Thousands of construction workers will be back on the tools from the end of COVID-19 Level 4, playing their “highly important” part in cranking up New Zealand’s economic wheel, said Classic Builders director and head Matt Lagerberg.
Classic Builders is one of the country’s largest home building companies and a major presence in the Bay. Lagerbeg said being given the green light to return to work under Level 3 has been a great relief.
“It’s great for the supply chain and breathes life into many small and medium-sized businesses. – Matt Lagerberg
“It has been a tough time for everyone in the construction industry – and others too – with income streams at a standstill and outgoings to service,” he said.
Staff were keen to get back out and get the wheels turning, said Lagerberg, who predicted a positive downstream impact. Classic Builders has a staff of 260 covering the Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Northland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Waikato.
“It’s great for the supply chain and breathes life into many small and medium-sized businesses. Bricklayers, labourers, electricians, plumbers, roofers, tilers, those involved in earthworks and drainage, and product suppliers… all represent subcontractors and suppliers relieved to be back at work.”
He said Classic Builders had hundreds of homes underway and staff were eager to finish these so Kiwis could move into their new homes.
“It’s great for the supply chain and breathes life into many small and medium-sized businesses. – Nathan Watkins
Classic Builders Tauranga regional manager Nathan Watkins said members of his team of 38 people – covering the Western Bay of Plenty – had been on site checking everything was in place so they could hit the ground running.
“The construction industry pumped more money into Tauranga and the WBOP’s economy than any other industry last year, so getting back to work is great news for us, our many subcontractors and suppliers and the local economy,” he said
With a pipeline of scheduled work through to January 2021, the Tauranga and Papamoa Classic Builders branches had clients waiting patiently for their new homes, said Watkins.
Preparation for the return-to-work date had included liaising with the company’s subcontractor and supplier network to ensure all on-site requirements around health and safety were understood.
“The way we work is going to be quite different, but we are confident we can get the job done safely and deliver quality homes.”
