Corys Times

Corys

Celebrating 100 Years

Times Since 1920

Welcome to Corys Times

In celebrating 100 years of powering New Zealand, Corys Electrical has prepared a 1-in-100 Year Issue of Corys Times. It captures stories behind the early Cory-Wright & Salmon days through to Corys Electrical today.

1920 New Zealand: a developing country When Cory-Wright & Salmon was first established in 1920, New Zealand was undergoing major transformation.

Telephone lines were being strung across the country and railway systems were being built, which helped to improve communication and transport. The uses and benefits of electricity were starting to be realised, something the government was preparing for through the development of hydroelectric dams.

Corys Head Office, Mt Eden, Auckland

Corys Electrical celebrates 100 years from Glenn Corbett, Managing Director This year marks over 100 years in business for Corys.

Originally known as CoryWright & Salmon, when formed in 1920, the company founders played a significant role in the development of major infrastructure in New Zealand including railway systems and hydroelectric dams.

While our business looks a lot different today, given the developments in technology, communication and infrastructure, what hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing our customers with innovative and effective solutions. We are proud of the positive impact these solutions have had on people’s lives in many different ways.

We continue to be key partners in the development of major infrastructure projects around New Zealand today. We also meet the specialised needs of key market sectors including telecommunications, commercial, residential, industrial and utilities. Central to our success is the amazing Corys teams and the partnerships Corys’ people have, both locally and nationally, with our valued customers and suppliers.

Corys’ people truly are the heart of our business. Currently, we employ around 300 people across New Zealand and many thousands more have been part of the Corys team over the past 100 years. We acknowledge and sincerely

thank each person for their contribution to the business, both in the past and present.

Today, Corys has a national network of 47 branches who, each in their own way, are an important part of their local community. We have the same future-focused thinking as our founders, Silston Cory-Wright and Cedric Salmon.

Our extensive global and local connections enable us to leverage emerging trends and technology for the benefit of our customers and key stakeholders.

Looking towards the next 5 to 10 years, we’re likely to see major change across the industry and within Corys. For our own business, we anticipate rapid growth driven by changes in our global and local supply chain dynamics and greater integration and utilisation of the digital workspace. These developments will also ensure we meet consumer demand for better information and greater delivery efficiency.

Protecting and enhancing our planet is a cornerstone of our future plans. Sustainability strategies to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions while expanding our circular economy capability are underway and our pace is quickening. It’s a journey some of our stakeholders are already sharing with us and you can expect to see the impact of these strategies widen in the coming months and years.

As our business continues to grow and evolve, we look forward to working with you to deliver outcomes that create an enduring legacy that future generations can build on.

English-born Silston Cory-Wright was an accomplished engineer having completed his apprenticeship working for Escher Wyss and Company in Zurich, Switzerland. While working in Zurich designing turbines, he was tasked with showing a senior engineer from the New Zealand Public Works Department a hydroelectric station, the Albula hydroelectric station, which supplied Zurich. It was similar to the one planned for Lake Coleridge, the first hydroelectric station to be built by the New Zealand government.

With his parents having already emigrated to New Zealand in 1912, Silston accepted an appointment as a lecturer in the new associateship in engineering course at Auckland University College. After joining the Corps of New Zealand Engineers in 1915, where he met Cedric Salmon, he served in Egypt and France. In 1917, due to fluency in languages, he was an intelligence officer to the NZ Division in France. He was made Captain and won the Military Cross for frontline duties.

Corys Times - Issue 1: November 2021

Rep from Cory-Wright & Salmon with Automatic Signalling Inspector and Rep from E.L Castle’s company on tour of inspection1

More people were moving to live in towns and the motor car was just beginning to replace the horse and cart. Cars made a huge difference to country folk in the 1920’s and 1930’s. They had a higher rate of automobile ownership than urban dwellers. The end of World War 1 saw the beginning of explosive growth of the use of electricity at home and in the workplace.

Silston Cory-Wright and Cedric Salmon had anticipated these changes and their business was founded on the procurement of specialist equipment needed to enable these transformations to take place. As working engineers, they did more than procuring the equipment.

For example, after Silston Cory-Wright had negotiated the sale of the first six turbines needed for Lake Coleridge Hydroelectric Dam, he was then also required to supervise the installation and maintenance of the three initial units.

This was due to the German-born Swiss installing the turbines being interned at the beginning of the First World War. As we celebrate Corys doing business in New Zealand for over 100 years, the impact of Cory-Wright & Salmon is foremost in our minds. And that hands-on, can-do attitude combined with technical know-how remains a part of Corys culture today.

