Welcome to the latest issue of Construction Source Australia, the magazine that highlights the best of the best in building and building products across the country. This time out, our spotlight has found Keller Group – the largest geotechnical contractor in the world. Keller started in Germany in the 1890s and has grown to operate in every continent conducting $3 billion pounds in business per year. Their experienced Keller Australia division—including Construction Manager Allan Bowers and Senior Project Manager Mo Aziz—specializes in ground improvement, retaining walls, and pilings, using all available techniques in the marketplace. They are currently working on the biggest infrastructure project in Victoria ever undertaken to date, valued at $140 million. This is a joint venture with DSL and includes the installation of hundreds of meters of diaphragm wall. Another feature is WTC Group of Narrabri, NSW, a civil construction company that hasn’t strayed from its rural roots. Founder Will Childs’ can-do attitude has grown the business from humble beginnings in 2013 into three divisions: Mining, Civil, and Agricultural; and 70 pieces of earth-moving equipment, as well as heavy haulage and road transport. WTC Group was proud to be subcontracted on a recently completed community-based job - a state government-funded school built in the Narrabri Shire. They did all the civil works and part of the flood mitigation part of the project. This included topsoil stripping, bulk earthworks, detailed excavation for footings and building envelopes, drainage, and underground services. They also updated the town stormwater system that harvests all the water from the school site and siphons it back into the levee. Also featured within is multi-award-winning Townsville builder Lifestyle Constructions. Founder/Director Jeff Sexton discussed the builder’s consistently won awards in various categories from the HIA and Master Builders every year since the company’s inception in 2007. Their latest accolade is a 2024 Master Builders North Queensland Award for ‘Home Renovation Project from $300,000 up to $450,000.’ The project was the fourth renovation for the same clients, which speaks to the strength of the relationship they have formed with Lifestyle Constructions. We have other stories too, on more innovative and bar-raising developers, builders, and subcontractors from across Australia. For more, 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,
The Construction Source Australia
JANUARY 2025
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 Jacqueline Van Belois Business Development Managers Douglas Thomson Chad Hamilton Production Manager Brennan Midghall Digital Strategist Pranim Thapa Editor Joanne Fralick Administration Manager Belyn Quijance-Dorero
JANUARY 2025 Industry INNOVATIONS Product of the Month The Kights Scanner WTC GROUP WTC Group is committed to community ALLY CIVIL Ally Civil Values Innovation and Collaboration DREAM DOORS KITCHENS It all starts in the kitchen KELLER AUSTRAIIA Integrity, collaboration and excellence CLARKES DESIGN & CONSTRUCT Building on past success LIFESTYLE CONSTRUCTIONS Lifestyle Constructions delivers what the client wants IN THIS ISSUE JANUARY 2025 LIFESTYLE CONSTRUCTIONS DREAM DOORS KITCHENS
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JANUARY 2025 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 .
JANUARY 2025 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 Dedicated service to achieve best results using only quality materials and finishes while also creating solutions to maximise space and storage. Comprehensive consultations and advice, we treat each home as an extension of our own home and take pride in what we do. With over 30 years experience in the joinery industry, we help create dedicated spaces and keeping up with the latest kitchen designs and styles. We thrive on customer satisfaction and take the time to understand each and every individual needs. we also do shop fit outs, medical centres, school fit outs for class rooms, staff rooms etc. Artisanal Kitchen & Joinery PTY LTD Unit 19/264 Hoxton Park Road Prestons NSW 2170 Australia Phone : +61 2 8358 4688 Mobile : +61 484 745 124 Email : admin@artisanalkitchens.com.au Website : www.artisanalkitchens.com.au Call 1300 278 548 for assistance.
