Business South June 2021

40 | PGG Wrightson Darfield DEVELOPMENT Growth fuels need for new premises T Richard Loader All ready to go at their new store, the PGG Wrightson Darfield team: from left, Chris Roper, Tracy Holden, Tamzin Lee, Vic Cridge and Hamish Milner (absent John Roper). I n a case of back to the future, a purpose built development for PGG Wrightson Darfield has seen the business relocate back to where it all began in the 1940s. Before moving to its current building in 1965, PGG Wrightson’s forerunner, Pyne Gould Guinness, operated from premises just around the corner in South Terrace, Darfield’s main street. Store Manager, Hamish Milner, says having outgrown its existing premises, PGG Wright- son had been looking at where business de- velopment could happen for about five years. “Being a retail business we needed to be on or near the main road for visibility and there wasn’t a lot of business zoned land available to do that in Darfield. “When the site next door became available we approached the developer. It’s a prime spot, right on the main road and the new store has been purpose built for PGG Wright- son.” Encompassing a broad rural customer base from West Melton through to the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers and up the two gorges, and some from Oxford, PGG Wrightson Darfield has enjoyed significant growth particularly with the advent of irrigation and intensified farming. “Within that area there are small lifestyle blocks, arable farms, sheep and beef and dairy farms. There’s a lot of variation in terms of what is farmed and grown in those areas and we have to service it all. “Our main focus in this area is arable—but we do everything. If you want it we can get it. We’ve well and truly outgrown our current store simply through business growth.” Providing at least double the space of the old building, PGG Wrightson’s new store - which opened in April - incorporates a two-storey office block at one end, allowing about 20 staff from other PGG Wrightson business units to hot desk, providing support to the rural customer base. A large open retail showroom at the bottom level will enable expansion of the stores exist- ing product range while adding new products including the display of irrigation parts. A bulk store capable of holding about 220 pallets provides a marked improvement on the existing building, which has capacity for 30 pallets. A covered drive through at the rear of the building offers clients protection from the elements when alighting from their vehicles. “The building will offer existing and new customers a more pleasurable in-store expe- rience, making it so much easier for them to walk around the store and see what we have to offer. “Customers will also benefit from the new store being open Saturday mornings, which will expand our service to the wider commu- nity.” A key feature of the building’s design is a large verandah facing South Terrace. This was a legacy of the original Pyne Gould Guinness building. Designed by Ashburton practice Chilton + Mayne Architects, the construction of the new building was carried out by McIntosh Commercial Construction, also based in Ashburton. “The building will offer existing and new customers a more pleasurable in-store experience, making it so much easier for them to walk around the store and see what we have to offer.” 03 349 2006 Shelving and Storage Solutions - Garage Shelving - Workshop Shelving - Worksbenches - Commercial Storage sales@racknstack.co.nz www.racknstack.co.nz Proud to supply PGG Wrightson with their storage solutions Suppliers of structural steel for commercial and residential buildings. Specialists in seismic strengthening to existing structures. EasyFit vehicle/ inspection pits, designed and fabricated by North End Engineering. 6 Range Street, Ashburton Phone: 03 308 8155 | Mobile: 0273 529 909 | Email: office@nee.kiwi.nz | www.nee.nz