Contents Our people and partners.......................... 2 Innovation....................................................... 3 Sustainability.................................................4 Infrastructure.................................................5 Our community............................................6 Cory-Wright & Salmon.............................. 7 Electrical evolution......................................8

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Our people and partners Going blue to support prostate cancer foundation Each September Corys’ branches go blue in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of NZ’s (PCFNZ) Blue September campaign. Since 2012 Corys has helped the PCFNZ raise much needed awareness and funds to fight a disease that one in eight Kiwi men are likely to face. In this time over $480,000 has been raised by Corys.

The Sonepar advantage Corys Electrical is proud to be a Sonepar Company.

As a member of Sonepar’s family of companies, we are supported by a network of global brands and suppliers spanning 40 countries and 45,000 associates (staff members).

Sonepar is an independent family-owned company headquartered in Paris, France, with market leadership in the B-to-B distribution of electrical products, solutions and related services. This gives Corys a depth and breadth of knowledge and connections unrivaled by any other electrical goods supplier in New Zealand.

In the area of sustainability, Sonepar, and therefore Corys, is working to accelerate changes needed to move us from a system based on waste and consumption towards

For 2020 and 2021, Lockdowns during September meant the usual campaigns were unable to take place. During 2021 Corys will be going blue to fight prostate cancer at a later date. Raising awareness of Prostate Cancer in 2021 is more important than ever because in 2020 it’s estimated that up to 5,000 men may have missed their regular prostate checks. Health statistics also revealed that almost 300 fewer men were diagnosed in March and April 2020 as a result of New Zealand’s Covid response.

Due to the extended lockdowns in 2021, the number of men not having their regular PSA test is likely to be even higher, putting many men at risk of not being diagnosed.

Auckland City Lane and HAKA Hotel lighting project2

a circular economy of recycling reuse. The entire Sonepar network is dedicated to aligning our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Our people share Sonepar’s values and their ambition to become “La Référence” – the standard setter for all stakeholders.

Corys’ people are dedicated to offering our customers innovative solutions each and every day. We share a passion for their work and a desire to serve customers better and better. We are motivated by respect—for the law, for all our stakeholders and for the environment.

The annual Taupo Golf day has become a major contributor Corys Electrical’s fundraising during Blue September.

Corys is dedicated to making our customers’ lives easier, over the counter, by phone, on-line or through customer visits, however we are needed.

Find out more at blueseptember.org.nz

Our people Brent Christiansen | Assistant Manager | Te Rapa Brent has been with Corys for over 37 years, making him the longest-serving team member. He started in the electrical game straight from school, working for a wholesaler for around 4-5 years. After a 2 year O.E. and a job with Hawkins Construction Electrical Division for 18 months he joined NEECO (National Electric and Engineering Company) in early February 1984. Through a series of name and ownership changes, NEECO became Corys.

Brent can’t believe how quickly the years have gone by and he’s proud to say that he’s worked with many good people. He believes that having good relationships with his customers and suppliers is what makes it a lot easier to get out of bed every morning.

His advice to new Corys team members is to look after the apprentices as they are the ones who are going to be account holders in the future.

Brent McGregor | Branch Manager | Rangiora Having worked at Corys for 36 years, Brent is the second longest-serving team member at Corys; Just four months longer than Chris Martin.

Brent joined Corys straight out of school. His careers counsellor had told him about the job. Once the job was confirmed, he left school on the Thursday and started work on the Friday. He joined the Alexandra branch of Turnbull and Jones Electrical Merchants, a company which had recently been purchased by Cory-Wright & Salmon. The branch was set up to service the Central Electric Power Board throughout the surrounding Central Otago districts as well as local Electrical Contractors.

During the eighties, Alexandra was a busy industrial hub for Central Otago servicing the various major infrastructure projects taking place in the region, including the Clyde Dam and the Cromwell Gorge Tunneling Project.

Brent says he has enjoyed working with a lot of good people at Corys over many years and has seen a great Corys culture develop over this time, building a strong and loyal customer base with the clients he has dealt with in the business.

Chris Martin | National Business Development Manager | Tradesafety Chris joined Corys in 1985 and with over 36 years of service he is the third longest-serving team member. At 22 years of age, a broken back forced Chris to look for a new career and an advert in the local Rotorua Times showed that Corys were looking for a Sales Manager. His application was successful, no doubt aided by the fact that he had completed 3 years of a 4-year electrical apprenticeship. Even then his sales skills shone through. In Chris’ own words he says, “When you go out the door of your employer at the end of the day and can hand on heart say you made a difference then that’s the place you should be.”

