| 25 T T Kim Newth Tuapeka’s growth drives jobs, export earnings From small beginnings, Tuapeka – now trading as Trends – has grown to become the largest wholesale supplier of branded promotional products and corporate gifts in Australasia. Tuapeka Gold Print REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Just four months after opening their new 8000sqm warehouse last year, Dunedin-based promotional product supplier Tuapeka had already filled it to capacity. The company has been investing strongly to build stock volumes in response to rapid growth in demand over the past few years. Ten years ago, the company’s co-owners - founder Jim Robertson and innovator/entrepreneur Brad Houghton – were still operating from the Central Otago town of Lawrence, where Tuapeka Gold Print first began printing gold foiled business cards in 1987. “When I started in Lawrence late 2013, there were 55 staff,” recalls the company’s chief executive Greg Jolly. “After we relocated to Dunedin in 2014, turnover quickly doubled and today we do 12 times the volume of what we did a decade ago and employ a lot more people. We now have about 480 staff on site in Dunedin working through shifts five days a week, and another 100 staff in the Philippines.” From small beginnings, Tuapeka – now trading as Trends – has grown to become the largest wholesale supplier of branded promotional products and corporate gifts in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Their extensive range of products and branding solutions are marketed through their Trends website, servicing a network of distributors. While other businesses have struggled to bounce back after Covid, Tuapeka took the ball and ran with it, doubling turnover in two years, (2022-23). Last year, their annual turnover reached more than $100 million. “It is said that growth is a good teacher and a tester of business. It has certainly tested our systems and our people. We’ve had to build our stock volumes to match the level of turnover we’re achieving and that has meant significant investment in stock.” It explains why their new warehouse - at Tuapeka Business Park, Fairfield, with capacity to house 11,500 pallets – filled so fast last year. “As a customer-centric business, we need to hold deep stocks for our customers so we can provide that volume when they need it. We can pull it from our warehouse, print it within three or four days and get the product to Australia within two to three working days – we are always striving to get that turnaround even better.” Having the new warehouse has conveniently freed up around 1800sqm of space on the production side of the business. “We’re also investing to develop that space this year so we can increase capacity and get a better flow of product through the factory to improve our efficiency.” Instinctive leadership and innovation keeps Tuapeka at the leading edge. In 2020, Tuapeka acquired Peros – one of the largest umbrella importers and manufacturers in New Zealand – as a value-adding service to increase their range of product for their large network of distributors and an entry into retail sales. “As well, we have invested into an apparel range – Trendswear – over the last couple of years. The market for promotional products has been shifting towards higher value products. We want to make sure we have the right products to create the right brands that fit that trend.” Launched by Tuapeka last year is yet another new line called Brandcraft, providing a range of quality wooden model products that are supplied direct from store or can be specifically designed for any customer’s bespoke solution. “We’re really proud of our team and what we do. Our strategy over the next few years is to maintain steady growth and continue honing our systems and getting our processes right.” Industrial Printing Supply Solutions Helping New Zealand Businesses to Grow. www.hitecink.com +64 3 666 0100 P 03 488 2922 | E info@clearwatercivil.co.nz 7 Brighton Road, Green Island, Dunedin Drainage | Asphalting | Roading Earthworks | Demolition Commissions of storm water, wastewater and water reticulation Underground power, gas and telecommunication infrastructure.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=