Shedding Expectations: Craig Miller's Journey from Aeronautical Engineering to Wide Span Sheds.

Craig Miller, the Managing Director of Wide Span Sheds Otago, has taken an unconventional path to his current role having a 32-year background in aeronautical engineering field before turning to Wide Span Sheds.

Craig's journey into the world of Wide Span Sheds began with a personal project. "I built a Wide Span Shed at the airfield where I was running my business," Craig recalls. "The process and the building itself were fantastic, and as an engineer myself, the site-specific engineering that Wide Span Sheds provided really sold it for me. I found myself recommending Wide Span Sheds to so many people that I eventually became a referral agent." Over time, Craig's passion for Wide Span Sheds grew, and he joined forces with James Dodd, who owned a local construction company at the time and is now the owner of the Central Otago franchise. Together, they operated throughout Central Otago and Otago, eventually opening their own branches in their respective regions in 2019 and 2020.

Craig's engineering background has proven invaluable in his new role. "In my time before Wide Span Sheds, I was working out of sheds and hangars all day every day. This gave me a true understanding of the needs and use of the buildings from the customer's perspective," he explains. "I have now been in the shed industry for over 15 years, so my understanding of sheds of all shapes and sizes is extensive. 

When asked what the most popular type of shed is, Craig notes it is definitely workshops tailored towards tradesmen working from home. “The advantage of having a work/home life balance and being a cost-effective alternative to leasing a building makes a Wide Span Shed is the perfect solution”.

Thinking about one of his favourite projects, local company, Total Harvesting was at the top of mind for Craig. The 20m X 30m shed was built just in time for the company's 21st anniversary. "It was a memorable part of their success story," Craig says as the company held a huge party for staff in their brand-new shed to celebrate 21 successful years in business.

We asked Craig about the challenges the Otago region faces with sheds. “The Otago region presents unique challenges due to its coastal location" says Craig. Areas such as Otago face high winds and corrosion from the sea breeze so selecting the right materials for building a shed is crucial. All Wide Span Sheds are site specifically engineered and built using COLORSTEEL® MAXAM™, setting the benchmark high in the shed industry.

Outside of work, Craig is a devoted family man and enjoys supporting his children's hobbies. He's also a car enthusiast and a passionate rugby fan. As a committed member of the Otago community, Craig's company sponsors local initiatives and clubs. "We love being a part of the community we live and work in," he says. Currently the Otago branch sponsors both the local rugby club and the local rodeo club.

Craig Miller's journey from aeronautical engineering to Wide Span Sheds is a testament to his passion, expertise, and dedication to customer satisfaction. His unique perspective and industry knowledge stand out from the rest, giving Wide Span Sheds Otago the competitive edge when it comes to sheds that will stand the test of time.

Contact Craig today to discuss your shed project - 0800 WIDE SPAN