Chris had only ever intended to work to save enough money for his big OE but he loved his job so much that he has never left. He believes that at Corys you can make your own destiny and his own career path from Sales Manager to Branch Manager and then Regional Manager is testament to this. Today, he is the man behind Corys’ Tradesafety category and the year-on-year growth further illustrates the value he brings to the business. One of the things he loves about Corys is how the people throughout the company have an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the overall success of the business.

In 100 years of doing business, thousands of people have contributed to making Corys what it is today. In 2021 we have an amazing team of people who work alongside our customers to provide what they need to get their job done. Whether customer facing in a branch or based in the national support office, our people operate as one team striving to achieve our goal of making customers lives easier.

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Marion Etches | People & Culture 2

Corys Times - Issue 1: November 2021

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Innovation PDL innovation guided by industry

Living building enhanced by non-PVC cable

Over 80 years ago, a Christchurch company called Plastic & Diecasting Ltd (PDL) was founded with a commitment to developing electrical products through ingenuity, strong research and development. An electrician by trade, Bob Stewart came to the company with a thorough knowledge of the new plastics industry.

New builds today look to take advantage of the very latest in sustainability systems and solutions. When a new home in Beachlands, Auckland was being built to meet the exacting standards of the Living Building Challenge.

One of the hardest demands was procuring materials that meet the Red List requirements. That means products that are free from over 700 toxic chemicals.

1963 - First PDL shaver socket produced The company kept in close contact with the electrical contractors and sought their co-operation in the designing of new products – a practice that still happens today.

1982 – Prince Philip Award for PDL 56 Series 1986 – 500 Series introduced 1995 - 600 Designer Series released, including the world’s first domestic waterproof switch

The combination of research (with both trade and homeowners), leading technology, ingenuity, people, and quality has underpinned the philosophy and success of PDL. In 2001, Schneider Electric acquired PDL recognising an alignment in values and strengths and desiring to build on them.

The PDL Iconic® range was launched in 2016, with innovative features to help the electrician with ease of installation, while satisfying the customer with more decorative options. The range has held true to the PDL philosophy of continuous innovation, picking up multiple Design Awards. Since its initial launch, the range now offers connectivity solutions, through both Bluetooth and now with PDL Wiser integration, helping electricians to expand the opportunities for their business and capitalise on smart home demand.

2016 – PDL Iconic® range launched 2017 – PDL Iconic Bluetooth options introduced 2018 – PDL Iconic Styl skins launched 2019 – PDL Iconic Essence skins launched 2021 – PDL Wiser™ released

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The electrical industry really is at the forefront of technology with product innovation significantly impacting the world we live in. Ease of use and enhanced liveability are as important as reducing energy usage or carbon foot print when designing and choosing new products. As we progress more towards IOT (internet of things), product solution options will only increase. Corys, in partnership with our suppliers, has the world view needed to help our customers deliver the best outcomes for their own customers.

It was a challenge a local Corys representative embraced and, in consultation with the compliance manager at Nexans NZ, a solution was found. Nexans is New Zealand’s biggest cable manufacturer and had previously supplied PVC free cable solutions to other projects such as Camp Glenorchy in Queenstown. They are a business who champion green projects through developing products that meet ratings such as Homestar, CORE and a Living Building Challenge.

Nexans Envirolex® range of cables are designed to reduce the negative effects to the environment and living beings under fire conditions. Made with low smoke zero halogen materials to reduce harmful gas and smoke emissions, Envirolex® was chosen specifically for the project due to the cables being PVC free.

He says, since supplying the cable together with Corys for this project, Nexans saw the opportunity to bridge the gap in the sustainable building market and in 2019, went through an extensive process to receive “Red List Free Declare” status by the International Living Future Institute™.

“We produced the Envirolex® range as an alternative to standard TPS, single and multi-core cables that provide little or no risk to the environment and eliminate the toxic chemicals used in insulation and outer sheathing”, says Nexans’ National Sales Manager, James Johnston.

Established in 1967, Nexans employ 150 people over three locations: New Plymouth, Christchurch and Auckland.

They have been a significant contributor with local manufacturing and continue to integrate practices that have lasting benefits for their four key pillars of sustainability: people, partners, products and planet.

No need to blow a fuse

Iplex innovation saves time and costs

Most of us can remember the old fuse-boards with ceramic fuses that were a pain to fix when a fuse blew. They were also messy and ugly-looking in a home. Fast forward to the eighties, and miniature circuit breakers within distribution boards were introduced, providing an easy and tidy way to distribute power. These newer sleeker distribution boards, designed and distributed by companies like Vynco, made life easier for both electrical contractors and home owners.

