Konstruct was started in the bedroom of a cold Dunedin flat by two mates studying at Otago. Meet Chris and Tom.
The year was 2006. In need of beer money, they asked the University for permission to manufacture and sell 'Otago University' hoodies. The ladies in the marketing office were easily persuaded (Chris’s good looks and natural charm may have helped) and, with a short term loan in place, an initial run of 400 garments was made. A stall was set up on campus and after only four hours they had sold out. That night, their thirst for the amber liquid was momentarily quenched.
With monthly sales on campus, the duo started to be approached by student groups and sports teams to produce their bespoke apparel.
Any satisfaction Chris and Tom may have felt at the success of their business was not shared by their flatmates, whose living room had turned into a screen printing factory. So, premises were duly found and Konstruct became Chris and Tom’s main occupation.
In December 2014, the decision was made to relocate Konstruct’s manufacturing plant from Dunedin to Auckland, to be closer to their key supplier and client base.
Chris and Tom continue to run Konstruct. Chris is married to the very lovely and very talented actress Ria Vandervis. As well as portraying Dr. Harper Whitley on Shortland Street, Ria also manages Konstruct's leavers department and is a marriage celebrant. Tom is married to the equally lovely and talented Arapera Salter, a paediatric doctor.
From its humble beginnings, Konstruct has grown to become NZ's largest supplier of custom printed apparel and promotional products. Underpinning this success is Konstruct's core values:
We live, breath and eat positivity
Konstruct has a positive work environment and being part of the Konstruct team should be fun and stimulating. We value free, open and positive communication and respect for other team members and clients. We are also pragmatic. If something does go wrong, we own it, learn from it and move on.
We give over the top service and are focused on quality
We want customers to be raving about the positive experience they have with us. We give prompt and efficient customer service and above all make it easy for the customer. We don't skimp on any part of the production processes. We deliver when we say we will and we don't dispatch any substandard products.
We constantly strive to be better
We continually improve what we do, making it easier for us and the customer. Input from the entire team is fundamental in making Konstruct a better company.