The Construction Source Australia

Welcome to the latest issue of Construction Source Australia, the magazine that highlights the best in building and building products across the country. In this edition, we were fortunate to highlight a broad spectrum of contributors to Australia’s building and development industries, whose contributions have taken place all over the country. CHP Group, for example, is a Sydney-based property development business with an exciting portfolio of luxury boutique projects in some of New South Wales’ most desired locales. With each development, commercial or residential, they are committed to setting a new benchmark in the communities in which they work. We discussed that commitment with Jordan Heyer, who founded the company with his grandfather just a few years ago. We talked about the impact the company has made in those few years, about their new in-house construction capabilities, and about the estimated-$90-million worth of work in their pipeline. Also featured in this issue are Hamilton Group and Alexander Interiors. The latter company is an award-winning, industryleading interior fit-out specialist that’s based in Sydney but works throughout Australia. The former company is a thirdgeneration commercial property firm specializing in the renovation and adaptive use of existing buildings for long-term tenancy solutions, based in Geelong, Victoria. In order to understand their companies and the keys to their success, we caught up with Cameron Hamilton of Hamilton Group and Craig Watkinson of Alexander Interiors. Cameron talked to us about the promise of Geelong – the “City of Dreams,” he calls it – and how Hamilton Group is helping shape the city into what it “can and should be.” Craig, meanwhile, talked about the company’s embrace of the future – despite being a longstanding company started in 1998, they have never been afraid of change and new technology, and Craig tells us about some of the ways they are embracing that change now. For those stories – and a whole lot more like them, in this edition and future editions – just keep reading. All the best, The Editorial Team We will keep adding business units that enhance our offering and separate us from our competition. “ ” Editor From The Dear Reader,

JULY 2024

The Construction Source Australia With a readership exceeding 136,000 senior executives, The Construction Source Australia takes immense pride in providing an enticing platform to amplify your message to the most pivotal audience – your valued customers. Whether your aim is to promote an exciting new condo development, attract crucial financial investments for upcoming projects, or establish a commanding brand presence, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. To explore opportunities for featuring your company or showcasing your latest project in The Construction Source Australia, please reach out to our Group Publisher. Jermaine Poulsen e:info@theconstructionsource.com.au The Construction Source Australia Suite 11.01, Level 11, 175 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia info@theconstructionsource.com.au ABN: 42 976 059 923 Executive Publisher Jermaine Poulsen COO Alexandra Box Editor in Chief Zach Janes Director of Operations Scott Carter Jacqueline Van Belois Business Development Managers Rondal Gardner Douglas Thomson Production Manager Brennan Midghall Digital Strategist Pranim Thapa Administration Manager Belyn Quijance-Dorero

JULY 2024 Industry INNOVATIONS Product of the Month The Kights Scanner CHP GROUP Luxury boutique excellence HAMILTON GROUP Driving the change, they want to see ALEXANDER INTERIORS PTY LTD. A reputation for quality TM & VF LAMPREY BUILDERS For Lamprey Builders, the best part of construction is handing over the keys A-CIVIL Being of service SJC ENGINEERING Getting things done MY STYLE HOMES Green initiatives are go for MyStyle Homes PORTRAIT CUSTOM HOMES Building relationships IN THIS ISSUE AUGUST 2024 PORTRAIT CUSTOM HOMES A-CIVIL

JULY 2024 Aluminum expected to accelerate worldwide adoption of electric and self-driving vehicles Material takes on an ever-widening role in tomorrow’s vehicles For more than a decade, concerns about fuel efficiency have been encouraging OEMS to replace steel with aluminum on vehicle bodies, doors, trunks, hoods, bumpers, crash boxes, brakes, cables and wheels. With the advent of electric and autonomous vehicles, OEMs worldwide are discovering new uses for aluminum. The need for battery casings and heat exchangers in electric vehicles, combined with autonomous vehicles’ demands for high visibility and structural integrity, is expected to exponentially increase the use of sheet aluminum in tomorrow’s cars, trucks and buses. Supporting the transition to battery-powered vehicles Four major design challenges confront OEMs in their transition to electric vehicles. Extending vehicle range Improving battery and passenger safety Increasing passenger comfort Optimizing cooling systems for lithium-ion batteries The substitution of sheet aluminum for steel helps resolve OEM concerns. Industry INNOVATIONS