Changing the game again, Vynco developed a metal distribution board for upscale homes. Being a New Zealand based family-owned company, the distribution boards are all made in Vynco’s Christchurch manufacturing plant.

As a further bonus, their own in-house R&D team work with local electricians to design products specifically for the New Zealand market. Vynco is a key supplier of residential distribution boards, designing and creating the classic V Series boards which are stocked nationwide

by Corys.

PVC-U pipe 19783

Iplex Pipelines is a major supplier to the New Zealand infrastructure market and has been a partner supplier to Corys for over 50 years.

The name Iplex comes from IPL which was International Plastics ltd. When the IPL expanded and wanted to change its name, it added “ex” for extrusion which formed the name we know now as Iplex.

In the 1970’s, PVC ducting was mostly transported across New Zealand in 6 metre lengths by rail. This product is now mostly transported via trucks.

In more recent times, polyethylene ducting (continuous duct) has become very popular and can be transported on large Drum Coilers in lengths up to 2000 metres depending on the duct diameter.

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Rod de Vries | Operations North Island PE Drum Coils 20214

Celebrate 100 years of Corys powering New Zealand

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Sustainability SONEPAR GREEN OFFER

CLIMATE

CIRCULARITY WELL-BEING

ENERGY TRANSITION

SUSTAINABILITY

ENERGY TRANSITION ACEDEMY

SONEPAR FOOTPRINT

Sonepar 2021 Sustainability Report5

Measure and monitor our CO2 footprint Corys started taking steps towards measuring our CO2 footprint in 2017, firstly measuring our internal emissions.

In 2019 we successfully measured upstream and downstream external emissions*, with internal emissions at 770 tCO2e and external emissions 2663 tCO2e.

Our 2020 CO2 footprint measurements showed a 15% reduction on 2019, partly helped by Covid lockdowns, and we plan to build on this each year.

Use renewables

Accelerate the Energy Transition with customers Preserve energy Use low-carbon transports

Be plastic free Request lowcarbon logistics Consume responsibly Reduce digital pollution

Be circular

Lead by example

*We measure these emissions using ISO 14064 and GHG protocol & Science based target (SBTi) standards

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Involving our people Our best ideas on sustainability often come from our people which is why this year we trained all our staff through eLearning modules on energy efficiency and sustainability. Our staff are all aware and engaged with the 10 global commitments that Sonepar (our parent company) has committed to globally. We have challenged people not only to bring forward ideas to improve our business but also to take these commitments into their own personal lives.

Customer centric solutions To help our customers make informed decisions, we highlight Eco-friendly and Energy-saving products on a specific section of our website. They are easily identified through a logo. This enables electrical contractors to provide products with a better impact on energy yield, human health and costs.

In 2022, we will be offering our customers training programs so they are further prepared to respond to the increased demand for energy efficient products. Look out for our extensive customer solar installation solutions!

TA L L

EA 00 RS

RE A RE DY -U FOR SE

The circular economy for ducting

our cable supply partner Nexans and look forward to offering improved recycling with regards to cable drums in the near future.

To summarise, through reducing our carbon footprint, training our staff and customers, and promoting a circular economy we believe we can do our part in protecting the planet for generations to come.

Ecotricity and Corys Since 2017, Corys’ 47 branches and support offices have each been powered by 100% carboNZero certified renewable electricity with Ecotricity. The move to buying carbon neutral energy sources, including wind, hydro and solar electricity, from Ecotricity has so far saved 700,000 units of CO2. That’s the equivalent of 4,000 flights to Sydney.

Not only is this partnership better for the environment, it’s also good for the bottomline. Corys’ partnership with Ecotricity provides us with the ability to buy cheaper, wholesale rate electricity known as ecoWholesale. When we save, our customers save too.

Expanding our circular economy capability

LEDs expand functionality of lighting

A further focus of our sustainability strategy is to expand our circular economy capability. While we’re happy with the progress we made in this area there is plenty more to do. The PE duct recycling program we launched with Solo Plastics and Electrix has started well, and we are actively exploring how we can roll this out to furture customer locations. We have also progressed discussions well with

For almost 120 years, lighting was little more than conventional glass tubes with superheated elements emitting light. Using around 85% less energy and lasting 15 times longer than traditional bulbs, the introduction of LEDs (light emitting diodes) in 2008 by Phillips transformed the lighting market.

