Off the Wall Construction: Investing in People
Matt & Sian Du Plessis with the Off the Wall Construction team.
Off the Wall Construction (OTWC), founded by husband-and-wife duo Matt and Sian, aims to be a highly renowned nationwide concrete construction business. Sian, who is of Ngā Puhi descent, has a strong business management and human resources background. Matt, a former New Zealand Defence Army member has a background in Deep Sea Construction Diving, Hiab Operations and Landscaping. In 2020, they noticed an opportunity within the Bay of Plenty market, as out of region concrete construction companies were being sourced for high end and complicated projects, and so they became determined to provide a local trusted service.
OTWC has thrived in Tauranga, doubling in staff and revenue each year since its inception. They now proudly provide an all in one service which includes quantity surveying, project management, construction, pumping, and laying across the commercial, residential and civil construction.
Staff Training and Development
OTWC focuses on building trusted relationships with their staff and subcontractors. With a growing workforce, including experienced industry professionals and ex-military personnel, they understand that people are key to success.
“Upskilling our crew and seeing guys get qualified under our employment is so rewarding. Seeing them get qualified after being in the industry for so long, or when they didn’t even know a qualification existed, brings a significant amount of purpose to the business,” Sian expresses.
Unlike many traditional concrete companies where staff specialise narrowly in either concrete pumping, laying or formwork, OTWC invests to train their team across the trades. They call this a hybrid model. This approach ensures the business always has the resources to deliver on its projects while providing staff with a range of skills to excel in the industry.
Kotahitanga in Action
For OTWC they see not only supporting their workers to be important but also their wider whānau too. They understand that the physical demands of the work and sometimes long hours can be both hard on the individual but their whānau too.
“It’s important that their whānau know who we are and feel supported too. We always invite their extended whānau to staff functions or get togethers as this helps the connection to management and we believe it fosters open communication,” Sian explains.
OTWC fosters an environment where investing in their team is essential, recognising that this approach enables individual and business growth.
Mana Enhancing Environments
OTWC understands the importance of creating spaces, networks and support systems that work for both the business but also the people who work within the business. Their commitment to empowering individuals to reach their full potential is reflected in the way they manage difficult situations too.
“When faced with incidents that could impact someone’s career, we prefer to work through it with the individual and give them the opportunity and chance that may have not been given in other situations,” Sian explains, “This kind of management style takes effort and only works if the commitment is reciprocated. Witnessing growth and change is very motivating.”
OTWC looks to these situations as opportunities to reinforce their values of tika, pono, mana enhancing and manaakitanga. They take time to understand the personal challenges faced by staff, commitment and loyalty is earned through investment within our crew.
Words of Wisdom: “He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata”
Looking ahead, OTWC aims to become a nationwide leader in concrete construction, known for its exceptionally well trained staff and quality workmanship.
“He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata. It is the people at the end of the day that drive the business so invest, uplift and learn about your people as they will determine your success or failure, especially in construction,” Sian expresses.
OTWC is a true example of how you can grow both the company and its people at the same time. Creating an environment where work is more than just a job will have a lasting positive impact on everyone involved.
