Our Premises
SIOC's present 14,000 square foot purpose-built factory (our 3rd) is placed on an acre of land in the Washdyke Industrial park and was specially designed and built for the company in 1985 and has been regularly upgraded.
It comprises an entrance porch with a flagpole proudly flying the New Zealand flag, a foyer housing a photo gallery of all our significant instruments, two administration offices, a workshop with workbenches and tables for twelve craftsmen, a storeroom for small parts, a machine shop with a full complement of high-quality woodworking machines that would satisfy any commercial joinery or cabinetmaking enterprise.
At the rear is an assembly shop with a double height ceiling and two adjacent mezzanine work and storage galleries, a sliding hoist and loading dock, a drawing office and a library housing our extensive collections of books, periodicals, drawings, photos and memorabilia, lunch and recreation room, toilets, gluing room, and large voicing room with a five slider, two pressure mechanical-action voicing machine and ample pipe-storage bins.
Behind the factory are eight large double storage garages for timber, dismantled organs and company vehicles, an extractor shed and dangerous goods bunker, and a new fully compliant shipping container devanning area. In 2017 we built a new 3,875 square foot shed which is used for storage and for working on oversized projects.
All the workrooms in the factory are climate controlled for the protection of our work, particularly historic organs and also the working comfort of our staff. An under-floor ducted extraction system keeps dust at bay and an overhead compressed air system allows the use of air tools throughout the factory.
Gallery
Our Book is Available for Purchase
More than a Pipe Dream
This book pays homage to the highly skilled individuals in the South Island Organ Company who have dedicated so much of their lives to designing, building and restoring pipe organs, highly complex musical instruments as they are. It unveils an impressive amount of detail about this unique company's development, achievements and adventures, including secrets of the instruments construction and the art of restoration, all of which is presented in a highly readable manner so that you will never feel overwhelmed by technical jargon.
This book is the work of multi-award-winning writer Jill Worrall.
$99.99 plus postage & handling fee.
Here are some comments:
- "Thrilled to have the book arrive today. What a gorgeous production it is and how poignant the earthquake stories and images. Thank you and I will enjoy it in greater detail as the days go by". - Tim McWhannell
- "The book has arrived....amidst the busy day, I just had to have a quick flip through. I am absolutely gobsmacked! What a magnificent publication -accolades all round!
You have exceeded! I am wordless, and speechless!
Bravo!" - Roy Tankersley - "The book arrived today! Excellent publication" - Alan Edwards
- To John: "I enjoyed the book...indeed more than a pipe dream, that's for sure. From it I can see you've had a remarkable and interesting career amongst some great talented craftsmen and artisans and have formed a great company in SIOC which you must be proud of. The tragedy of the losses SIOC suffered with the deaths of your men following the earthquakes is so sad and I am sure is a deep loss to you and Val personally. But what an outstanding first 50 years" - Craig Maclean & family
- "My copy has arrived. It is superb!! Many thanks to Val and John, and to all those who had input into its publication" - Robert Cleaver