90 | Every piece is custom fit Mt Iron Joinery is increasingly gaining opportunities to work at the high end of the market. Mt Iron Joinery T T Russell Fredric Our designers sit down with a client for an initial consultation and then draw a visual 3D render and provide a quote. It’s that face-to-face connection and communication that I think is very valuable from the start.” JOINERY Innovative design and bespoke craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Wanaka business Mt Iron Joinery. The company is owned by Tim Howard, whose experience in New Zealand and Australia, combined with a passion for high-level joinery, cabinetry and furniture, are obvious in Mt Iron Joinery’s strikingly beautiful work. Tim regards himself as fortunate to have a talented team, as well as crediting his own two decades of trade experience and influences for helping him steer a successful business. This included his 11 years working for a highend furniture manufacturer in Melbourne. “I was very lucky. I had the opportunity to go from working on the floor to foreman, to operations manager, and grew with the business, which went from 15 staff to 40. I really enjoyed that.” After he and his family returned to New Zealand, Mt Iron Joinery came up for sale and Tim seized the opportunity to own and put his personal stamp on the business. Mt Iron Joinery is a full-process, in-house operation employing five staff – two designer detailers, and three tradesmen in the workshop. “We supply concepts from start to finish,” Tim says. “Our designers sit down with a client for an initial consultation and then draw a visual 3D render and provide a quote. It’s that face-toface connection and communication that I think is very valuable from the start.” Rather than aiming to compete in the mainstream, Mt Iron Joinery is increasingly gaining opportunities to work at the high end of the market, which Tim says is where he wanted to take the business, with about 70% of work comprising cabinetry and fittings for the whole house. “We’ve got a good opportunity this year, doing some of the best work you can get in this area. It’s a good challenge for us, which is great. We are very lucky where we are in Central Otago, where the market hasn’t dropped as such. The work that’s being offered here is exciting.” Mt Iron Joinery deals directly with architects, designers, builders, or the client to provide a unique design that meets the client’s expectations, budget and time frame for virtually any job of any size, including smaller projects. “Everything is custom designed – it’s not off a list or a catalogue. Every piece of joinery, whether it’s a kitchen or a bookcase or laundry, is custom fit so you get the maximum usage of the space.” Because of Tim’s experience in furniture making, this is a key point of difference Mt Iron Joinery offers, and is an area of the business Tim aims to expand as resources allow. During the past decade or so, there have been considerable advances through the use of CNC computerised machinery. In addition to this, there is a hugely increased range of materials and options available, which mean clients have never had it better. “It has improved significantly. The ability to be able to produce such high-quality drawings wasn’t there years ago,” Tim says. “Our goal is to make the process with Mt Iron Joinery enjoyable and stress-free while respecting the client’s vision for their homes. It’s something special and unique to them, and joinery – including furniture – lasts a lifetime. “We see ourselves as building relationships during the job and beyond.”. LEGAL We are proud to support Mt Iron Joinery Chris Peddie, Partner Invercargill | 03 211 1370
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