From humble beginnings as a one-man business, Tuffnell Drainage Ltd has grown to be one of Canterbury’s most respected medium sized residential, commercial and civil drainage operations – championing the mantra that ‘quality is not an act, it is a habit’.
Sixteen years ago Warwick and Carmen Tuffnell established Tuffnell Drainage with just a ute, hiring a mini digger as required. Warwick was determined to establish a reputation for quality workmanship and standing by the company’s promise.
Growing to a team of twelve and boasting a large range of machinery and equipment Tuffnell Drainage is ready and able to tackle the smallest to biggest of projects.
Tuffnell Drainage’s latest projects are testament to its capability and the trust that Lead Contractors such as Calder Stewart, Hanham and Philp, Leighs Construction and Naylor Love place in the drainage team to complete the work to an exacting standard.
The company is currently engaged to carry out all drainage work for Foodstuff’s new 3500sqm New World Supermarket in Durham Street for Naylor Love.
“On top of doing the drainage work, we’re having to constantly de-water the building site while the construction crew are working,” says Carmen. “This is the first time we’ve had to do that on such a scale and it’s added another dimension to the job.”
She says the New World job is one of Tuffnell Drainage’s largest projects to date, coming closely after completing all drainage at NZ Trucks in Hornby for Calder Stewart, and the new Rolleston Retail Shopping Complex; both major projects.
With its office and yard in Rolleston, Tuffnell Drainage operates Canterbury wide, though Carmen says the bulk of its work is currently in Christchurch.
While still doing residential sewer and storm water drainage, along with the installation of septic tank and effluent disposal systems in rural settings, Tuffnell Drainage has become increasingly involved with commercial and civil drainage work.
“Our commercial work involves new sewer and stormwater requirements in PVC or concrete, as well as siteworks, installation of manholes, grease traps and sumps, soakage trenches, swales and stormwater retention basins,” explains Carmen.
“Tuffnell Drainage is also an authorised contractor for the Ashburton, Selwyn and Christchurch Councils and we do quite a bit of civil work for Sicon Ltd.”
Asked what Tuffnell Drainage’s secret to succcessful business was, Warwick replied that it was “Our commercial work involves new sewer and stormwater requirements in PVC or concrete, as well as siteworks, installation of manholes, grease traps and sumps, soakage trenches, swales and stormwater retention basins.” the ‘Tuffnell brand of good workmanship’.
“It’s about attention to detail, having efficient processes, leaving work sites neat and tidy and keeping in touch with the client. Building lasting relationships and working in seamlessly and cooperatively with other contractors is key as well. They have everything programmed and you have to be able to meet their expectations.”
Warwick says it’s also about looking after the business’s number one asset – their staff team.
“We’ve built up a great team. They work well together with very good work ethics – that’s very important to us. We provide clients with quality service that starts with speaking to Kirsty in the office and continues right though all facets of what we do.”
This article was brought to you in association with the following businesses…
- Newlands
- Edward Gibbon Plumbing
- Skipper Lay & Associates
- Southfuels
