OutletThe Official Reece Customer Update We welcome your feedback so please send any comments by e-mail to trade.update@reece.co.nz

In t

his

issu

e

ISSUE#10March-May 2016

The Reece New Zealand website has launched with new features including a more user-friendly My Account section and a new look Outlet. Navigating your way around the My Account section has just got even easier for you to manage your account and view products which you can order online for pick up or delivery.

Outlet has a brand new look with monthly articles and current price changes to keep you up-to-date with the latest industry-related news.

Additional features are also now available for customers including the Powder Room blog and Trends. The Powder Room blog provides beautiful bathroom inspiration, design and style tips that you can share with your customers. Even more inspiration can be found in the new trends section, from the latest bathroom trends and ideas on how to create different looks like day spa, black and white or hotel inspired, including which products to use.

Check it out for yourself at www.reece.co.nz

Reece New Zealand website gets a revamp

Auckland officially dynamic

P03

Skills vital to New Zealand’s future

P02Getting to know you

P03

THE CRACKGoing for a million

P04

ReeceFooty Tippingis Back!

Show your true colours this NRL season and take part in the Reece Footy Tipping Competition. Don’t forget to drop into your local Reece branch and register for this year’s competition to be in the running to win $22,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.

Join Reece in celebrating this year’s footy season and tip like a champion!

For more information, visit: reece.co.nz/tipping

2 | REECE.CO.NZ

New Zealand tradies are highly sought after as demand outstrips supply with significant building and construction projects in Auckland and Christchurch. New Zealand is even looking overseas to find skilled tradespeople, including plumbers, to fill the gap.

According to the Minister of Economic Development, Steven Joyce, New Zealand needs to concentrate more than ever on increasing skills in all types of trades. There is a focus on industry training but it remains a work in progress.

The number of people studying trades looks to be increasing. In 2014, apprenticeships in agriculture, carpentry, engineering, the motor industry, and plumbing and gas-fitting had some of the highest sign-up rates in eight years.

The government’s major overhaul of industry training has greatly lifted performance in that sector. With the removal of thousands of inactive trainees in 2010 and the consolidation of 39 funded Industry Training Organisations down to 11, credit achievement per trainee has grown dramatically.

In 2009 nearly 60 per cent of all industry trainees failed to achieve any credits, by 2014 that had nearly halved and will drop further.

“We also need to continue to strengthen our skills training performance for young Maori and Pasifika, including continuing to develop the Maori and Pasifika Trades Training Initiatives in order to secure successful careers for young people in the construction and infrastructure trades in particular,” says Mr Joyce.

“Contrary to the view of some of the doomsayers, New Zealand has a great and growing skills story to tell. The challenge is to ensure our demonstrably successful employment market continues to provide the flexibility and skills needed for New Zealand to succeed over the rest of the 21st century.

Getting people with more skills is vital to New Zealand’s future

Sources:www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/76226997/getting-people-with-more-skills-vital-to-our-future, www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/kiwis-call-for-1000-queensland-tradies-to-boost-their-economy-20150309-13z6p3.htmlwww.hays.net.nz/press-releases/HAYS_265439

A big day for plumbing

With World Plumbing Day on Friday 11 March, we thought it was a great opportunity to find out a bit more about the big issues driving the plumbing industry right now.

Head to Outlet online to read the full interview with the CEO of the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) in Australia.

REECE.CO.NZ | 3

Getting to know you

Pearl Torres has recently been appointed as the Assistant Manager at Reece Mairangi Bay store. While Pearl is new to the role, she has worked for Reece for a number of years in the showroom and on the trade counter.

Q: With your sister also having worked for Reece, how does it feel to be continuing the family success?

I’m grateful to have the opportunity to prove myself worthy of the position and plan to contribute more to the success of the company.

Q: How has your role changed now you’re 2 IC?

I’ve been trained to juggle jobs between trade and showroom, so the only main change is having more responsibilities.

Q: What are you’re highlights in the job?

Working with a fantastic team and developing relationships with customers. It’s great to help customers find solutions for their projects and help them build their business.

Q: Any hot topics among customers at the moment?

They are excited about new innovative products including Arco Grifo and Roca.

It’s great to be able to provide our customers with design-led, technologically advanced products like the Roca Meridian In-Tank and The Gap that are also easy to install.

Q: What are your plans for the next 12 months?

I’m looking forward to continuing to build relationships with existing customers and develop new ones. It’s always great to introduce them to new and exciting products and help their projects be a success.

It’s been revealed that a third of Auckland’s 130,000 or so inspections failed in the last year. And it appears that in many cases, untested and non-compliant products were to blame.

Temuka The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board is ramping up its clampdown on who does the work, cracking down on “cowboy” plumbers and introducing a new “report-a-cowboy” app.