The Construction Source Australia The lighter the vehicle, the longer its range. According to Ducker Worldwide, aluminum is expected to contribute more than half of the anticipated vehicle mass reduction demanded by electric vehicles (EVs) to extend range. Ducker reports that in North America alone, aluminum content in EVs will increase to nearly 565 pounds (256 kilgrams) per vehicle by 2028. The larger the vehicle, the heavier the battery and casing required to optimize the EV’s range. It is the larger EVs, i.e., sedans, SUVs, taxis, trucks and buses, that will realize the greatest benefits from a steel-to-aluminum conversion. In the U.S., a vehicle’s gross weight determines which class of commercial driver’s license (CDL) will be required. Without lightweighting, some EVs could demand a higher-class license or additional endorsements due to the added weight of the battery. In older European cities like Brussels or London, some bridges and tunnels only allow vehicles up to 3.5 tons in weight, a target that is very difficult to meet for larger EVs without lightweighting. For heavier material transport EVs such as trucks, weight reduction enables an increased payload, providing a significant monetary benefit. Generally, the larger the vehicle, the higher the payback. Particularly relevant for larger human transport EVs such as buses and taxis, the weight reduction made possible through aluminum provides the added benefit of reduced CO2 emissions and improved air quality, of value not only to vehicle operators, but to the communities they serve. The thermal and anti-corrosion properties of aluminum make it ideal for battery frames. Sea-water resistant, highly formable, highly surfaced aluminum alloys provide the strength necessary to pass side-impact crashworthiness testing, protecting passengers and the battery should impact occur. Casing floor plates made out of aluminum are not only strong, but also capable of resisting corrosion related to weather exposure. These characteristics enable aluminum battery casings to resist weather-related deterioration and impact from road debris, minimizing the risk of related fires and further securing passenger safety. Optimizing battery and human safety Extending range Dispersing heat The batteries used in EVs produce energy while charging and decharging, requiring the use of heat exchangers to dissipate heat. But the types of heat exchangers used in vehicle air conditioning systems are inadequate to meet this new challenge. Aluminum clad brazing (which connects multiple layers of aluminum together to disperse heat) requires heating in a controlled atmosphere (e.g., a vacuum) to achieve optimum joining. Aluminum heat exchangers designed specifically to meet the challenges presented by electric vehicles can use as many as five types of aluminum sandwiched together, with the layers providing gradient properties to optimize cooling. These specialized processes and materials address OEM concerns, ensuring adequate dissipation of the heat generated by battery-powered vehicles. An experienced aluminum processing partner can help OEMs specify the right process and alloys to meet specific vehicle temperature thresholds, ideally working side by side with OEM engineers early in the design process to maximize the performance of electric vehicles. IT IS THE LARGER EVS, I.E, SEDANS, SUVS, TAXIS, TRUCKS AND BUSES, THAT WILL REALIZE THE GREATEST BENEFITS FROM A STEEL -TO-ALUMINUM CONVERSION .

JULY 2024 The luxury sedan market will likely be the first to transition to self-driving electric vehicles. Passenger comfort and safety, and an expansive view of the surrounding environment, are expected to be top priorities for this market. The hefty B pillars used in conventional vehicles to meet structural requirements for crashworthiness are undesirable in a self-driving scenario. To enable large windows and an unobstructed view without sacrificing passenger safety, lightweight aluminum will be the strong material of choice. Supporting the eventual transition to autonomous vehicles In addition to the design challenges presented by EVs, society’s demand for sustainable solutions will likely continue to be a driver in the transition to aluminum-lightweighted vehicles. A Forschungsgesellschaft Kraftfahrwesen mbH Aachen (fka) study, using a Volkswagen Golf as its reference vehicle, determined that an electric aluminum-based vehicle could meet the same safety standards as its steelbased equivalent, while emitting 1.5 tons less greenhouse gases over its lifecycle, taking into consideration production, a total driving distance of more than 93,000 miles (150,000 kilometers) and eventual recycling. Ongoing environmental concerns Conclusion Aluminum alloys are ideally suited to the design challenges presented by electric and autonomous vehicles. By aligning with aluminum partners deeply experienced in developing processes and alloys to meet demanding performance requirements, transportation vehicle OEMs are accelerating the pace of EV and self-driving vehicle adoption throughout North America. .

The Construction Source Australia

JULY 2024 Business World Australia

The Construction Source Australia Business Worl d Australia

Luxury boutique excellence

AUGUST 2024

CHP Group (Combined Heyer Property Group) is a family-based property development business committed to setting a new benchmark in each and every one of their projects. Whether it’s a commercial or residential development, they invest their time, resources and energy into fostering collaborative relationships with others that share their vision and values. Combined with a people-first attitude and unrivalled attention to detail, CHP delivers projects that build a better future for their community. CHP Group is a collaboration between Jordan and Chris Heyer, as managing director and chairman respectively. Chris had spent his career working and owning car dealerships, as well as completing commercial developments, while Jordan had a background in residential development, having worked for a few large developers. “We put our minds together to focus on the luxury residential space up north,” Jordan says. “The six units in Kingscliff was our first luxury residential build, which introduced us into that niche market in Kingscliff and really kicked off what you see as CHP Group today,” says Jordan. That original project sold out in two weeks, and Jordan thought they should look at other opportunities. In October 2021 they found another one in Yamba, a luxury boutique four-townhouse project an hour and a half south of Kingscliff. Soon thereafter they chose a third opportunity 15 minutes south of Kingscliff in Cabarita Beach – eight apartments with retail on the ground floor. The group now has another six projects on the North Coast in the pipeline. “We want to continue that boutique trend, looking at 4-to-12 units, with bigger apartments,” says Jordan. In 2023 Jordan introduced a construction entity to CHP Group. “As developers, a big risk item is always the builder, especially in these challenging times within the industry. In 2022, we were lucky to complete a project right before our builder fell into administration. That’s when we decided we THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

