Star Show Home | Firenzo
The mission to make the best wood fires in New Zealand by having a great range of very efficient and clean burning fires to suit most home requirements. “We have built a reputation for producing high quality, high performing wood fires, in a market that is seeing a huge renaissance in homeowners choosing fires as their preferred heating choice,” he says.
Peter Hewitson started Firenzo back in 1986, working as a one-man-band from a shed on his property in Rissington, west of Napier. However, it wasn’t long before the business outgrew the shed and Peter rented a property in the Onekawa Industrial Area in Napier, taking on staff and moving to progressively larger premises.
“Also with electricity and gas prices spiralling out of control, wood-fired heating is now the only low-cost economic solution for many.”
As the company grew Peter realised he wanted to take a step back and so Gary Edwards came on board, allowing Peter to keep an interest in the company and on product development in light of stricter emission regulations. “As the air quality requirements have tightened, and keep tightening, we’ve stayed compliant,” Peter says.
With an eye on growing its export sales, Firenzo recently recognised the company required restructuring to achieve its growth potential. It has invested in a $1.5 million purpose-built factory in Napier with a big emphasis on efficiency and robust systems that will enable sustained growth for many years to come.
Factory manager Simon Thacker came to Firenzo from the United Kingdom just 12 months ago, but during this time has streamlined the factory process, shortening the time customers have to wait for their fires to be manufactured. “It’s just common sense “We’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars really and has transformed the business, as in laboratory testing to ensure that we keep we can now convert flat packs to fireplaces up with the play. New Zealand leads the world in just three days, whereas before, we would in regulations governing wood fires – the USA have to complete a ‘run’ before we could put and Europe have pretty tough rules, but ours together the model that a customer wanted – are even tougher, ahead of Australia, which and that could take weeks.” puts us in a good position for the future.” The majority of Firenzo fires are able to be Firenzo as a business has been growing fitted with wetbacks and many models have rapidly for the past five years and Gary cast-iron tops so can be used for cooking as well as warming the home. Edwards says they have achieved this
Why choose a Firenzo? • Legendary lasting quality • Styles to suit any home
Firenzo Hewitsons: Sales and Marketing Manager Steve McCarty and company founder Peter Hewitson discuss benefits of the new Encore wood burner
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What began as one man tinkering in his backyard has emerged as one of the country’s leading manufacturers of wood fires, Firenzo.
• Designed to heat a whole house, not just a room • Produces dry, healthy heat
Showroom and office manager Sharon Simon says “a lot of people prefer the ambience of a fire, it warms the house and dries it out. A fire provides a different type of warmth to a heat pump as, once you turn the heat pump off, the house becomes cold again very quickly. A fire will continue to put out heat, making homes healthier as well.
• Models with wetback fitted can provide substantial hot water
“And let’s face it, fires are very romantic – you can’t turn out the lights and enjoy the cosy atmosphere with a heat pump.”
• The freestanding models with cast iron tops are great for cooking on
To see the full range of Firenzo woodfires go to: www.firenzo.co.nz
• New Zealand made.
• Unlike a pellet fire or heat pump, does not need electricity to run • The excellent heat-retention properties of the lined firebox ensures your fire continues to radiate gentle heat long after the fire itself has burnt out
• All fires utilise the safety features of Robax™ glass keeping you warm and safe
Nothing heats your home like a Firenzo woodfire Firenzo freestanding and insert woodburning fires: • Designed to heat your whole home, not just the lounge
• Superior, efficient heat output and legendary, lasting quality • Traditional and modern designs to suit any home • Market leaders in wetback fires • Ability to cook on freestanding models
See our complete range, and find a dealer near you, at
www.firenzo.co.nz
FIRENZO WO O D F I R E S
The heart of a warm home www.canterburytoday.co.nz July/August 2012 | 37