As a leading electrical goods wholesaler in New Zealand, we supply many of the products that go into powering our homes, businesses and industries. As the need for more energy and resources has grown so too have the effects of global warming and waste on our planet. Only by accelerating the market adoption of clean energy solutions and the circular economy can we help ensure a more sustainable, fairer and healthier step for humanity.

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Micah Gamman | Commercial and Sustainability 4

IN S

DIG IT UP

1 Y

W A IT

Heading into 2021, we wanted to further reduce our CO2 footprint. Could some of the learnings from Covid-19 become embedded into our business? Increased use of technology for meetings had reduced our emissions from business travels, and flexible working arrangements had reduced emissions from commuting. Indeed, as 2021 has progressed, not withstanding the impact of lockdowns, we continued to experience these benefits. We are also scrutinizing the way we order and fulfill deliveries, and optimisation of both of these is set to have a significant impact on our overall emissions in 2021 as well as for years to come.

NUFAC MA T

Reducing travel emissions

DESIG N

IP INTO PEL CH

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report published in August 2021 showed a global temperature rise of 0.2 degrees over the last decade and 1.1 degrees since 1900. The situation only continues to worsen and we need to act now. That’s why at Corys, sustainable development is at the very core of our strategic business plan. Here’s an overview of some of our key initiatives.

E UR

TS LE

Corys commitments to Sustainability

Corys Times - Issue 1: November 2021

Come 2012, Phillips (owned by Signify) introduced connected LED Lighting (Phillips HUE), giving consumers the ability to transform their lighting into smart lighting.

In 2016, Phillips introduced Interact (Internet of things [IOT] Lighting & Systems). Interact uses wireless lighting networks featuring internet connectivity and cloudbased services to deliver insights on building occupancy, improved health and safety, and even indoor navigation.

The next major breakthrough in LEDs came in 2018 when, by modifying LED luminaires, it was possible to deliver internet connectivity right out of the light fitting with greatly improved bandwidth and security.

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Infrastructure 1982 – 1992 | Clyde Dam, Southland Both the Dunedin and Alexandra branch of Turnbull and Jones, who had recently been acquired by Cory-Wright & Salmon, were an important part of the supply chain for the construction of New Zealand’s largest concrete gravity dam. This included supply of concrete additives, tools starters for compressor sheds supplying air to tunnels, flood lighting for around buildings and tunnels, as well as festoon lighting for within tunnels. Back then, the business was also involved in the supply of building products and tools as well as electrical supplies.

With the Alexandra branch only 25km away, accessibility was a major advantage.

Clyde Dam under construction circa 19867

Clyde Dam 20196

2013 - 2017 | The Waterview Connection, Auckland The Waterview Connection in Auckland consists of two 2.4km tunnels that link Waterview with Mt Roskill making them New Zealand’s longest road tunnels. This new route, which is a key piece of the city’s Western Ring Route, is regarded as having made the most significant difference to Auckland city’s traffic flow since the completion of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Corys customised an electrical supply solution that took into account the total cost of material distribution. By providing an on-site mobile container solution, electrical contractors had a more convenient way to access a standardised and specific product selection. It provided immediate access to materials and a consolidated invoicing solution. The On-Site solution included key pad entry, security cameras, barcode scanning and a 4G mobile connection that enabled immediate transmission of all transactions back to Corys’ Movex M3 operating system. Products supplied included 4,000 luminaires, 62 ventilation fans, 50kms of cable tray, 400kms of cable, and various electrical consumables.

The Waterview Connection Tunnel8

2014 - 2021 | Transmission Gully, Wellington The long awaited 27km four-lane motorway that will provide another route between Wellington and the lower and central North Island is nearing completion. When it opens, Transmission Gully will become SH1 and will be the main route out of Wellington. This new route will be safer and more reliable for motorists and better able to resist and recover from earthquakes and storms.

The project is highly complex with difficult and steep terrain requiring large-scale earthworks. During construction of the project, 25 new structures, equating to a total length of more than a kilometre, have been constructed along the route. The largest of these, the Cannons Creek Bridge, stretches 230 metres in length and sits 60 metres above the valley floor. Corys has been the principle supplier of ducting, cable, pits, transformers and Safety PPE products. So far, there has been over 300km of ducting and 40km of cable installed on the project. An on-site supply depot was created similar to that used on the Waterview Connection project. In addition, Corys has facilitated the delivery of materials over difficult terrain directly to the point of installation.

