02 Feb Nine highlights from nine years in business
This February, we celebrate nine years since I first set out on my own and launched Datum Projects. What was initially a project management fit-out company has since grown into a full-scale fit-out provider and joinery manufacturer.
I’m immensely proud of so much of what we’ve achieved over the years (not least that we’ve not just survived but thrived for nine years!) but there are a few things that stand out:
Our very first factory
There was no feeling like when we got into our very first factory – a 550 square metre space in Wairau Valley. Now that feels small, but moving from our kitchen table to an actual factory was pretty incredible.
Our current factory
Although that first space was exciting and we’ve had a couple of spaces since then, there was something particularly cool about moving into our current space – with a custom layout just for us and way more space to continue growing our joinery manufacturing.
Shopping centre central
Although we’ve always fitted out stores in shopping centres, Northwest was the first one where we were the major shopfitter for the centre, fitting out 12 out of the 110-stores in the centre. Since then, we’ve been the premier shopfitter for many more shopping centres, including Westfield Newmarket, Commercial Bay, and Sylvia Park.
Our reputation
I’m immensely proud of how we’ve built a reputation as friendly, can-do contractors which has enabled us to work with some incredible clients…
Regular High St clients
Clients that include many brands that we’re proud to have worked with again and again – from OPSM and Sunglass Hut through to Glassons and many more.
Hallensteins Queen St
Our very first flagship store was a 500 square metre retail store for Hallensteins several years ago. It was the first time we’d worked on a store of that calibre, and our first genuine flagship store, which felt like a momentous arrival in the retail scene.
North Beach Sylvia Park
This 900 square metre store was MASSIVE – and needed to be opened in time for Christmas several years back. We managed to turn it around in just five weeks to help them take advantage of the Christmas rush, and still keep the quality high (interestingly enough, we’re now in the process of fitting out their brand new store at Sylvia Park right now!)
Four apprentices
Among our incredible team have been four people who have completed their apprenticeships with us, including Josh Holmes and William Bang, who both finished with us just last year.
Our incredible team
And of course, we can’t go through a list of highlights without mentioning our amazing team. From our awesome management team (many of whom have been with us for nearly our whole journey) to our factory crew through to our site guys, I’m incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built and the people who’ve made Datum what it is.
So this is a huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of our journey so far – our team, our clients, our suppliers and partners. Here’s to (at least) nine more years of business!