80 | Woodbury Plumbing CONTRACTING nexia.co.nz NewZealand Philip Goodman | Partner pgoodman@nexiachch.co.nz +64 3 379 0829 PhilipGoodman and the teamfromNexia Christchurch are proud to supportWoodbury Plumbingwith their accounting and business advisory needs. Christchurch firm builds on proud legacy Based in Harewood, Woodbury Plumbing specialises in maintenance work, bathroom and kitchen alterations, and some new housing projects across Christchurch. T T Kelly Deeks “A lot of our work comes from people we have worked for previously,” Ray says. “We get to know their systems and their trades, and that leads to more referrals.” For more than four decades, Ray Groeneweg has been keeping Christchurch homes and businesses running smoothly, building a plumbing company where reliability, workmanship, and word of mouth remain the foundation of success. The managing director of Woodbury Plumbing has spent his entire working life in the industry, starting his apprenticeship 40 years ago before eventually taking over the business he had worked in for 17 years. Ray took ownership of Woodbury Plumbing in December 1999, when former owner Steve Woodbury retired, continuing a legacy that had already been built on strong customer relationships and quality service. Ray immediately joined Master Plumbers – a decision he says has continued to provide value for both the company and its customers. “I saw the benefits of being part of Master Plumbers,” he says. “It gives customers confidence and trust because they know you are not just someone working away without any backing. It is a security thing for people. We also use them for setting up our Health & Safety schedules, and they are really handy for our workers’ contracts as well.” Based in Harewood, Woodbury Plumbing operates with a small but experienced team of three plumbers, alongside office support. The company specialises in maintenance work, bathroom and kitchen alterations, and some new housing projects across Christchurch. Ray says the business has remained consistently busy, despite wider uncertainty in the construction sector, with a strong network of builders, and repeat customers continuing to provide work. “The builders and people we work for seem to have steady work, and as long as we treat them fairly, they will always come back to us.” That approach has meant Woodbury Plumbing has grown almost entirely through referrals, rather than traditional marketing. “A lot of our work comes from people we have worked for previously,” Ray says. “We get to know their systems and their trades, and that leads to more referrals.” The company also works closely with several property managers, providing ongoing maintenance support for rental properties across Christchurch. “Treat people fairly and look after them, and that is what keeps the relationships going.” A key part of Woodbury Plumbing’s success has been its loyal team, with some staff members having been with the business for more than two decades. Ray says the experience and professionalism of his team is regularly recognised by customers. “We get a lot of messages and feedback from people saying the boys are doing a great job,” he says. “They are all good guys and they are very good at what they do.” Woodbury Plumbing works alongside a number of established clients, including Dream Doors Kitchens and Bathrooms, Kitchen Express, SBS Building, Christchurch Building and Decorating, and Complete Installation Company, helping deliver quality plumbing solutions as part of larger renovation projects. While Ray has had opportunities over the years to expand Woodbury Plumbing into a much larger operation, he says keeping the company at its current size has allowed it to maintain its strengths. “There have been times when I have been tempted to get bigger, but then you think about what happens if things slow down,” he says. “We have got a really nice company with a good team, and keeping three plumbers busy is not difficult when you have good customers and good relationships.”
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