Local Family Scoops National Gas Competition Prize

An Alexandra family has had a surprise windfall winning a new set of wheels in a nationwide competition for the plumbing trade.

Rory McClellan - founder of the McClellan’s Group, one of the service providers for Central Otago’s clean energy project – and his family are owners of a brand-new black 2WD ST-X Nissan turbo diesel ute, just in time for spring.

McClellan is the lucky winner of the Plumbing World Hit the Gas competition, and says he can’t wait to pick up his new toy.

“As a clean energy service provider, it’s great to be able to get out and about in a vehicle like this, which is practical and eco-conscious at the same time. The ute runs on turbo diesel, which means it has lower emissions and improved efficiency. Part of my job is to help my customers replace their non-compliant heating appliances with clean energy systems.

“I got an entry into the competition draw with every purchase, and never really expected to win – so it was a real stroke of luck, a bit like winning Lotto,” he says.

The McClellan’s Group is a Kiwi small business success story, offering plumbing and heating solutions for the entire Central Otago region. The business has been operating out of Alexandra for the past 20 years.

“I’ve got a family of five with three kids, my wife works in the office, my oldest daughter is the sales manager and my younger son started a plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship six months ago. So this really is a family business,” says McClellan.

He says the business has recently put in 18 Rinnai energy-saver flued heaters in addition to some Rinnai Infinity water heaters as part of the clean energy project, which is run through the Otago Regional Council.

Plumbing World National Sales and Operations Manager Mike Dyer says they are pleased that such a dedicated customer won the ute.

“The Hit the Gas competition was a huge success with our customers, many of whom are very loyal to Rinnai products. We hope that Rory enjoys his new ute – it’s a top-of-the-line, latest model vehicle straight from the manufacturing line, definitely something he’ll be proud to take out for a spin in his spare time!”

McClellan says that he’s looking forward to being a loyal customer of Plumbing World and Rinnai for years to come.

“Rinnai has proven to be a consistent performer with our clients, and I’ve never had anyone come back to say they’re unhappy with their purchase. The heaters have reasonable running costs, and I’ve been very impressed especially with the high-efficient line of appliances they’ve brought out in the last 12 months. There’s no question about it, as a clean energy project provider, we are 100% behind the Rinnai brand.”