54 | Baxter & Neilson Plumbers T T Kelly Deeks Continuing proud history of serving Southland Now under the ownership of Nathan and Theresa Holdaway, the Invercargill company is combining traditional values with modern efficiency to deliver a true one-stop trade service for homes, farms, and businesses across the region. CONTRACTING After 100 years in business, Baxter & Neilson Plumbers remains one of Southland’s most trusted names in plumbing, gas fitting, and drainage. Now under the ownership of Nathan and Theresa Holdaway, the Invercargill company is combining traditional values with modern efficiency to deliver a true one-stop trade service for homes, farms, and businesses across the region. Nathan, who started as an apprentice with Baxter & Neilson more than 30 years ago, never planned to take over the business but when the opportunity arose in 2022, he and Theresa were determined to keep it local. “The biggest thing for us was making sure it stayed locally owned and family-run,” Theresa says. “Baxter & Neilson has such a strong reputation in Southland, and we want to protect that name and live up to it.” Since taking over, the Holdaways have built on the company’s proud history by expanding its services and streamlining its operations. Baxter & Neilson now offers plumbing, gas fitting, drainlaying, backflow testing, pumps, roofing, and electrical work — all delivered by a close-knit, highly skilled team. “We like to think of ourselves as a one-stop shop,” Theresa says. “Every trade is busy these days and whenever we need an electrician, we need them now. Bringing one into our team this year means our customers never have to wait.” Theresa has brought a fresh approach to administration. “I’d never worked in an office before and on my first day, I couldn’t believe there was so much paper! Now everything’s computerised, and it makes a huge difference to how efficiently we work.” That focus on efficiency extends to the field, where Nathan leads a growing crew of qualified tradespeople. The company has recently invested in vehicle upgrades and signwriting to showcase its capabilities — a move that has seen increased enquiry as customers come to realise the full scope of services available. Baxter & Neilson’s expertise in water supply protection has become another defining strength. As one of the few local firms with an IQP-certified tester, Nathan completes around 1200 backflow tests each year. “It’s a specialised service that not many others can offer,” Theresa explains. “Because Nathan is a plumber as well as an IQP, he can do the testing and the repair work all in-house, saving clients time and hassle.” As service agent for Methven, Corona, and Rheem, Baxter & Neilson also leads the way in plumbing solutions, including the latest energy-efficient heat pump water heaters. “We trialed one of the early Rheem models a few years ago, and our hot water bill dropped to just $36 a month,” Theresa says. “The latest model is even more efficient, and we’re excited to start installing more of them.” Community connection remains at the heart of the business. Baxter & Neilson continues to offer Gold Card discounts for retirees and reduced rates for police, fire, and ambulance staff — a gesture inspired by Theresa’s father, a recently retired police officer. “It’s our way of giving back to people who’ve given so much to the community,” she says. With steady growth, a loyal team, and an ever-expanding skill base, Baxter & Neilson Plumbers is looking firmly to the future. “We’ve built a great team, and it really does feel like family here,” Theresa says. “At the end of the day, we’re here to look after our people and our customers — just as Baxter & Neilson always has.” mÄÒµ~òÖńŁmµ¾ÖńŁE¾Łl¥§·Ł ÄÒŁ*ÜŁ ··ń ĤĢīőĤĤģŁ ŁWÜŅŁ*¾ëÒ~Ò¡§·· ?§ÖÖ~¾ŁŕŁ Ä·§¾Ł6~¾ŁżŁĢĤģŁģīĩŁĥģģī #§¾~¾ŁŕŁ ~½ÒľŁPÄ·½~ÒŁżŁĢĤĩŁĨĢĥŁģĢĤĤ ÖÄàÜ¥Ò¾~àÜĽħ·ÖńÄń¾ø $ÜŁÜ¥ŁÏÒ ÜŁ~·~¾ŁÄ ŁÏÒ~ܧ~·§ÜòŁ~¾ŁÏ·~ò ì§Ü¥ŁÄàÒŁ ·ñ§·Łë¥§·Ł·~ÖŁÄÏܧľÖńŏ ŏ]Ò½ÖŁ~¾ŁÄ¾§Ü§Ä¾ÖŁ~ÏÏ·òńŁ8~ÖŁÄÏÜ§Ä¾ÖŁ~ÒŁÖà³ÜŁÜÄŁ~ÏÏÒÄë~·Ł~¾Ł~ë~§·~§·§ÜòńŁ ľÜ~ÜŁ ~½ÒľŁ ÄÒŁ à··ŁÜ~§·Öń Tradies like Baxter & Neilson Plumbers know: great business needs a great team. Get strategic accounting and business advice for your trades business with Findex Gore. Call to book: 03 209 0002 24 Main Street, Gore findex.co.nz Providing spouting, downpipes, building, plumbing and electrical solutions for kiwis Marley has been part of NZ homes for more than 65 years.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=