What Elephant Plasterboard does

Elephant Plasterboard (NZ) Limited distributes and markets the EPB Plasterboard brand across New Zealand through building supply outlets, merchants, and distributors, serving specifiers (architects, engineers, design professionals), developers, housing companies, builders, and end users. The company was founded in 1988 (originally as Rikki Merchants Ltd by Kevin and Michael van Hest, later operating as Sigma Agencies Ltd before adopting the Elephant Plasterboard name in 1996) and is wholly owned by Kevin van Hest. It is headquartered in Glendene, Auckland, with a workforce of 11–50 employees.

The product portfolio centres on EPB plasterboard manufactured from natural gypsum to meet and exceed AS/NZS 2588, organised into five core ranges — Standard, CeilingSmart, FireSmart, BraceSmart/NoiseSmart, and AquaSmart — that are layered into five engineered system solutions: QuickBrace Bracing Systems (NZS 3604:2011), Fire Rated Systems (NZBC Clauses C1–C6), Fibre Cement Fire Rated Systems, Noise Control Systems (NZBC Clause G6), and Wet Area Systems (NZBC Clause E3). Supporting the systems are digital tools for specifiers, including a Bracing Calculator, an online System Selector, and a Bracing Conversion Kit, plus extensive technical literature and compliance documentation. EPB products hold a 2024 Global GreenTag GreenRate Level B certification, and a Green Gorilla recycling partnership addresses construction-waste sustainability.

The business model is a pure wholesale/channel-partner GTM: the company does not sell directly to trade, instead routing volume through building supply outlets via its wholesale arm. Three fulfilment options — Ex-Warehouse collection from Auckland, Freight-Into-Store nationwide, and Delivered-to-Site for Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga — support merchant and direct-project demand. Revenue is generated entirely from hardware sales of plasterboard products, with no publicly disclosed pricing, making Elephant Plasterboard a niche, branded, distribution-and-marketing-led participant in the NZ residential and light-commercial construction supply chain rather than a primary gypsum manufacturer.

Name

Elephant Plasterboard

Legal name

Elephant Plasterboard (NZ) Limited

Website

https://elephantplasterboard.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elephant Plasterboard (NZ) Ltd is a privately held Auckland-based distributor founded in 1988 that markets the EPB Plasterboard brand through New Zealand building supply outlets and merchants, serving specifiers, developers, builders, and end users with gypsum plasterboard products and engineered bracing, fire, acoustic, and wet-area systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plasterboard and Drywall Systems

NAICS

Gypsum Product Manufacturing (327420)

SIC

Concrete, Gypsum & Plaster Products (3270)

akta.pro primary industry

Ceiling Boards, Plasterboard Tiles & Suspension-Compatible Gypsum Products (IMADAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gypsum Plasters & Specialty Additives/Modifiers (IMADAEAG), Plaster (Gypsum/Lime/Cement) & Basecoat Systems (IMADAEAC)

Keywords

• Plasterboard distribution
• Drywall systems supply
• Fire rated plasterboard
• Acoustic plasterboard systems
• Building materials wholesale

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Plasterboard Product Sales: Revenue generated from the sale of EPB Plasterboard products including Standard, FireSmart, BraceSmart/NoiseSmart, AquaSmart, and CeilingSmart ranges. Products are distributed exclusively through building supply outlets and merchants throughout New Zealand.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Elephant Plasterboard (NZ) Limited distributes and markets the EPB Plasterboard brand through building supply outlets, merchants, and distributors throughout New Zealand. The company offers a comprehensive range of plasterboard products (Standard, CeilingSmart, FireSmart, BraceSmart/NoiseSmart, AquaSmart) alongside integrated system solutions for bracing, fire protection, acoustic, and wet area applications. Products are specifically designed for New Zealand conditions and meet AS/NZS 2588 and NZ Building Code compliance requirements.

Product overview

Elephant Plasterboard NZ Ltd distributes the EPB Plasterboard brand through building supply outlets across New Zealand. The company offers a comprehensive range of plasterboard products (EPB Standard, CeilingSmart, FireSmart, BraceSmart/NoiseSmart, and AquaSmart) and five integrated system solutions (QuickBrace, Fire Rated, Fibre Cement Fire Rated, Noise Control, and Wet Area Systems). These products and systems work together to provide complete building envelope solutions: the core plasterboard products serve as the fundamental lining materials while the specialized systems provide engineered solutions for structural bracing, fire protection, acoustic performance, and moisture resistance. The company also provides technical tools including a Bracing Calculator and System Selector for architects, engineers, and builders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EPB Plasterboard: The primary brand distributed by Elephant Plasterboard NZ Ltd through building supply outlets, offering plasterboard products for residential and commercial use.
• EPB BraceSmart®
• EPB NoiseSmart®
• EPB FireSmart®
• EPB CeilingSmart®
• EPB AquaSmart®

