Grounded in a determination to provide their clients with high-quality local service, Colliers Palmerston North recently marked 20 years in business.
The office was created following a merger between Colliers and a local commercial property business known as J.P. Morgan Real Estate.
Director Phil Nevill was there when Colliers Palmerston North opened its doors in January 2005 and is still there today.
Colliers Palmerston North fits into the network of franchise offices overseen by Wellington-based Richard Findlay that includes Nelson, Kāpiti, New Plymouth, and Blenheim.
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All told Colliers has over 30 offices across New Zealand and covers the full spectrum of the property sector from commercial to rural real estate and everything in between.
Nevill, who was with J.P. Morgan Real Estate at the time of the merger, had worked with Findlay on previous deals, meaning they had an established rapport and both felt the nationwide and global reach of Colliers would give the new office a strong presence in the local market.
That belief has rung true with Colliers firmly establishing itself as the dominant commercial real estate firm in Palmerston North across the past two decades.
Nevill works alongside co-owner Doug Russell and Broker Angus Findlay, who specialise in the Manawatū region, while Alan Pye focuses on the Levin and Horowhenua markets, and Jim Mackereth has a keen eye on Whanganui.
Like Nevill, Office Manager Grant Rowland joined the business when it began and has been there since.
"I describe Grant as the glue behind the operation and he works tirelessly to keep it all together and we are incredibly grateful for his loyalty to the business," Nevill says.
"It's a tremendous milestone to celebrate 20 years and we are really proud of the way we have been able to create an excellent culture in our office that has seen team members stick with us for a long time."
During the past two decades, Nevill and his team have completed a host of major deals that have contributed to the growth and development of Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū region.
Notable recent transactions include working with Higgins Family Holdings Property Limited to deliver one of the largest Woolworths distribution centres in the lower North Island, located on Alderson Drive. They also sold 55-58 The Square, the tallest building in Palmerston North, in 2019.
"Having the opportunity to deliver success for our local clients is something we never take for granted and we work hard to ensure we are providing them with the best possible advice and service."
Colliers has worked closely with local firm Booth's Logistics on several significant deals during the past few years and Executive Director and Co-Founder Craig Booth says his organisation values their longstanding partnership.
"Throughout all of our dealings with Colliers, Phil and his team have always operated with a high level of professionalism and provided us with top-quality service."
Nevill says one key feature of their office in Palmerston North is the way they have been able to successfully collaborate with other teams from across the Colliers network.
"Whether it is the offices in the lower North Island or the team in Auckland, that collaborative nature of Colliers has contributed to our ability to put together some outstanding deals over a number of years.
"Those bonds have grown stronger as time has gone on and has allowed us to provide nationwide expertise for our clients with a strong local focus."
Looking ahead, Nevill says Palmerston North has a lot of potential to develop further as a logistics hub and the Manawatū region is also underpinned by strong levels of government employment through the defence force and call centres.
"Given the city is only two to three hours from Wellington, New Plymouth, and Hawke's Bay, depending on which way you travel, it makes sense for Palmerston North to offer logistics services.
"There is investment from the local council and a new rail hub on its way and we look forward to what the future holds."
- Supplied by Colliers
