The 2025 Coresteel Award Winners

The Coresteel Awards celebrate outstanding results across our distribution network. From exceptional builds to strong community connections, these awards recognise the hard work, innovation, and dedication that goes into every Coresteel building.

We are proud to announce this year’s winners:

Grant Donaldson “Good Bugger” Award

Winner: Karl Lipscome – Coresteel Franklin

Karl was nominated by fellow licensees for being friendly, encouraging, and always willing to lend a hand. Known for his positive attitude, and readiness to share knowledge and ideas, Karl truly embodies what it means to be a “good bugger”. A well-deserved recipient of this award, Karl is the kind of person who makes working in the Coresteel network better for everyone.

Brand Award

Runner-Up: Coresteel Northland

Winner: Coresteel Central Plateau

Coresteel recognises Stuart Wilson and his team’s exceptional effort in promoting the Coresteel brand. From branded merchandise to prominent building, vehicle, and local signage, their consistent messaging and professional presentation have helped strengthen Coresteel’s presence in their region.

Community Engagement Award

Runner-Up: Coresteel North Harbour

Winner: Coresteel Northland

Joel Taylor continues to make the Coresteel brand “world famous” in Northland through standout community involvement. Their sponsorships include Northland Cricket, Northland Tennis, and the Tutukaka Fishing Club.

Marketing Award

Runner-Up: Coresteel Central Plateau

Winner: Coresteel Northland

Coresteel Northland’s proactive marketing, led by their Sales Manager, Marcus Bourke, has transformed the way they connect with their audience – using social media and local mail drops to maintain a strong local presence.

Customer Engagement Award

Runner-Up: Coresteel North Harbour

Winner: Coresteel Canterbury

Shaun Johnston has driven a culture at Coresteel Canterbury centred on understanding clients’ needs, proactive communication, and genuine care. Through personal service and structured feedback processes, the team has built strong loyalty, with 40% of customers being repeat customers.

Warehouse Building of the Year

Winner: Stockman Stables – Coresteel Canterbury

This stunning horse stable in Rolleston features clear wide spans and a DonoBeam portal frame making it both functional and beautifully executed. It’s also the second Coresteel building for this client, following a near-identical stable in South Auckland – a testament to their satisfaction and trust in the Coresteel brand.

Commercial Building of the Year

Highly Commended: Hynds Pipe Systems Timaru – Coresteel South Canterbury

Winner: Mobile Mechanical Solutions – Coresteel Manawatu

Geoff Spencer and the team at Coresteel Manawatu’s building took out this award with a project that combines design innovation and practicality. The building features the DonoBeam portal system, cantilevered canopies on both sides, a mezzanine, external balcony, service pit, and roller door access from both sides.

Lifestyle Building of the Year

Highly Commended: Meyer Project – Coresteel North Harbour

Winner: Te Arai Links Staff Dorms – Coresteel North Harbour

Coresteel North Harbour, led by Andrew and Julie Boyd, showcased Coresteel’s versatility beyond industrial builds with this project for Te Arai Links. This is one of six buildings they have completed for this client. Purpose-built for on-site accommodation, it includes 30 bedrooms separated by fire-rated walls, along with shared living and kitchen areas.

Specialist Building of the Year

Highly Commended: Advance Electrical Levin – Coresteel Manawatu

Winner: Springlands Vet Centre – Coresteel Marlborough/Tasman

Coresteel Marlborough/Tasman impressed with this purpose-built facility that perfectly balances practicality and aesthetics. Combining precast walls with Kingspan PIR panels, the design includes dedicated x-ray rooms, custom fibreglass kennels, and stunning driftwood-stained cedar cladding that blends beautifully with the grey exterior.

Supplier of the Year

Winner: Donovan Group Manufacturing

Donovan Group Manufacturing received strong feedback across the network for delivering quality products on time with minimal issues. Their ongoing reliability and collaboration make them a valued partner to the Coresteel network.

Coresteel Region of the Year

Runner-Up: Coresteel Southland

Joel Taylor, Coresteel Northland

Winner: Coresteel Northland

Joel Taylor, Marcus Bourke, and the Coresteel Northland team have had a standout year. Marcus’ focus on brand awareness, product knowledge, and customer relationships have helped make Coresteel a well-known name across the region. Northland is now first equal in the network for the number of project acceptances, a reflection of the team’s hard work and willingness to take on any project, big or small.

David Henderson, Coresteel Southland

Coresteel Southland were also recognised for their strong performance. David Henderson’s focus on local relationships and word-of-mouth reputation has built a thriving business with over 60% repeat customers. His commitment to growing Coresteel’s presence in the region, including signing up sub-licensees – is commendable.

A huge congratulations to all our Coresteel Award winners, runners-up and highly commended teams. Your achievements showcase the strength, talent, and dedication that drive the Coresteel network.

Together we continue to build better, and stronger, for the future.