The Wichman family-built Cook Islands Building Supplies has grown from a small store to a leading supplier with a new fleet, bigger warehouse and expansion plans.

The Cook Islands Building Supplies has been a family-owned business for years.

Founded in 1988 by Arama and Vaine Wichman, the company started as a small store with four full-time staff.

Over the decades, the Cook Islands Building Supplies (CIBS) has grown to become a supplier of timber and building products throughout the country.

Today, the company boasts 17 full-time and one part-time staff.

The demand for safe, affordable homes is key to the company’s operation foresight and immediate expansion plans.

And in recent years, the business has undergone a major expansion.

Now the founders’ children Simiona, Teava and Iro Wichman who is based in Switzerland, have taken on larger roles in running the family business leading the expansion and consolidation plans since September 2023.

This year, CIBS has invested in a fleet of delivery and haulage trucks to transport its timber directly to construction sites, and revamped its warehouse.

Due to customer demand, the company’s new fleet includes an on-road load handling truck (20ft container loads), a Renault Mack (20 and 40ft container loads), a Hino truck, and an overhauled all-purpose Combilift (forklift).

In-house engineering design and logistics knowledge facilitated the construction of a loop connecting the two disconnected warehouses on the Panama site, creating a super storage space.

On Saturday, Father Fred Kaina blessed the vehicles and the almost 2000 square metres of covered warehouse space to protect the materials.

“We’ve come a long way from 1998 when Dad set up,” says Simiona. “Back then he worked all hours to steady the company’s foundation on principles of serving the best to our people. He went through lots of challenges and industry discrimination.”

Simiona explained that the new fleet and storage area are the first phase in a three-part company expansion plan.

“Today, the business sector expects sophisticated, luxurious and practical structures,” he said. “Also, the Government’s obligation to build and safeguard essential infrastructure against wear and tear and the impacts of climate change guides CIBS to supply the best building materials and equipment.”

Teava oversees the haulage and warehouse stock.

“With everything under one roof, warehouse efficiency has increased ten-fold. Cost savings as a result have been passed on to our customers,” said Teava.

The Cook Islands Building Supplies has had its share of ups and downs.

Arama shares his philosophy on the business: “It’s about building with our people,” he says.

He appreciates that his sons have joined the business, bringing their special skills and talents into an “awesome” team.

Arama is content leaving matters in their hands while he dedicates his time to the community and his people.

The CIBS is located on the main road in Panama and is open from Monday to Friday 7.50am to 4.30pm, Saturday 7.50am to 12.30pm. For more information, contact phone 24985, email sales@cibs.co.ck and check them out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cibs.co.ck.