However, it has no remit to investigate products and it is unclear just how many of the thousands of taps, cisterns and pipes for sale are a failure waiting to happen.

The government is working hard to investigate and police the building inspection failures, including a couple of product investigations.

Non-compliant products do not meet standards and customers need to remain alert and check the authenticity of products they buy and install.

Reece test and ensure New Zealand standard approval for all products that we provide our plumbers.

So the message is clear, stick with respected product resellers like Reece. You know the products you choose are always tested, guaranteed reliable and meet all relevant NZ standards.

Source: www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/295020/dodgy-plumbing-products-singled-out

Dodgy plumbing products flood the market

Auckland – officially dynamic

Auckland has been recognised globally as a city to watch, named for the first time as one of the world’s most dynamic cities. According to City Momentum Index (CMI) Auckland’s ongoing development of the Wynyard Quarter, the City Rail Link plans and healthy innovation ecosystems have placed the city among the world’s ‘most sustainable and liveable cities’.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown said the inclusion was “ further global recognition of how, since the united city began, Auckland is on a roll.

“Major transformational projects like the City Rail Link and the continued development of the Wynyard Quarter, which are highlighted as being key to Auckland’s momentum in the CMI, are changing the face of Auckland for the better. It’s great that this transformation is being recognised globally.”

Auckland’s focus on new and innovative developments provides a huge opportunity for plumbers, particularly when it comes to sustainable building practices.

According to Shayne LaCrombre, CEO of Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre, plumbers are becoming increasingly integrated in the future of sustainable living.

“Plumbers play a critical role in improving the sustainability of the country by educating their customers on best products and practices to save water and energy, and help with waste management,” said Shayne.

Source: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1602/S00126/aucklands-momentum-recognised-in-global-index.htm

Going for a millionA former public toilet in Spitalfields, London has been put on the market for one million pounds.

The privatisation of public toilets is nothing new and generally follows prolonged neglect, inevitable dismantling and the sale and renovation into a new space - often fashionable bars or hangouts such as cocktail bar Ladies & Gents in Kentish Town, London.

The upside is that well-meaning businesses move in and preserve the original features rather than letting the toilets become dark and dangerous and a risk to the public. Some residents believe it’s better for them to be turned into bars and nightclubs rather than become so seedy that most of the public avoid them completely.

The privatisation of public toilet facilities in the UK coincides with a decrease in the number of free clean and working public toilets available for use. Something locals complain about having to factor in when planning outings!

Between 2010 and 2013, one in seven public toilets was closed because of cuts to local authority budgets; and despite a campaign by the British Toilet Association, many of the remaining facilities are of a depressing standard.

Source: www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/21/great-british-toilet-lavatories-public-convenience

Roca has introduced the latest addition to its wide range of eco-friendly taps – the L20 collection.

Easy and intuitive to use, the L20 collection features an innovative Cold Start Technology system, so the flow of water always starts with cold. This ensures hot water is activated only when necessary. And with its superb looks, the L20 allows you to save energy without compromising on style.

Products include a basin mixer, shower mixer, shower mixer with diverter and a sink mixer.

4 | REECE.CO.NZ

The Crack Roca launches

new L20 collection

The rail shower designed to handle every situation.

With our growing aging population, bathroom design is now becoming increasingly important. Senior citizens are vulnerable in wet areas so it’s vital that bathrooms integrate products that offer a safe environment. The Posh Para Care 600 Rail Shower has been created for this purpose. The rail doubles as a safety handle, providing the user with stability while showering. It’s designed specifically for domestic care, nursing homes, aged care facilities and hospitals. Meeting the rigorous requirements of AS/NZS 1428.1-2201, the Posh Para Care 600 Rail Shower is the smart choice.

Pop into your local Reece branch to find out more.

Posh Para Care 600 Rail

For the full list of price changes or if you have any queries, please see your Reece Branch Manager or visit www.reece.co.nz for further updates.

Supplier Products % Increase Date Effective

Methven Tapware 4-5% 1 December 2015

Robertson NZ Bathroomware products Various % 1 December 2015

Toolware Sales Tools Various % 1 December 2015

Aquatherm NZ Plastic pipe & fittings – pressure Various % 1 January 2016

Methven Tapware 4-5% 1 December 2015

Robertson NZ Bathroomware products Various % 1 December 2015

Toolware Sales Tools Various % 1 December 2015

Aquatherm NZ Plastic pipe & fittings – pressure Various % 1 January 2016

Methven Tapware 4-5% 1 December 2015

Main Price Changes

In The Pipeline Products for smarter plumbingPlumbing is changing and there’s a lot more to it than pipes, trenches and taps. In The Pipeline keeps you up-to-date on a wide range of products.