There’s a lot to consider in today’s market before taking the next step in your construction portfolio. Security, business potential, and brand identity can take years to build – especially in a quickly-changing market.

KiwiSpan offers experienced construction professionals the opportunity to own and operate their business with ongoing support from Donovan Group. With a national reputation for excellence, Donovan Group provides added security and growth opportunities for KiwiSpan licensees.

 

Is now the time to invest in a construction business?

It’s no secret that the construction industry is currently facing unprecedented challenges. Delayed shipping, limited supply, and rising petrol prices are being met with increased pressure and frustration from clients. It’s not an easy time to be an independent building professional.

With inflation on the rise and uncertainties clouding the future, it’s important to invest in security for your next business venture. Joining the KiwiSpan license network allows experienced construction professionals to maintain their independence as a business owner, while also reaping the benefits of a strong national support system.

Donovan Group has a proven track record of developing strong license systems, modelled to support each business owner with ongoing training, marketing exposure and engineering expertise. Plus, licensing has a lower statistical risk of failure – even through uncertain times.

 

Ongoing training and support

Working with Donovan Group means joining a network of driven business minds who consistently look for ways to improve, innovate and perform at a higher standard.

Part of being a licensee is receiving training through the KiwiSpan Support Office. Our Commercial Manager regularly visits licensees to monitor progress, and help achieve business and revenue goals. She also facilitates regional catch-ups for the network, as well as our annual conference, where licensees are able to share ideas, develop stronger relationships, and positively grow as business professionals.

Day-to-day support is also available with full access to Donovan Group’s in-house engineers. Being a part of the network allows licensees valuable support from experts with a wide range of skills, experience and knowledge.

 

Marketing an established brand

KiwiSpan is one of the leading New Zealand brands for quality and experience. Operating under the name offers new licensees immediate business momentum and authority in the industry.

The national marketing team delivers cutting-edge exposure of the KiwiSpan brand on an industry-wide scale – while also providing individualised support for local marketing initiatives.

KiwiSpan promotes the success of each licensee with the Donovan Group reputation for quality and innovation. A national backing doesn’t just offer clear and proven marketing tactics – it also helps provide a sense of security to new clients.

 

National pricing agreements

Quoting and costing in a constantly shifting market can put additional pressure and risk onto independent business owners.

KiwiSpan licensees can predict better financial stability with national pricing agreements for top-quality inventory and supply. The collective buying power of Donovan Group means immediate and significant savings for material costs when operating under the KiwiSpan brand.

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We are dedicated to long-term partnerships with our licensees. More than half of the current KiwiSpan business owners have been operating for over ten years. We believe that speaks to the ongoing strength and support offered through Donovan Group.

To learn more about KiwiSpan’s licensee opportunities and our territories for sale, get in touch with our expert business team.

 

Owning a business is no small feat, and nobody knows that better than our KiwiSpan network. The network consists of over 20 independently owned licenses, that are based throughout the country. Together, they have helped build KiwiSpan’s reputation as one of New Zealand’s most trusted steel shed suppliers.

 

Here at KiwiSpan, we don’t let hard work go unnoticed. Every year, we hold an annual national Conference to host the network, share company updates, and most importantly, recognise those who stood out for their exceptional work and business savvy. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we weren’t able to host the Awards Ceremony in person but we look forward to the event taking place later this year in Wellington.

 

We’re proud to announce the winners of the 2021 KiwiSpan Licensee Awards are:

 

Licensee of the Year – KiwiSpan New Plymouth

Owner and operator Joel Schrader, alongside his team, are awarded KiwiSpan’s top award for New Plymouth’s all-around commitment to driving success in their business.

 

Licensee of the Year Runner Up – KiwiSpan North & West Auckland

This award recognises KiwiSpan North & West Auckland’s relentless pursuit of success and their outstanding performance during 2021.

 

Highest Sales Achievement – KiwiSpan Waikato

This award recognises Waikato’s determination to succeed, and their admirable sales to show for it.

 

Highest Sales Growth – KiwiSpan Whakatane

Gary and Deb Woollett, along with the Whakatane team, received this award for their ongoing dedication to sales, and their drive to achieve great results.

 

Operational Excellence – KiwiSpan New Plymouth

Behind the numbers and margins, a great business is operated with integrity and efficiency. Joel Schrader and the New Plymouth team have shown excellence in operations in New Plymouth.

 

Operational Excellence Runner Up – KiwiSpan Rotorua

Phil Clark and Jacquie Mcleod, demonstrated outstanding leadership and efficiency throughout their Rotorua business.

