To be leaders in all that we do, for our customers & our people

About

Foleys has been in Dunedin since 1934 when it was set up by Albert Foley. Albert’s son Brian took over the business in the 1960’s & soon developed a reputation for investing in his employees by providing them with training & superior working conditions, a company ethos that is true to this day with Foleys recognised as a national industry leader in training.  Our Vision is 'To be leaders in all that we do, for our customers & our people'.

In the late 1980’s, when the company had grown to a staff of 24, Brian took on two more directors, Chris Sutherland & his son Craig Foley. Then in 1997 the employment of an in-house accountant, Sarah Alcock (later to become a director in 2005), saw improved financial systems & reporting. In November 2005 Foleys took the innovative step of setting up Foleys Electrical, giving the capacity to provide customers with an electrical service when required on a plumbing job (we also provide electrical services in Christchurch & South Otago).

Brian semi-retired in 2011 continuing to work part-time in Dunedin. Grant Cochrane (Brian's nephew) joined the company as Managing Director from 2011 until 2014.  During this period Foleys expanded significantly opening their South Otago & Oamaru branches which joined the 2010 additions of Christchurch & the Mechanical division.  The Queenstown branch was opened in 2015 complementing the existing branches in Central Otago & Wanaka.  The Ranfurly & Twizel branches were acquired in 2017 & our first foray into the North Island came in April 2019 with Vince Basile Plumbing in Palmerston North.  Our 11th Branch Wilson & Robinson in Timaru was purchased in April 2020 and Putaruru, formerly A1 Plumbing & Gas Putaruru joined us in March 2021. In July 2021 we purchased Lewis Plumbing Co in Rotorua. This is our latest branch. 

Our team has grown to over 260 staff, including 55 apprentices across our 13 locations with a focus on sustainable growth & health & safety. Our Board of Directors consists of three directors & three independent directors. Years of experience, breadth & depth of skills & company loyalty, are the solid foundations that have made our workforce the envy of our industry. Over ten percent of our people have been with the company for more than 10 years, giving our customers a sense of trust & security through familiar faces.

HISTORY OF FOLEYS VIDEO