The new business premises next to Hi Flo Plumbing comes after Hi Flo Group managing director Peter Ryder and his wife Helen bought the site 18 years ago from previous owner Gus Young.
Mr Ryder said Hi Flo Plumbing, a family business of 50 years, had expanded by moving next door and the “timing was right” for the redevelopment of their old site.
“When we were approached by Smith & Smith Glass, and following a few months including design and negotiations, we decided to push the green light which was exciting in many ways.”
Smith & Smith approached Mr Ryder about it last year as the company required a larger building to “fully commit” to the district.
“They indicated that if we were interested to develop the site, they would then be able to specialise in all their services relating to modern windscreen technology — many of the Waitaki district [residents] have had to travel to Dunedin and Timaru.”
Mr Ryder said it was “great” to be contributing by investing in a new local service after the community supported his own business for 52 years.
After the old building was removed in July, steel building specialist Totalspan won the design and build contract with McWin Construction, who had all gone “the extra mile”.
While wet weather impacted the build in September, it had been a very “streamlined build”.
“Lucky for me I’ve got good staff, too … Helen and I would like to make a special thank you to all the trades that have been involved in the tight timeframes.”
