PlaceMakers
Encyclopedia
PlaceMakers is the trading name of Fletcher Distribution Limited, the retail trading arm of Fletcher Building
in New Zealand
. PlaceMakers also manufactures wall frames, roof trusses and structural components at various frame and truss operations. PlaceMakers origins begin in August 1981 as part of Fletcher Timber Limited's retailing operations within the Manufacturing and Merchandising Sector of Fletcher Challenge Limited.
History=
The beginnings of PlaceMakers start in 1954. when Fletcher Sales & Services Limited was established to sell builders supplies and timber produced by the rest of the Fletcher Holdings Group companies. First established in Penrose
, it was intended that the company would expand to have branches strategically sited throughout New Zealand
.
Later in the same year the Fletcher Holdings Limited subsidiaries
involved in timber production or processing were merged to form Fletcher Timber Company Limited, and the Fletcher Sales & Services Limited name changed to Fletcher Hardware. J & A Wilkinson, supplier of hardware and building materials, Dunedin was acquired.
the building materials supplier was first of its type in New Zealand and operated for 30 years without major alterations. In early 1961 Fletcher Timber was operating retail outlets at Penrose
(Lumbermart), Hamilton
(Claudelands), Upper Hutt and Porirua.
In 1963 the company of RC Horsley was acquired. In the North Island the names of all outlets were changed to Fletcher Merchants, while in the South Island they were absorbed into the operations of Butler Bros Limited, another Fletcher Holdings Group company. In 1967 all the merchandising operations were merged into Fletcher Merchants Limited.
In 1970 Fletcher Merchants Limited became a division of Fletcher Timber Company Limited after a Fletcher Holdings Limited re-structure. 1972 Timber retail outlets were operated at Lumbermart, Hamilton, Tauranga
, Ngongotaha
, Carterton
and Tawa
.
In February 1980 the Manawatu based company, Felvins Suppliers and Distributors Limited, was acquired. The company had five branches in Manawatu, Horowhenua and Wellington. Manawatu Timber Mills and Fielding Sash & Door Limited were predecessor companies of Felvins Suppliers and Distributors Limited
With the formation of Fletcher Challenge
Limited in 1981, Fletcher Merchants Limited became part of the Manufacturing & Hardware Sector, along with Felvins Suppliers and Distributors Limited, Ellis & Burnand, and Mount Timber & Hardware Limited, HC Kitchen Limited and Steward Sawmilling Company
Fletcher Timber Limited changed its name to Fletcher Merchants Limited and in August 1981 the first PlaceMakers superstore is opened in Manukau City.
The Fletcher Challenge
Group acquired Scott Commercial in 1983 which became a part of Fletcher Merchants Limited.
By 1984 PlaceMakers had 55 branches throughout New Zealand.
In 1986 E Daniells Limited was acquired. In that same year, a Home Improvement Centre opens at Lincoln Road, Henderson
, Auckland.
The merger of Fletcher Merchants Limited and Winstone Trading Limited in 1988 produced the largest and only nationwide building materials chain in New Zealand.
ownership between Fletcher Distribution Limited and managers of individual operations, while continuing to operate within the PlaceMakers umbrella. Under the joint venture
programme selected branch managers were able to become an owner-operator. At the end of 1991, eight stores in the PlaceMakers distribution network were operating as joint ventures
By 1993 PlaceMakers had 29 out of their 53 stores operating under the joint venture
system.
The ‘Rapid Response Community Shelter’ cabins were gifted on 4 March 2011 to Mayor Bob Parker by PlaceMakers CE, John Beveridge. The cost of the cabins was met by PlaceMakers and a number of suppliers. Most of the cabins were constructed at PlaceMakers’ Christchurch Frame & Truss plant keeping local staff employed.
Three PlaceMakers stores were affected directly by the earthquake. Liquefaction
affected the Antigua Street and Cranford Street branches.
Fletcher Building
Fletcher Building Limited is currently the largest listed company in New Zealand, having recently overtaken Telecom New Zealand, with a market capitalisation of over NZ$4.5 billion...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. PlaceMakers also manufactures wall frames, roof trusses and structural components at various frame and truss operations. PlaceMakers origins begin in August 1981 as part of Fletcher Timber Limited's retailing operations within the Manufacturing and Merchandising Sector of Fletcher Challenge Limited.
History=
The beginnings of PlaceMakers start in 1954. when Fletcher Sales & Services Limited was established to sell builders supplies and timber produced by the rest of the Fletcher Holdings Group companies. First established in Penrose
Penrose, New Zealand
Penrose is an industrial suburb in Auckland City, New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, at a distance of about nine kilometres, between the suburbs of Oranga and Mount Wellington, and close to the Mangere Inlet, an arm of the Manukau Harbour...
, it was intended that the company would expand to have branches strategically sited throughout New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Later in the same year the Fletcher Holdings Limited subsidiaries
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
involved in timber production or processing were merged to form Fletcher Timber Company Limited, and the Fletcher Sales & Services Limited name changed to Fletcher Hardware. J & A Wilkinson, supplier of hardware and building materials, Dunedin was acquired.
