Page 12 - HW November 2020

hard news
Movers & shakers
AS MENTIONED
IN the last issue,
Blake Bibbie,
PlaceMakers’ GM
National Sales &
Manufacturing,
has retired.
Distribution CE,
Bruce McEwen, says of the frame & truss legend: “Over the last 10 years
Blake has been instrumental in the creation of the consolidated PlaceMakers National Frame & Truss business, driving improved safety, operational and quality outcomes as well as the establishment of the National Estimating Unit, creating greater capability, flexibility and efficiency to deliver to our customer’s needs.
Blake has put his heart and soul into the business over the last 10 years and has created a legacy which will last long after he’s gone.”
Also as mentioned, with Blake’s retirement, Mark Buckenham becomes PlaceMakers’ General Manager of Manufacturing
& Estimating. Formerly Head of Solutions, Mark has been PlaceMakers’ National Manufacturing Manager since February and, by the way, was 2013’s Young Retailer of the Year while at PlaceMakers Pukekohe.
Staying with PlaceMakers, Chris Fairbairn was recently named manager of the blue stores that comprise the newly formed Auckland Hub. We already know that Riccarton JV Grant Close is running PlaceMakers Christchurch while the Silverdale-Mangawhai-Whangarei- Warkworth hub is headed up by Silverdale’s John Gair.
Brendan Hall, Managing Director of Mitre 10 Crofton Downs and Mitre 10 Gisborne, has been named a Finalist in Cooperative Business New Zealand’s 2020 Awards. Brendan is shortlisted
in the Co-operative Leader of the Year category and we’ll hear who won on Thursday 26 November.
Rob Lawson will be taking up the role of General Manager Pacific Rim at Simpson Strong-Tie from 1 November. He replaces Herb Kuhn, who Rob says has done “a magnificent job setting Simpson Strong-
Tie up in the region”. He adds: “I am very proud to be following on from [Herb]. Herb has taught me so much; I will be forever grateful.” Herb will be staying on as a member of the board and Rob says he’s looking forward to “supporting a great team in Australasia and furthering our vision of helping the construction industry build safer stronger structures.”
Tyla O’Leary
is now looking after BBI Wood Products’ Central and Lower North Island sales after coming up through customer services.
Tyla also does “a fair chunk of work” in BBI’s marketing department. “You could say Tyla has selling building products in the genes and is putting her heritage to good use,” says the company.
Another change at BBI is the addition of Olivia Taaffe who comes to the customer service team highly recommended foar her sterling work at Hawkes Bay Toyota. The highly professional Olivia joined the BBI team just as lockdown commenced.
Rogan Patterson
has left Accent
Tools for NZ
owned and
operated ECKO
Fastening Systems.
Based in Tauranga
and covering the
middle of the North Island, the 2017 Supplier Account manager of the Year (see photo) will be talking to merchants about ECKO’s growing range of products and ECKO welcomes his “vast background in the merchant market, second to none customer service skills” and personable character!
RS puts the boot in
RS Components has added iconic Australian industrial footwear brand, Blundstone to its PPE portfolio.
Backed by 150 years of expertise, Blundstone products follow the Australian safety standard AS 2210.3:2019 so wearers can be confident that their boots are made to withstand the demands of workplace projects.
“By working alongside a trusted Australian brand such as Blundstone, we’re providing a more holistic approach to worker protection and safety by expanding our footwear PPE range,”
says Scott Philbrook, Acting MD for RS Components.
“Whether you’re in construction, mining, manufacturing or trades, our range will meet the specific needs of your industry to offer the best level of safety.”
https://nz.rs-online.com/web/
10 NZHJ | NOVEMBER 2020
MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz