56 | Lays Fasteners T T Kim Bowden Bringing fresh energy to building supplies Lays Fasteners sells construction fasteners and building supplies to builders and tradies – everything from screws and nails to adhesives, flashing tapes, and building paper. BUILDING INDUSTRY Matt Lay and Montana Garratt have big dreams for their young business – they want it to become a household name. Lays Fasteners sells construction fasteners and building supplies to builders and tradies – everything from screws and nails to adhesives, flashing tapes, and building paper. Just 15 months in, the duo has gone from nervously waiting as their phones stayed silent, to leading a team of eight, supplying a steady stream of new clients. It took persistence to prove their worth to a market loyal to traditional supply chains – but now, momentum is firmly on their side. What sets Lays Fasteners apart is its fast, service-focused approach – something Matt and Montana saw was missing in Southern Lakes and Central Otago after working in the same industry in Auckland. “Our goal from the start was to bring that fast-paced, service-focused mindset to the region,” Matt says. “We stock a good range of quality products and get them on-site quickly.” Tradespeople can walk into the Wānaka shop and get what they need on the spot, or rely on free, same-day site delivery across the area. “If you order bolts from us in the morning, by 10 o’clock, we’ll get it to you, whether you’re in Queenstown or Clyde or Cromwell, by early afternoon that same day,” Matt says. “You’re not waiting a long time for something to arrive from Invercargill or Christchurch or Auckland.” One key member of the team is Jason, who works from the Wānaka office. Builders can send in their plans, and Jason quantifies everything Lays Fasteners can supply for the job. “It really helps the builders streamline their suppliers and run more efficiently,” Montana says. “And for us, it’s a tool that supports the team and helps grow sales.” At just 26 and 28, Matt and Montana are unusually young to be running a building-supply business, but with fresh energy, sharp instincts and a willingness to do things differently, they have carved out a space in an industry that rarely sees new players. “It’s that old-school building mentality,” Matt says. “You don’t see a lot of new competition pop up in fasteners or construction, and we’ve managed to achieve a lot in just a year.” On top of launching a new business, in recent months Matt and Montana have also stepped into another big role: they are new parents. Montana stayed working on the road, managing commercial and high-end residential sales, until she was seven months pregnant. “Matt took off one day, and that’s when we drove home from Invercargill Hospital, then he was back at work at 7am the next morning,” Montana says with a grin. “Lays is our first baby, really.” Montana continues to manage the accounts, marketing, and admin from home, dropping into the office once a week to stay connected with the team. A new baby, a new brand and a new client base, and there is no desire to slow down just yet. “We’ve got big goals and dreams,” Montana says. “We hope to take Lays nationwide.” “We want to be a household name,” Matt adds. “That’s the goal.” Freephone. 0508 782 753 | delfast.com PROUD TO SUPPORT LAYS FASTENERS
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