Silver lining for Hawke's Bay landscaping business forced to move

Mary and Peter Vujcich had little choice but to move their landscaping business from its original site of 13 years when access became difficult. Photo / Gianina Schwanecke

By Gianina Schwanecke

When a new development restricted access to their business of 13 years, Peter and Mary Vujcich were faced with a tough decision - close the gates on Expressway Landscape Supplies for good or find a new site.

Now operating from a new site that's almost three times as big, it's a move that seems to have paid off for the Hastings couple.

Based near the State Highway 2 and Taradale Rd roundabout, near Christmas time they were informed access to their 1200sq m site would be changing.

"Access became extremely restrictive for both customers and trucks delivering the products, to the stage where we couldn't keep trading at that site," Peter explained.

"It was either we closed the gates and retired, or find somewhere else and keep going because the public has been good to us."

Moving to Pakowhai has enabled Mary and Peter Vujcich to grow their business Expressway Landscape Supplies. Photo / Gianina Schwanecke

After six months of searching for a new site and undertaking the consenting process for the landscape supply business, they found a new home in Allen Rd, Pakowhai.

"It's worked out brilliantly. Absolutely, it's a silver lining."

The new 4000sq m site was "bare grassland", which allowed Peter to put his 20 years of truck-driving experience to use when devising a new layout.

The business has up to 100 vehicle movements a day with people picking up supplies and
trucks dropping off loads about eight times a week.

It took six weeks to develop the new site, and included installing about 1400 concrete blocks, each weighing 1.1 tonnes.

Expressway Landscape Supplies is hosting an open day on May 15 to celebrate opening at its new site on Allen Rd, Pakowhai. Photo / Gianina Schwanecke

Peter described it as a "shop with no roof".

The bigger site had also allowed them to expand their product range, he said.

There had been an increased demand for landscaping products since last year, Peter said.

With fewer people travelling overseas, more seemed to be spending on their homes and gardens instead.

Peter said support from their customers and "amazing staff" had allowed them to go forward with the new site.

"We hope it builds from here," he said.

On Saturday, May 15, they will be holding an open day for people to see how the new site is set up and what products are available.