Transmission Gully construction9

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We’ve been privileged to be part of major multidisciplinary project teams on some of New Zealand’s biggest infrastructure projects. The key to our success has been the on-site innovation where our team members instituted new ways of working, communicating and ultimately delivering the product solutions specific to each project. This includes taking into account Total Cost of Ownership and adopting new technology solutions that ensures continuous supply of stock while containing costs.

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Russell Hooper | National Contracts

Helping PowerNet power the south PowerNet is an electricity network management company jointly owned by Electricity Invercargill Limited and the Power Company Limited. This makes them responsible for the provision of electricity to over 72,000 connected customers across the lower South Island encompassing Invercargill, Southland, South and North Otago and the Queenstown Lakes District area.

Corys has been supplying the majority of PowerNet’s material needed to build and maintain their electricity networks via branches in Frankton, Balclutha and Invercargill. In early 2021, both companies celebrated 25 years of working together. The success of this contract

is really due to the great partnership that has been built between the people at Corys and PowerNet who have worked together in Partnership for many years.

Collectively, our team at Corys has over 100 years of experience in the Utilities sector and use this experience every day to support PowerNet in this challenging industry.

Celebrating

25 Years

Celebrate 100 years of Corys powering New Zealand

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Our community NZ Aluminum Smelter (NZAS) partners with Corys to save power

Corys Whangarei helps businesses keep staff safe Corys Whangarei has been a proud supplier of PPE to the New Zealand Refinery at Marsden Point for over 4 years.

Over this time, the Corys team have become experts on PPE. While this is a less traditional product line for the business, Corys in Whangarei has become one of the go-to places in the region for PPE because of the highly competitive price and excellent range available. Access to affordable PPE is something that the local team feel strongly about. One of the youngest leaders in the region has been proactively raising awareness of their PPE offer throughout the Far North territory.

Corys helps with Christchurch rebuild Reduction pot line under the old lighting system10

Old lighting (left) vs new lighting (right)

Corys in Invercargill has been a supplier to the NZAS for nearly 25 years. For a site that uses the equivalent amount of power used by 775,000 households each year, every opportunity to save power is valued. In 2016, Corys was asked to undertake the replacement of thousands of low efficiency light fittings located within the reduction pot line area. Over several months the teams at Corys

Reduction pot line under the new lighting system11

Invercargill and NZAS worked together to find an LED high-efficiency option that would survive in a harsh environment. The new lighting alternative provided not only led to a reduction in power consumption but also an increase in light output. This had the significant added benefit of improved safety for staff working in this area. To date, Corys has supplied over 1300 fittings.

Waerenga-O-Kuri Quarry Control Center

Like many businesses in the city, Corys Christchurch has been an integral supplier (of electrical, lighting, safety and data products) to a number of the major rebuild projects in the city. This includes the new Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre, Christchurch Hospital Energy Centre, Ministry of Justice Complex, Christchurch Hospital Acute Service Building and Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre (Metro Sports). Corys provided materials for school projects and fire stations as well as warehouse, retail and residential developments. Corys Christchurch also provided products to civil projects such as the recently completed Christchurch Southern Motorway (CSM2) Project.

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The Waerenga-O-Kuri Quarry in Gisborne, operated by Downer, urgently needed a completely new switchboard control room for their rock crushing plant. The resulting switchboard, designed and supplied by Corys, filled over half of a 40 foot container, the largest the Gisborne team had ever supplied. Corys also supplied the control

1987

Avondale Horse Race Course Lighting

In 1987, Avondale Jockey Club invested around $8 million in the installation of race course lighting and related infrastructure in order to host night racing. Corys was chosen as the electrical supplier for the project. The first night race was run in April 1987.

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Waerenga-O-Kuri Quarry completed13

gear and cabling for the operators’ control room which overlooks the crushing plant itself. Throughout this process, Corys worked closely with the project leaders, Industrial Maintenance Solutions (IMS), and together they were able to complete what was a very complex project within the tight timeframe required.

1990’s

Whanganui Cooks Gardens Stadium Lighting

Cooks Gardens is renowned for its sporting and athletics events. It was also home to Peter Snell’s worldrecord-breaking mile in 1962. Corys was responsible for replacing the stadium lighting in the 1990’s.

Corys Times - Issue 1: November 2021

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New switchboard control in the control center12

Every one of our branches are actively engaged with their local community. This was more evident than ever following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Despite the widespread damage, Corys in Christchurch remained operational.

Anticipating that the city would need immediate support to ensure emergency repairs on infrastructure, buildings and networks could be carried out, the entire Corys network got behind our Christchurch team to provide all of the support the Branch and our Customers needed during a very tough time for all involved.

