Page 22 - HW Dec-Jan 2023

FINALISTS
This award recognises a truly outstanding established retailer or builders’ merchant. Entrants will be owners, managers, or JVs of a hardware store or builders’ merchant.
RETAILER OF THE YEAR
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Kevin Balding
MITRE 10 MEGA ALBANY
Store Manager Kevin Balding started at Albany MEGA the week of the first lockdown and, despite the challenges, leading the team through
a restructure, successfully operating as a dark store during click & collect-only trading, and then seamlessly into the store’s busiest ever summer trading. Kevin has “challenged existing thinking” and dug deep to help devise better ways of working for his team, says Member Principal Cam Caithness. “Calm
in a crisis,” Kevin may be demanding of his people, but he is also fiercely protective of them and produces excellent leaders from among them.
Troy Scanlon
MARTIN’S MITRE 10 WESTPORT
Co-owner since 2020, Troy Scanlon has worked at Westport’s family-owned
and run store (one of Mitre 10’s oldest members) since 1999. He’s hands-on and multi-tasks across both the retail and trade aspects of this proudly local and community- orientated Buller business. Although recent years’ weather events have had some impact on the store – as well as on the wider team, both at work and at home – its financials are impressive nonetheless and plans for further expansion are progressing apace. Humble Troy “has a talent for bringing people together and getting things done,” says Andrea Scown, Mitre 10 NZ CEO.
Will Smith
MITRE 10 KERIKERI
Store Manager since January last year, career retailer Will Smith has had a challenging two years at Kerikeri, having had to close the doors to customers at the same time
as pivoting to contactless click & collect. This move was a success, thanks to the team’s commitment, and has been reinforced by the store winning Mitre 10 Store of the Year 2022 based on financials. Under
Will, Kerikeri has also been busy working on space and resources in the garden centre and investing in its trade offer. Armed with a “refreshingly calm, steady, and humble hand,” says Director Ben Leduc, Will has been “the perfect leader.”
Andy Wintle
PLACEMAKERS WESTGATE
Branch Manager since November 2020, Andy Wintle has been in the Westgate business for the past 16+ years but he’s been in the hardware industry his entire life with
his parents owing a building supplies store in Mangawhai Heads for 25 years. Andy’s key achievements include growing Westgate’s staff engagement score significantly. Indeed,
says PlaceMakers Auckland West Hub Op Manager
Morgan Caine, Andy has
a “phenomenal ability to engage team members to get behind his vision,” and has “earned the respect of his team through a consistent, diligent, and compassionate style of leadership that delivers results.”
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