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franchise.co.nz – PUTTING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
t seems ironic that after cutting back day-to-day involvement with
Landmark Homes, the company they founded in 1977, Paul and Debbie
Clarke are now better known than ever.
The reason for this is the marketing campaign developed by Landmark
Homes’ Marketing Manager Jeneva McGall that, at the 2024 Westpac
New Zealand Franchise Awards, won Marketing Campaign of the Year.
Through videos produced for social media platforms such as Facebook
and YouTube, the campaign celebrates Building Landmark Homes for 45
Years. A launch video underscores the Landmark Homes heritage, values
and commitment to excellence. Debbie and Paul are first up, explaining
how, as a 19-year-old nurse and a 21-year-old fulltime builder, “We
started out building affordable little two-storey houses in Tauranga on
half size sections.”
These first homes laid the foundations of financial success, giving
Debbie and Paul the confidence and resources to focus on designing and
building the bespoke upmarket homes that Landmark Homes is known
for now. In 2002 Landmark also became one of the first New Zealand
home-building companies to embrace the franchise business model.
Winning means
so much
Landmark Homes’ CEO Gary
Woodhouse explains just
how important it is for the
franchise to win an award
like Marketing Campaign of
the Year. Before becoming
Landmark’s CEO three years
ago, Gary had 20 years’
experience in the supply,
construction and building
industries, including
terms as General Manager
of Operations for both
Placemakers and Mitre 10.
“External awards put Landmark Homes up against tough competition.
That’s why making it to the finals and, ultimately, winning means so
much. For clients and prospective franchisees, external awards really do
help raise levels of reassurance, confidence and credibility.
“Our marketing campaign achieves much the same, by showing how
aware franchisees are that having a home built is highly emotional,
calling for connectivity with clients and the ability to put ourselves in
their shoes.
“The stronger the relationship, the easier it is for a client to understand
and accept the complexities of the building process,” says Gary.
“I’m equally proud of the genuine and heartfelt way all our franchisees
congratulate award winners. Something they have become used to
with Taupō and Hawkes Bay franchisee partners, Steve Painter and
Gerry Schumacher, winning our internal Franchisee of the Year for five
consecutive years.
“Then at this year’s Westpac Franchise Awards, Landmark Homes Taupō
had the well-deserved honour of being named Supreme Franchisee of
the Year as well as Home and Lifestyle Franchisee of the Year.”
When Steve met Gerry
Steve’s journey to Landmark Homes started in Hawkes Bay when, after
his 7th form year, rather than going to university, he took the advice of his
builder-turned-car dealer father to get a building apprenticeship. In 2004,
Master Builder Steve moved to Taupō to build his parents’ home and,
following this, started a building company, going on to employ nine staff.
“My building company brought me into contact with Gerry who, as a
Landmark Homes Franchise Development team member, approached me
about buying the Taupō greenfields territory, which also included Rotorua
and Whakatāne.
“As impressed as I was with Landmark Homes, I paid a visit to the Tauranga
head office to say in person ‘thank you, but no’ as I felt the territory was
too big for a solo franchisee. On my way out, Gerry caught up with me to
suggest we buy the territory as franchisee partners.”
“As they say, the rest is history. I was just 30 and Gerry a little bit older.
We divided our responsibilities: Me – building and quality control, Gerry
– accounting and office management. Over our 10 years together we have
grown into a strong team and good friends. A couple of years ago we sold
the Rotorua/Whakatāne territory to buy the Landmark Hawkes Bay territory.
“A partnership like ours is a great way to own a Landmark Homes franchise.
It’s key though to bring different skills and be able to handle without
animosity situations such as workload where one partner can be flat out
and the other not at all busy. There must be trust in what each other does,
and a shared vision for what you want your business to achieve.
“Across our two territories, we have built around 270 mostly unique homes
with a median price of around $1.1million and have received over 50
awards. Landmark Homes has a portfolio of over 108 designs, that we use
as inspiration for our clients. Design and build is what we do best. Through
Landmark’s group buying benefits and supplier networks we consistently
deliver clients quality-built homes that represent real value for money.”
Franchise opportunities in both islands
Gary says he is keen to hear from potential franchisees in Northland,
Nelson/Marlborough, South Canterbury, Central Otago, and Otago/
Southland. All are new greenfields territories requiring a $175,000+gst
investment, with an initial deposit of $50,000.
“This sets in motion all the training, supply, and support benefits of
being a Landmark franchisee. However, the proviso is that any potential
franchisee must embrace the Landmark Homes’ vision and values.
“This is why I recommend that, before I welcome their call, they Google
or search YouTube for ‘Landmark Homes 45 years’ videos.”
Landmark Homes
www.landmarkhomes.co.nz
Contact
Gary Woodhouse
027 436 9376
gary.woodhouse@
landmarkhomes.co.nz
Advertiser Info
SUPREME
SUCCESS
Opportunity: Home & Building
Landmark Homes scoops
Marketing Campaign and
Supreme Franchisee awards.
Founders and franchisees
celebrate the wins
Marketing manager Jeneva McGall, far left, with CEO
Gary Woodhouse, third left, and the winning team