22
Franchise New Zealand Winter 2025 Year 34 Issue 02
“I hate to say it, but a high-profile fire really focuses peoples’ minds,”
says Kevin Du Preez, Jim’s Test & Tag & Fire Safety franchisee and
regional franchisor on Auckland’s North Shore. “We were overloaded
with enquiries after the SkyCity International Convention Centre fire.
The reality is that tragedies remind people to check their status and
preparedness for emergencies.”
To help meet the demand, all Jim’s Test & Tag & Fire Safety franchisees
are up-skilling by gaining the NZQA Level 3 Hand Operated Fire Fighting
Equipment Certificate. “It’s a very healthy move,” Kevin explains, “Jim’s
have always pushed franchisees to gain new skills, and it is just one of
many reasons why the company is so successful.”
After seven years Kevin is just as enthusiastic about his business as
when he first started. “In my first year, my turnover was about $60,000,”
he says. “This year it is $360,000 and just one client is responsible
for nearly a third of that. Our model is basically repeat work, so we see
the same clients every three, six or twelve months depending on the
equipment. Of course, if you are checking electrical equipment then you
are available to check the fire extinguishers and other hand-operated
firefighting equipment – which is where so much recent growth has
come from. When I started, the fire section was tiny, but today it is 25%
of my business and growing rapidly. Covering First Aid kits as well means
we are a very convenient one-stop shop for all health and safety matters
for our clients.”
It is a legal requirement for electrical and fire equipment to be tested
and tagged in New Zealand in accordance with the standards AS/NZS
3760:2022 or NZS 4503:2005. “Most office equipment must be tested
annually,” Kevin stresses, “and a lot of kit on building sites needs
testing every six or three months.”
Jim’s Test & Tag & Fire Safety are
actively recruiting to keep up with
demand. “There is room for many more
of us throughout the country, and
frankly the more we have the better it is
for business,” says Kevin. “Franchisees
tend to stay long term and there’s not
a big turnover because we are on to a
good thing. The initial franchise fee of
$60,000 + gst covers everything except
your vehicle purchase or lease – and it
brings a very healthy return.”
Jim’s Test & Tag
www.jimstestandtag.co.nz
Contact
Malcolm Bradley
0800 454 654
info@jimstestandtag.co.nz
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Kevin du Preez: ‘Fire safety is 25%
of my business and growing rapidly’