As curved walls and striking architectural features become more popular, Winstone Wallboards Ltd has responded with an innovation that is helping customers bring those designs to life.
Proudly designed, developed and manufactured in New Zealand, newest product addition GIB Curveline® is another example of how Winstone Wallboards is turning customer insight into practical innovation.
Developed by the team in Christchurch led by engineer Milad Lazarjan and Growth Manager Gordon White, GIB Curveline® was created to meet the growing demand for curved architectural features, giving architects, designers and builders an easier, faster and more cost-effective way to achieve them.
The product is not only strengthening the company's position in a growing market, but also helping deliver a better experience for customers
"Customers had been asking for this type of product for several years," says Gordon. "As curved walls became more common in architectural design, we saw an opportunity to develop a solution that made those projects easier, faster and more achievable."
The journey began in 2023, when Milad and the team looked at similar products available globally before exploring whether Winstone Wallboards could manufacture its own version using existing equipment.
Throughout 2024, they led a range of trials, working alongside engineering and maintenance teams, to test concepts, refine manufacturing methods and prove the product could be made without additional capital investment.
Finding the right manufacturing balance was one of the team's biggest challenges.
"The biggest challenge was developing a lightweight product while maintaining consistent quality and working within the capabilities of our existing production line," says Milad.
"It took extensive calculations, collaboration across the team and many production trials before we found the right balance."
Once the product concept was proven, Gordon led the project through to market, working closely with internal teams and specialist installer customers. Their feedback helped fine tune both the product and installation process, with step-by-step installation videos also created to help customers confidently use GIB Curveline® on site.
The first board came off the production line at the end of 2024, with GIB Curveline ® being official launched in February this year.
The result is a 6.5mm plasterboard capable of forming dramatically tighter curves than standard plasterboard, opening up new design possibilities for both residential and commercial projects.
GIB Curveline® It has already been used in developments including the BCG offices in Auckland and Auckland Radiology, with architects embracing its ability to create premium architectural finishes.
Customer response has exceeded expectations, with the product quickly finding uses beyond its original purpose, including renovation projects and bulkhead construction. Customers are already providing ideas for future enhancements, giving the team valuable insight into where the product could evolve next.
For Milad and the team, and Gordon and the wider team, GIB Curveline® is more than a new product. It is a clear example of how listening to customers, collaborating across the business and embracing innovation can turn an emerging market need into a practical solution that is already shaping the spaces of tomorrow.