VEC Civil Engineering | 9 projects ahead of schedule – which was the case with the Kingston Bypass, despite the hold-ups with Aboriginal heritage areas they encountered. “We resolved those as the job went on,” Kees says. “There was an Aboriginal site in the middle, and we had to manage our way through that with great difficulty. It really tested some of our people, but we got through it and still finished ahead of time. That’s a real achievement.” In general, Kees says that its VEC’s focus on providing creative solutions that has continuously earned the attention of industry bodies like the CCF. Moving forward, the company will continue to emphasise that ability, and Kees predicts that award recognition will continue to follow. AN ENDURING DRIVE VEC has always grown by forging lasting relationships and diversifying into new markets. According to Kees, that legacy will continue into the next generation and beyond. Currently, his main goal is to pass on his passion for construction and thus see the business continue to thrive after his retirement. “Construction is an interesting industry, because you and your competitors all tender for exactly the same things,” he says. “So it boils down to leadership, drive, and fire in the belly to make you stand out.” “That makes the construction industry unique and very difficult,” he continues. “And if you look at the history of the industry, there are very few construction companies that survive beyond their original founders, or beyond the family. Most of them close down because they lose that drive.” “My dream for VEC is to pass that drive onto our management team, which we are actively working on,” he concludes. “I want the business to remain well respected and survive beyond me. That’s a big task, and a huge challenge, but I think we can achieve it.”
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