Custom Carpentry: Built By Henry & Isuzu's NNR Traypack

An Australian-qualified carpenter and joiner with over 18 years’ experience, Henry Wabwile is the sole proprietor of Built By Henry.

He is somewhat of a ‘jack of all trades’, comfortably applying his skills to carpentry, handmade furniture, brickwork, tiling, painting, bathrooms, kitchens, renovations, extensions, irrigation, and landscaping—all with the assistance of his NNR 45-150 AMT Traypack Crew.

“I was born in Kenya, where I worked as a builder for six years before moving to Australia in 2012,” Henry said.

“Since then, I’ve become the sole proprietor of Built By Henry. I am happy to do the small and the large jobs.

“You name it, I can build it!”

Most of his clients come from word-of-mouth recommendations and he’s kept so busy with these that he doesn’t need to advertise.

“I have requests for services across the country from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, to South Australia and even Tasmania. I’ll see where I end up,” Henry mentioned.

“I’ve had lead-on jobs from clients working in Kalgoorlie, who own houses in Sydney that need work.

“I may even be heading to Adelaide for my next job and that is a result of a recommendation from someone I worked for in Queensland.”

Henry is registered nationwide with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which means he is ready to install wheelchair ramps, handrails and any other custom modifications for people with disabilities.

“I am willing to take on regional jobs, as I know how hard it is for people out in the rural areas to get services.

“I have a lot of work already booked. That is why I have got the Isuzu NNR 45-150 AMT Traypack Crew.

“It does all the hard work, and I do the easy job,” he joked.

In terms of tools and equipment, Henry’s story is like one that has been told a hundred times over. He started off with a ute but found it just did not deliver in terms of payload, towing capacity or efficiency for the business.

“You can’t run a carpentry business in a ute and trailer,” Henry said with conviction. “It’s just not possible.

“With this Traypack crew model, I can comfortably carry five other workers to site, including all my gear, tow a trailer and still have no issues with weight.”

When asked about his reason for choosing an Isuzu truck, Henry gives a small chuckle.

“Back in Kenya, if it’s not an Isuzu, you don’t touch it.”

Despite his predisposition to the brand, Henry did due diligence, researching the Australian truck market for two years before settling on the NNR 45-150 AMT Traypack Crew from Isuzu’s Ready-to-Work range. ​

He finally walked into Goldfields Truck Power Isuzu in Kalgoorlie last year to pick up his new workhorse.

“It’s the best thing ever,” Henry said. “There’s a lot of savings from changing from a ute to a truck.

“For one, I save a lot of time. I no longer need to muck around going backwards and forwards like I did with the ute, carrying materials.

“It is also fuel efficient… there’s actually no difference in terms of fuel consumption compared to the ute, but I get additional power and towing capacity.”

Running Isuzu’s hearty 4JJ1-TCS four-cylinder engine at 110 kW @ 2,800 rpm of power and liberal torque of 375 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,800 rpm, the NNR 45-150 AMT Traypack Crew certainly comes with enough power, and more than enough capacity for Henry’s needs with a GCM of 8,000 kg.

“I can now carry all my tools in the truck, all my necessary materials in the trailer, and tow everything to site in one go.

“When I get to the site, there’s no mucking around. I am focused and I get the job done.”

To Henry, productivity boosts like that, cannot be measured just in money savings.

“I value quality and customer satisfaction and I have to make sure everything is done according to the building commission books, meeting every requirement.

“Having the truck gives me more time to focus on quality for my clients and less time worrying about small things.

“Even the client is happier—they see you working all day at the site instead of going in and out for material collection.

“They know they're spending their money well.”

To Henry, upgrading from ute to truck was a real game changer for the business. He enjoys it so much that he is thinking of investing in another.

“I’ve got my eye on an Isuzu Tipper, so I can easily dispose of all the waste with a push of a button.

“When you've got the NNR Traypack Crew, you've got everything,” Henry added.

“It’s an office, a lounge chair and a grand set of wheels—all rolled into one.”