86 | JOINERY Excelling in high-end joinery Mojo Joinery manufactured and installed an inspirational kitchen, with complex internal bookshelves, and a cedar-clad hidden front door. Mojo Joinery T T Aimee Wilson Steadfast Joinery Joinery business structured on diversity T T Rosa Watson Mojo Joinery in Cromwell combines both experience and youth in its manufacturing workshop where industry leaders are bringing the next generation through. The company has serviced Central Otago for 13 years. Owner Craig Harrison started his joinery journey as an apprentice in Dunedin, moving to Cromwell in 2002, before seeing an opportunity in 2012 to start a business. He appreciates staff are his most important asset, and now has a strong team of eight joiners (one an apprentice), along with five in administration design and support roles. “Mojo is the strongest it’s been, with a very talented, specialised team from start to finish.” The company has recently invested in stateof-the-art machinery, running two CNCs and a laser edgebander alongside modern joinery in the workshop. This is all paired with Microvellum CAD design capabilities to ensure the best results for their clients. Much of their work involves manufacturing designer kitchens, laundries, vanity units, bookshelves, wardrobes and doors for clients who appreciate a high-end product. Dunedin-based Steadfast Joinery has built a strong reputation in providing a wide range of high- quality and bespoke joinery solutions right across the board. The company designs, manufactures and installs cabinetry for residential clients, commercial builds and shop fit-outs within Dunedin and the Greater Otago region, including Cromwell, Queenstown and Wanaka. The commercial arm was recently involved in the Queenstown sports performance hub project and South Dunedin Library build. “There’s been quite a variety of commercial jobs,” managing director Anthony van de Water says. The residential service is split into two components – higher-volume multi-units, and residential builds, with the team currently sitting at around 20 employees, including two apprentices. The business operates its commercial arm out of its Ward Street yard, and its residential arm out of Kaikorai Valley. “They deliver different work, but they work in well together. We move people around based on work complexity,” Anthony says. “From a strategy point of view we want to be quite diverse, so that’s why we’ve focused on both residential and commercial. It’s quite deliberate how we’ve structured the business.” Within the residential space, the company offers a very bespoke offering, he says. “We’ve done some really high-end homes, particularly in Central Otago.” With some projects, they can be involved early on, at times 12 months before the cabinetry is installed. Clients are invited to visit their Dunedin showroom to discuss their plans. A lot of the work they carry out is repeat work for builders, Anthony says. “Of all our sales, 90% comes from commercial or trade clients. We do a bit of private residential work, which is Mum and Dad doing their one-off kitchen, but the bulk of our work is repeat trade work.” With high-density developments, they will often work closely with the developer early on. “When they are determining the layout of the townhouses, we’ll have input into that. That allows us to create a product that is more efficient to manufacture, and that way we can optimise costs going into that, and also prebuild for that. “There’s two containers-full that are ready to go into developments. That works well for our workload, too.” The company provides “end-to-end” service, he says. “So that’s everything from the initial design stage through to manufacturing through to installation and close-out, which is pretty key. Some companies outsource some aspects of their manufacturing, whereas we do it all inhouse to control quality.” Recent projects have included the new inner-city Les Mills gym development. “There was a heap of joinery going into that – the reception, offices, lockers and changing rooms.” They worked with construction firm Cook Brothers on the Queenstown sports performance hub, which included joinery for the reception area, staff kitchen, storage area and offices. This was pre-built in Dunedin before being transported to Queenstown. The company is passionate about nurturing talent within the industry and works closely with Kaikorai Valley College in providing work experience. Two students have gone on to do their apprenticeship with the company. “We’re very lucky we’ve got a supportive production manager who’s really good at training young guys, so we’re able to bring young guys in and nurture them and develop them. But the main thing we’ve focused on is the culture. It’s something we’ve been really proactive with over the last few years.”, Mojo Joinery has been part of the award-winning Southern teams for New Zealand House of the Year competitions in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023, but the team takes a humble approach to their work. The 2023 Southern Regional House award was for a Bannockburn home built by Hunter and Craig, skilfully carved into the Central Otago schist landscape. With the house nestled in the Cairnmuir Hills, in an area of significant natural landscape, the craftsmanship shone through, the judges said. Mojo Joinery manufactured and installed an inspirational kitchen, with complex internal bookshelves, and a cedar-clad hidden front door. The team has been recognised for their craftsmanship on many House of the Year projects. Back in 2019, they were involved with the National Supreme House of the Year award for a Wanaka build, the ‘Hawk house,’ which featured in NZ House and Garden magazine. “We do the high-end work that is both challenging and interesting for our team, as we can control the quality right through to the installation, ensuring client satisfaction.” With Better Benchtops by AGB, we are leading the fight against silicosis in New Zealand. Ethical, safe fabrication practices Silica-free stone Nationwide fabrication The safe and sustainable alternative to Engineered Stone Benchtops betterbenchtops.co.nz Available where all quality kitchens are made. JEFF KING LACQUER& FURNITURE FINISHERS Dedicated to Excellence 309 Kaikorai Valley Rd Dunedin, 9011 Phone 027 548 966 or 03 453 0401 J.D. King Holdings Ltd P 03 477 2182 E sales@metalon.co.nz W metalon.co.nz The trusted name in commercial furniture Please feel free to visit our showroom and browse our wide range of products at 97 Harrow Street, Dunedin. PROUD SUPPLIERS TO STEADFAST JOINERY Chairs & Seating Storage & Accessories Desks & Tables Medical & Trolleys A SURFACE FOR LIFE THE NEW IMPERIO BENCHTOP FIND OUT MORE AT IMPERIO.NZ Introducing IMPERIO, a new class of benchtop — cost-effective, silica-free and as durable as stone. GROUP O’BRIEN SCRATCH RESISTANT STAIN RESISTANT HEAT RESISTANT MOISTURE RESISTANT ANTI BACTERIAL ZERO SILICA
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