AUGUST 2024

needed an internal build entity and started CHP Construction,” he says. Now that they’ve started building the development portfolio, construction acts as an internal entity for CHP Group, says Jordan. CHP Construction is currently building both Yamba and Cabarita projects, and added two new partners in Tony Vickers and Jordan O’Driscoll. Tony is head of construction, and Jordan is project manager on the company’s Yamba project. The Yamba project is a $4.5 million build, and Cabarita is closer to $8 million. CHP Group has another circa $90 million in the construction pipeline, says Jordan. They have another boutique project in the Cabarita area for circa $9 million, a light industrial commercial project in Queensland around the $5 million mark and on the other end of the spectrum they have a large subdivision and light industrial project in the Whitsundays. CHP Group’s first project in Kingscliff was Stellar Pacific. “It’s a beautiful project with six big luxury units in it, 800 metres from town and 15 minutes from airport,” says Jordan. Stellar Pacific effortlessly defines a vision of sun-soaked indulgence and contemporary architectural excellence. Just steps away from the matchless sands of Kingscliff, these six, four storey residences bless the iconic esplanade with a lavish, modern look that’s both impressive and inviting. Buoyed by the success of Malie, which has now sold out,, Jordan is excited for CHP Group’s upcoming and second Cabarita Beach project with retail units on the ground floor and nine units above. “It’s on the first corner you come to THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

Concept Design - Design Development Development Application Documentation Construction Documentation Project Management - Contract Administration Sunshine Coast Office: Suite 10, 68 Jessica Boulevard Minyama Qld Airlie Beach Office: 4 Henderson Street, Cannon Valley Qld M: 0419 799 935 E: admin@morriarchi.com.au | W: www.morriarchi.com.au Concept Design - Design Development Development Application Documentation Construction Documentation Project Management - Contract Administration Sunshine Coast Office: Suite 10, 68 Jessica Boulevard Minyama Qld Airlie Beach Office: 4 Henderson Street, Cannon Valley Qld e: admin@morriarchi.com.au | w: www.morriarchi.com.au in town, and it will be a statement piece for the whole of Cabarita Beach,” he says. The jewel of CHP Group’s projects that Jordan is looking forward to developing is next to the one they already completed in Kingscliff. This build will comprise of three apartments with a double floor penthouse and infinity pools overlooking the ocean. “At 320-to-500 metres internal dimensions, they’re house sized apartments,” he says. While there are many choices when it comes to technology when considering these builds, CHP Group mainly sticks to new technology around safety protocols. Jordan O’Driscoll uses the Hazard Co to track safety across both sites. It’s the most beneficial app they’re using at the moment. CHP Group does look at new products on the market when considering their builds. They have started using Speed Panel, an interlocking façade system. If the project is being erected in between two existing buildings and you can’t get behind your façade to access it, this speed panel allows each panel to be dropped in from the top and installed and fixed from the inside. “Each panel interlocks and it’s quite amazing to work with.” These luxury builds would not be completed with the detail CHP Group demands without their partnerships. “We have a really good partnership with Winnings Appliances and Harvey Norman Commercial,” says Jordan. “Having these partnerships allows us to ensure we have efficiency and things are on time. Looking after each other and having good partnerships is important to us.” AUGUST 2024

Jordan Heyer MANAGING DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION Tony Vickers HEAD OF CONSTRUCTION Jordan O’Driscoll DIRECTOR PROJECT MANAGER Amelia Purseglove HEAD OF OPERATIONS William Foxton DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Arabella Cossalter COMPANY ASSISTANT TRAINEE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Adam Keyes SITE FOREMAN Cassiano Correa SUB SITE FOREMAN Clay Keyes SUB SITE FOREMAN CHP GROUP TEAM THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

With more than one office and eight employees across construction and development, Jordan gives his people a lot of autonomy. “We are scattered across a large territory,” he says. They get together every quarter, and in between they have a headquarters in Tweed Heads and Sydney, so they try to catch up as much as possible. “We give a lot of freedom and trust to our staff to get the job done and manage their own workload. With our projects being so spread across the East Coast we rely heavily on having the right people in the right roles to ensure we are operating as efficiently as we can even though we are not always together.” “Together there’s a really good mix of people with experience and knowledge across construction, development and finance, and those times when we are together it’s very beneficial to everyone,” says Jordan. This mix of talents makes a strong core team at CHP Group. “We try, in terms of marketing, to have a reputation that we deliver the product to the highest quality with no unexpected surprises when our purchasers walk in on handover. We market ourselves as a quality developer and builder and we try to deliver a product we’re proud of now and in the future and ensure anyone who buys in our developments will want to re-buy in the future.” Jordan says he is comfortable to stay in the boutique development space for now. “We can deliver a very nice product up to that 12-apartment size. We would like to have more projects operating at any one time but we’re happy with the scale we’re at right now. Our pipeline looks strong and we’re excited to deliver the projects we’re working on. The future holds more boutique developments for us.” AUGUST 2024

For more information on what CHP Group can do for you, visit their website https://chpgroup.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

