Brand new FlowPave Set – a trendy environmental paving option from Firth

Brian Devlin and his wife Carole came to New Zealand from the UK nearly 11 years ago looking for a good business opportunity that suited their family. They saw the Makana Chocolate factory in KeriKeri, which was established in 1998, and bought it with the intention of creating a good life for their family and with a strong desire to learn the chocolate business. Eighteen years later and the business was doing so well that they had well and truly outgrown their existing facility. A redesign and the upgrade of the factory called for the addition of a café and car parking - which has turned out to also be the perfect showcase for a new product from Firth - FlowPave Set - a trendy, new, environmentally friendly paver from Firth’s EcoPave® range.

“We had outgrown the old premises so we had to do something,” explains Brian. “We decided that we needed to expand and also include a café with the extension as coffee goes really well with chocolate. We are also in the same vicinity as the historic Stone Store, which attracts a lot of tourists to our area. We thought that adding a café may also help us to capitalise on the 70,000 tourists that visit Makana every year.”

During the planning stages of the development, which would see the factory quadruple production space, Brian was asked by the Council to use a permeable paving option for the forecourt of the development to alleviate concerns over the stormwater water run off from such a large paved area.

“When we were looking at available options we didn't think that the standard Permeable Pave systems from Firth suited the style of the building,” adds Brian. “Then we heard about the FlowPave Set that Firth were developing.” 

“Prior to hearing about the extension to the Makana Chocolate factory in KeriKeri we had the development of the FlowPave in a set design underway,” explains Steve Crossland, Technical & Specifications Manager (Masonry) for Firth. “The mould had already been made so when we heard that Brian was required to use a permeable paving option for his extension we suggested the use of the new FlowPave Set - as long as the timeframes suited the timeline of the project. “ 

“It was pretty clear from the outset that this new product was still in the early days of production and we were happy to work with Firth to achieve what Brian and Carole were after in the way of a cobble look - and also keep the Council happy,” says Sean McCaughan, Managing Director, Siteworx Northland – the paving contractor. 

Sean says that this is the first time he has laid an EcoPave® system and he was very interested to see how the system went together from the course drainage medium that the paver is laid on, to the large gaps between the pavers that is filled with a jointing compound. “We are really pleased with the final result as it looks great and it functions as it should,” adds Sean. “I am really looking forward to working with Firth and laying more permeable paving options in future as I can see that it is a very sound system that has a modern look.” 

Firth also supplied another new product for the development the Piazza® Chiaro Paver (400 x 200 x 50mm) with honed finish for the café itself. “The new creamy colour of the new paver suits the colour palette of the café and extension,” says Kerry Newton, Sales Representative for Firth. “It works really well with the rest of décor.” 

“We are about four weeks away from opening the café and we are so very happy with the effect of the extension and the café,” adds Brian. “We couldn't be more happy with the result – including Firth’s new permeable paving product and the new Piazza® Chiaro Paver which adds to the look of our design. We are very excited about the next few months and feel very lucky that we have a successful business. We really love the chocolate business. It’s nice to be able to work and have fun at the same time.”  

Brian and Carole can’t wait to see the new café full of visitors and they are also looking forward to the opening of a new retail shop in Auckland, in the next few months, which will function as an outlet for products from their factories in KeriKeri and Blenheim.