 

Regional Marketing Champion – KiwiSpan Wairarapa

Relatively new on the KiwiSpan block, Tonya Harrison and Rowan Thornton from Wairarapa showed creativity and enthusiasm when it came to marketing in their local community and driving exposure for their business.

 

Regional Marketing Champion – KiwiSpan Rotorua

When it comes to marketing, there aren’t many that do it like Phil Clark and Jacquie Mcleod from the Rotorua region. The Rotorua team showed great initiative, resourcefulness and creative thinking in 2021.

 

Network Appreciation Award – James Marsh

As the owner and operator of the Wellington and Kapiti Coast licenses, James secured the ‘good bugger award’ by consistently contributing positively to the network and showing support for other KiwiSpan business owners and their success.

 

Rowan Thornton and Tonya Harrison first opened the KiwiSpan Wairarapa franchise in late October 2020, and the following months were a whirlwind of hard work, reward, challenge, delight and many learning curves.

 

Rowan and his partner Tonya were drawn to KiwiSpan for many reasons. The New Zealand brand, founded in 2003, designs and builds quality steel sheds that are tailored specifically to every customer. The Wairarapa team were excited by the product and reputation of KiwiSpan, as well as the opportunity for growth in their region. Tonya says that at its core, the business helps deliver dream sheds to everyday Kiwi’s around the country. 

 

When the two saw the chance to own and operate their own KiwiSpan business, Rowan and Tonya jumped at the opportunity. It was a natural step for the couple who were craving to get more out of their respective careers and build something for themselves that would provide financial stability for their growing family. Before owning KiwiSpan, Rowan and Tonya founded RTC Construction, mainly subcontracting in the shed building industry. The pair say that owning their own construction business prepared them well for the career change and was a great stepping stone to KiwiSpan.

 

As a jack of all trades with experience in structural engineering, Rowan is no stranger to a construction site. He spends his time running all of the day-to-day duties on the building site. A typical day for Rowan includes managing customer quotes, visiting potential clients on site, liaising with subcontractors, organising material deliveries and overseeing projects. Tonya’s background is predominantly in administration and marketing, and much of her role in the business is supporting Rowan in delivering a seamless customer experience. Her duties include paying bills, invoicing out claims, and implementing marketing activity in their local community. It’s a perfect balance!

 

Tonya and Rowan knew from day one that they wanted to build a strong team around them. While their team is small and close-knit, every single member has been instrumental to their early success and navigating the challenges of starting a new business. 

 

What they didn’t expect was the rapid first year growth of the business. Being in a location that was previously trading very little, Tonya and Rowan exceeded KiwiSpan’s own expectations within their first year of trading. In fact, the Wairarapa team have even rivalled their neighbouring regions in sales which is an impressive feat for the newcomers. It goes to show that Rowan and Tonya’s strengths, while different, are a great combination for success. 

 

While this growth has been incredibly rewarding, it has brought challenges around ensuring that they could still deliver a high level of customer service. Adding Tonya’s sister Emelia to the team as an Office Assistant has been a great way to handle the increase in enquiry, while Tonya says it’s been rewarding to watch her sister flourish in the role. 

 

When asked if purchasing a KiwiSpan business was the right move for them, the couple said yes – 100%. Even though it is hard work, and there are some late nights, the couple are proud to be working towards financial stability for their family. More than that, they’re proud to be involved in a collaborative network that supports them while delivering “cool-as” buildings!

 

If you’re interested in purchasing your own KiwiSpan license, you can learn more about our territories for sale here.

 

 

When looking to build an equestrian stable or shed you have many decisions to make to ensure that you end up with a building which is perfect for both you and your horses. Luckily for you, KiwiSpan are experts in designing and building horse stables as we’ve built numerous equestrian structures over the years for clients with varying requirements. From horse stables and riding centres through to commercial covers and stock shelters, we’ve got your equine needs sorted. 

A stable is a big investment so you want to make sure you get it right the first time, so let’s look at some things you will need to consider. 

 

Size 

The most important thing to think about when designing an equestrian stable is how big it will need to be. The will be dependent on how many horses you have; the more you have, the larger your stable will need to be. Ensuring that your horses have enough space is vital as stalls which are an inadequate size can lead to panic, distress, or poor health. 

A stable should be a minimum of 3.6 metres x 3.6 metres for an average sized riding horse, but this is only a minimum recommendation so if you have the resources to build larger stalls you should do so. People tend to opt for more generous sized stalls for mares and foals and this can easily be done by having removable partitions between stables. Even if you aren’t intending on breeding this additional feature can add value to your property. 

