Behind the brush

Lasting legacy: The Sims & Blue story

Dunedin company Sims & Blue has been in the painting game for more than 60 years. Meet the people behind the business and how they’re helping their community.

Sims & Blue, one of Dunedin’s largest and oldest painting businesses, was founded in 1962 by a couple of schoolmates. John Sims and Gilbert Blue were friends at Tainui Primary in the 1940s, living in the same part of town and playing sports together.

Sims & Blue, one of Dunedin’s largest and oldest painting businesses, was founded in 1962 by a couple of schoolmates. John Sims and Gilbert Blue were friends at Tainui Primary in the 1940s, living in the same part of town and playing sports together.

Gilbert became a painter for Duncan Brothers Painters, while John became a carpenter, working for his father John Sims Sr at JA Sims Builders. John eventually went out on his own building houses around Dunedin, with Gilbert painting those houses for him through Duncan Brothers.

It didn’t take the lads long to realise there was more work in painting than building at the time, so they worked together as painters for Duncan Brothers until the company started to wind up.

Proud Resene Eco.Decorators, Sims & Blue is run today by John’s sons, Glenn and Nathan Sims. Glenn looks after the day-to-day operations and management of the projects, and Nathan looks after the clients and logistics.

“We have a team of 12 painters and decorators, including two apprentices,” says Nathan. “We’ve got a number of long-serving team members: two have completed more than 30 years with us, two others are almost at 15 years, and one has reached 10 years. We’re also proud to be heading towards 100 apprentices trained. Currently we sit at 99, and we’re looking for someone to be our 100th!”

Sims & Blue carry out a range of painting and decorating services in residential homes and mid-sized commercial buildings, with work in the education sector being a highlight.

“We have a proud history around Otago painting schools, which is still a big part of our workload today. We have worked on 149 different schools in the area. But our favourite type of work has to be refreshing a classic old villa – you can’t get more rewarding than that!”

Leading by example

Nathan says that his dad’s influence runs deep in the company to this day.

“He’s still around and keeping an eye on us now and then! He’s all about meticulous preparation and a quality finish. If it wasn’t up to standard, it had to be done again – no exceptions. He ran a professional company that upheld all the high standards of a Master Painter,” Nathan says. “He used the phrase, ‘Our work is up to a standard, not down to a price’, which we think is a pretty concise way to describe what we do.”

Glenn and Nathan operate with the same ethos today and are proud of Sims & Blue’s history serving the Otago region for 60-plus years.

“We have many repeat clients, but what we find now is we get calls from clients whose parents’ and grandparents’ homes we painted! We respect every home as if it was our own, and our team understands the high standards expected of a Sims & Blue job.”

Family values

As well as their business, Glenn and Nathan are passionate about where they live.

“Dunedin is a small town and we’re active in our community. The company gives us the foundation to help as we can around town with clubs, schools, and groups.”

Through their Beyond the Brush initiative, Sims & Blue sponsor many sports teams and clubs, including Otago Cricket, Albion Cricket Club, Dunedin City Royals Football Club, Taieri Hockey Club and NZ cyclist James Gardner. They also sponsored the 2025 Sport Otago Colour Run, which the team were very excited about. “We even have our own indoor cricket club which originates from the company’s social club back in 1985.”

“We’ve also joined Team Red through NZ Blood where we donate blood as a team, we’re involved in local business events like the Sport Otago TRI challenge and are active in collecting the Kan Tabs through Resene, in support of Kidney Kids.”

The generation game

Nathan has five boys, aged two to 12, who he’s lining up to get on the tools. “They’re only young, but they come and drop the paint off and ask questions. They also enjoy coming into Resene and riding the trolley out.

“They all help in the business where they can and are looking forward to picking up the brush when the time is right. Glenn also has four children who have all worked in the company for periods of time before moving to their desired professions.”

“Being a family business and being active in the community keeps Sims & Blue at the forefront of people’s minds.”

Teamwork makes the dream work

Nathan says their team is fully on board with what they’re working towards.

“I think they’re proud to be part of Sims & Blue and truly understand that they are keeping the standards high like all those before them. They take pride in a job well done and we receive a lot of lovely feedback from clients.”

Glenn and Nathan prioritise putting down the paintbrushes and having fun with the troops, going curling, tenpin bowling, playing pool or heading to the Beer Fest.

“We might just head down for a steak and beer on a Friday after work, or catch up for a team meeting with coffee and pies.”

They recently launched an annual award called the ‘Gilbert Blue Memorial Trophy’, which is given to the team member who best exemplifies the core values of the company.

“Not so much the person of the year, but someone who really stood out to us. This is something to really aspire to have their name etched upon. It takes into consideration things like meticulous preparation, quality workmanship, reliably delivering above and beyond, professional presentation of self and site, dedication to our clients, our team and our company, and proudly upholding the traditions and highest standards of the painting and decorating trade.”

Wind of change

A lot has changed in the industry since Sims & Blue was founded, particularly in recent times. “Technology has improved in the paint, products, machinery and equipment like mobile scaffolding for example. It’s helped make us more efficient and productive.”

Knowledge around health and safety has also improved, and Nathan says that with Dunedin’s many heritage homes, upskilling the team around lead-based paint is critical. “We do all the medical testing, and we have a nurse who looks after us and talks us through putting on masks and overalls properly.”

Client expectation and business visibility has become a major focus for the Sims & Blue team. “It’s all about professional image and people expect perfection – that’s what we talk to the team about. All that simple stuff like turning up in a tidy van, being well dressed and cleaning up properly after a job; it’s the simple stuff that makes a lasting impact and will get you back.”

Paint partners

Nathan says that Sims & Blue’s values and ethos align perfectly with those of Resene, and that the two businesses share a mutually beneficial relationship. “Resene is a good fit for us. Resene is all about accuracy and efficiency, and they’re good people to deal with. We’ve built a valuable relationship and that’s what business is about.

“We predominately deal with Dean, Lisa and Jill Marsh – she does pretty much all our colour schemes. She’s got such great ideas,” says Nathan. “We’re also proud to be Eco.Decorators and being environmentally conscious has become more important to our clients over the years.”