(Picture caption: The Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund has helped A1 Wrap grow its business in the Bay of Plenty.)
Bay of Plenty business A1 Wrap has things covered, with assistance from the Pacific Aotearoa Regional Enterprise Fund (PAREF).
Based in Papamoa and operated by Philip Falamoe and Michele Hartley, A1 Wrap design and provide scaffolding and shrink wrap solutions for construction, industrial, marine and shipping sectors, using virgin LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) which is 100 percent recyclable in New Zealand.
Michele, A1 Wrap’s Operations Manager, adds the business has recently started safety net installations as part of a health and safety requirement in the construction sector.
Last year, the A1 Wrap team successfully applied for funding from the first round of PAREF, which aims to boost existing, regionally based small to medium sized businesses stimulate growth and thrive in response to the impacts of COVID-19.
“Currently, we operate in the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and outer districts, but we will travel further afield should a client require us to,” Michele explains.
“We applied to the fund, to enable us to diversify and grow the business, and we have used the money to purchase a second vehicle so we can split teams.
“It has also allowed us to purchase the netting for our Safety Net business, adding another revenue stream and more job opportunities.”
The fund, facilitated by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), is intended to increase productivity and job creation, and Pacific peoples’ participation in the labour market.
It aims to increase participation of Pacific businesses in economic development projects in the regions and supports the scaling up of Pacific businesses to transition and diversify and create jobs.
The fund will strengthen more successful and sustainable Pacific-owned businesses, as well as the resilience of Pacific businesses to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Applicants can apply for up to $100,000 but must contribute a minimum of 20 percent of the requested amount.
For A1 Wrap, the funding is helping it grow and deliver the best service and products it can.
“We aim to be the number one shrink-wrapping company in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato, and we would like to expand the business into other revenue streams enabling more jobs created, and increase the portfolio of what we can offer,” Michele says.
Applications for the second round two of PAREF closes on March 22, and Michele says it is a golden opportunity that should not be missed.
“I would definitely recommend regional businesses apply for this fund - it has been very helpful.”
Visit the MPP website for more information on PAREF and how to apply.