JANUARY 2025 Business World Australia
The Construction Source Australia Business Worl d Australia
WTC Group is committed to community
JANUARY 2025
WTC Group is a civil construction company based in Narrabri, NSW. Since forming as a one-man operation a little over a decade ago, they have grown steadily in terms of team members, fleet size, and core capabilities. Today, they are proud to be one of the largest privately-owned employers in their region. Will Childs, the company’s founder and managing director, credits their sustained evolution to the talent, dedication, and forwardthinking of their team. “We are a driven and innovative team,” he says. “We are always looking for better ways to advance the company and add value to our clients, and additional avenues through which we can grow and diversify. Will also credits WTC’s continuous growth to their sincere passion for bettering the communities in which they work. Though they now provide services all across the country, they remain based in regional NSW, and they are passionate about building strong and resilient communities in the region. “We’re locals ourselves, so our region’s success is just as important to us as our own,” Will says. “We have a strong presence in the community, supporting local sporting teams, clubs and charity events. We encourage our people to live and shop locally, we reinvest in our community through local sponsorships, and we use local subcontractors and suppliers wherever possible.” With almost 20 years of experience, Will is a firstgeneration entrepreneur who founded WTC in 2013. Having grown up on a property in the rural town of Narrabri, Will has always been interested in the agriculture industry. He started his career as a plant operator after leaving high school and has THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
worked his way through a range of operational and supervisory roles across the country. Asmodernisationandtechnologicaladvancements gained momentum in the agriculture industry, Will realised there was a significant gap within Northern NSW for a locally operated company with customisable service. From there, the WTC Group was born. Will previously worked in the civil construction space around Australia. “I eventually moved back home to NSW because I saw the opportunities to do what I loved in the community I grew up in,” he says. “I bought a scraper and started work in agriculture earthworks. I bought more equipment and got into mining infrastructure, local government projects and commercial real estate developments like industrial parks and subdivisions.” Today, WTC Group has three divisions: Mining, Civil, and Agricultural. Between the three divisions, they host a fleet of roughly 70 machines, including scrapers, graders, dozers, excavators, prime movers, water carts and dump trucks. They work primarily in the Narrabri and Mudgee regions of NSW. They have the skills, equipment, and experience to take on projects of all scales, with much of their work landing in the $10-to-$20 million range. “A phrase in our conversations is we have a cando attitude,” says Will. “It comes from me starting as a young entrepreneur. You must put your best foot forward every day. If you say you’re going to JANUARY 2025
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do something you do it. However the project is going, we accommodate ourselves to ensure we deliver the best outcomes for our clients.” “We have the latest technology in our business, as well as some of the most experienced guys in our region.” “Ninety percent of our equipment is GPS guidance or machine guided. We use aerial drones. Programs are installed on board the equipment so the team can ensure they’re meeting their production rates on site,” says Will. WTC Group thrives on repeat work and referrals, says Will. “It shows in the agriculture side of our business. Being a family business and working with family businesses in the ag sector, it’s all word of mouth. We’ve worked with clients consistently over the past 10 years. It shows we do a good job.” In the civil space, WTC Group continuously works for local governments as well as state and transport departments and contractors. “If you do a good job they give recommendations. It shows we have the right business and the right people doing the work, he says. WTC Group’s staff of 80-to-90 enjoy the excitement of working with a young business. “Our team is always wondering what we’re up to next,” says Will. “We’re always growing. We’re always innovating and moving into different industries and continuing to grow in the space we’re in.” He believes that there is always an opportunity for JANUARY 2025
staff to grow as the business grows. WTC is a very community-supportive business as well, Will reiterates. “We’re invested in any community event.” The company sponsors a lot of things in and around WTC Group’s places of work in Mudgee and Narrabri. He notes a golf tournament WTC commenced in 2023 and was held again in 2024, which has raising over $100,000 for mental health initiatives in their community. Everyone working here builds pride and is proud to be part of a business that puts community first. I think that’s a big thing as well,” he says. The local chamber of commerce recognised WTC Group in training apprentices and trainees in their industry. “We are big advocates of upskilling our people and bringing in new people to our industry to show we have that new generation coming through,” says Will. This commitment to the community flows into their relationships with subcontractors and suppliers. “We