Mitre 10 is going MEGA in Taupo, New Zealand with its new 6500 square metre store opening on Friday November 22. Source: Scoop NZ
Owners Craig and Caroline Ladbrook previously ran Ladbrook’s Mitre 10, a name associated with the Taupo hardware trade for over 55 years.
The couple said they have a long-term commitment to Taupo demonstrated by their family history in the hardware sector and this bold new venture.
The Ladbrook’s relished the opportunity to continue the family tradition in hardware, buying the now-closed Ladbrook Mitre 10 from Craig’s parents nine years ago when they returned to New Zealand from England.
“We’re very keen to grow this store and Taupo’s DIY community. Mitre 10 has such a wide range of products and we think our locals will be really impressed with the products we’ll be able to supply – it will be like nothing the town has seen,” said Craig and Caroline.
“We’re also keen to get involved in the community. My father arrived in Taupo in 1957 to work for Dalgety’s selling farm supplies, then went into partnership with a local builder to start up a couple of hardware stores. Through him, we know many people in the community and we know they like their DIY!” Mr Ladbrook said.
All the staff from the old store are employed in the new venture with more than 50 people required for the Mitre 10 MEGA store.
The Ladbrooks say it has been a real team effort and recruited 20 people from Work and Income New Zealand for fixed term store set up roles. Currently, four have been offered permanent roles.
“We really want people to be excited and motivated by what’s around them in this store. We’ve grown up with DIY in our households and we’re keen to see that continue.”
Visiting Mitre 10 CEO, Neil Cowie will be at the celebratory cutting of the timber to declare the Taupo Mitre 10 MEGA store open.
Cowie said that it is satisfying to see another store joining New Zealand’s largest home improvement and gardening retail chain.
“We’re really looking forward to watching this store perform. The community will benefit too as our owners live and work in the local area and tend to get very involved in community support activities,” said Cowie.
“This is the second Mitre 10 MEGA to be opened this year and is part of our on-going expansion program. Taupo is the 36th Mitre 10 MEGA store to open and store number 37, Mitre 10 MEGA Porirua, will open in early December.”
