David's December Update

Kia ora mai tātou

As we approach year end, I think about significant outcomes we achieved in the past 12 months: 

• We exited the board allocation process in April after what was a very challenging time for us all. 
• We commissioned our new Manufacturing/Distribution facility in Tauranga, significantly increasing our production capacity. 
• Subsequently we began the closure of our Manufacturing facility in Auckland with the Board plant due to close on 21 December and the J&F plant near the beginning of February. This facility served the NZ building industry very well for just over 50 years, and while its closure is sad, we can, I believe, reflect proudly on its performance over that time. 

I am pleased to announce that Mike Arthur, currently the General Manager of Laminex New Zealand, will take over as General Manager of Winstone Wallboards in March 2024, following my impending retirement at the end of February. We have already begun his induction process to the business and I have no doubt that, come March, he will be ready to continue Winstone Wallboards’ aspiration to be Supplier of Choice to the industry. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 28 years at Winstone Wallboards, both in terms of engaging with customers and suppliers, and of course, with the wonderful team that we have here. I thank you all for your support of Winstone Wallboards during this time and trust that such support will continue into the future. 

Finally, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 
Meri kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hau ki a koutou katoa.   

Ngā mihi

David Thomas

General Manager