try to use our local content as much as possible,” says Will. “I’m a big advocate for locals supporting locals. We have continuous long-term relationships with our subcontractors in and around the region, from stabilisation to spray sealing to steel supplies for our concrete works. The project doesn’t just cycle and be successful on the principal contributors. We rely on our subcontractors to have the best quality and outcome for the project and the same vision as we do.” Road Safety Barriers Pty Ltd Email: sales@roadsafetybarriers.com.au Phone: 02 6646 4645 | Website: www.roadsafetybarriers.com.au Road Safety Barriers Pty Ltd are a guardrail and road furniture supplier, installer and repairer, operating all around New South Wales. We are cost effective, can mobilise with little notice if repairs / installation are required and we carry a decent amount of stock that allows immediate mobilisation. Road Safety Barriers Pty Ltd, based in New South Wales, is ISO certified has all new tooling, Isuzu Flatbed 22t Trucks, Orteco HD1000 Pile Drivers, 9t plant trailers and with a well trained crew. We are on LGP420 Panel, Tenderlink and TfNSW Panels. THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
An important vision in WTC Group’s jobs is sustainability. “It’s the biggest talking point in our industry at the moment,” says Will. “We must be sustainable and as green as possible. Our equipment has emissions requirements that must be met. The products used on-site must be traceable.” As a business, WTC Group does a lot of work in that space as it is, says Will. “We’re in a carbon farming project now that will go over the next 12 to 18 months. From site preparation to tree planting, we’re introducing trees into active farming land. It’s one of our current business models. We’re doing our thing for the environment.” WTC Group was proud to be subcontracted on a recently completed community-based job - a state governmentfunded school built in the Narrabri Shire. “We did all the civil works and part of the flood mitigation part of the project,” says Will. This included topsoil stripping, bulk earthworks, detailed excavation for footings and building envelopes, drainage, and underground services. They also updated the town stormwater system that harvests all the water from the school site and siphons it back into the levee. After updating the underground services and culverts and installing a new pumping system, the project came in at $13.5 million.“ This was an excellent legacy project,” says Will. “Some of our staff live and work around that township and some of their kids and grandkids will attend school there.” Will believes the future in the regional parts of NSW is unknown currently. “There’s a fair bit of local funding that’s been taken away from us over the past 18 months,” says Will. “As a resilient business we must be diverse. We must focus on areas in different industries to top other parts up. “ “We want to grow, diversify, and become stronger in the next five years,” he says. Moving into the renewable age will be a big part of WTC Group’s business in years to come, working in the civil space. Will looks forward to seeing these projects come to the approval stage so WTC Group can start in the years to come. JA SMITH SOLUTIONS Offers a wide array of products to meet your needs Abrasives & Adhesives Belts & Pulleys Chains & Sprockets Hand & Power Tools Safety & PPE Cleaning & Hygiene ...and much more! 65 Francis St Narrabri, NSW 2390 Phone: 0484 672 582 | Website: www.jasmithsolutions.com.au JANUARY 2025
For more on WTC Group, their approach, their range of services, and their past projects – and to get in touch with Will and his team – visit their website at https://www.wtcgroup.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
Ally Civil Values Innovation and Collaboration
JANUARY 2025
Ally Civil is a leading provider of premium civil infrastructure, utility pipeline, and building construction projects across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. Since forming in 2000, the company has grown from strength to strength, and 25 years in their growth is not slowing down. Backed by their leading-edge technology, their modern state-of-the-art depot facility, their professionalism, and their project delivery skills, they intend to keep evolving and keep expanding. “We’re looking to the future,” says Assad Noun, Managing Director. “We are committed to becoming a provider of infrastructure and pipeline solutions across Australia.” These days, Ally Civil delivers high-quality infrastructure solutions across a diverse range of sectors, including road works, pipelines, leisure activity facilities, and industrial development. Geographically, they are strategically located in southwest Sydney, but work all across NSW, ACT, VIC, and QLD. They also recently acquired Scope Contracting, a privately-owned civil construction business also based in Sydney. As a result, they can provide rapid response time and efficient service in the Sydney metropolitan area. Ally Civil was founded by David Baker and Chris Bullock. Assad joined the company 10 years later when Chris sold his share to David. The current ownership structure includes key staff who have become shareholders, and the acquisition of Scope Contracting adding an additional shareholder to the umbrella company, with owners overseeing different areas of the business. Assad notes “When I joined the company, it was fairly successful, working with 15 different councils doing civil construction work across different regions of Sydney,” says Assad. “Over THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
