Kitchen Renovation Guide
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Thinking about renovating your kitchen? Stop right there! Before you go any further you might want to grab a copy of our Kitchen Renovation Guide… Do it once and do it right!
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Family values, cutting-edge product
Now one of Wellington’s largest custom-built kitchen manufacturers, the family-owned company launched as a humble initial operation, recalls co-owner Tony Hawes.
“My wife, Sue, and I had been looking for a new direction for our business after eight years manufacturing commercial furniture in what was proving an irregular sector,” he says.
“Initially targeting the budget end of the kitchen renovation market, we set up a basic showroom and placed a good-sized advertisement in a local paper.
“We opened our doors on a Saturday morning and sold our first kitchen that day! Our first renovation customer even wrote out a cheque for the deposit on the spot.”
The Seaview-based company, which is now also owned by the couple’s daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Daniel Norman, has made honouring such trust a cornerstone principle, emphasises Mr Hawes.
“From day one we have striven for the highest quality – never accepting anything substandard – and aimed to offer distinct points of difference to our competitors.
“We are one of the few companies in the Wellington market that offers a full, start-to-end service – from bespoke kitchen design, onsite manufacturing and assembly, through to installation and after-care.
“It’s also about being reliable – always delivering on time – and treating our clients well. We employ dedicated project managers who go onsite personally to oversee the smooth installation of our joinery.”
Over the years the company has evolved to specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke mid to high-end kitchens and other joinery, says Ms Norman.
“We now employ a team of about 25 people, have invested in cutting-edge factory machinery and offer the latest hardware available to the New Zealand market,” she says.
However, the family and community values remain.
“Our work family is hugely important to us. We offer flexible working hours, apprenticeships and other career advancement opportunities.
“We also very much believe in working with local suppliers and produce as much as we can onsite.
“Giving back to the community in different ways is another priority. Examples include working with a local secondary school to provide student work experience and supporting local hospices.”
Furthermore, the company is actively trying to act “think green” throughout its operations, adds Mr Hawes.
“We are moving towards a paperless environment and have lessened waste in our manufacturing processes. We also donate to the Trees for Survival initiative, which involves schoolchildren rejuvenating the country’s landscape.”
Mr Hawes emphasises the company – which covers Wellington City through to Porirua, the Hutt Valley and surrounding areas – is confidently eyeing the future.
“As we celebrate this important milestone in our history, we would like to thank our past and current customers, many of whom have been repeat clients over the years.
“Despite the challenging economic environment, we are positioning ourselves for future growth, and look forward to continuing to deliver quality service for many more years to come.”
To mark its 25th anniversary, the business is planning several celebratory events and promotions (details of which will be announced on the company’s website and social media channels).
For further information, please contact Mastercraft Kitchens Wellington co-owner Michelle Norman michelle.norman@mastercraft.co.nz, 027 677 3711.
Kitty Kitty Kitchen Rescue
Warm, fuzzy posts are great at Christmastime. Well this one's a warm furry post too!
The thread below tells a great happy ending story of a customer of Mastercraft Kitchens Palmerston North (Kitchens by Healey) and their distressed moggy.
Day One:
An interesting email arrived:
Dear Mastercraft kitchens,
My name is Trevor. I had my kitchen renovated in 2015 by your company and now I have an URGENT request that could save my kitten's life.
My kitten has managed to jump up onto the fridge and climb into the gap between the fridge and overhead cabinetry to access the ceiling space. Unfortunately, my house had a flat top and someone in the past decided to add a pointed roof creating another narrow space in between. I can hear my kitten trapped in the space directly behind the fridge space where a cabinet for laundry was installed along with my kitchen. I tried to remove the screws holding the top panel but it wouldn't budge so there must be other places that hold it in place that was not obvious. I've contacted the fire service and they had a look around with a thermo imaging camera but no luck. They say to leave some food out and the kitten will get out of his own when hungry enough. This was 24 hours ago.
I wondered if one of your team can help me remove the panel and get him out?
