46 | Busy times in Central Otago Shaun knows the importance of providing solid, safe, scaffolding support to the industry. Magpie Scaffolding and Hire Services T T Virginia Wright CONTRACTING Shaun Forster had been a scaffolder in Newcastle, England, for seven years before he went to an Events Day in 2013 and said yes to the offer of a sponsored job in the scaffolding industry in Queenstown. By the time he set up Magpie Scaffolding and Hire Services in Cromwell, Shaun had been in New Zealand for several years and was off tools and working as a manager. “Then on Friday the 13th in March 2020 I registered my business (Magpie is the name of his Newcastle United Football team) and I quit my job. It was just as Covid happened,” says Shaun. “The company I’d been working for thought I was mad, but I stuck to my guns and went for it.” During the Covid lock down, Shaun took the time to organise some PPE, line up an accountant, and buy scaffolding gear from Christchurch, so was ready to hit the ground running when the country opened up. “It was hard at the start, but I’ve grown steadily and I’ve got two guys working for me now, plus I go on the tools when needed. We’re a small, boutique company, which is where I want to be. “We focus on our loyal clients, working with good people, and on only saying yes to what we can do, so we have a 100% record of never letting anybody down and our clients know it. We give them one less thing to worry about.” Clients include local builders, painters, and plasterers, and many have become friends over the years, if they weren’t already. Summer is their busiest time, and to ensure they have what they need, Shaun has simply bought more kit over the years and now has more than enough for his team. A few years ago, Shaun took a punt and brought on a young guy living locally, who was keen to learn. “I went 360 from the older, experienced guys I’d tried, and hired Rylen, who was 16 at the time. I trained him up from scratch doing his apprenticeship and he’s my main man now, along with Dwane, who’s 23 and been with me the last 14 months. I’ll put him through his apprenticeship too, if he chooses.” Shaun knows the importance of providing solid, safe, scaffolding support to the industry. Some of his recent projects have included a two-storey block of nine units needing repairs, and a brand-new playcentre in Cromwell, as well as many more projects throughout Central Otago. Magpie covers everywhere from Wanaka to Glenorchy to Ranfurly. Shaun also works in with Vertical Horizonz, helping with the training courses they provide. “Work is flowing in Central Otago and long may this continue,” he says. Shaun manages Magpie’s workload to ensure both happy clients and happy staff at all times. With Shaun and his wife Katrina expecting their second child in June, Shaun expects to be looking for another staff member so that he can keep things happy at home as well. CHIEFBUILD Renovation Specialist KITCHENS - BATHROOMS - EXTENSIONS - FULL CONVERSIONS Call Sam 020 414 28622 chiefbuildnz@gmail.com Chiefbuild Ltd KJ BU I LD I NG Detail & quality workmanship in New Builds, Sheds & Reno’s 027 296 0462 kris@kjbuildingltd.com Honest Reliable Craftsmanship HAYES BUILT LTD • NEW BUILDS • RENOVATIONS • EXTENSIONS • ARCHITECTURAL 027 204 9894 | chris@hayesbuilt.co.nz
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