About Us
Behind the corporate image and professionalism of Metalier is a group of people who love their products and their business and have fun working in it and on it.
THE BUSINESS
Metalier started its life in 2005 as an applicator of metal coating systems. We were not entirely happy with the product and service we received from our first supplier so moved to a second supplier, only to discover the shortcomings were worse! That's when we realised the problems we were encountering were industry-wide.
The only solution to improve on the technology available at the time was to hire our own chemist, invest in R&D and create our own. So that's what we have done.
We now manufacture our own metal coatings in New Zealand and sell them to applicators throughout the world. We have distribution centres in New Zealand and England, representatives in Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong and a training and distribution centre in the USA.
As well as manufacturing and distributing Metalier metal coatings internationally, we also apply them in New Zealand.
And we pride ourselves on our no-nonsense Kiwi approach to our business and our customers:
- We are open-minded and easy to do business with.
- We have no minimum quantities.
- We readily supply trial packs and application instructions.
- We like to know who you are and that our products are what you are looking for - but otherwise you don't have to pass some sort of test to be a Metalier customer.
THE TEAM
Mary Whaley
Mary, who was a lawyer in another life, runs the business from the office/sample room/sometime showroom at the family home in Auckland's Freemans Bay. Mary handles local and international enquiries and marketing and directs the business with plenty of challenge from the others in the team.
Mary is passionate about good design and loves the concept of "metal as art" which sums up Metalier's business perfectly. Mary is also very hands-on answering queries from local designers and from our international customers: Their success is Metalier's success.
William Whaley
Will, who has a degree in geology and experience in working for gold, nickel and copper mines, manages the Metalier factory at Whenuapai, near Auckland. Will is responsible now for overseeing the application of metals rather than digging them out of the ground.
As well as handling the application for the local market, Will is developing new finishes and techniques sometimes at the request of local designers but often simply to increase the range of metals and finishes we can offer both locally and internationally.
Nicholas Charlton
Nick is a part-time but very important member of the Metalier team. A lecturer in product design at Auckland's University of Technology and a consultant to Morris and James Pottery at Matakana (and co-author of a book about the company), Nick brings technical and design skills to the business. He is also a skilled strategist and planner.
Kenneth Whaley
Ken, who is a qualified accountant - but don't hold that against him - is Chief Financial Officer of the Metalier group. Ken is responsible for the overall finances of the enterprise. He also has the patience and knowledge to attend to all those compliance matters that plague the modern business. We couldn't manage without him.
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