Page 14 - HW June-July 2021

hard news
Store news and network updates
A QUICK-FIRE, north to south round-up of some of the latest news around hardware stores and networks.
Mitre 10 MEGA for Silverdale – On top of Riviera Hardware Holdings’ new frame & truss plant in Silverdale, north of Auckland, plus its progress on a new Mitre 10 MEGA in Whangaparaoa, we also hear that plans are afoot for not only a dedicated DC to serve Riviera’s growing roster of stores but also a brand new MEGA. Both are destined for a site or sites in Silverdale, with the DC aiming to drive efficiencies and reduce stock held in-store across Riviera’s stores.
New home for Sticks in Albany –
End May saw BuildLink member Sticks Building Supplies in Albany Auckland not only rebranded but also rehoused with extensive, modern new premises. “After 32 years of service to Auckland and the Upper North Island we take you and your needs seriously,” says the company.
ITM Matamata’s new warehouse – The big new shed at ITM Matamata (Matamata Post & Rails) was progressing apace early last month with the installation of racking into the brand new warehouse.
PlaceMakers Hastings & Levin –
Open for business since mid-April, PlaceMakers’ new Hastings store at
409 Hastings Street North is run by highly experienced Depot Manager,
Nui O’Malley, and staffed by four experienced crew from the Napier branch. 20km away, Napier will still be the region’s main store, however the new Hastings branch, with its 300m2 trade hall, 220m2 drive-through and 1,200m2 yard, will act as a satellite depot to service call-in business.
Further south, just off Main South Road, its original site of the last 30 years, PlaceMakers Levin now occupies a brand- new, purpose-built store, with a more efficient layout and a safer and cleaner environment. The new branch features
a new drive-through along with new kitchen, bathroom and heating displays and will operate seven days a week.
Old meets new in Reefton – With BuildLink adding Reefton Hardware on the West Coast to its roster, the co-op’s newest member store also happens
to be the oldest
hardware store in New Zealand. The owner-operators of this storied outfit are Neville and Kerrie Ann Eder.
New Takanini Trade Centre – NZ Safety Blackwoods opened its latest Trade centre in Takanini in mid-June. The site on Beach Road, Takanini (behind KFC) joins the brand’s other recent big opening of a new Queenstown store on Glenda Drive, Frankton.
New Mitre 10 for Hokitika – Opened in May, Mitre 10 Hokitika is the newest store in the Mitre 10 NZ co-op, with twice the retail floor area, modern high racking, and a new trade drive-thru to improve traffic flow, saving time and improving the experience for trade customers. A fifth-generation family business, Mitre 10 Hokitika is owned by Griffen & Smith, which has been serving the West Coast and Coasters since 1865.
Invercargill gets Bunnings Trade centre – Construction of the new Bunnings Trade Centre for Invercargill is progressing at the site on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Bill Richardson Drive in Avenal. The new 4,000m2 trade centre will feature a fully covered trade drive-through and 20+ on-site car parks.
12 NZHJ | JUNE/JULY 2021
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