1960–1981
In late 1960 Lumbermart opened. Located in PenrosePenrose, New Zealand
Penrose is an industrial suburb in Auckland City, New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, at a distance of about nine kilometres, between the suburbs of Oranga and Mount Wellington, and close to the Mangere Inlet, an arm of the Manukau Harbour...
the building materials supplier was first of its type in New Zealand and operated for 30 years without major alterations. In early 1961 Fletcher Timber was operating retail outlets at Penrose
Penrose, New Zealand
Penrose is an industrial suburb in Auckland City, New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, at a distance of about nine kilometres, between the suburbs of Oranga and Mount Wellington, and close to the Mangere Inlet, an arm of the Manukau Harbour...
(Lumbermart), Hamilton
Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...
(Claudelands), Upper Hutt and Porirua.
In 1963 the company of RC Horsley was acquired. In the North Island the names of all outlets were changed to Fletcher Merchants, while in the South Island they were absorbed into the operations of Butler Bros Limited, another Fletcher Holdings Group company. In 1967 all the merchandising operations were merged into Fletcher Merchants Limited.
In 1970 Fletcher Merchants Limited became a division of Fletcher Timber Company Limited after a Fletcher Holdings Limited re-structure. 1972 Timber retail outlets were operated at Lumbermart, Hamilton, Tauranga
Tauranga
Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963...
, Ngongotaha
Ngongotaha
Ngongotaha is a town on the western shores of Lake Rotorua in New Zealand's North Island.It is located 10 kilometers northwest of Rotorua city, and is often regarded as an outer suburb of the larger centre. However, most locals would be adamant that Ngongotaha is an independent village in its own...
, Carterton
Carterton, New Zealand
Carterton is a small town in the Wellington Region of New Zealand and the seat of the Carterton District. It lies in a farming area of the Wairarapa in New Zealand's North Island. It is located southwest of Masterton and northeast of Wellington...
and Tawa
Tawa, New Zealand
Tawa is the northernmost suburb of Wellington located between Churton Park and Porirua in the North Island of New Zealand. It takes its name from the broadleaf tree, which was once prolific throughout the area, although its most famous tree is the Bucket Tree, a group of large macrocarpa with the...
.
In February 1980 the Manawatu based company, Felvins Suppliers and Distributors Limited, was acquired. The company had five branches in Manawatu, Horowhenua and Wellington. Manawatu Timber Mills and Fielding Sash & Door Limited were predecessor companies of Felvins Suppliers and Distributors Limited
With the formation of Fletcher Challenge
Fletcher Challenge
Fletcher Challenge is a now defunct multinational corporation from New Zealand, formed in 1981 by the merger of Fletcher Holdings, Challenge Corporation and Tasman Pulp and Paper...
Limited in 1981, Fletcher Merchants Limited became part of the Manufacturing & Hardware Sector, along with Felvins Suppliers and Distributors Limited, Ellis & Burnand, and Mount Timber & Hardware Limited, HC Kitchen Limited and Steward Sawmilling Company
1981–1989
In 1981 the trading name of PlaceMakers first came into use.Fletcher Timber Limited changed its name to Fletcher Merchants Limited and in August 1981 the first PlaceMakers superstore is opened in Manukau City.
The Fletcher Challenge
Fletcher Challenge
Fletcher Challenge is a now defunct multinational corporation from New Zealand, formed in 1981 by the merger of Fletcher Holdings, Challenge Corporation and Tasman Pulp and Paper...
Group acquired Scott Commercial in 1983 which became a part of Fletcher Merchants Limited.
By 1984 PlaceMakers had 55 branches throughout New Zealand.
In 1986 E Daniells Limited was acquired. In that same year, a Home Improvement Centre opens at Lincoln Road, Henderson
Henderson, New Zealand
Henderson is a major suburb of Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 13 kilometres to the west of Auckland city centre, and two kilometres to the west of the Whau River, a southwestern arm of the Waitemata Harbour.-Description:...
, Auckland.
The Winstone merger
The Winstone name goes back as far as 1864 and over time grew a reputation supplying an extensive range of materials to the building and construction markets. Winstone Trading Limited was formed in 1984 and over five years grew to provide national coverage by purchasing a number of smaller businesses including Odlins and Dudding Brothers.The merger of Fletcher Merchants Limited and Winstone Trading Limited in 1988 produced the largest and only nationwide building materials chain in New Zealand.
1990–2011
In 1990 PlaceMakers moved towards a scheme of joint ventureJoint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
ownership between Fletcher Distribution Limited and managers of individual operations, while continuing to operate within the PlaceMakers umbrella. Under the joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
programme selected branch managers were able to become an owner-operator. At the end of 1991, eight stores in the PlaceMakers distribution network were operating as joint ventures
By 1993 PlaceMakers had 29 out of their 53 stores operating under the joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
system.
2011 Christchurch earthquake
Following the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the Canterbury Region on 22 February 2011, PlaceMakers donated twenty cabins to help with the recovery efforts.The ‘Rapid Response Community Shelter’ cabins were gifted on 4 March 2011 to Mayor Bob Parker by PlaceMakers CE, John Beveridge. The cost of the cabins was met by PlaceMakers and a number of suppliers. Most of the cabins were constructed at PlaceMakers’ Christchurch Frame & Truss plant keeping local staff employed.
Three PlaceMakers stores were affected directly by the earthquake. Liquefaction
Liquefaction
Liquefaction may refer to:* Liquefaction, the general process of becoming liquid* Soil liquefaction, the process by which sediments become suspended* Liquefaction of gases in physics, chemistry, and thermal engineering* Liquefactive necrosis in pathology...
affected the Antigua Street and Cranford Street branches.