Local Projects Aplenty
In 2004 when Quantity Surveyor, John Broughton, originally set up his commercial fit-out business Project Group Ltd, he was working from a spare room at his home in Eyreton and much of his work was Christchurch based. “I kept my eye on things locally, but there just wasn’t the potential in Rangiora then,” he says.
Fast-forward to 2017 and it’s a different story. They have now completed many fit-outs up and down the country for national chains, government agencies and other businesses. They have expanded to a team of four permanent staff; are now based in professional offices in central Rangiora and have a strong network of local subcontractors. Whilst their North Canterbury location is no issue when it comes to completing projects in Auckland or further afield, increasingly they are finding that local work is becoming a considerable part of their business.
In 2015, when they moved into their Rangiora offices, they were also working on the fit outs for many of the businesses in Rangiora’s Conway Lane – cafes, retail and office space. The revival of Rangiora has triggered business in the area they believe and they are now working on other projects in the district.
Both John and project manager Sarah Broughton are unequivocally enthusiastic about doing business in the Waimakariri District. Rangiora offers convenience with all the necessary services and suppliers for running a business nearby. However, a big appeal for them is also the friendly nature of doing business in a town of this size.
“We use local IT guys, tradesmen, designers, architects and so on. Plus the council are great to work with, really proactive and approachable. It all makes for good business relationships,” says Sarah.
John echoes this thought. “For us people are important, we try and work with other local suppliers when we can and we are developing a team of local subcontractors. You develop friendships as well as good working relationships.”
Project Group is located at Level 2/29 High Street, Rangiora. For more information visit http://projectgroup.co.nz/
