In the evolving landscape of New Zealand's drainage industry, few names resonate with the depth and continuity of Nathan Williamson's. As a third-generation drainlayer and the founder of DrainPro, Nathan has seamlessly blended a rich family legacy with a modern sensibility, positioning his company at the forefront of the nation's drainage solutions.
From its humble beginnings in Christchurch, DrainPro has expanded its footprint across the country, embodying a commitment to quality and reliability that has become synonymous with its name. In this interview, Nathan discusses DrainPro’s journey, the challenges of steering a family tradition into the future, and his insights into the dynamics of the country’s drainage sector.
A Family Legacy Reimagined
Having grown up around Auckland’s drainage sites, with his father still active in the business, Nathan brings a refreshing blend of heritage, professionalism, and ambition to the country’s drainage sector.
Coming from a family from drain contractors, Nathan felt an intense calling that he could not ignore after he completed his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury. Having already done a drainage apprenticeship with his father, Nathan felt in 2014 that there were growth opportunities aplenty within the drainage industry and struck out on his own when he founded DrainPro at just 21.
Laying the Foundations of DrainPro
In the world of drainlaying, where grit and grime often define the industry’s image, Nathan is reimagining what it means to be a drainlayer and a leader. Nathan had a dream when he began in the industry; he wanted to be self-employed and build a nationwide business.
He was also sure that drainlaying was the right path for him. That was because Nathan’s family history meant that he would have a strong support system that he could lean on and that he could call on at any time for advice.
“Starting young meant that some people, both clients and employees, saw me as an easy target,” Nathan recalls, reflecting on his early days. “But it made me sharper, gave me a hard edge, and strengthened my commitment to setting high standards—both for myself and for the people I work with.”
This commitment to excellence has set the tone at DrainPro, where all staff are either registered drainlayers or apprentices training to become them.
“We don’t hire anyone who isn’t on the path to certification. We teach them from scratch, which keeps standards high and helps shape a new level of professionalism within our field.” This process of learning and growing within the business has worked for DrainPro and Nathan believes that it has worked because the apprentices do not come in with preconceived ideas from their time spent at previous jobs.
Nathan was driven by a vision that extends well beyond traditional expectations. He wanted to defy the stereotypical image of a drainlayer as a scruffy, dirty tradesman who might be good at his job but was generally sloppy in other areas like communication. Nathan expected his company’s drainlayers to present themselves professionally and communicate clearly with clients.
He fostered and encouraged a culture of mutual respect among his company’s employees, which led him to develop the key values that are at the core of DrainPro – understanding the importance of professionalism and respect when dealing with clients and each other.
Nathan believes that DrainPro has, over the years, crafted a reputation of sophistication and efficient organisational structure that sets it apart within the drainage industry.
Setting Standards Through Franchise Growth
Today, DrainPro operates with a workforce of 25 across four franchises, each independently owned but unified by the same systems, branding, and internal quality assurance. “Drainlayers are often stereotyped as disorganised and sloppy communicators, but we’re working to turn that on its head,” Nathan explains. “Good systems and open communication are at the heart of what we do.”
The delivery of their services may vary slightly due to the geographical facets and local conditions in the four locations but the overall quality of the services delivered are the same, he says.
Client-Focused Innovation
Nathan says he and the other franchise owners take a lot of pride in the positive feedback they receive from customers. He recalls the words of praise that DrainPro got for a recent project taken on by the Waikato franchise team led by director James Belz. The project was to fix a failed septic tank with very poor access.
The client had previously called in about six other drainlayers to look at the site and each of them had refused to take on the project because the site had no digger or vehicle access. James, however, found a way to work around the limitations of the worksite and managed to complete the tank repair. Nathan says it is incredibly gratifying to see DrainPro take on the projects that no one else will.
So, what would Nathan want clients to remember about DrainPro after they’ve had the chance to work with them on a project? “I would want clients to feel that we made things simple and easy for them, that we were trustworthy, and we did what we promised,” he says.
Resilience and self-motivation aren’t just traits—they’re the backbone of success in drainlaying, where the demands of the job push you to work through challenges and keep raising the bar in an industry that doesn’t slow down.
The challenges of operating a nationwide franchise go beyond the physical labour of laying pipes and maintaining septic tanks. Nathan has embraced leading job management software and efficient systems to ensure that his team is equipped to meet high client expectations.
Juggling the Challenges
The toughest challenges right now, Nathan says, are dealing with the high volumes of work that come up with taking on new residential building projects. “We deal with up to 20 new homes a week and just meeting the various demands of the clients, being where they need us to be, sometimes that is the biggest challenge,” he says. Efficient management of staff and logistics, as such, become a vital part of the planning and execution of projects.
"Our work might look simple on the surface, but behind the scenes, we’re pushing to make things as efficient as possible while delivering the best experience for clients," he says.
The technology and systems in place not only streamline operations but also help DrainPro stay cost-competitive—a critical factor in today’s market, where Nathan has even gone so far as to import materials and products to keep client costs down. The importing of quality products has made a massive difference to customer costs, he says.
Nathan says DrainPro also loves supporting and making an impact on the local communities where they are based. The franchises sponsor local sports teams, about two a year, in Auckland, the Waikato region, Christchurch and Central Otago.
Expanding Into Wastewater Solutions
Beyond new residential builds, Nathan is looking toward the future of the industry. As the exclusive New Zealand distributor of Australia’s Ozzi Kleen septic systems, DrainPro is expanding its footprint in the wastewater sector.
“Right now, septic tanks make up about 10 per cent of our business, but we see major growth potential there,” he says. Nathan wants DrainPro to make major inroads in the wastewater industry and become a national supplier and installer for septic tank systems.
The Vision for Sustainability and Growth
In the coming years, Nathan wants to continue to expand DrainPro’s presence nationwide and also grow within the existing regions.
“I want to ensure we are a sustainable long-term business with a systematic sales process for growth,” he says. “It’s also important to have the experience around while we are growing. When young guys come in with new franchises, we need to guide them through the growth journey of the businesses.”
For Nathan, DrainPro’s expansion isn’t just about business; it’s about legacy. At 32, with two young children, he sees his work as an opportunity to leave his mark on an industry that has defined his family’s history.
Building a Legacy
“There’s a legacy aspect to this for sure,” Nathan says. “I want to take the business further than those before me, to create something lasting that my kids can be proud of and maybe even be a part of one day.”
Despite the challenges and the sometimes unfashionable nature of drainlaying, Nathan finds fulfilment in the work and has some advice for young people looking to enter the industry. “It’s not glamorous, but it’s incredibly satisfying,” he says. “It teaches life skills, pays well and is the quickest trade to get qualified in—two years, and you’re certified.”
Whether he’s overseeing a tricky installation with limited access or mentoring a new apprentice, Nathan Williamson’s approach is redefining drainage in Aotearoa, one pipe at a time. And with the steady expansion of DrainPro’s franchises and services, the future looks as promising as the foundation that he has laid so far.
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