Brian O’Hagan | Operations South Island

1990

1993

The Manukau City Council (now part of Auckland super city) provided the Velodrome as the venue for cycling events for the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Corys were proud to provide the lighting for the Velodrome, which was officially opened on 16 September 1989 at the newly developed Manukau Sports Bowl, situated to the east of the Southern Motorway.

The Royal Whanganui Opera House is New Zealand’s last Victorian theatre, elegantly standing at over 115 years old.

The theatre seats 830 patrons and is the perfect venue for many local, national and international events. The outside lighting supplied by Corys in Whanganui won the national lighting award in 1993.

Auckland Commonwealth Whanganui Opera House Games Velodrome Lighting exterior lighting

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Cory-Wright & Salmon Ltd Silston Cory-Wright (1888-1976) and Cedric Salmon (1892-1979) met when serving together in the Corps of the New Zealand Engineers during the First World War (1914-1918). Little did these men know what a major role their eventual partnership would play in the establishment of key industries and critical infrastructure in New Zealand during the early part of the 20th Century.

Establishing Cory-Wright & Salmon After returning to New Zealand the two men formally established Cory-Wright & Salmon in 1920. The business was expanded to supply equipment for gold dredges, meat-works and dairy factories, and the partners had contracts with over 50 large engineering companies.

During this period, the company also played an important role in providing electrical components for new railway

The two friends began to build the foundations for what would become Cory-Wright & Salmon while in London during periods of leave from the Corps of the New Zealand Engineers. Their vision was for a business that would supply a diverse range of specialist equipment needed for the development of major projects including road making, quarries, cement works, gas works, breweries, power stations and railway developments.

lines, including the Lyttelton–Christchurch line (1928) and the Wellington–Johnsonville line (1938). They also provided electric locomotives for the main trunk line, beginning with Wellington–Paekakariki (1939–40).

ON A TOUR OF INSPECTION. Waitaki hydro-electric power works under construction (1932)14

Contracts were also obtained through Cory-Wright’s expertise in hydroelectric development on behalf of Escher Wyss. Following supervision of the turbine installations at Lake Coleridge until 1923, Silston CoryWright subsequently installed many other hydroelectric units for English Electric. By the 1950’s he had been associated with every significant South Island power station as well as several in the North Island.

While the Great Depression of the 1930’s slowed growth, the partnership survived, with branches in Wellington and Auckland being established by the late 1930’s. In 1943 a Dunedin branch was opened.

Left to right - Mesars, W. H. H. Grapes, Automatic Signaling Inspector, N.Z.R.; F. L. Castle (centre), and S.G. Anderson, of Cory-Wright & Salmon, N.Z. Representatives for Mr. Castle’s Company, at Defence Siding, Mercer, Frankton.

The post-World-War-2 period fueled the company’s growth into a truly nationwide organisation. When Cory-Wright & Salmon became a public company in 1951, many of its long-standing customers were among its new shareholders. Silston Cory-Wright passed away in 1976 and Cedric Salmon in 1979. The firm was taken over by a private company in 1983. There followed six more ownership changes from 1988 to 2012. The changes sometimes meant a change in the brand name (Frasers, The Electrical Depot, and Corys Electrical Trade Depot).

What remained consistent, however, was the firm’s expertise in the electrical supply market, a feature that remained central to the success of the business.

Corys Electrical today

And so it was in 2012 that Corys joined Sonepar, a global distributor of electrical products, solutions and services..

As a member of Sonepar’s family of companies for almost 10 years, Corys is supported by a global network of best-in-class suppliers, giving customers access to world leading technology and product solutions.

Celebrate 100 years of Corys powering New Zealand

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Electrical evolution

1894

1914

Gore 1900s15

Gore was the first town in New Zealand to provide electric lighting for public use by way of a private coal fired station in 1894.

The power house of the Lake Coleridge Power Station 191416

The country’s first hydroelectric power station opened at Lake Coleridge in the Southern Alps, something Silston Cory-Wright had a hand in. The government took a central role in building power stations. With the country’s topography and abundant rainfall, it was decided that hydroelectric generation was the best choice to develop our electricity supply.

In 1888, Reefton, Southland was the first town to supply power to the public. Power lines were installed through the town. Householders and businesses paid £1 (about $230 today) to have power connected, then a flat £3 a year for every light they had in their building.

By Christmas 1888, there were some 500 bulbs blazing.

1957

Electricians training in the late 1950’s18

The NZ Electrical Contractors Association (NZECA), a break-away group from the NZ Electrical Traders Federation (est. 1933), was formed to address the specific needs of electrical contractors, including pay rates, pricing and government regulations. In 1988, the Electrical Contractors Association Inc. (ECANZ) was formed. It was rebranded in 2015 to Master Electricians NZ.

