Page 8 - HW April 2021

hard news
From corporate to cooperative
ON THE FIRST of April, former Bunnings Trade Manager, Des Bickerton, took over the reins of the ITM stores in Warkworth and Mangawhai from Simon Cressey.
After deciding not to proceed with a similar opportunity some years back, something he regrets to this day, Des has bought the two ITMs with a silent investment partner.
“15 years ago, I had the opportunity
to look at another ITM store but didn’t take it further. And, while I haven’t had any regrets over the years I worked for Bunnings – they’ve been a great company and employer – I’ve always questioned my decision to let that opportunity pass by.”
Until the end of last year, for some 16 years Des Bickerton was Bunnings’ NZ Sales and then Trade Manger, having already spent 10 years in area and store management with Benchmark, which of course was snapped up by Bunnings in 2001.
Before this, he was Production Supervisor at Jenkin Timber for most of the late 1970s and 1980s, followed by a spell at Bunneys in Queensland running frame & truss.
We caught up with Des at the
expansive Warkworth site. A fixture
in the area for many years, the former TimberWorld store on SH1 was rebranded in black and yellow as recently as August 2018, along with the then brand new Mangawhai store.
Des makes no bones about the importance to his new businesses of being part of the ITM network: “I have always been impressed with the ITM cooperative model and their commitment and focus on the trade. Their values closely align with mine; knowledgeable and friendly service built around relationships.
“I personally think that no other merchant does this better, so when the opportunity presented itself, I didn’t want to let it go by.”
Des says he’s always been fascinated by ITM: “In my previous roles very rarely did you pick up a customer from an ITM,” he says, thanks to their strong relationships.
And not just customer relationships: “I went to the Northern Region meeting the other day and it was really great to see people talking freely about their businesses.
“For me, coming from a corporate to a cooperative means working alongside owners who have a vested interest in the
Des Bickerton is the new co-owner of Warkworth and Mangawhai ITMs.
day to day running of the store.
“ITM is totally focused on the trade
and the stores are operated by its members who are at the coal face of what they do, which aligns with what I believe in.”
Despite increasing competition in the area, the two ITM stores are “in great shape”, says Des, who adds that, although Simon Cressey has “done an absolutely awesome job”, there is further potential for them both, particularly around frame & truss.
Indeed, Mangawhai has been called Northland’s fastest growing area and
one of the quickest developing in New Zealand, while Warkworth’s population is expected to quadruple to 25,000 residents by 2030.
The new owner is also quick to recognise that the two stores’ experienced and trade-focused staff will be another crucial element going forward.
“Simon’s done a great job with the team he’s got working here,” he says, and with good reason: “It has been proven to me over the years that it’s the team that makes the business, not the business that makes the team.”
Des Bickerton is clearly in his element and it’s a case of returning to his roots for the new ITM member: “I’m an
old sawmiller,” he says, adding: “It’s refreshing, because it suits me and my background and what I enjoy most.
“Others might enjoy sitting behind a desk and doing that side of the business, but I like to be on the ground.
“I like to spend time doing what I’m good at and that’s about earning the respect of the builder and the delivering on service.”
6 NZHJ | APRIL 2021
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