Check out what's been happening at Monkeytoe in May in our latest monthly news feature.

A note from Budd

Hi everyone,

This year is showing no signs of slowing down, and neither are we.

Since our last update, we’ve had a lot to celebrate: we finally launched our new condenser mounts that will supercharge loading capacities for your next project; Glen Thomas of our R&D department wrote an article on how we engineer to code – and why it’s so important; and we completed a unique couple of projects in Victoria that showcase our ability to go beyond what others thought possible. 

This issue, we’re also introducing Logan Irvine – the ‘determined and deadly focused’ business development master who’s leading the charge in our sales team. We’re also celebrating Red Cross Day and doing our part to support refugee resettlement opportunities, and we’re teasing our forthcoming ebook on the mistakes architects keep making.

There’s plenty to shout about. So you’d better dig in.

Cheers,

Budd

Introducing Monkeytoe stalwart Logan Irvine

Logan’s been a part of the Monkeytoe team since the beginning of 2019. While he joined as a customer service rep, his energy and knack for problem solving saw him quickly become the South Island sales rep overseeing the lower half of New Zealand.

When asked what gives him a kick, he reckons that hunting down people who don’t know about our full suite of capabilities and showcasing them our solutions that go beyond ladders and walkways does it. Naturally he’s excited about our expansion into new territories, and loves taking a proactive approach to client management and driving lifeblood to the sales side of the business.

An ex-Argentinian with 21 years in South America under his belt, Logan’s well and truly at home here running like a cheetah and playing drums on his wife’s pots and pans. Give him a bell if you want to know how we can go above and beyond with our solutions – or if you want to talk about the best non-fiction survival and WWII stories he’s been reading lately.

Are you making the same basic mistakes – or are you a leader in the architecture space?

We get it. Sometimes it’s too easy to design something that’s going to get the job done without ruffling any feathers, to create a new building that serves its simplest functions and uses the same materials and practices that you’ve used your whole career. Tempting, right?

This is the first mistake that architects and designers make: they plan for the simplest design solution to work – but don’t see that a custom-designed solution will deliver them and their clients better outcomes.

Our new ebook, due out next month, is all about the mistakes that architects make – and how you can get your edge by thinking outside the box. Watch this space for more.

Smashing the standards: How Monkeytoe engineers to building codes

If you’re putting up a garage, a multi-storey business hub, a shopping centre, or something in between, then you’ll need to adhere to the vast and diverse rules of the Building Code.

There are, of course, standards and requirements for safety, loads (like wind and equipment), and durability that all buildings need to comply with if we expect them to perform as promised and for us all to get home safely. Glen Thomas of our Research and Development division has written an easy-to-understand breakdown of the different codes we use across Australasia – and explains why the Monkeytoe development and engineering team invest a lot of time to ensure our products are fit for purpose and safe.

Two Hushmonkey projects to look out for

Take two locations: Saint Moritz in St Kilda, and Richmond Quarter – both in Victoria, but worlds apart. Both needed premium acoustic panelling – and both came to us at Monkeytoe to help them make it happen.

First up, Saint Moritz. Inspired by the world’s great coastal cities and timeless beachfront design, Saint Moritz Beachfront Residences are a stand-out on the St Kilda waterfront. A lush resort-style oasis of three private residences overlooking the esplanade and serving high-end clientele, the designers and our client needed acoustic panels that would screen their plant equipment from noise (and line-of-sight) and look great at the same time.

We created 4m high Hushmonkey screens, powdercoated to a deep grey. We also had some interesting new briefs to work on – that the panels needed to provide acoustic screening, of course, but also have an architectural point to them too. Our panels have curved edges, and we’ve run the screens vertically with cantilevered (or unbraced) posts. It’s a stunning outcome – so make sure you check it out when you’re next wandering the esplanade.

Next up is Richmond Quarter, a project that’s been in the works for a few years. A mixed use development, with significant works across large ground floor retail, commercial offices and ‘build to rent’ apartments that span five buildings, Richmond Quarter is another major project that’s attracted a lot of attention.

We were asked about Hushmonkey screens here too, ensuring that plant machinery was kept out of sight and out of mind for residents and shoppers alike. The 2.4m panels were run vertically in large linear metres. With 350+ metres of Monkeytoe Hushmonkey screening in play, it’s been an excellent project for us to show off our good work and to work with some exciting and innovative businesses along the way.

New condenser mounts launch

We’ve been teasing them for a couple of months – and now they’ve finally launched!

Our new condenser mounts have just dropped, with massively increased loading capabilities ready off the shelf – as well as anti-vibration pads with every new kit. 

Check out the video over on our LinkedIn (and make sure you’re following us for good measure) and see what we got up to kicking off this exciting product redevelopment.

Supporting Red Cross

Celebrated each year on the 8th May, Red Cross Day marks the birth of Jean-Henry Dunant, Founder of International Committee of the Red Cross and all-around good sort who was the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.

Red Cross is the primary provider of community refugee settlement programmes in New Zealand, supporting and empowering new Kiwis as they rebuild their lives here. In support of this charity, Monkeytoe were excited to raise funds in donation of this cause on Red Cross Day this year.

Thanks to Monkeytoe Culture Committee’s Ange Thompson and her mother who kindly donated red velvet cupcakes (with delicious cream cheese icing!) The team were asked to provide a donation to purchase, raising $825 for the cause.  The Monkeytoe team were extremely happy and proud to have been able to come together for the cause.

If you would like to make a donation direct to Red Cross, head to: https://www.redcross.org.nz/donate/where-the-need-greatest/