Dowell Windows Grand Opening Feature

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ADVISER READING

Special Dowell Wrap Around

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 30, 2019

ADVERTISING HOTLINE: 5832 8900

Dowell opens new 8,500m2 Shepparton premises

AUSTRALIA’S WINDOW EXPERTS

DOWELL Shepparton has recently undergone an exciting expansion and relocation and is now operating from 225 Benalla Road, Shepparton.

The new location at the old Bunnings site has undergone a multi-million-dollar upgrade and boasts a shiny new showroom, offices and a considerably larger factory floor space, enabling the company to continue to grow as one of regional Victoria’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of windows and doors.

MASSIVE SHEPPARTON PRESENCE WITH EXCITING EXPANSION...

The Dowell team, from left (back), office administrator, Andrew Gibb, team leader, Bruce Manks, purchasing officer, Nathan Jones, team leader, Andrew Morris, team leader, Barry Dean, dispatch coordinator, Darren McMahon, team leader, Joe Racioppo, team leader, Kamu Titimaea, procution manager, Mick Rudge and team leader, Rob Cairns. (Front), lean coordinator, Johnny Brunner, estimator, Greg Male, purchasing officer, Adrian Richards, account manager, Gavin Madill, branch manager, Shane Rodda, scheduling, Kiley McMahon, service manager, Terri Pitt, scheduling, Kasey Tozer and team leader James Symons.

Photo: Katelyn Morse.

Grand Opening

AUSTRALIA’S WINDOW EXPERTS

Dowell Shepparton

undergoes major expansion “Anybody who is thinking of building or renovating should come and chat to our friendly staff... our experts are here to assist.”

Dowell Shepparton branch manager, Shane Rodda.

DOWELL are experts in the fabrication of an extensive range of windows and doors.

The proudly Australian owned company is a leading supplier of aluminium windows and doors to the Australian housing market.

Dowell Shepparton branch manager,

Shane Rodda said, “Anybody who is thinking of building or renovating should come and chat to our friendly staff. There are just so many options available for windows, and our experts are here to assist.

“We can also custom make windows to order for specific requirements, and can help you find the best solution for your situation.”

For those unable to visit the new showroom, Dowell has a comprehensive online website at www.dowell.com.au and can be reached by phone at 5821 2655.

Dowell Windows CEO, Jeff Rotin

DOWELL is lucky enough to have 21 locations around Australia including nine major manufacturing plants. Dowell Shepparton has long been an iconic part of the business.

Senior managers and support staff alike have always loved coming to Shepparton and working with the local team. There is a sense of community, teamwork and a cando attitude that is unique to this business and has seen it emerge as one of the leaders in terms of quality, productivity, and capability.

For these reasons, we have been delighted to be able to make this substantial investment in our new facilities.

The Dowell Shepparton business is an integral part of the Dowell supply chain, servicing both regional and metropolitan Victoria as well as southern New South Wales and Canberra.

This multi-million-dollar plant cements

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Dowell’s long-term commitment to ongoing growth and employment in the Shepparton region. The construction project has been delivered on time and on budget with the great assistance of many local contractors including Crow Constructions as the principle contractor, Hamereen Pty Ltd for plumbing services, Tom Pedretti Electrical Pty Ltd, John Morrow Refrigeration Heating and Cooling, Marc Quarral Civil Works and JR and JD Baldi to name just a few.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all local contractors involved in the project for their contribution to completing this large construction project.

We look forward to a long a prosperous future in Shepparton and hope the community will continue to support us in our ongoing goal to be an employer of choice and economic contributor to the region.

Grand Opening

AUSTRALIA’S WINDOW EXPERTS

small beginnings, history From

Dowell company

DOWELL has been involved in the manufacture and supply of windows and doors in the Australian residential housing market since 1860 and with a history spanning over 158 years is believed to be Australia’s longest running window and door manufacturer.

Charles Dowell founded the business with his brother Henry as an architectural wrought iron foundry and it was Charles who started the business model we know as Dowell. The original foundry was a small blacksmith shop at 75 Johnston Street, Melbourne and had machinery suited for ornamental iron and copper work.

By 1918 a new factory was built in the same area in Fitzroy. This new factory was primarily for the construction of steel window frames and there was little blacksmithing.

The company was registered as a proprietary limited in 1922, supplying steel windows to iconic Melbourne buildings

such as Wills & Co. in Little Collins Street, Craig Williamsons in Elizabeth Street and the Postal Store on Spencer Street.

In 1948, at the request of the Tasmanian Government, Dowell’s next new factory was built in Moonah, Tasmania. The factory employed sixty workers and produced stainless steel sinks and steel window frames. Dowell continues to operate a factory in Moonah to this day.

Over the years, Dowell has been involved in construction of several iconic Australian building projects, including the Queen Mary Nurses’ Home at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney (1956), the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne (1962) and most notably and prestigiously, the AMP Building at Circular Quay, Sydney (1962).

