On what was expected to be a routine visit to an engineering practice, Stuart Dale found himself grateful that he had brought with him the full complement of presentation samples and product literature. What used to be a two man engineering firm had grown: the firm had taken over the entire floor of its office building, employed more engineers, started up an entire design team and even started up a construction company. Needless to say, the presentation took on a whole new tone, the board room was full of various specifiers and everything in Stuart's repertoire was latched on to and discussed in earnest.
This experience just served to confirm that one should never pre-judge a situation and reinforces the need to always "be prepared".
We frequently get queries from architects and specifiers about building products they thought we may have shown them but they can't remember the product name or the company that supplies it.
In a recent instance, Barry from ITM, Dargaville phoned our Wellington office. He enquired about a product he referred to as "Heliflexibrace" - an interesting amalgamation of two products we represent (Helifix and Flexibrace), each from a different supplier.
After Murray explained the uses of the two products it was apparent that the product Barry was looking for was Helifix, a stainless steel tie for strengthening brick and masonry constructions, supplied in NZ by GK Shaw Ltd.
Murray was intrigued to know how Barry came to contact him. Barry explained that he had a set of plans from Ford Design in Whangarei that specified Helifix, but the phone number on the Helifix brochure (given to Ford Design by Architectural Promotions Limited) was no longer valid. So Barry dialled directory service, was given Murray's phone number and ultimately the contact details for GK Shaw Ltd.
GK Shaw Ltd were thus alerted to the specification of one of their products and were then able to discuss the technical requirements of the job with those concerned. Although Helifix was deemed unsuitable for this particular application, GK Shaw were pleased to be given the opportunity to be referred to the job and were able to suggest an alternative method so everyone involved received satisfaction.
A few months back, a spectacular fire destroyed Bracken Court in central Dunedin. Most unfortunately for several businesses, including that of Neil Ashby, a specifier on whom we call regularly, the fire destroyed their offices, along with equipment, records and reference material.
Soon after the blaze, our Christchurch office received a call asking for our help in sourcing replacement manuals and other information as Neil re-established his business in a studio and office in Queens Gardens Court. Malcolm promptly arranged for current manuals and posters to be sent through to Neil.
We were glad to provide replacement materials and give our support in rebuilding this practice library after such a devastating event.
Sometimes satisfaction is a matter of asking questions when the right people are around. Liz Thomson, of Milward Findlay Lobb in Timaru had been looking for information about cladding walls using shingles. She mentioned this to Malcolm, who happened shortly afterwards to be talking with Gail Quigley at Burnham, who happened to have details about... yes, shingles.
Putting Gail's information in Liz' hands solved the problem.
Malcolm is visiting specifiers in Invercargill and Central Otago during September. The variation in snow depth around the snowfields is a reminder that the weather in the deep south of New Zealand in late winter or spring can be unpredictable. Despite this, Architectural Promotions representatives, like the mail, always try to get through.
On one round of visits that Malcolm made through Central Otago, fresh snow had fallen overnight around the Remarkables and Coronet Peak, the ski fields were gearing up for a busy day and the sun was shining from a cloudless sky as he left Queenstown, planning to call on specifiers in Invercargill. Just down the road the weather deteriorated, getting steadily worse the further south he travelled until it became obvious that there was a real chance of the roads becoming impassable. Going back to Queenstown was the only realistic option. So, after a cautious U-turn and an hour's drive through clearing weather, he was back in sunny Queenstown.
Then it was a matter of phoning all the Invercargill specifiers with whom appointments had been made, to apologise and make alternative arrangements. There were all very understanding, and supported the decision not to travel since their weather was appalling and staff attendance at work was down anyway.
Meanwhile Malcolm was faced with having to enjoy a warm sunny day in Queenstown and was thinking how nice it would be up on the ski slopes...