Mastercraft Palmy visited but had no luck. They removed some more panels and food was left to entice the kitten out.
Day Two:
This follow-up email appeared in the inbox:
Dear Mastercraft,
Thank you for all your help your team have provided me so far. I now have visual confirmation of the missing kitten, he is in the space in between the wall and the large closet in the laundry, fallen all the way down from the ceiling space. He seems ok. In the attached pic, you can see his head poking out from the base of the closet.
Can I humbly ask your team to send someone to help me get him out tomorrow please?
Kind regards,
Trevor
Day Three:
The Kitty Rescue Crusaders (aka Mastercraft Palmy) successfully remove the toe-kicks and rescue the kitten to be re-united with a very happy owner. Photos were taken before the kitten went to the vet for a checkup. Apart from being extremely hungry the cat is ok and will hopefully refrain from doing that again!
A follow-up email was sent to a very relieved Trevor
Good morning, Trevor.
I am so pleased that we were able to help you out. We love our animals here, so it was a no brainer for us to aid in the rescue or your precious kitten.
Thank you so much for the smoko shout that you have offered. The team will really enjoy that.
Wishing you and fur babies the happiest of festive seasons.
Kind Regards,
Kristine Holmes
General Manager
And Trevor's reply:
Hi Kristine,
I can't thank you all at Mastercraft Kitchens enough for rescuing my kitten. It was awful hearing the pitiful meows and cannot help him. Don't think I ever want to go through that again.
Best wishes for the holidays and in the new year.
Kind regards,
Trevor
Active in the community
Intro
Combining a career in the demanding kitchens industry with a commitment to volunteer firefighting is no small feat. For some, the choice is inspired by family ties, and the dedication stems from a genuine desire to help those in need. In this blog post, we'll delve into the inspiring journey of Duane Cox, an individual who found balance between these two demanding worlds, sharing experiences, insights, and essential fire safety advice.
A Dual Commitment: From the Kitchen to the Firehouse
Duane Cox's inspiration to become a volunteer firefighter came through a unique circumstance, marrying the fire chief, Ian Wellings,’ daughter in 2001. After two years of patiently awaiting approval, Duane began his journey in the fire service on April 1, 2003. Fast forward to the present, marking the beginning of his 21st year in the service, his dedication and love for the cause remain undeterred.
Balancing Act: Juggling Family, Career, and Service
Balancing a career in the kitchens industry with the responsibilities of a firefighter is no easy task. With a wife and three children: two daughters aged 19 and 18, and a 10-year-old son with type 1 diabetes finding equilibrium is a daily challenge. The family has adapted to a life with a firefighter at the helm, supporting Duane's calling. Despite the inevitable strains on time and presence, the drive to assist those in need and the friendships forged along the way continue to fuel his commitment.
A Dual Experience: Fires and Kitchens Collide
In the course of his dual roles, Duane Cox has encountered his fair share of kitchen fires. Kitchen fires, notorious for their potential to engulf an entire home, have necessitated Duane's return to the scene to quote replacements. The experience highlights the importance of fire safety measures within the kitchen, reinforcing the need for vigilance and caution in this high-risk area of the home.
A Word of Wisdom: Fire Safety Advice for Homeowners
Drawing from his extensive experience in both the firefighting domain and the kitchens industry, Duane Cox offers a critical piece of advice to homeowners: "Don't drink and fry." This simple yet powerful reminder emphasizes the dangers of mixing alcohol consumption with cooking. Additionally, he stresses the importance of not placing hot bbq embers next to the house and recommends promptly dousing them with water upon removal.
Conclusion
Balancing a demanding career in the kitchens industry with the altruistic commitment of a volunteer firefighter is a remarkable feat. For Duane Cox, the journey has been shaped by family, a desire to help others, and an unyielding dedication to fire safety. His experiences serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and love for community, highlighting the importance of fire safety at every step of the way.
Duane and his brother Phil are valuable members of the Mastercraft team. You can find out more about Duane and 2 Brothers here: