A PASSION FOR BUILDING SOLUTIONS

A QUEENSLAND Master Builder’s Award for sustainability has encouraged a local construction firm to aim high this financial year.

Winning the 2012 Queensland Master Builder’s Award for sustainability was a “high point” for construction company Wiley.

Judges praised the food industry designers and developers’ $12 million refurbishment of a three-storey building at the Brisbane Markets Fresh Centre.

The structure includes a café, concourse and commercial demonstration area.

“We put a lot of effort into recycling as much of the buildings demolished material as,” says managing director Tom Wiley (pictured).

“We have always been passionate about efficiency. Designing efficiently is branding a building as sustainable. People are prepared to pay a premium in the short-term that brings long-term savings.”

Wiley, which ranked 44th Top Private Company in 2012, is passionate about helping businesses find both commercial and ecofriendly building solutions.

“Sustainability is a key topic at the moment. We assist a lot of clients and educate them on what grants can offset the impact of the carbon tax,” he says.

“The Federal Government had grants for large polluters in the food industry that paid $1 in every $3 spent on projects, but are now funding them dollar-for-dollar. Clients wanting to do a $10 million project only need to pay $5 million.”

The company hopes to take advantage of growing opportunities in Asia by opening a Malaysian office in this financial year.

“We are investigating Asia and have received client requests for assistance with projects in China, Malaysia and Thailand,” says Wiley.

“A few of us are keen to have a Kuala Lumpur office to service the entire Asian region and have a business development presence.”

The company recently opened an office in Sydney with six staff.

“We want to target more multinational companies,” says Wiley.

“I have always believed in a centrally-run company from Brisbane. Those satellite offices need core capabilities with our knowledge and resources housed in Brisbane. It fosters greater skills growth rather than separation.”

About 60 per cent of Wiley’s turnover is derived from renovation and extension work. But the sluggish construction market has temporarily downsized the scale of some projects.

“The work is still there. If you are a specialised construction company with strong client relationships, there is still something to do,” says Wiley.