Celebrating nine decades: Walton Plumbing
Any local company celebrating its 90th birthday is truly iconic. 
Ninety years ago, New Zealand was still a Dominion, you dialled the operator to telephone between cities, and you could still see a horse and cart on the street.
But our longstanding companies don’t reach their venerable age by accident. They are driven by people who think differently, who operate differently, and who lead differently.
That is certainly the case with Walton Plumbing, where the vision has been transferred between just four owners in almost 100 years. Current Managing Director Martin De Gouw says the company’s “secret to longevity is achieved through strong client loyalty, earned over many generations, with an honest service approach at a fair price and always standing by our workmanship.”
Walton’s has also diversified over the years, covering all aspects of commercial and residential plumbing works in the 80s, and adding drainlaying in the 2000s.
Always looking to the future, the firm took on one of the first female apprentice plumbers in Christchurch, and is currently looking to double the team. “We have always approached growth through our apprenticeship training and supportive culture within a company that values its employees and customers,” says Martin, “we are looking forward to achieving our centenary and beyond.”
