Insurer bucks trend with new build

Local growth and rising demand for services have prompted FMG to open a new office in the heart of Ashburton.

Walking the talk – NZ wool carpet throughout.

“At a time when many rural and local towns are experiencing the loss of essential services as branches close and relocate to larger cities, we take pride in not only maintaining but growing our presence in communities like Ashburton,” says chief executive Adam Heath.

FMG partnered with New Zealand architects Design Group Stapleton Elliot, and local building firm Bradfords, to create a fit-out that will provide the Ashburton team with a space to work, connect, collaborate, look after clients, and host local community events.

The new office also features 100 per cent New Zealand wool carpet tiles, an important and deliberate choice to better support the NZ wool sector, and a move FMG’s sustainability specialist Emma Rowe hopes won’t be the last.

“FMG has long aspired to use more wool carpet across our 32 regional offices, but admittedly, finding wool carpet tiles or commercial flooring products that can withstand high-traffic areas has been a challenge,” she says.

“Compared to the wide availability of residential wool carpets, commercial options are limited, making it tough to compete with synthetic alternatives.”

FMG commends the support it received from partners Carpet Court and Godfrey Hirst, helping it source a 100 per cent NZ wool product that met the demands of the new office.

“As a mutual our clients’ success is our success. That’s why we look to get behind our farmers wherever we can and showing our commitment to the strong wool sector is one way we can do this,” Rowe says.

FMG has served the Ashburton community for over a decade, and the new premises provide a larger, modern space to better accommodate the growing local team and support their clients and community.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown at the opening.