Foster Construction Group (Fosters) has announced the launch of Foster Residential Limited, adding another dimension to the Group’s core offering of develop, construction, engineering and maintain.
With the scramble to fill the shortfall for both social and retirement housing in the region, Fosters are seizing the opportunity to expand the business, and do more for the community.
Fosters CEO Nigel Sun said this development is significant to the Fosters business, but well aligned with the Fosters purpose of ‘great communities through strong foundations’.
“This expansion recognises our communities need for quality affordable housing delivered at scale, and Fosters desire to contribute to this need.” said Sun.
“We have several quality residential building companies in the Waikato, and many are doing it tough in the current market. Leveraging our size and strengths, Fosters focus is on delivering residential projects at scale. That being a minimum of 10 houses in one location and concentrating on social, tribal, community and affordable housing. We aim to add to the residential construction markets capacity to deliver the number of houses needed to address the current housing deficit and support the growing population in the coming years.”
The Foster Residential model will focus on B2B partners, recognising the needs of organisations like Kainga Ora, Iwi, Community Housing Providers, retirement village operators and similar commercial residential developers.
As members of the New Zealand Construction Alliance, Fosters have already secured their first residential project – 10 new units for Kainga Ora on Hukanui Road. Several other housing projects of scale are in the pipeline.
Experienced home builder Douw van der Merwe has been appointed GM of the new residential division. Sun said the former director of Anthem Homes offers in-depth knowledge of the industry, and the supply chain and is a good fit for delivering ‘the Fosters way’.
“This is an exciting time for Fosters” concludes Sun. “Foster Residential will provide an opportunity for our carpenter apprentices to get a broader construction experience, allowing our people to continue growing. Innovation will be achieved through our construction and residential teams delivering multi-level projects together, such as three level walk ups and apartment blocks.”
Foster Residential officially launches on 1 April 2024. The service does not extend to private home building.