NI plumbing wholesaler sees opportunity in Dunedin

Dunedin branch manager Gareth Woodhouse, of Chesters Plumbing & Bathroom Centre, at the Orari St site yesterday, which is expected to be open by the end of the month. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Dunedin branch manager Gareth Woodhouse, of Chesters Plumbing & Bathroom Centre, at the Orari St site yesterday, which is expected to be open by the end of the month. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
A large Auckland plumbing wholesaler is opening a branch in Dunedin next month, as it re-enters South Island trading for a second time.

Chesters Plumbing & Bathroom Centre is preparing to open its Orari St premises by the end of October, once the place is fully stocked.

Nick Chester, when contacted in Auckland, confirmed he was setting up the new operation.

It will run alongside the private family-owned company's 13 other branches around Auckland and the central North Island.

Chesters had been in a South Island joint venture, with outlets in Queenstown, Christchurch and Timaru, but sold out about a year ago, Mr Chester said.

The company employs more than 180 staff, and Dunedin will open with five, with the expectation that number will grow alongside customer growth, Mr Chester (37) said.

The business was started by his father in 1973.

''Dunedin's got a lot of work on, commercial's up and coming, although the [new] hospital has a way to go,'' he said.

He said several Auckland staff and their families were considering moving to Dunedin.

The decision by the company to come to Dunedin came down to ''having the right staff at the right location.''

At Orari St is a 450sqm building with a further 3000sqm yard.

Aside from plumbers, gas-fitters and drain layers, the shop would be open to home-owners.

Plumbing and bathroom fittings were sourced from a variety of places, including New Zealand, Europe and Asia, he said.

simon.hartley@odt.co.nz

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