Branch manager for Thermawood Central Otago, Aaron Waldron is using a combination of technical expertise, local knowledge and an enquiring mind to find solutions that work for Central Otago.

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Aaron Waldron says if you have a great product or service, know the technical side of your trade well, take time to know your customers and put them first, you will be successful in business.

He is currently running a project to gather accurate data on the thermal gains created by installing joinery with insulative properties and high quality double glazing in Central Otago homes, under Central Otago conditions.

Born in Clyde, Aaron went to school in Alexandra.

“I wasn’t someone who could learn from whiteboards and textbooks, I was always hands on – classrooms weren’t for me.

“I enjoyed work-based training, and eventually got a job with Central Otago Engineering in Omakau.

“When they experienced a downturn, they didn’t need a young boy anymore. So, at the age of 17, I entered the world of aluminium joinery and glass.”

Aaron says he became fascinated by aluminium joinery.

“There are just so many facets to it; it was constantly evolving, even back then.

“It commanded precision; 2 mm out and the item was a throwaway.”

Aaron’s career progressed as he took opportunities to learn every aspect from joinery to glass to evolving technologies, in homes from historic to high-end new architectural builds. And he stayed hands-on, learning quickly through experience.

“When I first started working with aluminium joinery, everything was single glazed, with pressure beads – and I mean everything.

“Only very up-market houses used frameless glass, or had any form of double glazing.

“Over the years, things have progressed a long way, especially in terms of achieving greater thermal efficiencies. 

“Products have really evolved technically, and we’ve realised the benefits of warmer homes.”

Aaron and partner Jessica have made a choice to bring up their blended family in Central Otago.

Based for a time in Hamilton, he studied cross-ventilation in homes: the physics, the practicalities of building for maximum flow of oxygen in a home, and how to move air to increase heating efficiencies.

Then, with a baby on the way, Aaron decided to move permanently back to Central Otago. 

He wanted to be near family and to give his children the opportunities associated with the healthy, outdoor lifestyle that he had had.

A few years on, he made the move to Thermawood and a managerial role.

“I had learned to really focus on customer satisfaction – that part of business is ‘do or die’,” he says. 

“Manage expectations, be honest about what might or might not solve their needs, then exceed expectations when you do the job.

“Follow-up is also crucial – checking in directly with your customer; it’s much more than doing one job and moving on to the next.”

Aaron says that ethos has stood him well, along with over 20 years’ experience of what works in practical terms for homes.

He initially wondered whether he would make a good manager, but realised that he had the knowledge, the experience, and the people skills to make it work.

“Don’t discount your capabilities – I was never a scholar at school, but that doesn’t mean I can’t succeed in what I do.

“You’ve got to back yourself, but also have those strong foundations.

“I know glass, I know joinery, I know I’ve got to keep up to date with technology, no matter what my role.

“There’s so many options out there now, it’s knowing what will work in this environment for each unique home, for what the customer needs, whether it be less heat in summer, trapping the heat in winter, or both.”

Aaron says he has two strong areas of focus moving forward – continuous improvement in small, achievable steps for the present, and preparing for the future.

“I’ve had to upgrade my IT skills, and I’m organising our systems and processes to make it easier for us all to do a good job.

“The project to measure temperature differences, power savings and the actual impacts of any install in our region will provide real data based on our conditions, so people can make well-informed decisions.

“Something else that starts now and builds for the future is getting the word out there that we’re not just one-trick ponies, we have a very wide skill-set amongst our team.

“Retro-fitting glazing is just one aspect for us; because we have such a wide range of knowledge and products, and because we have a lot of collective experience, we can find solutions from building bespoke timber frames to simple splashbacks.

“Looking to the future, there is a shortage of competent glaziers in the industry.

“I have now paved the way to bring on apprentices as we grow, by having my own prior learning measured and formally recognised.

“Providing opportunities for our young people to develop knowledge and gain a qualification will benefit the industry, diversify our team, and build our business. 

“It also ensures a continuation of local expertise solving local needs.”

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