Triumphant return for former Jennian employee

Triumphant return for former Jennian employee

Three months ago Dunedin builder Hayden Davies regretfully walked away from a job he loved. Now he’s back, as one of the new owners of Jennian Homes Otago.

It’s a triumphant return – for locally born-and-bred Davies and for the business. With a new management team and nine homes currently under construction – three for the same client – Jennian’s Otago outpost has its sights firmly set on the future, Davies says.

“The recession has been tough for many home builders and the past few years have hit hard throughout the industry. Sadly, some businesses have failed. But Jennian Homes has been around since 1982 and in that time we’ve never failed to complete a home.”

The new franchisee’s own history with Jennian goes back to 2003, when Davies fell into the building industry and discovered his vocation. “It was a happy accident. My brother-in-law needed a labourer on site and I needed a change of career. I was working at McDonalds at the time.”

His time with the global burger giant was no bad thing though. “It shaped my work ethic and gave me a good insight into a national brand. It gives me comfort to know there’s something bigger behind me, with the right people with specialist skills to support me and my team.”

Jennian Homes Otago saw the young builder through his apprenticeship and mentored and supported his career ambitions. “I was given a lot more responsibility over the years and enjoyed it, going from learning my trade to looking after a site, then two sites… it took off from there.

“I hope that I can still have a presence on site because it’s what I enjoy doing,” Davies says. “I’ll always enjoy throwing a hammer around – I was on a roof just last Thursday putting trusses up – but I want to take a step up. Jennian is giving me the tools I need to do that.”

Davies is keen to help the next generation of builders find their feet in the industry, too. “We’re completing an apprenticeship for one young guy and signing up a new apprentice as well. We’re also in the process of hiring another builder.” And, as of Friday last week, the majority of tradespeople working with the previous franchisee were back on site once more.

Two business partners with a wealth of industry experience join Davies in the new company: Nigel Smith, the director of successful neighbouring franchise Jennian Homes Mid-Canterbury, and the Jennian Homes national franchisor, Richard Carver.

ENDS

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