Inside a converted church hall in Auckland’s Ōrākei neighbourhood there’s a small company with a big heart, of which NZ Post is proud to be supporting.

Downlights is a fragranced soy candle company offering employment and support to young adults with intellectual or learning disabilities and was last year’s winner of NZ Post’s Delivering for Good programme, receiving two years of free domestic courier products.

Delivering for Good aims to improve connection, belonging and inclusion for all New Zealanders.

“Downlights is a perfect example of a business advocating diversity and inclusion of its workers and was a deserving winner,” NZ Post Group Sustainability Manager Dawn Baggaley says.

Winning free courier products for two years has allowed Downlights to grow its business and take on another permanent team member.

“Winning has meant that we have been able to employ Taylor as a permanent member of the Downlights crew,” Downlights Managing Director Jennifer Del Bel says.

“Taylor was part of our 2021-22 work experience programme and while we were keen to offer her a role following completion of the programme but due to the challenges that we faced from the impact of Covid-19 on our business, this possibility was becoming less and less likely.

“The business growth that the NZ Post Delivering for Good has contributed to has allowed us to offer Taylor a role which will pay her a fair living wage that recognises her contribution to Downlights.

“We are proud Living Wage Supporters and believe that all citizens of Aotearoa have the right to the dignity afforded to them through fair pay.”

Through developing their workplace skills, Downlights is also helping team members increase their self-confidence and independence.

Del Bel said there’s no better example of someone improving their personal development than current team member Jack Bird.

When Jack, 24, started with the company he was a shy individual who had a hard time engaging with people, but three years later he is more confident and has an increased sense of self-worth.

Now Jack travels by train from Titirangi by himself to work two days a week and is helping to mentor new employee Taylor.

Having mastered the 22 steps of the candle making process, the diligent worker said he loves his job and the smell of all the fragrances.

“I also like working with Taylor, but she can be quite loud,” he laughed.

Jack’s mum Tracy says Jack often communicates that he has a connection to the working world just like his brothers.

“The enthusiastic support of Jack’s supervisors has encouraged his engagement in learning the process of candle making.

“With Downlights support Jack feels able to interact not only with his supervisors but also on occasion with Downlights customers. He wakes up enthusiastic about his day when he knows he has to work at Downlights”.

 

Have you done anything extra with the money you have saved from spending on couriers?

Like many businesses in Aotearoa, we have been faced with the constant need to rethink our business strategies to continue to operate successfully during the challenging economic times that are the result of long periods of lockdown in Auckland.

Consequently, Downlights has focused on growing and diversifying our E-commerce base.

The money that we saved, as a result of this programme has allowed us to offer free shipping to our customers during a time of low economic growth and reduced sales – this has led to a dramatic increase in online cart conversion rates and a spike in returning customer orders.

 

What’s the future look like for Downlights?

Downlights has an exciting year ahead of us. We recently celebrated the arrival of ‘Walter the Wax Melter (a significant piece of manufacturing equipment which has led to dramatic and positive internal change to day-to-day operations.

This vital piece of equipment is allowing all of our Crew to pour candles safely and efficiently while increasing our production capacity by 10-fold.

This has allowed us to expand our contract manufacturing capabilities to become NZ’s largest contract manufacturer of boutique candles.

Consequently, we are expanding and preparing for an increase in our factory space to accommodate for the growth in the business afforded by our new manufacturing equipment, which will also allow us to increase the number of employees we have by early 2023.

 

Are there any existing projects/goals in the works?

Downlights will be introducing four new products to our existing range (just in time for Mother’s Day this Sunday).

We are also finalising our Christmas 2022 range and new fragrance releases for Autumn 2022.

As we continue to expand our distribution and grow the contract manufacturing side of the business, we plan to increase the number of shifts we are offering our current team members.

We are so proud of their success and are devoted to further fostering their independence through meaningful employment opportunities; they really are the lifeblood of Downlights.