Dowell today continues to prosper with 21 locations across Australia, including nine major manufacturing sites. The business’ remarkable history now covers three centuries and unusually, the name and ethos of high quality products and exceptional customer service remains unchanged.

FIRST-RATE REDEVELOPMENT... Clockwise from top, the shiny new Dowell Shepparton building at Benalla Road, the old building at Numurkah Road and inside the enormous production factory at the new building. Photo: Katelyn Morse/supplied.

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Grand Opening

AUSTRALIA’S WINDOW EXPERTS

three buildings into one From

time wasted and considerably less chance DUE to ongoing growth and expansion over the years, Dowell Shepparton’s of injury.

The new building now houses everything previous location on Numurkah Road utilised three separate required for the business “The previous factory to operate all under the buildings operating floor space was at 5500m² one roof, including the simultaneously. and we are now currently showroom, administration Unfortunately, this meant a operating in a spacious offices, enormous factory and great deal of manoeuvring area of 8500m².” and movement between storage.

Dowell Shepparton branch Dowell Shepparton branch locations for staff and manager, Shane Rodda. manager, Shane Rodda said, stock, compromising efficiency.

“The previous factory floor The move to Benalla Road is an space was at 5,500m² and we are now currently operating in a spacious area of exciting change for the local business 8,500m². The space is much bigger and we that promises to drastically improve now have room for substantial growth, with the efficiency and capacity of the entire operation. At the new factory, everything capabilities to bring work in from across required is within one building, allowing the the region while continuing to service the operation to run seamlessly, meaning less Melbourne metropolitan area.”

COMFORTABLE NEW LOCATION... From left (back), estimator, Greg Male, production manager, Mick Rudge, lean coordinator, Johnny Brunner, office administrator, Andrew Gibb and branch manager, Shane Rodda. (Front), account manager, Gavin Madill, scheduler, Kasey Tozer, service manager, Terri Pitt and scheduling, Kiley McMahon.

Photo: Katelyn Morse.

Dowell, an iconic Shepparton mainstay DOWELL first opened its doors in Shepparton in 1970 in a small warehouse on Rowe Street. Originally with just three people on staff, quite a lot has changed over the almost 50 years of local operation.

The company grew and expanded, originally to Archer Street and then later to 194-196 Numurkah Road, Shepparton where 70 locals were employed as of 2009.

Dowell commenced manufacturing

sliding doors and windows locally in 1974 and in 1998, the company started expanding on their product range. Since its inception in Shepparton, their locally manufactured range has grown from just one product to a multitude of different products in a wide range of colours.

The company has seen much change throughout the industry, particularly recently with the introduction of the five star energy efficiency rating system.

Now, the company has relocated once more, from the inconvenience of three Shepparton sites to one giant centre for everything, located out at the old Bunnings building at 225 Benalla Road, Shepparton.

With over 100 people currently employed locally, the business is now perfectly poised to continue expanding.

Dowell Special Wrap Around, January 2019. The Adviser – Page 4

Grand Opening

AUSTRALIA’S WINDOW EXPERTS

Exceptional local service

DOWELL Shepparton currently has around 100 staff employed, manufacturing the majority of their products on-site. This means that fulfilling the specific requirements of clients can be easily achieved and customisation is never a problem.

Dowell is a market leader in window and door systems and have developed an extensive product range over the years. Windows and doors are very complex products and there are now so many options customers can choose from. Dowell pride themselves on keeping up with the constantly changing trends.

Currently, a very popular trend is to create open-feel homes with as much natural lighting and brightness as possible, whilst still keeping temperatures regulated and adhering to the five-star energy rating.

Outdoor entertaining areas are also common and are often considered of equal importance to the home itself.

Dowell Shepparton branch manager, Shane Rodda said, “Dowell

LOCAL EXPERTISE... Local Dowell employee, Gordon Peni sets to task cutting glass for Dowell’s high-quality windows and doors. Photo: Katelyn Morse.

now supply a large range of bi-fold doors, Alfresco or French Doors and large-fixed windows.

“There are now just so many options to choose from and all of our products are able to be adapted for each individual’s requirement.

Things like the colour, shape and size, as well as the type of the glass, including double glazing, can all be uniquely customised to suit our customer’s requirements.

“We pride ourselves on our after sales service, with a special internal department dedicated specifically to resolving any issues that may arise,” Shane explained.

New factory with increased staff comfort FURTHER to the necessary size expansion, the new Dowell building boasts a considerably safer, cooler, brighter and more enjoyable space for employees to work.

Dowell Shepparton lean coordinator, Johnny Brunner explained, “The new factory building is so well air-conditioned

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that it remains cool, even on 35-plus degree days. We now also have excellent natural lighting in our factory, having completely refurbished the roof and with the several new roller doors we’ve added.

“Over the years, Dowell has become known as an employer of choice in Shepparton and it’s extremely important

to us as a company that our staff feel supported and comfortable in their workplace. We’re proud to have so many happy employees, many who have been with us for over a decade.

“Overall, our staff are extremely happy to be operating in a much cooler, safer and ultimately, more comfortable environment.”