You also need to consider your horses’ movement within the stable. Breezeways or aisles should be a minimum of 3 metres to allow for horses to pass each other safely and give you plenty of space to work on them. 

If you do have multiple horses, you will also need to think about how many individual stalls you will need and also consider that you may want to expand in the future. This way, you can ensure that you have the space you need now, and for years to come. 

 

Design 

There are many design choices that you will need to make to ensure that your stables don’t just meet your horses’ needs, but yours too. 

Think about how many walls you would like the structure to have – high winds could make your horses uncomfortable so if you are going to have an open side then you will want to face it away from the wind. 

As you know, horses come with a lot of gear and equipment so people tend to want to add a tack or storage shed onto their structure to keep equipment needed such as cleaning, grooming, and riding equipment, and feed. Having this equipment easily accessible will make it easier to look after your horses. 

While it’s vital you ensure that you have enough space in the stables, don’t forget to consider that your stable will need to have enough ventilation and good airflow to make the space comfortable for your horses. 

 

Location 

The next important factor to take into consideration is the location. You will want to avoid building your stable in an area that is prone to flooding or high winds so take your time checking out areas on your property to find the best spot. You may also want to build your structure on a rise or slope to avoid the risk of flooding the stables. 

Regarding location it’s also a good idea to make sure that your stables aren’t too far away from your other equine amenities if possible. For instance, if you have a horse arena or equipment shed then you will want to make sure that your stables are close by. 

 

If you care about your horses and want to build them an equestrian stable that will last the distance, get in touch with your local KiwiSpan team today. 

 

From a quiet home office to an extra bedroom for teens, sleepout builds have only grown in popularity across New Zealand in recent years. These smaller spaces are a great way to add extra habitable space to your home and have the ability to increase your property’s value.

A flexible space

As a separate entity from your main house, a sleepout has a host of possibilities: a hobby room, extra storage, an art studio, a music room, a gym, a guest room, a home office and more.   Whatever it is you need, you’ll have a space that’s versatile and adaptable, designed to meet your growing needs. 

Boost your income

With a new space comes new opportunities; ones many Kiwis are tapping into. Using your sleepout as a short-term rental investment makes the build unquestionable value for money – an invaluable chance to increase your income. 

Get building consent

Like anything, there are rules and regulations. With the help of your local KiwiSpan team, you’ll need to check you have consent before building a sleepout or cabin. This will include having your plan ready detailing:

• Dimensions of the project (height, total area)
• Location on property where the project will go
• Size of property in square metres
• Total area of your property currently covered by buildings
• Total area of your property currently covered by hard surfaces, for example, concrete or paved areas

At KiwiSpan

We offer a range of stylish sleepouts and habitable sheds to suit everyone. Built with New Zealand fabricated steel, they promise strength, style and comfort.

Every one of our builds can be finished with quality insulation and aluminium joinery, ensuring full protection from harsh weather conditions. 

We can help you build the sleepout of your dreams – adapting design to suit your specific needs.

Design your own or make an enquiry today.

We should note that not all KiwiSpan licensees offer habitable sheds as a service. Be sure to check with your local KiwiSpan team to understand your options – they’ll be happy to help.

Sheds have a lot more to offer than people might initially think. Improving your quality of life, they have the ability to transform your day-to-day in a number of surprising ways.

Here are just a few of the reasons it might be time to consider building a shed:

1. Value

Having an outdoor storage space will automatically add value to your home. The added bonus of more space is a huge attraction to homebuyers, meaning you can enjoy the short-term benefits knowing the long-term also pays off.

2. Protection

Our hard-wearing, New Zealand Steel manufactured sheds provide complete protection against the elements. That means your vehicles or more expensive items won’t be ruined by moisture exposure and rust. 

3. Flexibility

Build the right kind of shed and you’ll have a versatile and adaptable space that can change and grow with your lifestyle and situation. What might be a place for extra storage now may well be an art studio in five years time.

4. Storage

Everyone needs storage. A shed is the perfect solution for packing away Christmas decorations, toys, tools and more. Freeing up room in your living space and giving you a lockable area that can even serve to childproof your home. 

5. Inspiration

We all need time to ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of family life. A shed makes room for hobbies, old and new. A workspace without distraction that allows you to work more efficiently or in a more creative way – opening the door to a whole new world of opportunities.

And these are just some of the reasons! With KiwiSpan, there are many styles of sheds to choose from, each easily adapted with our innovative 3D Shed Designer tool. You can create a model of the building you want, take walls out, add lean-tos, or rollers doors and more.

To start planning your shed contact your local KiwiSpan licensee today.