the next 10 years, we improved the connectivity and safety for countless residents with essential road infrastructure. We leverage our extensive experience and established relationships to streamline the approvals process, helping developers successfully complete their projects.” In 2022 Ally Civil started subcontracting, expanding into pipeline construction. This allowed them to deliver for some of the largest utility providers in Australia. “It pushed us into working in Victoria and Queensland,” says Assad. Recently Ally Civil led an emergency repair to a major failure in a gas pipeline project in NSW. “Our team of specialist engineers rapidly developed and implemented temporary and permanent solutions, ensuring the timely restoration of gas supply to the region,” says Assad. The $7 million project demonstrated Ally Civil’s ability to respond effectively to urgent infrastructure needs, says Assad. “When we got to the site there was no access. We made access through the area of the fault and immediately built a road to get to the affected area. With our team of specialist engineers, we developed a temporary solution to get gas back to the region within a week and then helped deliver the permanent repair. The project went on for three months, with tens of thousands of people initially affected by the outage. Another project saw Ally Civil pioneer with the City of Parramatta to deliver crucial road infrastructure JANUARY 2025
improvement at the intersection of Hill Road and Bennelong Parkway in Wentworth Point. “This project addressed a history of collisions and congestion for that area and significantly improved the safety and traffic flow for about 14,000 residents,” says Assad. “Our engineers provided expert advice and construction support, overcoming challenges to deliver that vital project.” This was one of the crowning moments for the company, says Assad. “I’m a resident there, and I’ve noticed the difference this infrastructure project has made.” The project was delivered by the City of Parramatta in collaboration with the State of NSW. It was truly a group effort with the company’s pipeline division assisting in the delivery. “It’s an example of collaboration, and the two divisions complementing each other. We help each other wherever we can and lean on each other’s expertise, when possible,” says Assad. Ally Civil is conscious of the environmental impact of their work, says Assad. To minimise this impact and contribute to the circular economy they have invested in cutting-edge equipment for on-site material processing and recycling. This significantly reduces waste and transport costs. “The equipment’s compact size and four-star energy rating reduce our carbon footprint. We’ve diverted over 4,000 tons of waste from entering landfills in 2024.” THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
Teamwork is everything at Ally Civil. With over 50 staff and a dedicated network of more than 100 subcontractors, they’re all about getting the job done together. Their skilled workforce is organised into specialist departments including planning, estimation, project management, and engineering, making sure every project is tackled with expertise and precision. They work towards what their strengths are. Some are focused on the pipeline division of the company. Others are focused on the infrastructure division. “We all work together in one big office and we lean on each other’s expertise when necessary. We’re more than just colleagues,” says Assad. “Collaboration is key. We encourage open dialogue; we go the extra mile to show appreciation for each other. We have biannual celebrations, golf days, and tennis outings. We have a chill-out hub inside the office where people go to have lunch. We have table tennis downstairs that is used every day for unwinding and socialising. We A Team Culture JANUARY 2025
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have good camaraderie and a very positive environment. We have long-term employees that are happy where they are.” That culture is in play with Ally Civil’s on-site staff as well. “We have a very friendly workforce. Our project managers prioritise building strong relationships with clients, ensuring their projects are handled with the utmost care and attention. We like to keep the same project manager focused on the client in delivering projects and helping with any issues that may come up. Our clients have set project managers that work with them regularly. There are no unfamiliar faces and everyone knows what each client expects,” says Assad. The subcontractors and vendors have similar relationships with Ally Civil. “We’ve leveraged a lot of our growth on the success of our subcontractors. They are in effect an extension of our employees in the company,” says Assad. “A lot of them are former employees who went out on their own and have come back to help us grow, which provides mutual growth for both parties. Some of them have been with the company longer than I have.” Ally Civil expects to grow and expand their team over the next five years. “I’m a firm believer in high-quality engineers continually coming through and developing new ideas,” says Assad. “We hope to do this through a targeted marketing campaign to raise our profile and reach new clients. We’re proud of our ability JANUARY 2025