Our branches

1920-30’s

An advert form Radio Record 9 July 193717

Electricity consumption increased by over 600% from 1920 to 1930. With the supply of electricity to the country in 1921, radio stations were possible. New Zealand’s first radio broadcast came from Dunedin on 17 November 1921.

By 1923, 11 licensed radio stations were broadcasting to nearly 3,000 receivers.

1960’s

1991

Introduction of black and white Television iin 1961 ncreased power usage by 10% year on year for the next five years. In 1965, completion of a 600km line (40km underwater) sent South Island power to the North Island from the 540MW Benmore hydro station to a substation in the Hutt Valley. By the 1970’s, a fully operational national grid supplied around 99% of New Zealand’s population with electricity.

Etco (the Electrical Training Company) was established by the Electrical Workers Union and ECANZ. Now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Master Electricians Association, Etco has employed and trained more than 4,200 electrical apprentices. Etco’s primary purpose is to ensure the industry maintains a qualified workforce and currently directly employs over 900 apprentices seconded back to host employers.

Corys’ 47 branches are filled with teams of people who are committed to doing the very best they can for their customers. Here are just a few examples of how Corys’ branches are getting the job done in their region.

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One of our proudest achievements has been working with MSA to build our local Working Men’s Club (completed early 2021). It’s one of the largest commercial projects we’ve recently been involved with, and there were multiple challenges. Managing long lead times for imported European lightings, many updates to plans, and, of course, Covid and lockdowns were all part of the job. I am extremely proud of how my team ultimately achieved a successful outcome for the client (MSA), the customer (ElectraServe) and for Corys.

There are a lot of achievements that we are super proud of, but it is just part of our everyday work life. You never know what problem will arise and the solution you have to find. One achievement for myself and my team is getting seven of our customers to the 100yr celebrations. Always putting our customers first is our number one priority. Their positive feedback, with comments like: “Great customer service”, “Go above and beyond”, “Forward thinking” and “Awesome atmosphere”, makes us all proud to be a part of Corys.

Our entire team are extremely proud to have worked with Jared Gillies and his team on the Gisborne War Memorial Theatre refurbishment in 2015. As the largest theatre in Gisborne, it hosts local and international acts (when they are allowed in the country). The highly complex lighting and electrical configuration is a major feature of this refurbished icon. The project was completed on time thanks to constant communication and great team work between Corys and Jared’s team.

Belinda-Jayne McCloy Branch Manager | Ashburton

Lynda Wilks Branch Manager | Invercargill

Anna Beard Branch Manager | Gisborne

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References:

https://www.eea.co.nz/Site/about/electricity-Industry/125-years.aspx | www.masterelectricians.co.nz

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https://powernet.co.nz/powert/history-of-distribution/

https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/4c37/cory-wright-silston

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Otago Daily Times 14 Oct 1986

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/the-western-ring-route/waterview-tunnel/

Images: 1

Cory-Wright & Salmon early tram work © 2021 Corys Electrical

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The Waterview Connection Tunnel © 2021 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

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Auckland City Lane and HAKA Hotel lighting © 2021 Sonepar

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Transmission Gully construction © 2021 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

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PVC-U pipe 1978 © 2021 Corys Electrical

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Reduction pot line under the old lighting system © 2021 Sonepar

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PE Drum Coils 2021 © 2021 Corys Electrical

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Reduction pot line under the new lighting system © 2021 Sonepar

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Sonepar 2021 Sustainability Report © 2021 Sonepar

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New switchboard in the control center © 2021 Industrial Management Solutions

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Clyde Dam 2019 © Bengt Nyman from Vaxholm, Sweden

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Waerenga-O-Kuri Quarry completed © 2021 Industrial Management Solutions

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Clyde Dam under construction circa 1986 © CC BY 3.0

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Waitaki hydro-electric power works under construction (1932) © Photograph taken

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Corys Times - Issue 1: November 2021

by J H Christie. Making New Zealand:Negatives and prints from the Making New Zealand Centennial collection. Ref: MNZ-1798-1/4-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand 15

Gore, 1900s, Dunedin © Muir & Moodie studio. Te Papa (C.013972)

The power house of the Lake Coleridge Power Station 1914 © Selwyn Library, Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License 16

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An advert form Radio Record 9 July 1937 © 2021 Corys Electrical

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Electricians training in the late 1950’s © 2021 Corys Electrical

0800 4 CORYS | corys.co.nz