Joining the Community
Working out of the Waimakariri District has been a long-held goal for Misco Joinery owners Michael Chernishoff and Glenn Colenso. In 2003, the pair purchased a large commercial site on Williams Street in Kaiapoi with plans to build a factory and move their bespoke joinery business from its Christchurch base.
“We purchased the land because we wanted to expand,” explains Director Michael Chernishoff. “The land was affordable and it was close to our homes in Amberley. But with a recession and then the Canterbury earthquakes, our plans were put on hold”.
Finally, in July 2017, the company’s vision was realised with the opening of their purpose-built factory and showroom in Kaiapoi. Here, Misco’s 48-strong team designs, manufactures and installs kitchens, laundries, studies and internal joinery using the largest automated plant in the South Island. As well as servicing South Island clients, their joinery is shipped to their Auckland team and installed around the North Island. The size of their factory means they can also handle commercial volumes of production; a sector they are just breaking into.
In 2019 Misco Joinery installed the largest solar energy panel system in Canterbury atop their roof. The system will provide up to 60% of the factory and showroom energy requirements and will allow the company to redistribute energy to local organisations or charities.
“We are still in the early stages of discussion, but the plan is to support a community-based project or charity if we can,” says Director Glenn Colenso, adding that the local community has been a significant part of their move to North Canterbury.
“The community has been so accepting of Misco Joinery and we have been able to involve ourselves in community projects, events and local sports teams.
“We’ve also received great support from Enterprise North Canterbury, the Waimakariri District Council and local politicians, and we’ve enjoyed working with them all to develop and grow our business here,” continued Glenn.
“Moving to Kaiapoi has been great for our business.”
Misco Joinery is located at 62 Williams Street, Kaiapoi. For more information visit www.misco.co.nz.