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to troubleshoot. We’re engineers at the end of the day.” Ally Civil has recently established a dedicated construction and building department. Assad says that gives them expertise in building, which will support the industrial and commercial market. He hopes to see it develop over the next couple of years. Furthermore, with the company on the cusp of being accepted on the TfNSW R2 Prequalification list, they are also expecting to be delivering larger road projects for the NSW state government. The company has also recently acquired a property on the Victorian border where they plan on developing a facility for their regional works. “We want to see our presence in regional Australia grow significantly and take us beyond the eastern seaboard.” Ultimately, Assad concludes, the sky is the limit when it comes to Ally Civil’s expansion. They haven’t yet encountered an obstacle they couldn’t overcome and he doesn’t see that changing. “Every year we’re doing something we never thought was possible before.” JANUARY 2025
For more on about Ally Civil, their services and capabilities, their key partners, and to get in touch their expert team, visit www.allycivil.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
It all starts in the kitchen
JANUARY 2025
Dream Doors Kitchens are pioneers of the “kitchen facelift” – a way of delivering kitchen makeovers affordably by upgrading existing cabinets with new doors, drawers, benchtops, and splashbacks. Over the years, their expertise in that subject has supercharged their growth. Since starting overseas as a small brand, the company has expanded across the world and become the largest kitchen franchise in Australia. “We’re a strong, trusted brand and business model,” says Adin Elton, Business Development Manager. “Our system hits several boxes. It’s environmentally conscious, and our model is quick, easy, and cost-effective.” Dream Doors Kitchens has been revolutionising kitchen renovations for more than 25 years since they first entered the market in the UK in 1999. “One of the UK owners chose to take the business to New Zealand and became a master franchisor there,” says Adin. Since Master Franchisor Cam Hadlow launched the business in Australia, Dream Doors has grown to have over 44 local franchises established nationwide, all of which are family-owned and operated. “We’re a brand that started small and now is Australia’s largest kitchen franchise,” says Adin. “We’re sitting in that top tier of kitchen manufacturers nationally outside the model of facelifting as well.” With its head office situated in Sydney, Dream Doors Kitchens has franchises in all of Australia’s major cities. Dream Doors Kitchens’ clientele are homeowners who come to them. “It’s very simple,” says Adin. “You like how your kitchen sits and stands, but THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
you would like a different colour door, panel and benchtop. We come in and change those things over and leave the kitchen there. Two or three days later you have a brand-new-looking kitchen.” A Dream Doors Kitchen renovation depends entirely on what the client wants. “We do anything from a couple of doors to a full kitchen renovation where we pull everything out, remodel the layout, and put a whole new kitchen in,” says Adin. “We also do wardrobes, laundries, and vanities. One of our franchises is currently working on a whole house job worth $255,000. We do anything cabinetry, but it all starts with the kitchen.” The Dream Doors Kitchens brand has much to do with what sets us apart from the competition,” says Adin. “We’re predominantly a facelift, but we use the top-tier brands. You have a high-quality, affordable product, and we’re in and out with little mess.” Dream Doors Kitchens project manages all their jobs from start to finish. They organise all the trades like tilers, plumbers, and electricians, and they get in and out as quickly as possible. Most franchisees are not cabinetmakers, says Adin. “The Dream Doors Kitchens network comprises 24 owners; of these, 20 of them have not come from the trade. They’re accountants, logistics managers, salespeople, corporate, military, entrepreneurs, all sorts of people. The model is easy to take on because we provide all the tools to go with it.” With some Australian franchisees hitting their JANUARY 2025
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10-year mark, it’s looking like 50% of their work is referral and repeat work, says Adin. The other 50% consists of leads generated from their national and local area marketing campaigns. “The longer you’re in the better that becomes,” he says. “As an extension, let’s say you have a franchise, and another franchisee buys one in a neighboring territory. By brand recognition, you’ll be noticed, and you’ll get some work on the reputation of others.” Five people work at Dream Doors Kitchens’s head office, plus the Master Franchisor Cam Hadlow. “We are a small but perfectly formed team,” says Adin. “When you look outside that, we see our network as our staff and part of our business even though they operate their own company.” Each franchisee has a staff of five to ten or maybe more in sales, project management, administration, and other relevant jobs. “Our network and suppliers that support our network make us tick,” says Adin. “Without them doing what they do well, we wouldn’t be in the position we are today.” Dream Doors Kitchens outsources to a company that handles all its marketing. The franchisees outsource painters, tilers, plumbers – all trades. The head office sets up the supply chain. They deal with Australia’s largest door manufacturers, hardware suppliers, and stone benchtop suppliers. “We use the most recognised and trusted brands out there. We set them up from a national JANUARY 2025
