“50 years of loyalty … thanks Craig”

This year Firth celebrates an impressive 50 years of association with C F King Contracting, a quality brick and block laying business started by Craig King in Auckland back in 1974.

“When I started I had two partners who had been working with Firth so that’s who we used for blocks and concrete at the time,” explains Craig. “The Firth brothers were still involved in the business then, until Fletchers started buying them out between 1974 - 77 when it became Firth Certified.”

Over the next period, he did a lot of work for Fletcher Construction on their design and build projects which of course meant working with Firth. “That’s never changed, and I never want it to,” he says.

“I suppose at the height of our business we have run 65 - 75 people and within that number we have always had up to 10 apprentices. We wholeheartedly support the Silver Trowel Award for the best young apprentice of the year through BCITO, and with Firth’s support.”

Craig says that before COVID there was a period of about 13 years when things were very good without any major upheavals, but since then things have been tougher. “Thankfully we haven’t needed to let anyone go, but through natural attrition we are down in numbers from pre Covid levels. I wouldn’t say it’s been easy keeping things going in the last few years, but it’s been steady.”

“I have been very lucky to have a succession plan in place as my son Nathaniel (Nat) came into the business as a Quantity Surveyor. Now he mostly runs things.”

“I have certainly seen the ups and downs of business and have been very lucky with a great team and Nat.  And we have always had Firth to look after us.”

“I have known Craig for the nearly 20 years I have been at Firth, and I have to say it’s been a pleasure working with him and his team,” says Christy Thompson, National Masonry Sales Manager for Firth. “Thank you, Craig, Nathaniel and crew, for choosing to be a loyal customer for 50 years!”