Driving the change, they want to see

AUGUST 2024

As a third-generation commercial property firm in Geelong, Hamilton Group specialises in the renovation and adaptive use of existing buildings to provide long term tenancy solutions. Under the leadership of Cameron Hamilton, the company manages around 25 different properties, housing over 100 organisations and nearly 2,000 employees in the Greater Geelong region. Hamilton Group’s origins trace back to the early 1990s, driven by necessity. Cameron Hamilton’s father, David and a couple of mates ran a flooring business in the 80’s and 90’s out of an old wool store. As the business grew into furniture and expanded so did the need to utilize the underused upper levels of the building. David Hamilton embraced this challenge, embarking on a renovation that included adding a new façade. During the process, he discovered not only a passion for this type of work but also a profound appreciation for the historic value of these older buildings. He realized that the true worth of these structures lay in exposing their original features rather than concealing them. Recognising the need for alternative solutions, he rallied likeminded businesses to explore shared tenancy options. In 1995, he seized the opportunity to purchase an old wool store, with intent to provide entry level office space with a focus on price, and a more conventional offering (think suspended ceilings, plaster walls and carpet tiles), ultimately converting it into smaller, flexible spaces. This innovative approach not only solved his immediate office space issues but also laid the foundation for what would become Hamilton Group. Geelong, once an industrial and manufacturing hub, was home to numerous wool and paper mills dating back to the late 1800s. Cameron reflects, “As the city transitioned from its manufacturing roots to a more diverse economy with a growing number of white-collar workers, many of these historic buildings became underutilized. My father saw the potential in these structures, recognizing THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

that repurposing them offered far greater value than simply constructing new ones. “We’re always looking at adding properties,” says Cameron. The company purchases larger footprint buildings of around 3,000-to-25,000 square metres and splits them up into more manageable tenancies. “We have long term investors in all the assets.” The Hamilton Group currently manages around 25 sites across Geelong, many of which are centered around historic woollen mill buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Recently, they expanded their portfolio by acquiring a 14acre Victorian paper mill. “We’re excited to get involved with that one,” Cameron shares. In addition to the paper mill, the Hamilton Group is actively working on four other projects, including another woollen mill and the former Henderson Springs building, a remnant from the era when Geelong’s automotive industry was thriving. Cameron’s vision for these spaces involves transforming them into smaller tenancies, ranging from 100 to 1,000 square meters, to meet modern needs. One of their most exciting current ventures is the restoration of ‘The Regent,’ a former art deco theatre that once played a central role in Geelong’s nightlife and the “talkies” era a century ago. The Hamilton Group has meticulously restored its original features, including an iconic arched feature window that had been bricked over in the 1960s and remained hidden until now. The gradual unveiling of this restoration has sparked widespread excitement and nostalgia throughout AUGUST 2024

the Geelong community. Another noteworthy project recently completed by the Hamilton Group is the revitalization of the Old Federal Woollen Mill in North Geelong. Originally built in 1915, this historic structure was commissioned by the Australian Federal Government to produce cloth for soldiers’ uniforms and blankets during World War I. By the time the Hamilton Group acquired the site in 2013, it was nearly vacant and in a state of disrepair. Since then, the Hamilton Group has transformed the mill into a vibrant precinct that now houses around 60 businesses, including offices, cafes, a bakery, a distillery, a restaurant, event spaces, and retail outlets. The site has been revitalized to include approximately 43,000 square meters of floor space, with an impressive 95% occupancy rate. This redevelopment not only preserves the historical significance of the mill but also breathes new life into the area, making it a thriving hub of activity in North Geelong. “Geelong as a community is an interesting space,” Cameron notes. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve moved away from our manufacturing roots and have seen a significant rise in social insurance and government-funded office spaces.” Throughout COVID, Geelong grew significantly in prominence. “Due to the lockdowns and spread of COVID around the main capital cities, we saw Melbourne locked down a lot. Geelong was allowed greater freedoms. This allowed people to look at Geelong as a viable option for living and working. We saw a dramatic increase in our residential property values and in the desire for THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

AUGUST 2024

people to come down and see what Geelong is about.” Formerly a manufacturing town, people found they liked the community, and younger families began moving in. “I refer to Geelong as the ‘City of Dreams,’” Cameron says with a wry smile. “I’m a lifelong resident of the city. Back in the 1990s, everyone would finish school and then leave to pursue careers, travel, and what they thought were ‘bigger things.’ But that narrative is changing. Today, there are excellent professional opportunities in Geelong, which has attracted businesses to relocate here. As a result, there’s a growing pool of highly qualified staff available. “We have a vision of what Geelong can and should be, and we help facilitate that by providing the spaces where motivated people can pursue their business. A lot of them are retail and hospitality. We think change can and should be affected and we’re figuring out how we can aid in that,” he says. Hamilton Group’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. They have won both the Urban Development Industry Judges Award (UDIA) in Victoria (2021), the Urban Development Industry Award (UDIA) in Australia (2021) and the National Urban Development Industry Award (UDIA) for the Pivot City project (2022). “There were a couple of locally heritage-listed properties in an area where no one frequented,” says Cameron. The woollen mill left in 2001 after a sharp decline due to the abolition of tariff protection, which at the time shut down many industries.” This site was vacant for some years, and when Hamilton Group purchased it in 2013, there were THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

AUGUST 2024 only 20 people working on the site compared to 900 people at its peak. Now there are over 1,000 workers on that site. They’ve expanded the old glass works next door with retail, adding another 11,000 square metres of floor space. The UDIA Award was based on those two sites together: an area known as ‘Pivot City’. “It’s become sort of a university campus for professionals, and people love working there,” Cameron notes. “We host a lot of events to encourage communication and collaboration between the businesses on-site. Winning the top urban renewal award in Australia is something we’re very proud of. It’s a badge of honor that shows we deliver on what we promise, and this award is proof of that.” Improvements to these heritage structures have also enabled the Hamilton Group to enhance their sustainability efforts. “We always make sure we have the best internet, and we prioritize good roof space for solar,” says Cameron. Currently, up to 40% of the power used at their sites is generated on-site. Solar panels are particularly effective in commercial environments because the energy is consumed right where it’s produced. This approach not only reduces their carbon footprint but also aligns with their commitment to modernizing these historic properties in a way that’s environmentally responsible. “A lot of the buildings we look at, their future is in demolition, so we see the benefit in reusing as much as we can, instead of starting and building something fresh,” says Cameron. “That’s our main green initiative. The benefit of the environment outweighs other things that could happen to the PHONE / 0411955839 - CHRIS STERN 3/6 BONEYARDS AVE TORQUAY 3228 Design and construct projects Supporter of the Hamilton Group and their major projects for the last 10 years 35 years of experience in the industry > > > Refrigeration Trading Authorisation No 28647 Refrigerant Handling Licence No L103768

property.” Cameron’s business could not do their jobs effectively without strong relationships with their partners and suppliers. They have used a lot of the same suppliers for the past 25 years, with most for the past 10 plus. “We like to foster those relationships,” says Cameron. “Due to the nature of what we do it’s hard to go in and quote a job. There are so many unknowns with these heritage properties. You don’t know what you’ll come across until you get into the detail, so we work on a cost-plus basis with our suppliers. It’s never hard and fast contracts. That’s why these relationships are so important to us. We need to trust that those people are going to do the right thing by us, and vice versa.” The Hamilton Group places a strong emphasis on building and maintaining solid relationships, both internally and externally, recognizing them as the cornerstone of their success. “Good relationships are key to everything we do,” Cameron emphasizes. With a team of 30 office staff and 50 direct construction workers, plus an additional 120 builders brought on board through subcontractors, the company’s internal cohesion is crucial. These strong internal relationships ensure seamless collaboration across their diverse range of projects. At the moment, Hamilton Group’s end-toend commercial services include a demolition company, a window fabrication company, a steel fabrication company, a joinery business, a landscaping business, a blinds business, and an architecture firm. “We’ve done a lot of vertical integration with some of the companies we’ve THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

dealt with,” says Cameron. “We’re doing a lot for ourselves, and I’ve partnered with those who have come along with us. However, these businesses are also focused on servicing external clients, and Hamilton Group is also completing exciting fit-outs for a number of diverse third-party local businesses – this helps to keep us all at the top of our game.” He feels the company provides a good culture and environment, and their high staff retention speaks to this. “We are a good team to work for. Some of our team members have been with us since 1995,” says Cameron. “About seven years ago there were ten men who’d been with us since the first day. They’ve retired, but they still come into the office and catch up with us.” The Hamilton Group’s unique projects have given them a strong presence in Geelong, and word of mouth has gone a long way in promoting their business, says Cameron. “Our sites are unique,” he explains. “We take pride in celebrating the history of each location, emphasizing the distinct character that an older site offers compared to a new build. Occupying a space that’s over 100 years old with lots of natural light and big open ceilings isn’t something you can get with a new build. We focus on enhancing that, and the integration of old relics. We promote precincts so we curate like-minded tenants and create a community from there.” Looking ahead, Cameron is driven to keep expanding and seizing new opportunities. “We are constantly exploring new sites,” he says. “Right now, we have four hospitality venues in development – bakeries, restaurants, a wine bar – most of which are on our properties. I’m also considering expanding into other regional towns, but I need something substantial to kick that off – no less than 10,000 square metres in floor area.” Confident in his vision, Cameron believes that when the right property comes along, the opportunity will be clear, and Hamilton Group will be ready to take it on. AUGUST 2024

For more on Hamilton Group and their services and capabilities – and to explore their extensive property listings – visit https://hamilton.net.au/ THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

A reputation for quality

AUGUST 2024

Alexander Interiors is an award winning, industry leading interior fitout specialist in retail, airport retail, medical, commercial, and complete project management. Based in Sydney, they embrace their clients’ desire for the highest quality materials and workmanship and create world class working environments throughout Australia. Managing director Craig Watkinson started Alexander Interiors in 1998 while he was completing his university degree. In the years since, he says they have worked hard every day to “build a reputation for achieving high quality and working closely with clients to achieve their desired outcomes.” Craig describes his team as small close knit and versatile being able to handle 30 builds a year. “We’re big enough to handle large complex projects and small enough to care about every job we do, no matter the scale or dollar value.” Alexander Interiors does a lot of work in the major capital cities, for major brands. In the past they’ve done projects up to $4.5 million, with the majority in the $500,000 to $1.5 million range. Their team of four project managers can run multiple projects at any one time. “Providing our clients with peace of mind, and confidence in having chosen us to deliver their store is at the forefront of our work ethos,” says Craig. “Having successfully completed many projects over the years, we are able to provide many valuable benefits which go beyond just shopfitting.” One of Alexander Interiors’ recent projects was for Mecca at Mosman in Sydney, Australia’s largest prestige beauty retailer serving over four million customers every year through their network of 100-plus stores. For them Alexander Interiors delivered “a beautiful shop, with many different features and details which needed a huge amount of time and effect to execute correctly,” says Craig. As well as working with Mecca, Alexander has been carrying out MaxMara shop fits for the past two THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

AUGUST 2024

decades. During that time Alexander Interiors has effectively interpreted the MaxMara, MAX&Co. and Marina Rinaldi store designs – all with differing aesthetic and architectural values. The brand designs and produces drawings overseas and Alexander’s are responsible to source locally supplied materials to facilitate these designs Keeping up on trends and what’s important to these long-term clients would not be possible without Alexander Interiors’ involvement with the Interior Fitters Association (IFA). Craig Watkinson has taken on multiple leadership roles in that organization, including Past Chair of the IFA Professional Conduct Committee, Past New South Wales President (twice) and Past National President IFA. He is also a member of the Master Builders Association. Over their years in the IFA, Alexander Interiors has been one of the most awarded companies for various projects they’ve done. Their Project Manager Scott Cameron was the 2007/2008 Market Walkley ‘Dux of Class Award’. With 30 years in the shopfitting industry, Project Manager Peter Dries was the recipient of the Icon of the Industry award by IFA. Even though they follow tried and true methods in shopfitting, the company isn’t afraid of adjusting methods for the future. “We’ve just introducing a new estimating and project management software,” says Craig. “Technology hasn’t been a part of the things we’ve embraced in the past, however a shift to reinvigorate the company and bring in younger people has required the introduction of new technologies.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

Alexander Interiors’ suppliers make each of their fitouts move more smoothly, says Craig. “They are very important to us. We have a number of sub-contractors we’ve used for 20 years in Sydney and Melbourne. They know how we work and we know the quality of what they produce. This is imperative to us and the client.” Also key to the success of their fitouts is the diligence of the company’s staff, which numbers about 15 people. “Our project managers are meticulous in their preparation and planning, and passionate about delivering projects on time, with zero tolerance to fitout defects,” says Craig. “We’ve retained and grown a very good clientele over the years. We have a high retention rate and I think the thing that stands out is our attention to detail and to focus on finding solutions to problems and dealing with them at the early stages before issues can’t be fixed. I think we do it better than our competitors.” Craig says his clients will always receive friendly, professional and high-quality service from the Alexander Interiors team. “Our customers’ ideas are always welcome, strengthening our commitment to customer satisfaction, innovation and growth.” Alexander Interiors also believes in giving back to their community. Craig has participated in the last two CEO Sleepouts, a fundraising event held by Vinnies to raise funds that will help provide people experiencing homelessness with vital access to food, accommodation, education and health services. Funds raised also assist those going through rough times to overcome poverty in the long term. In June 2018, Craig’s Sleepout raised $15,000, and in June 2019, Craig individually raised more than $19,000, with his team raising more than $50,000. They also sponsored a child in Ghana for a number of years through Plan Australia. E: admin@csrfabrications.com.au | P: 02 4711 5444 Commercial, Architectural & Retail Custom Metal Work www.csrfabrications.com.au Commercial, Architectural & Retail Custom Metal Work E: admin@csrfabrications.com.au P: 02 4711 5444 www.csrfabrications.com.au AUGUST 2024

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Traditionally, retail shops are refitted every seven years, says Craig. A lot of what’s removed goes to landfill, but there’s much more focus now on recycling and sustainability in the industry, says Craig. “Alexander Interiors is committed to the environment. We are continually looking at ways to minimise waste and recycle wherever possible to reduce the impact on the environment.” Sustainability and eco-friendly fitouts will drive the fitout market into the future, according to Craig. While New South Wales, and in particular Sydney, leads the way trends shaping the interior fitout market, each Australian region represents unique advantages and challenges. Interior fit out businesses such as Alexander Interiors who are adept at understanding these regional nuances are well positioned to thrive in these modern markets. “The business will be in a very strong position in the next five years,” Craig says. “We’re bringing in younger staff to reinvigorate the company with a more vibrant workforce.” Craig says that working with tight time frames is all part of the job. “As Australia’s financial and commercial hub, Sydney is a busy market for interior fitouts. We might have only two weeks to price a job, but we have people available to do that. It can be intense but rewarding at the end of the day when you are putting together a beautiful retail site.” Moving toward sustainability T. 1800 027 882 | E. admin@abbotdesign.com.au W. www.abbotdesign.com.au Australia Wide Structural and Civil Engineering Services, Retail, Fit Out, Signs and Events, Residential Renovations and New Builds and Temporary Structures AUGUST 2024

For more information about Alexander Interiors, contact them at www.alexanderinteriors.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

For Lamprey Builders, the best part of construction is handing over the keys

AUGUST 2024

The Lamprey family have been building in the Burnie, Tasmania area for over 50 years. In 2019, Terry and Vicki Lamprey took the leap, along with most of their family, and started building under TM & VF Lamprey Builders for the first time. Thanks to the support of their vast network and a great team, their family business has become bigger and better than they could have hoped. Terry started in the building industry in 1966 and has stuck with the trade ever since. Over the years, many members of his family have followed him in to the business. Family members now involved in the company include his wife Vicki, his children Colin, Tammy and three of his grandchildren. Today, Lamprey Builders constructs new homes along the northwest coast of Tasmania. The main location of their current projects is in Burnie, but their preferred area is between Wynyard and Ulverstone. “We have been known to build further along the north-west coast and never say never for the right project, be it a new build or renovation,” says Terry. They construct between eight and 10 homes per year, with values up to $1.2 million, many for investor clients. “We have a good pipeline of investors from both Tasmania and the mainland of Australia to supplement our local clients, they find the Tasmanian housing sector very lucrative for rental properties,” says Terry. “In Sydney you’d pay a million dollars for a house and get $750 per week for it. In Tasmania a million dollars would get you two houses and you’ll get $600 per week for each.” Recently, the company started a job in Ulverstone, just 25 kilometres west of their headquarters. The two story, $1.2 million build is for a repeat customer. They’ve already built two houses and two other units for her – the first house they built together was actually the first house Terry and Vicki built when they started this interation of the THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

business in 2019. She was their first customer and has continued to build with them, and this will be her forever home. That client is not Lamprey Builders only repeat client, however. According to Terry, a lot of their work is repeat business, and he credits that customer retention to how seriously they take the homebuilding process. “We know building a house is a big investment, and we take that seriously. Our team want to ensure a build runs as smoothly as possible, from the pre-building paperwork through to handing over the keys, and beyond,” he says. Being part of the HIA helps Lamprey Builders with their work. “They’re good to work with. We use all of their contracts and key resources. It streamlines things for us,” says Terry. Lamprey Builders doesn’t submit their homes for construction awards, but they do focus on youth training and they value it when their young team members are recognized. “Our apprentice carpenter who finished his time at the end of 2023 won ‘Apprentice of the Year’ with his training organisation in his first year and his fourth year,” says Terry. “He’s a full-time carpenter with us now. Whether labourer or apprentice, we train our young people properly because they’re our future.” Good relations with their suppliers are also important to Lamprey Builders. They have curated a trusted and reliable network of local subcontractors they work alongside to ensure Lamprey Builders’ quality standards are upheld. AUGUST 2024

They have some very long-term partnerships, like their window supplier who they’ve used for 40 years. “We’ve used some of our suppliers for 50 years and they’ve given us consistent good service,” says Terry. “They’re integral to the way we work. They’re reliable and they treat us accordingly. They know how we work and we know how they work.” When it comes to staffing in-house, Lamprey Builders operate with a small team, overseen by their partners. They have an office manager and construction manager, five permanent builders, labourers and apprentices and three part-time employees in the office. The rest of the team are sub-contractors, but some of those subs have worked for the company for 25 years. “We pride ourselves on being organized,” says Terry. “If we tell the bricklayer we want him next Tuesday, he will start next Tuesday. We do our best to look after everyone in our network, professionally, but also personally should anyone need it. We want everyone to feel that they are valued as part of our core team. As a result, these people have been very loyal to us and us to them.” Both staff and sub contractors try to use renewables whenever they can. “We don’t use old growth hardwood. It’s all plantation or renewable timber,” says Terry. “It’s the same with insulation. In Tasmania some of the things that are available in the bigger places aren’t available here, but in all cases, we try to use stuff that can be renewed. We avoid steel whenever we can and use timber that can be replaced as much as we can.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

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Lamprey Builders gives back to the community by sponsoring local sports. They are involved with an Aussie rules footy team, two cricket teams, two women’s field hockey teams, and girls go-karting. Their go kart driver in Tasmania recently received the STKC rising star award at age 14. They also sponsor two cyclists, both of whom competed in Europe this year. “At least half of our sponsorship is women’s’ sport. That gives us a bit of publicity but truly 90 per cent of our work comes through word of mouth. A lot of the people we build for are repeat builders,” says Terry. Terry believes Tasmania is somewhat of a closed market. “We build about 10 houses a year. There’s not that many builders our size that do that. There’s a lot of small family builders, and larger developers,” he says. We stay in the private sector and we’re unique in that we do all our design work in-house ready for the draftsman.” Personal service, right from the beginning THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

