Celebrating skilled master craftsmanship

The regional Joinery and Design Awards (JADA) 2023, held in March offered both registered Master Joiners and independent joinery designers across the whole Top of the South region the opportunity to showcase their work. Marlborough Magazine wraps up the best of the very best.

Encouraging competition and the pursuit of excellence between, and from, its members, their employees and apprentices, the awards celebrate innovation within the joinery industry. First held regionally in 2015, JADA was designed to help boost the confidence of local joinery companies prior to entering nationwide events.

The awards recognise local excellence in joinery, innovation and design and encourage the use of best sustainable practices. Association secretary of Nelson Marlborough Master Joiners, Philip Thompson, says the awards are about celebrating quality and innovation in the industry, of which entrants can then ‘celebrate’ with customers.

“Exterior and interior joinery are premium products, which require a level of protection to enhance the properties of the products. It is therefore important that you take your time in selecting who designs, manufactures and advises on care and maintenance. Master joiners bring that to the industry.”

Phil says, since its conception the awards have been going from strength to strength. The event has grown in numbers from just 14 entries in its first year to 192 entries in 2023. Entries are considered within the 17 categories by three carefully selected and independent judges. They are critiqued on the level of workmanship displayed, the use of materials, the complexity of the project, and its overall visual appeal.

The winner of each category was announced and presented with an award at the Founders Park event which was attended by many joiners and designers from the local building industry.

Phil is proud of the level of craftsmanship being created in the region, saying that although a lot of the supply issues from recent years have subsided, the effects of an economic downturn is having an impact on the way people are choosing to spend their money.

“The industry is still busy, but we are seeing designers having to think outside of the box in the way projects are designed. There has been a continued ‘cutting of the cloth’ on customer aspirations and available spend. A designer needs to have a greater understanding of the products that are available and how to best optimise the use of materials. The good ones will get the formula right.”

The professionalism and the attention to detail in our region has been recognised both regionally and nationally over the years, says Phil. In New Zealand, joinery is one of the few industries that has retained its apprenticeship tradition, says Phil.
“That is why apprentices and emerging designers are such a focus of the awards.”

Of special mention, Paul Dalziell was presented with the Long Service award for his 40 plus years in the industry. Kai Kruse from Nelson Pine Industries (NPIL) says Paul has been with the company since 1986; and prior to that, with Baigent, overall he has amassed 42 plus years in the timber industry.

“As Marketing Manager for NPIL, Paul established customer accounts in Nelson and throughout NZ, but also in Asia and North America, a number of these are customers of NPIL today. In the late 80’s MDF was a ‘young product’ and little was known of its excellent qualities for furniture, doors and other building products.

Paul participated in pioneering MDF for use in high-quality kitchen, cabinetry, skirtings, interior doors and alike. Paul enjoyed the collegial atmosphere in NPIL and is highly respected by many in the timber industry for his fair and professional attitude.”

Nazareth Joinery has been operating in the region for over 30 years. Winning the Best Kitchen under $30,000 award, owner Leigh Jones says events such as JADA are vital for the industry. “We are pretty stoked with the result, it’s great recognition for the team and our clients on our achievements. Events like JADA promote excellence in our region, and it also allows us to showcase work we are proud of and see what others in the region have done.”

Encouraging of others who are thinking of entering the awards in the future, Leigh says it is definitely worth the time involved. “Get amongst it! Sure, it takes time to put the entries together, but your staff and clientele will appreciate the effort, and it’s also a social night for designers and joiners alike to get together.”

George Molnar, managing director of Bays Joinery has been in the joinery industry since 1988 and says receiving recognitions such as this are a great boost for the team. “It’s an incredible achievement, and we are still buzzing with excitement from the big wins on the night! I want to give a huge shoutout to my Bays Joinery team for their unwavering attention to detail and commitment to quality. It’s their hard work and dedication that has led us to this success, and I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.”

2023 Joinery and Design Award winners

Best Creative Small Space
Sponsored by Leitz
Winner: The Sellers Room

Best Use of Colour
Sponsored by Mirotone
Winner: ITM Joinery

Best Spatial Innovation Space Residential
Sponsored by Publik
Winner: Cooper Webley

Best Spatial lnnovation Commercial
Sponsored by Scott Construction
Winner: The Custom Space

Best Door or Window
Sponsored by Leitz
Winner: ITM Joinery

Best Customer Journey
Sponsored by Findex
Winner: Complete Kitchens

Best Biophilic Design
Sponsored by Leitz
Winner: Cooper Webley

Best Apprentice Award
Sponsored by BCITO
Winner: Nguyen Hen (The Sellers Room)

Most Outstanding Bathroom or Kitchen Renovation
Sponsored by NMIT
Winner: Bays Joinery

Best Kitchen under $30,000
Sponsored by Laminex
Winner: Nazareth Joinery

Best Kitchen $30,000-$60,000
Sponsored by Häfele
Winner: Complete Kitchens

Best Kitchen
Sponsored by Blum
Winner: Bays Joinery

Emerging Designer
Sponsored by NZ Panels
Winner: Georgia MacMillan (Complete Kitchens)

Supreme Kitchen Design
Sponsored by Bestwood and Carters
Winner: Bays Joinery

Best Designer 2023
Sponsored by Hettich
Winner: Craig Hooper

People’s Choice Award
Sponsored by Resene
Winner: Bays Joinery (Anderson Kitchen)

The Myles Sellers Supreme Award
Sponsored by Golden Edge
Winner: Cooper Webley