Ringlock

In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand.

At a glance

Founder: Phillip Wilson

Business: Ringlock

Founded: 2013

HQ: Wellington

Can you tell us a bit about your business?

We are an online based Scaffolding retail store. We utilise an online shopping cart system to sell a modular based product. That is, it can forever be added too, in bulk, or in small increments a little at a time. This makes the way we sell it, the perfect way to sell it. Customers can simply construct their own packages from our base inventory page or buy one of our pre-constructed packages. We have tailor made these scaffolding packages to suit the needs of the current construction industry, primarily builders, and painters but also other trades as well.

Another important part of our business is that we have taken what would be considered industry standard scaffolding or ‘the scaffolding the professional’s use’ and customised the packages to be suitable for a home DIY market. This way our customers know that they are not only getting a quality product that will basically last an entire lifetime but they are also getting a safe product that won’t degrade in New Zealand’s harsh weather conditions.

With the ability to scaffold your home yourself we are saving New Zealanders thousands in rental fees on scaffolding they otherwise don’t have to hire.

We operate out a large 1000m2 warehouse in Wainuiomata, Wellington and now ship and courier all over the entire country.

What’s the backstory for your business idea?

I started this business over ten years ago when I had my own painting business as I was getting frustrated with the difficulty in securing easy quotes for the packages and quantities I was wanting to start out with. What I wanted was an easy way to quote scaffolding for purchase while on the move (due to a busy schedule in the trades). And I knew that I would want to be adding small bits and pieces to it on-going as my budget allowed. At the time there were no suitable options for this, and I thought, this is modular scaffolding, surely an online shopping cart system would make the most sense. Why hasn’t someone done this? I will do it then, and surely enough, it took off.

What programmes, learning or mentoring, or resources have been of assistance so far?

I am mostly self-taught.
I found the IRD seminars in the early days a great way to learn the tax system, and would certainly recommend it to anyone seeking out the self employed journey.
Also I would recommend the Solo app, as it’s basically Xero for self-employed individuals.