An ongoing legacy
This year marks 30 years since Gavin Lowe Energy first opened its doors to the people of Christchurch. From humble beginnings to a thriving multi-branch, multi-discipline operation, the company remains a true local success story – one built on honest advice, technical excellence, and a strong team culture.
The story began when Gavin Lowe retired from a long career in refrigeration and air conditioning at the age of 60, then the official retirement age. That didn’t last long.
“As it turned out, retirement didn’t really suit Gavin; he was bored. And so the company Gavin Lowe Air Conditioning was born in 1995,” says his daughter Karen.
At the time, residential heat pumps were becoming more popular, and Gavin’s philosophy of ‘good honest advice first’ helped customers navigate a relatively new technology, which grew from consultancy to a full-service business known for smart, tailored solutions. Over time, services expanded to ventilation, hydronic underfloor systems, servicing, and architectural and commercial air conditioning solutions.
In the years following the Canterbury earthquakes, Gavin retired for the second time, aged 80, and passed the baton to his daughter Karen. Under her leadership, the company evolved into Gavin Lowe Energy, broadening its offering and client base while staying true to its original values; this local business now serves the wider South Island and employs a team of 40.
Today, a strong leadership team is helping shape the next 30 years. Operations Manager Mike Lock, Commercial Manager Lee Todd, and Design Manager Aaron Hawes are now company shareholders, bringing their own expertise and vision to the business. Ongoing training, mentorship, and a commitment to at least five apprentices at any time ensure Gavin’s legacy of growing talent remains at the company’s core. This is part of Gavin’s ethos, too, says Karen.
“We talk about his values, his work ethic right back in the 1950s, and it’s still the same today, it’s a simple code – provide honest advice, do good work, and care about people. And we are mindful of this, not just because it makes good business sense, but also because they are Gavin Lowe’s values, and we respect and honour him.”
Gavin Lowe Electrical was launched five years ago, recognising the need for integrated electrical services that complemented the company’s energy-efficient solutions. From EV chargers to solar power and LED lighting, the electrical division now operates as a successful business in its own right.
Expansion also saw the company establish a permanent presence in South Canterbury. After working in the region around Timaru for years, a decision was made to go local. In April 2023, Gavin Lowe Energy Timaru opened its doors, led by long-time team member James Grainger, who also became a part-owner. A new Timaru showroom followed in early 2024. This year, the Christchurch showroom was redeveloped, giving customers a hands-on experience with solutions they may have not even known about.
Karen spoke of her father’s impact on the industry at his funeral when he passed in October 2024.
“Dad was a living legend up until last Sunday, and now he is simply a legend. If there were a Hall of Fame for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, he would definitely have been in it.”