perspective for consistency of supply, product and pricing,” says Adin. “Our franchises have accounts with them. They get the best support, pricing, and product.” Dream Doors Kitchens has used the same longstanding suppliers for the past 10 years, he says. “During COVID we introduced a couple of new ones to keep supplying product. It was our busiest time. People were working 16-hour days for the better part of two years. Otherwise, the main core of suppliers has been there and grown with us since day one. They give us great support and they are great allies.” Dream Doors Kitchens recognises the exemplary efforts of their franchisees, says Adin. The company has placed in the top ten for Australia’s top franchises for five of the past six years. Their highest achievement was in 2024 where they placed sixth overall, but in the top 10 for every category. “We pride ourselves on the top franchise awards,” he adds. The national award has several brands under it. Every year there’s a survey sent out to the networks within those respective brands, asking about marketing, support, and many other categories. Part of that form is about who the franchise is, and forms where they rank in things like brand, innovation and lifestyle, marketing, passion, and support. “Our franchisees individually put themselves in for awards in our industry and many have won awards,” says Adin. “We encourage all that 405 Victoria Street Wetherill Park, NSW, 2164, Australia PO Box 7054 Wetherill Park DC 1851 P 02 8787 0900 F 02 9604 5052 E sales@tesrol.com.au W www.tesrol.com.au For over 40 years, Tesrol is renowned for its wide range of high-quality products and exceptional service. Our product offerings include Vacuum Formed Doors, Polyurethane Doors, Routers Doors, and a diverse selection of accessories. We also provide a decorative board range such as Superclean and Likewood 2D+, ensuring that you have a plethora of options to choose from for any joinery project. For more information and to explore our range of products, we invite you to visit our website at www.tesrol.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
because it provides trust and leadership with the brand.” Dream Doors Kitchens installs about 2,500 kitchens a year across Australia. “One of the things we encourage from the franchisees is Kitchen of the Month and Kitchen of the Year. The head office does a blind vote,” says Adin. “The winners are portrayed on our website to acknowledge the franchisees’ and their customers’ work for all visitors to see.” “After 10 years in the marketplace we are now an established brand,” he says. “There are ways to build the brand internally and externally. Our goal at head office is to go from 24 owners to 36 nationally, and from 42 owned territories to around 60 which would essentially double the size of what we are now in three-to-five years.” The company will do that in multiple ways. For example, Adin says, “we are bringing in new products so the network can sell more ideas.” “We may formally bring in flooring so the franchisees can do kitchen floors during a renovation,” he adds. “It’s the tip of the iceberg. We want to be recognized as brand leaders and thought provokers in our industry, not just another kitchen manufacturer. When there’s a new trend, we want to be delivering that trend.” JANUARY 2025
For more about Dream Doors Australia, their locations, their services, and examples of their past projects – and to find your local Dream Doors, or to contact their head office – visit their website at https://dreamdoors.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
Building on past success
JANUARY 2025
Clarke’s Design & Construct is an expert industrial and commercial builder based in South East Queensland, born from director Andrew Clarke’s vision to bridge the gap between what the industry was delivering and what clients were expecting. In order to bridge that gap, he created a company based on the values of adaptability, collaboration, integrity, and communication. He also created a company that could shepherd a project from startto-finish, from planning and feasibility through to construction and handover. That way, they could better manage quality control, save clients time and money, and eliminate surprises by keeping clients informed every step of the way. Andrew Clarke has personally been in the construction industry since 1989. He first formed his own company, called Clarke’s Project Management, in the mid-2000s, where he began managing the construction process for commercial and industrial builders and property developers. However, he quickly realized the downsides of not having control over the whole process. He learned that clients were receiving poor advice while also getting hit with hidden variations and fees that blew out costs. Responding to this, he expanded Clarke’s to encompass all elements of the design and construction process, allowing clients to draw on his wealth of knowledge and expertise and eliminate the challenges they faced when working with multiple contractors. Today, Clarke’s Design & Construct is based in Arundel on the Gold Coast, and their service area covers a 150 square kilometers radius from southeast Queensland to the northern parts of New South Wales. Their projects consist mainly of warehouses, industrial and storage spaces in the $3-to-$20 million range. As previously mentioned, they handle every aspect of the THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
