| 81 Shipleys CONTRACTING Conferences Charity Events Award Dinners Product Launches Events Education Hospitality Retail Corporate Installation Even Videography Social Media Reels Brand Videos Educational Videos Production A New Zealand owned and operated technology company established in 1926 Contact us for experienced advice, and dependable support. www.shipleys.co.nz T T Kelly Deeks Integrity drives audio-visual specialists Shipleys Sound Systems delivers event technology and services, design and installation, and production throughout the South Island. As other technology companies become portfolio holdings, Christchurch-based Shipleys continues to take a different path. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the family-owned audiovisual specialist says its longevity has come from always putting people and integrity ahead of profit. Chief executive, Craig Whitnall, believes the industry’s shift towards sales-led models allows technically driven, independently owned businesses to stand apart. “Across our industry, we’re seeing companies rolled up by private equity, with sales centralised elsewhere, distancing clients from the local expertise this work depends on Craig says. “Our model is different. We’re only technical, and combine deep venue knowledge, close collaboration with local partners, and accountability from the first conversation through delivery.” Shipleys’ expertise is all in-house and profits are only reinvested internally, while also supporting community organisations through partnerships, discounted services, and donations. “I call it profit for purpose,” says Craig. “We’re here to do meaningful work, support businesses and our communities, and use technology to genuinely help people connect, collaborate, and learn.” Founded in 1926 as Shipleys Sound Systems, the company evolved from sound systems into broadcasting, and integration and programming. Today, it delivers event technology and services, design and installation, and production throughout the South Island. Craig joined the company 11 years ago after being encouraged by his family, who own the business. Since 2022, Shipleys has grown its technical workforce by 35% without adding sales staff or management, reinforcing its technical focus. “Everyone our clients deal with comes from a technical background,” he says. “There isn’t a sales layer between the client and the people delivering the solution.” Every piece of equipment is thoroughly tested before reaching a client’s site, while longstanding manufacturer relationships allow Shipleys to trial new products and provide engineering feedback. However, Craig says innovation also requires restraint. “Our team always wants to use the newest technology, but sometimes my job is to say: Not yet. In live events and commercial installations, reliability is everything. “We’ve been one company for 100 years. We’d rather take a loss short term than compromise our integrity, because we have a responsibility to protect a reputation that generations of people have built.” Craig says technical skills can be taught, but integrity, perspective, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are qualities the company recruits for. Shipleys is investing in stage production, camera technology, event planning tools and custom software, while expanding production services across the South Island. It is also developing its own hardware and software solutions, beginning by productising the custom solutions it already builds in-house. The commercial opportunity is real, but for Craig, the deeper driver is what the act of building represents. “We build because it’s part of what gives us purpose, part of how we contribute,” he says. “It’s about always keeping perspective. What matters is people, humanity, not profit, doing what you can to make the world better. If I know we’re creating meaningful value, our team are happy, and we’re giving our clients excellent experiences, then we’re doing our part. “We’ll never be the biggest company in our industry, but I’d much rather build one that’s known for its integrity. If people trust us, and our team is proud to work here, I believe that’s what will earn us the next 100 years.”
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