enquiries and quoting. This support allowed the business to pursue more opportunities, secure new clients and expand its workload. The impact was immediate. Simply Plumbing hired another qualified plumber during its first year and has continued to grow since. Today, the business employs six people, including an apprentice. “It’s probably the classic lesson of working on your business rather than in your business,” Emma says. The company undertakes residential plumbing work throughout Christchurch, including maintenance, renovations, new builds, drainage, water filtration systems, heat pump hot water systems and gas hot water conversions. safety nets across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. The company works across new builds, maintenance, inspections, repairs, exterior painting, and redevelopment work, supporting a wide range of contractors with safe access solutions and efficient site setup. Mark says the business built its reputation during the Canterbury rebuild when demand surged and operations expanded rapidly. “That period really shaped the company. We were on very complex sites, and it pushed us to lift our systems,” he says. Today, he says the focus is on consistency and maintaining long-term client relationships, many of which have been in place since day one, while staying agile enough to respond when activity lifts in the construction cycle. “We’re focused on doing what we do well and looking after the clients who have been with us a long time,” he says. Action Scaffolding continues to invest in training, with apprentices supported through a three year pathway to an advanced ticket. “We put a lot into training our people. It means we’ve got skilled staff who can build to a high standard safely,” he says. Mark, who comes from a building background, says this shapes how the business operates. “I know what builders need. We build scaffolding for the people using it on site, not just from a scaffolder’s point of view.” Heat pump hot water systems are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners looking to reduce energy costs while modernising older hot water set-ups. The systems can reduce water-heating power consumption by around 70% compared with traditional electric cylinders, making them an attractive option for households looking to lower running costs. Alongside the growth of the business, Aaron and Emma have developed strong relationships within Canterbury’s building sector. This includes collaborating on renovations and new- home builds, and becoming a preferred contractor for Christchurch builder, Taylor Made Homes. “It’s ongoing work with someone you get along with and already know how they operate and how they like things done,” says Emma. The couple are committed to training apprentices, and while it requires significant investment during the early stages of their development, they see it as an important contribution to both the business and the wider plumbing industry. Aaron and Emma Edmondston - growing their business. Logan Taylor: 027 434 0083 Kevin Taylor: 027 434 3109 taylormadehomesinfo@gmail.com taylormadehomes.co.nz Specialising in small and transportable homes
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