industrial or commercial construction process – from design and feasibility, council approvals and certifications, all the way through to final handover. Clarke’s team considers all aspects of the potential site when assessing a block of land for commercial or industrial construction. “We’ll check the topography, levels, and surrounding elements that can have flow-on effects with the build,” says Andrew. “With our design process, we’re more interested in understanding the client’s needs and maintaining a cost-effective approach than focusing on something that might win an award. Plus, managing the design and build in-house means the client doesn’t need to navigate the often-tricky relationship between the designer and the builder.” As Clarke’s projects and ambitions have grown, so has their team. They now employ over 25 people in the office and between 60 and 70 on project sites. As the company’s founder and leader, Andrew also remains personally involved in every project they take on, and he handles each commercial development as if it was his own. Although Clarke’s Design & Construct has always prioritized client satisfaction over winning awards, in recent years they have been industry recognized. For example, at the 2024 MBA Gold Coast Awards, Andrew says they were “thrilled” to win the category for ‘Commercial / Industrial Building up to $5 million’ for their recent project called ‘The Seaway.’ ‘The Seaway’ in Coomera holds 16 individual JANUARY 2025
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warehouses and self-storage sheds. The building is constructed of high-quality concrete tilt panels with motorized roller doors and drive-through access. The latest development within the booming Northern Gold Coast corridor, it is excellently positioned close to the Gold Coast International Marine Precinct, M1 Pacific Motorway, Westfield Coomera, Dreamworld, and Costco. “We spearheaded this development project,” says Andrew. “The land was hard to get in that area. There are a lot of government projects and marina work there. Good opportunities for other businesses to move in.” Clarke’s Design & Build’s received a second 2024 MBA award in the ‘$5 million to $15 million Commercial/industrial’ category. That awardwinning project was located in Canberra and was completed for client ABI Interiors, sellers of bathroom, kitchen, and laundry fixtures. “They came to us needing a larger warehouse and office facility, and engaged us to do the job,” says Andrew. “It was a successful project. We have a good relationship and good communication with the owners.” The warehouse is located next to the M1 which is a good space in that precinct says Andrew. “We’d built 75% of the other buildings in this industrial area and this one happens to be close to our headquarters. We did some special things in the build that we wouldn’t normally do.” Moving forward, Andrew says the vision for PHONE: 07 5546 4154 EMAIL: info@albertvalleyturf.com.au WEBSITE: www.albertvalleyturf.com.au WE WORK HARD TO GROW & HARVEST THE PERFECT TURF, READY TO LAY ON YOUR PROPERTY. WE HAVE 9 TURF VARIETIES AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND, GROWN UNDER OUR CAREFUL & CONTROLLED TURF GROWTH PROGRAM, TO ENSURE LESS WEEDS THAN OUR COMPETITORS. AS WE ARE LOCATED IN BETWEEN GOLD COAST & BRISBANE WE ARE IDEALLY POSITIONED TO DELIVER & INSTALL YOUR NEW LAWN WITH 48 HOURS OF ORDERING. WE ALSO OFFER PICK-UP FROM OUR FARM. WE AIM TO PROVIDE OUR VERY BEST SERVICE, PRODUCTS & ADVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS. JANUARY 2025
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Clarke’s Design & Construct is to continue growing. That doesn’t necessarily mean growing geographically, however, as he believes there’s still a lot of opportunity left to seize in South East Queensland. “Clarke’s Design and Construct is committed to leveraging our expertise, resources, and innovative spirit to explore new business opportunities and forge strong relationships with clients across South East Queensland,” says Andrew. “We are actively seeking new partnerships and projects that align with our vision of creating highquality, functional, and sustainable commercial spaces,” he concludes. “We are ready to partner with clients looking to embark on a commercial construction project or collaborate with a team that values integrity, excellence, and client satisfaction. We want growth in the context of getting more quality projects to continue our path and have a steady, ongoing business, not to expand into other states.” JANUARY 2025
For more on Clarke’s Design & Construct, their story, their process, and examples of their past projects – and to get in touch with their expert team today – visit https://clarkescommercialconstruction.com.au THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
Lifestyle Constructions delivers what the client wants
JANUARY 2025
