Plumbing Connection Autumn 2016

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3 6 PLUMBING CONNECTION AUTUMN 2016
“I have developed my career in the
plumbing industry through GWA and
over the past decade, I’ve worked in a
number of roles across the business
including: Communications Manager,
Sustainability Marketing Manager,
Brand Manager, Business Unit
Manager, Category Marketing Manager
etc.”
Working in the plumbing industry
was not a clear pathway for Jennifer
and with a background in both
psychology and business, for a lack of
better words; she basically fell into the
industry.
“My first role in the plumbing
industry was with GWA B&K. I’ve spent
most of my career with GWA having
been with the business for over 11
years now. I started off as Marketing
Communications Manager with Dorf
Clark (sinks & taps) and when I joined
the business I was excited to have
the opportunity to work with such
well known brands - not only in the
plumbing industry but brands that
were also well known by Australian
consumers more generally.”
Being that plumbing is such a
dynamic industry and contains a
vast array of layers that most would
not suspect while looking at it on the
surface, Jennifer believes that staying
in touch with consumer and design
trends is key.
“The industry continues to evolve
so keeping up with emerging trends
and the changing landscape is really
important. I’m personally driven by
customer insights and using this
information to develop marketing
programs and initiatives that will
hopefully make a difference to
customers.”
“Over the last few years we’ve
launched some exciting new initiatives
based on feedback from customers
and that’s really rewarding. As a
marketer working with an amazing
portfolio of well known brands
including Caroma, Dorf, Fowler, Clark,
Stylus and Hansa is such a great
opportunity and something I’ve really
enjoyed.”
With such a big proportion of
advertising and marketing campaigns
engaging social media to communicate
key messages to consumers, it might
come as a surprise to know that
plumbing brands have well and truly
jumped on board the trend, making
it attractive to recent marketing
graduates or those looking for a new
role in a new field.
“As a business we’ve really embraced
the digital space with the launch
and ongoing enhancements to our
Caroma Plumbers Handbook App and
website. It’s
also been great to have the chance
to explore the use of social media
in the plumbing world such as the
Face of Caroma Plumbing social
media campaign specifically aimed at
plumbers in 2015.”
So, with such a successful career
thus far in the plumbing industry, it
won’t come as much surprise to hear
her glowing endorsement and belief
that more women should consider it
when deciding on their next step.
“I’d most definitely recommend the
plumbing industry to other women. It is
incredibly dynamic and offers diversity,
from commercial projects through to
new homes and bathroom renovations.
I’ve had the opportunity to work on
marketing programs across many
segments of the industry and for both
professionals and consumers. It’s an
opportunity you don’t always have in
other industries.”
CARLIE WRIGHT (PLUMBING
INSPECTOR)
The position most often stereotyped
in plumbing and all trades is being
on the tools themselves. It’s always
been that way, but it shouldn’t. We’re
all built equally after all. And as a
result of changing attitudes and more
encouragement at school-level for
women to consider a trade as a career,
more women are getting their hands
dirty and matching it with the boys.
Carlie Wright is one of those women,
and has been for some 16 years now.
“I actually carried out a school-
based apprenticeship in my father’s
family plumbing business and to tell
you the truth, I don’t know why I chose
plumbing. I was in year 11 and wasn’t
sure about what I wanted to do. I didn’t
know whether to stay in school or go
straight into the work force. To tell
you the truth though, I was really over
studying by that stage.
“It was at this point I was
informed about the school-based
Carlie Wright, Australia’s first female
plumbing inspector has been in the
plumbing industry for some 16 years.
WOMEN IN PLUMBING
Jennifer Krenich, head of marketing at
GWA Bathrooms & Kitchens.