Local firm finds perfect fit to expand

David Littlewood and Adam Hazlett are hoping to expand into the Auckland and Hamilton office furniture markets.

Tauranga-based Modern Office has won its first major Auckland project, to fit out the new offices of a leading international advisory firm, says director David Littlewood.

"The new contract is our first big one up in Auckland," said Mr Littlewood. "We are looking to expand up into Auckland and Hamilton, just to have a bigger market to play in."

He was unable to name the firm for reasons of business confidentiality, but said the client would be taking a prominent floor in PWC Tower.

Added fellow director Adam Hazlett: "It's a significant win for us. It's probably one of the biggest projects at this end of the island at the moment, and we were up against some of the big players in Auckland."

The two directors have a background in office furniture and set up their business in 2007, originally in Judea. They recently moved to new, larger premises on the corner of Devonport Rd and First Ave, and hived off its storage centre to new premises in The Lakes.

"We were tucked away in Judea," said Mr Littlewood.

"We wanted to have a higher profile downtown and also a nicer office. We spent a lot of time and money with the landlord getting our own fit-out job right."

The new location had played a part in helping the company win new business.

Modern Office focuses on commercial furniture fit-outs for offices, and picked up its first major high-end project for Bayleys when the real estate company moved into its new premises in 247 Cameron Rd.

"It's a competitive business, but we think we've got the right mix of pricing and products," said Mr Littlewood.

Modern Office has established relationships with international suppliers and has the exclusive New Zealand agency for NURUS, a furniture-maker based in Turkey, which is supplying the product for the latest Auckland project. They also have the first option on the Australian agency for NURUS.

Mr Littlewood said he was alerted to NURUS by an architect Modern Office worked with, who had seen the products at a European office furniture show.

"NURUS are quite well known in Europe," said Mr Littlewood. "The advantage of Turkey is that it's an upcoming supplier of commercial furniture; you get the European design features and [we] can offer our clients competitive pricing."

For the larger projects, Modern Office has the furniture made by NURUS in Turkey, and shipped over as a flat pack, which is taken to the site and assembled.

Mr Hazlett attributed Modern Office's recent success to a combination of its wide product range and its ability to supply a complete solution through its international suppliers.

For the Auckland job, Modern Office will supply all desks, chairs and furniture storage and soft furnishings for loose items.

The firm employs four people in Tauranga, and contracts a four-man installation team.