4 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT McPhail Sports T T Bernadette Cooney Purpose-built office with wow factor The McPhail Sports team, from left, Steve Parsons, Tony Parkes, Harry Lewis, Andrew McPhail, and Sara Pennington. “This has transformed the building, staff now have standing workstations, wind-down area, videoconferencing space, coffee bar with fireplace – all the bells and whistles.” McPhail Sports is an iconic Cantabrian family business which has invested over 117 years of employment and prosperity to the garden city where four generations of the McPhail family have thrived. The McPhail name is synonymous with Canterbury Rugby, a tradition upheld by owner, Andrew McPhail, who leads the charge in giving back to the community. Recently honoured with the prestigious NZ Family Business Excellence Award, McPhail Sports has been a cornerstone of New Zealand’s business landscape since its inception in 1907. Under Andrews leadership the company continues to add excellence to the retail sports sector and now operates from designer-built premises at 91 Wrights Road, Addington. Tailored to cater to its international clientele, the new premise serves the needs of international clients who visit the showrooms from Australia, South America, UK and Europe. As exclusive licensees for the renowned Body Glove water sports brand, McPhail Sports supplies an array of lifestyle and water sports products ranging from wetsuits and surfboards, diving and snorkelling, water skis and wakeboards, to footwear and accessories all sourced from its factories in Asia. “The acquisition of the property at 91 Wrights Road, formerly Walton Plumbing, in 2022 marked a pivotal moment for McPhail Sports,” says Andrew, “the new office and warehouse is a showcase for Body Glove products and provides state-of-the-art facilities for visitors and employees alike.” Inspired by Andrew’s wife, Jacqui, the vision for a purpose-built office space reflective of the company’s global aspirations took shape. Drawing from her experiences in New York, Jacqui envisioned a workspace that combined functionality with luxury. The brief was clear: to create an exceptional environment conducive to productivity and well-being. Working in collaboration with architects from 3-Fold, Jacqui’s vision was translated into reality despite the challenges posed by stringent building codes and budget constraints. “Cook Costello engineers did an exceptional job handling the legal build requirements and all the required sub-contractors.” Simon Bruce Contracting, a Canterbury-based builder, meticulously executed the plans, preserving the character of the original 1970s structure while modernising the space to meet contemporary standards. “This has transformed the building,” says Andrew, “staff now have standing workstations, wind-down area, video-conferencing space, coffee bar with fireplace – all the bells and whistles.” The transformation of the warehouse into a showcase for Body Glove products comes complete with a four-stack car hoist to display classic cars and pays homage to McPhail Sports’ rich local heritage. The addition of a glass-encased boardroom, industrial steelwork, and executive offices with panoramic views over Addington Raceway elevate the office space to a level reminiscent of luxury New York apartments. Over the course of two years, the skilled Canterbury craftsmen and consultants, worked tirelessly to bring Jacqui and Andrew’s vision to fruition. The result is a headquarters for McPhail Sports that not only meets the demands of modern business but also stands as a testament to the company’s enduring commitment to excellence. With its blend of functionality, elegance, and heritage, the new Wrights Road premises are poised to carry the McPhail legacy forward for another 117 years and beyond. VISIT OUR SHOWROOM ryanskitchens.co.nz 9 Kilronan Place, Wigram, Christchurch 03 3487921 03 377 3603 Derek Scott 0274 323 646 James Anderson 0274 348 189 C o n n e c t i o n s Proud to be involved with McPhail Sports MASTER ELECTRICIANS
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