At Crombie Lockwood, we’ve been helping New Zealanders protect what's important to them for over 40 years. Built on homegrown kiwi values, we have proudly worked with family businesses all over New Zealand and there’s no greater example than Marshall Industries Limited and Marshall Projects.
The Marshall family has long been in the roofing and running water business, and their innovative approach to the necessities just keeps pushing them forward.
Managing Director, Tom Marshall carries on the legacy that started with his grandfather over 80 years ago. He ran it, then my father ran it and now I’m running it. Even the fourth generation has been working here while on holiday from university,” Tom says of his son, William.
While the Marshall family business was founded with a focus on plumbing and their invention of a continuous water spouting machine, it was in the 60s that they moved into manufacturing and installing long-run roll-formed corrugated iron. Said to be one of the first in the country to do long-run roofing, Marshall Industries remains one of the predominate suppliers of Colorsteel in Southland.
Today, Tom practises his family’s passion for roofing and has been the President of the New Zealand Metal Roofing Manufacturers Association (NZMRM) since 2014. While he assists with organisational and industrial issues, he says it’s a relatively linear industry. “Most of the work is residential housing or big commercial sheds,” Tom says. “Whereas on the water side of the business, that’s quite different.”
“We now also run a design and construction company dealing with water and wastewater,” Tom says of the arm he has established as Marshall Projects. This includes complete turnkey projects, as well as Pall Aria Microfiltration systems that are used in drinking water and wastewater treatment plants.
The value of having the right insurance broker
Crombie Lockwood has played a role in the Marshall family businesses since 2005, but have been liaising with Crombie Lockwood Southland Branch Director, Richard Russell, since 1986, beginning with Tom’s father, Peter.
“We’ve got everything from buildings that we lease out, through to the two businesses, so insurance requirements are quite significant,” Tom says.
“Richard is very good at telling me what new products might be out there, what we can and can’t cover, and also ensuring that we get a good deal.”
“In manufacturing and construction, the biggest costs to your business are normally materials first, then labour, and then it’s insurance. It’s a big cost for our type of business and Richard makes it easy. It’s something you can’t be without.”
The proud Southland company has a fresh approach to adaptive technology and are set on helping communities around the country.
“We’re quite happy to put our reputation on the line for something we believe in and give it a crack,” Tom says. “We’ve been around for a bloody long time and we’re going to be around for a lot longer.”
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this content are those of the author, who is also responsible for any errors and omissions. Family Business Association provides this article for your information only. The content of the article should not be taken as advice. If you wish to explore this topic, please consult an advisor who you consider to have the expertise to provide specific advice in relation to your family business.
