Thwaites Aluminium Limited observes 30 years of operations after opening its doors in September 1989, and many of the staff had been working for more than 10 years.
Managing director Alvin Thwaites said: “He had been lucky enough to pick up good staff.”
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The Invercargill businessman proudly stated that the secret to continued growth is treating the right staff well. Thwaites said: "I wouldn't be where I am today without them. It cost a lot to be training new staff all the time.”
Tom Irvine joined Thwaites in that first month of business, and said he was proud to see that it grow during the decades.” He said the key had been good management, and staffs respect each other.
“The manufacturing industry seemed strong at the moment, but time would tell how much of an impact the Covid-19 pandemic would have”, Irvine said.
Thwaites said: “Business had changed dramatically through the years.”
He recalled when the company got computers - a new machine and two days' training cost $15,000. The company got computers when he was in his 40s, and after about a year of working using a screen, he needed glasses.
“However, going to computers allowed quoting capacity to double”, Thwaites said.
The company works with aluminium joinery, fencing and doors, among other services. Thwaites said: “Options for one product, such as windows, had increased ten-fold since 1989.”
The business was busy at the moment, but Thwaites had his reservations for the coming months. "I'm concerned some businesses are just catching up with pre-COVID-19 orders now."
He thought Southland would, in the coming months, fare better than areas like Queenstown, as it was more reliant on tourism. However, he was concerned about the housing market "dropping off in the coming months".
Ultimately, Thwaites put the strength of any business down to people. "I try to make it interesting and treat them well. I have probably been a bit lucky as well". Thwaites said.
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