Products and services

• EPB Standard Plasterboard Economic general-use internal wall and ceiling lining with medium-density enhanced core, available in 10mm and 13mm thickness. Also used in EPB QuickBrace Bracing systems, meets AS/NZS 2588 requirements. Designed for New Zealand residential and commercial construction.
• EPB CeilingSmart Economic ceiling lining solution that spans 600mm centres on ceiling battens, available in 10mm thickness. Designed for New Zealand conditions meeting AS/NZS 2588 requirements.
• EPB FireSmart Fire-resistant internal linings used in fire systems, available in 10mm, 13mm and 16mm thickness with enhanced fire-resistant core for higher Fire Resistant Ratings. Supports compliance with NZBC Clause C1 to C6 Protection From Fire.
• EPB BraceSmart/NoiseSmart Very high density multi-functional interior lining providing bracing, noise control, fire and impact resistance in a single product. Available in 10mm and 13mm thickness. Previously branded EPB MultiSmart.
• EPB AquaSmart High-density moisture resistant core plasterboard designed for wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry. Formulated to resist effects of moisture and humidity, ideal wall substrate for waterproof membranes, shower linings and ceramic tiles.
• EPB QuickBrace Systems Innovative bracing solutions for the New Zealand building industry offering enhanced design flexibility and a streamlined approach to meeting NZS 3604:2011 bracing standards. Includes QuickBrace Systems Manual and Bracing Calculator tool.
• EPB Fire Rated Systems Broad range of fire rated wall and ceiling systems to support builders, specifiers and architects in meeting NZBC requirements (Clause C1 to C6 Protection From Fire). Includes technical drawings and installation guides.
• EPB & Fibre Cement Fire Rated Systems Combination fire and acoustic wall and ceiling systems using both plasterboard and fibre cement, providing two-way fire system solutions for external walls and other assemblies for residential and commercial construction.
• EPB Noise Control Systems Specially designed systems providing acoustic comfort for occupants in both residential and commercial environments, meeting NZBC Clause G6 performance requirements for airborne and impact noise control.
• EPB Wet Area Systems Guide for best practice in intermittent water exposure and water splash areas as defined by NZBC Clause E3 Internal Moisture, covering both residential and non-residential buildings.
• EPB Shaftliner Barrier Intertenancy System Two-way Fire Rated intertenancy walls using EPB Plasterboard combined with 25mm thick shaftliner barrier between frames. Cost-effective solution providing higher fire protection and noise control performance for terraced homes.
• EPB Order, Warehousing & Delivery Services Distribution and delivery service with three supply options: Ex-Warehouse Collection from Auckland, Freight Into Store nationwide, and Delivered to Site for Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga areas for commercial projects and large orders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products manufactured specifically for New Zealand conditions meeting AS/NZS 2588 standards

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Green GorillacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Gorilla provides a recycling program for EPB Plasterboard waste in conjunction with Elephant Plasterboard NZ Limited (EPNZ). This partnership supports the company's sustainability commitment by helping reduce landfill waste from plasterboard offcuts and construction waste. The program enables proper disposal and recycling of EPB Plasterboard materials.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Knauf: Knauf is a global gypsum and plasterboard manufacturer with broad product lines across fire, acoustic, and specialty boards. While not NZ-headquartered, Knauf's product range and system solutions are directly comparable to EPB's branded offerings in the plasterboard category.
• USG Boral: USG Boral (now USG) is a major Asia-Pacific gypsum and plasterboard manufacturer with comparable system solutions for walls, ceilings, and specialty applications. Comparable to EPB in product offering and NZBC-equivalent standards compliance across the region.
• Saint-Gobain (CertainTeed): Saint-Gobain operates a global building materials portfolio including CertainTeed gypsum and plasterboard systems. Comparable to EPB as a large incumbent with comprehensive plasterboard solutions and significant R&D, though operating across a much broader product portfolio.
• CSR (Gyprock):

Direct peers

• BGC Plasterboard: BGC is an Australian/NZ-focused plasterboard and fibre cement manufacturer with comparable specialty product ranges including fire, acoustic, and moisture-resistant boards. Competes with EPB particularly in trans-Tasman commercial projects.
• Winstone Wallboards (GIB): Winstone Wallboards is the dominant NZ manufacturer and distributor of GIB plasterboard systems. It is the primary direct competitor to EPB across standard, fire-rated, bracing, and wet-area plasterboard product categories in the New Zealand market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elephantpb_nz
• Facebookfacebook.com/Elephant-Plasterboard-100088354360338
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elephant-plasterboard-nz-ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elephant Plasterboard