Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1418957
PSAI Association Insight, October 13, 2021 I 13 New Zealand Dakins Rent-A-Loo Brian Dakin established a plumbing and drainage company in the early 1960s in Christchurch, New Zealand. As the years progressed, he expanded his product offerings to better meet the needs of the city and surrounding area. He and his wife Rose were active members of their community. In 1981, he entered the portable restroom industry with the establish- ment of Rent-A-Loo. Brian always looked for ways to improve the quality of his company's service as he became involved in the PSAI in the mid to late 1980s. Daughter, Diane—"Di" to her many friends in the PSAI—remembers "traveling to many locations in the States to attend PSAI conventions and Nuts & Bolts Conferences." This has always been quite a sacrifice for the Dakin Family; while PSAI members in the US attend these events in the winter "non-event" season, in New Zealand it is their busy summer event season. Also, as a matter of perspective, having made the flight to New Zealand myself, it is a 15-hour flight from Auckland to Los Angeles with the crossing of the International Date Line which adds to the jet lag! Due to the long distances from the major restroom unit manufacturers in the US as well as the expensive freight costs, Brian began producing his own plastic units, another instance where his business knowledge was unsurpassed in overcoming challenges. Di Dakin grew up in the business and joined her dad in the company after graduation. As Brian reached retirement, he also developed blindness—yet another challenge that he met and overcame. On another personal note, the PSAI had an international board meeting in Sydney, Australia, in 2008 and at the conclusion of that event, Terri and I traveled to New Zealand to visit with Di and her family. We had the privilege of meeting Brian and Rose as well as a nice young man named Jay Ritchie (whom Di married in 2012). The Rent-A-Loo facilities were top-notch, and the employees were extremely friendly and very proud to show their company to us. We saw the "Dakins Manufactured Restroom Units" which were as functional and as well-designed as the units that we were accustomed to in the US. It was an extremely enjoyable visit! On February 22, 2011, we were saddened to see the TV coverage of the horrific earthquake that hit Christchurch. "I" is for International (continued from page 12) Brian Dakin (continued on page 14)