AUGUST 2024 Terry also believes Lamprey Builders’ strength is in their quality of work. “We handed a house over recently and the owners were over the moon with the top quality finish. We don’t have set plans. If you come to us for a house, we design the house to fit your land, budget and wishes. Every house we build is unique to the style and piece of land.” “Our team offer a personalised service to our clients right from the beginning. We are able to custom design a plan to suit your needs, including your land and your budget,” says Terry. As a starting point, they have a selection of plans to view. Beyond that, they take care of all the paperwork, from plans, council permits, engineering and reports as required to make the process easier for their clients. “We walk with them right through to handing over the keys to a new home. Our clients trust that we have their best interest at heart and want them to have a smooth, easy ride and love the end result,” says Terry. “The best part about being in this industry is handing the finished home over to the client.” Terry’s commitment to preparing the next generation is poised to pay off for Lamprey Builders in the near future. “Our daughter Tammy has almost finished her Level 3 Certificate and she’ll have her full building accreditation within the next couple of years,” he says. “She will be one of the first women in Tasmania to have full accreditation, and she will take over the business with her eldest daughter, who looks after the financials.”

For more on Lamprey Builders, and to contact Terry and his team, visit https://www.lampbuilt.net.au/ THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

Being of service

AUGUST 2024

Located in Leppington, NSW, A-Civil Aust Pty Ltd is a dynamic Australian-owned company which specialises in civil contracting services such as demolition, bulk, and detailed earthworks, asbestos removal, soil remediation, road works, land subdivision, shotcrete, minor concrete works, piling, anchoring and machinery hire. The company was created over 10 years ago by Nasser Matta, who had been in the industry for over 20 years. Now, Nasser’s sons George and Salim along with younger brother in training, Elias, are taking over the reins of the family business, while Nasser continues to be involved as CEO. “Things have changed a lot in the last 10 years,” says George. “We have a lot more machinery and bigger style works. We’re taking on more government projects, which is expanding our team and growing the company.” Today, A-Civil Aust has over 50 pieces of machinery, various amounts of specialized attachments and an additional 10 trucks to suit every variant of works. “We’re focused on providing customer satisfaction and higher expectation through a range of services in the field of Civil Contracting works,” says George. “Our specialist plant and equipment combined with highly qualified and experienced staff allows us to deliver reliable and quality services to all our clients, be they builders, developers, or government agencies.” These days, A-Civil Aust does the majority of their work in Sydney, but also takes on regional projects, as well as interstate projects. Their current specialties are remediation work, asbestos removal, bulk excavation, sub-division, machine hire, shoring, detail demolitions and high-rise demolitions. Most of their projects are valued between $1 and $15 million. Recently, the A-Civil team worked on the demolition of the first half of a hospital for NSW Health, located in COWRA. A new hospital is being erected on the same site. “It was out in the country, and was not an easy project,” says George. “There THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

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was a lot of asbestos, so we had to proceed carefully. It was a very detailed demolition. We got to be part of a new facility in Cowra that will facilitate for more people. Out in the country it’s hard to have medical staff and enough beds within the hospitals and we’re proud to be part of the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital at this location.” They also undertook a project in Lithgow, a town in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, 140 kilometers inland from Sydney. “The Lithgow project was one of our highlights whilst working out in the regional areas, as we encountered snow almost every day on the site,” says George. “We did not let that stop the works from being completed on schedule but was also a spectacular site for some of our staff having not seen snow within their lifetime.” Closer to Sydney, A-Civil Aust had been working on a large project in Melrose Park, Stage 1&2. This new development is a proposed mini-city, located near north-west Sydney. A-Civil undertook major demolition, road works and remediation works on this project as the principal contractor. They provided demolition, site clearance, sediment controls, bulk excavation, concrete crushing, stockpiling, environmental testing, road works and remediation. Remediation is considered to be the treatment, containment, removal or management of chemical substances or wastes so that they no longer represent an actual or potential risk to human health or the environment, taking into account the current and intended use of the site. “A-Civil ensured that these works were handled THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA

safely whilst still delivering the project on budget and program, keeping the client delighted with the service provided,” says George. Making the staff experience positive goes a long way in making these difficult projects possible. “We’re very multi-cultural, and familybased company. We believe in family values,” says George. “We were brought up not to judge anyone and to always treat everyone fairly. As a company we have get-togethers and take time to speak to our staff on a personal level. We’re very understanding that many disruptions go on in our personal lives and we always try to be supportive of our employees.” “I see joy in seeing my staff happy,” says George. “When my staff work, they’re putting food on their tables. That’s a big thing for me. My dad brought us up to not be selfish or greedy, and to help other people. If you give hope, hope will come back around. By creating jobs for people who need work satisfies me because I know that I can be of service to them while they’re being of service to me. Without my staff, where would my company be?” Suppliers’ relationships are as important as A-Civil Aust staff relations. “Our suppliers are what keep us moving forward on jobs. We try to maintain the utmost respect and catch up with them as regularly as possible to keep that relationship thriving and getting whatever we need for the project when we need it,” says George. Positive relationships with clients are important as well, says George. “The service we provide is very efficient and our management process is AUGUST 2024

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