40 | ITM Gore 0800 224 759 | sales@bbi.net.nz | www.bbi.net.nz Proudly supporting ITM - Gore Plywood Timber Summit Steel & Wire are proud to support ITM - Gore Delivering for every project The business supports a broad mix of customers across Gore and the surrounding district, with a focus on practical service and reliability. T T Russell Fredric Serving a close-knit Southland community, ITM Gore has established itself as a go-to supplier for builders, farmers and DIY customers. The business supports a broad mix of customers across Gore and the surrounding district, with a focus on practical service and reliability. Branch manager Julien McRae says the branch is still growing and improving what it can offer, reflecting steady demand across the region. Customers range from trade builders and farmers to landscapers, engineers and home handymen, with the business taking a flexible, problem-solving approach. The priority is making sure people leave with a solution, Julien says. “If we haven’t got it, we’ll find out who has. We don’t just turn people away; we’ll track it down through another ITM or a supplier.” That approach is backed by being part of ITM (Independent Timber Merchants), giving the business access to nationwide supply, systems, communication and marketing support, while benefiting from the group’s purchasing power and staying locally focused. It also opens up a wider product range and supplier network, allowing the team to source products quickly and keep projects moving. That combination of local service and national backing makes a real difference day to day. “We can often get products here overnight depending on where they’re coming from. The support is excellent.” Supplier relationships and training also play a key role in keeping the team up to date. “The training is practical and current, and the suppliers have been fantastic in backing us.” Stock covers most aspects of residential and rural building, from timber and plasterboard through to insulation, tools and hardware. Kitchens and wardrobes are supplied through UNO Kitchens and Amorini Kitchens ranges, offering a flexible flat-pack option suited to both builders and serious DIY customers. With more than 180 cabinet options and flexibility across sizes, colours and finishes, the systems allow customers to tailor a kitchen to suit their space and budget. “We can sit down with customers, work through their measurements and help design something that fits.” Customers can choose layouts, finishes and features such as soft-close cabinetry, creating a practical alternative to fully custom-built kitchens. ITM Gore has been experiencing steady demand overall but was particularly busy following last year’s late October windstorm. Farm repairs and rebuilds, in particular, drove demand for materials such as timber and roofing iron. “Farm work really picked up after that. There was a lot of damage, so we were supplying for sheds and repairs.” Relationships remain central, particularly in a regional market where repeat business and word of mouth carry weight. “We’re a small business, so those relationships matter. We’ve got to keep those lines open and work hard at it.” Looking ahead, the focus is on lifting stock levels, expanding the team and continuing to enhance service. “It’s about having more on hand and being able to look after as many customers as we can.” That mix of local service and national backing continues to underpin the business. “Customers get that personal connection, but we’ve also got the support behind us — and that’s what makes it work.”
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