Lifestyle Constructions NQ is a multi-awardwinning residential home building and renovation company working mainly in the AitkenvaleTownsville region of North Queensland. Throughout their history, they have focused mainly on home refurbishments, but they are capable of doing virtually any type of project the client requires. According to Jeff Sexton, founder and director of the company, basically everything the company does is about meeting the needs of their clients. “We take pride in assisting our clients to build the home of their dreams,” Jeff says. “We can build to their plans or they can select from one of our plans. We’ve had a few clients over the years who wanted to do custom builds. Whatever the client wants, we guarantee them quality workmanship and delivery to their expectations every time.” In addition to doing major renovations and new homes, Lifestyle Constructions also has a specialty kitchen division, specializing in kitchens, vanities, study desks, built-in robes, laundry cabinets, flat packs, display units, TV units, and coffee tables. “With our large range of finishes and colors we can design and build your dream kitchen in any available space,” says Jeff. “Our professional cabinet makers can install your stone or laminate bench tops and/or two-pack cabinets, in a relatively short time, depending on the style of your kitchen.” The company’s focus on renovations started with Jeff when he formed Lifestyle Constructions NQ in February 2007. He is a trade-qualified carpenter and holds a current builder license with over 25 years of experience in the Queensland building industry. During this time, he has developed extensive knowledge of all aspects of carpentry THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
and works with clients throughout the entire design and build process. Jeff is a trusted and respected local who is both approachable and reliable. From day one, Jeff has prided himself on being a trusted and respected local who is both approachable and reliable. “We’ve always delivered what the client wants. We complete good, high-quality work and we come in on budget,” he says. That reliability is why Lifestyle Constructions NQ has the same clientele with the third or fourth project underway. “We discovered some time ago that when we tell people what we’re going to do and keep doing it and deliver on our promises they come back,” says Jeff. Today their projects are predominantly renovations and refurbishment work, with some new builds and custom builds. The business currently employs roughly 30 employees but hopes to hire more staff as the company grows, says Jeff, depending on what contracts they are awarded. As the company director, Jeff is very hands-on and has personal relationships with every team member. “I know every single one of my employees,” he says. “I’m not the kind of guy who sits at home. I’m in the office daily.” Jeff’s closeness with all aspects of the business means the Lifestyle Constructions NQ team is focused on success and offers a highly competitive and personalized, quality building service. JANUARY 2025
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“We have very strong relationships with all our suppliers, who are 100 per cent locally owned, and live and work in the region,” says Jeff. “We have an excellent understanding of how things run. Once we form a relationship with these people they stay our go-to. No shifting and changing of contractors and suppliers.” Jeff notes they have the same electrical contractor working alongside them today who started with Lifestyle Constructions NQ in 2007. “Now his son’s taking over the business, and we will continue to work with this second generation. This is the kind of relationship we have with most of our contractors.” This loyalty and trust in their staff and contractors has earned the company multiple awards over the years. In fact, they have consistently won awards in various categories from the HIA and Master Builders every year since the company’s inception. Their latest accolade is a 2024 Master Builders North Queensland Award for ‘Home Renovation Project from $300,000 up to $450,000.’ That project was Jeff’s fourth renovation for the same clients and he says they are now talking about doing another one – which speaks to the strength of the relationship thy have formed. For that award-winning project, he says the client “decided the place needed a facelift,” as it had originally been built 20 years ago. “We sat down with them and went over the design features and tried to stick to the existing footprint as much as possible.” JANUARY 2025
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Jeff believes that the MBA are an important event for the industry, as it shines a light on the quality workmanship and outstanding expertise that Master Builders are renowned for. He also says it’s important to participate in bodies like the MBA, as construction in Australia is facing some tough challenges right now – including ongoing labor shortages, a 40 percent jump in material costs in the last three years, and red tape hampering builders’ ability to get on with the job during the housing crisis. However, as last year’s awards have proven, determination, skill, and sheer hard work can deliver outstanding results, even in difficult times. Ingenuity, tenacity, and superior craftsmanship abound as was seen at North Queensland’s 2024 Housing & Construction Awards. The event was held at The Ville Resort-Casino this past August. Jeff believes the future of Lifestyle Constructions NQ will be very good. “We’re pretty established now. We’re about to move out of the place we’ve been leasing for the past 20 years. We acquired a site a year and a half ago on Bayswater Road that’s close to an acre in size and we are building a 1700 square meter office and factory.” The goal is to move into the new facility in the first or second quarter of 2025. “Once we have our grand opening and people can see our capabilities we expect to double in size over the next twoto-three years,” he says. JANUARY 2025
For more about Lifestyle Constructions and everything they have to offer, visit their website at https://lifestyleconstructionsnq.com.au/ THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
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