Cunningham Builders are involved in a variety of building work from commercial design and build projects, to small-scale residential building says Managing Director and owner Kelvin O’Connell. The business has been operating since 2003 and covers a wide territory, with offices in Dunedin, Cromwell and Invercargill. The consolidation of the building industry in recent years acted as a catalyst for Kelvin to ask key questions of his business in order to continue improving. For the team at Cunningham Builders, sustainability is about continuously reviewing their operations, then considering what and how they can be improved. As Kelvin explains, “it’s about ... keeping the blinkers off really and being open to new ideas coming forward.”

Cunningham Builders aim to work with their clients to develop design solutions that maximise natural light and energy from the sun, as well as utilising high levels of insulation. Water is also an important consideration, both during construction and within the final product. On the building sites set up by Kelvin’s staff that include containers or sheds, a temporary spouting system is connected to collect water. This water is then used in the on-site toilet and for general washing down activities.

As Kelvin says, “... everyone’s goal at the end of the day is to be in business long term and not short term, so if you’re going to do that, you’ve got to look at the way you’re doing things.” He credits the progress Cunningham Builders has achieved to the team culture they have in place. Regular staff meetings feed into a process that is continuously reviewed. Kelvin recommends taking any opportunity relating to sustainability that comes along; as long as you first assess its merits to ensure a good fit for your particular business. 

Cunningham Builders operate a commercial building division, Cunningham Building and Construction, as well as running the Signature Homes franchise within Southland and Otago. This results in a variety of building work from commercial design and build projects, to small-scale residential building says Managing Director and owner Kelvin O’Connell. 

The business also covers a lot of territory, with offices based in Dunedin, Cromwell and Invercargill. Kelvin and his team have been operating since 2003. Cunningham Builders employ a total of 46 permanent staff, as well as sub-contracted staff utilised as demand requires.

The consolidation of the building industry in recent years has acted as a catalyst for Kelvin to ask key questions of his business in order to continue improving. For Cunningham Builders these questions included; “how long are we going to be in this business and what are our long term goals, where are we heading (and) what do we need to stay here?” One sure sign the business is on track came in 2009 when Cunningham Builders won the national silver award for sustainable building in the Master Builders Awards.

What sustainability means at Cunningham Builders

For Kelvin and his team, sustainability is about continuously reviewing the business, then considering what and how they can improve. Part of this process involves being aware of what information and tools are out there to help the business. This means a monthly check of relevant websites to see what others are doing, what new approaches exist as well as what ideas or products may be just around the corner that Cunningham Builders can capitalise on. As Kelvin explains, “it’s about ... keeping the blinkers off really and being open to new ideas coming forward.”

Sustainability also means looking after people. Treating clients with respect and trying to go the extra mile comes back to the business in the form of repeat business and word of mouth. This aspect of sustainability extends to staff wellbeing, especially given the nature of the building industry where being conscious of safety is centrally important. Kelvin reports that health and safety is paramount at Cunningham Builders; “it’s about making sure everybody on our sites ... employees or subcontractors are working in a healthy and safe environment.”

Sustainability in action

Sustainability is becoming a significant driver within the building industry, especially in terms of intelligent building design and energy efficiency. Cunningham Builders aim to work with their clients to develop design solutions that maximise natural light and energy from the sun, as well as utilising high levels of insulation.

Water is an important consideration, both during construction and in the final product. Within the building sites set up by Kelvin’s staff that utilise containers or sheds, a temporary spouting system is connected to collect water. This water is then used in the on-site toilet and for general washing down activities. Rainwater collection and grey water re-use systems are also built into the final building design where possible, with clients educated on the respective benefits of such systems.

For Cunningham Builders, waste minimisation has become a big focus during the last few years. Timber off-cuts less than 500mm are taken to Southland disABILITY Enterprises where they are re-made into products such as pegs or garden furniture (see http://www.sei.co.nz/ for further information). All items that can be recycled are also separated for recycling on-site using a bin system. These items include cardboard, plastic, reinforcing and structural steel. These actions have resulted in a substantial volume of waste being diverted away from the landfill. According to Kelvin, this equates to a huge cost saving for the business in terms of reduced dumping fees at the local transfer station.

Sustainable fleet management is another aspect of the business that Kelvin is now analysing. There are two components to this at Cunningham Builders; maintenance and awareness. Kelvin is mindful of ensuring that all vehicles used by the business are regularly serviced and kept well-maintained. There is also clear and careful communication between staff members to synchronise their daily routines, thereby minimising the trips required between various work sites and the main office.

Cunningham Builders are also proud to be involved with their local community. This is done through the support of eight different schools in and around Invercargill. Staff will assist with school sporting or social events, or the business will supply products for fund-raising auctions.

Challenges involved in seeking sustainability

Kelvin explains that there have been some challenges associated with improving the sustainability performance of the business. When they first began looking at sustainability four or five years ago, they found there was insufficient information that was available and/or relevant to their business. Kelvin explains that unlike these days, there wasn’t much assistance or advice around so “it was about using your gut feeling – what was going to be right and what was going to work.” Inevitably some initiatives that Cunningham Builders tried didn’t work, but as Kelvin says, it was about giving things a go and learning by doing.

These early efforts are now paying off in terms of a positive company image and word of mouth advertising. The awareness is now out there that Cunningham Builders is recycling, using sustainable building principles and products. Kelvin believes that the business has attracted some big clients for these reasons. As well as attracting direct financial benefit from sustainable business practices, the business has received significant amounts of positive feedback and interest – from both clients and other building companies. This serves to raise awareness of what can be achieved around sustainability within their community and the building industry generally.

Advice for other businesses

From an owner-manager perspective, Kelvin believes that success for any business should be about retaining an open mind. This involves using all the information that’s available relating to sustainability and leading by example within your business. By doing this, the foundation of a positive staff culture can be developed. Kelvin credits the progress the business has achieved to the team culture they have in place and regular staff meetings that feed into a process that is continuously reviewed.

As Kelvin states, “... everyone’s goal at the end of the day is to be in business long term and not short term, so if you’re going to do that, you’ve got to look at the way you’re doing things.” There are some really simply measures that any business can implement that will cost a relatively small amount, but constitute steps in the right direction. He recommends taking any opportunity that comes along; as long as you first assess its merits to make sure it is a good fit for your business.