100 YEARS
CENTENARY CELEBRATION ISSUE 1912 - 2012
THE SUPER BUILDER
PART
#1
PART 2 TO BE CONTINUED DURING THE NEXT 100 YEARS...
WELCOME TO HUTCHIES’ CENTENARY YEAR Welcome to 2012 - the 100th birthday of the foundation of J. Hutchinson Builder. My great grandfather, John (Jack I) Hutchinson, arrived in Australia as a British migrant with his family in 1911. As a qualified builder he soon found work. J. Hutchinson was most likely established in 1911, but it wasn’t until January 29, 1912, that his signature was found on State Government documents tendering for work at Fort Lytton at the mouth of the Brisbane River. J. Hutchinson won that tender and the Hutchies’ legend began. Since then, four generations of Hutchinsons have carried on the family tradition. Those generations have witnessed world wars, global financial crashes, floods, droughts, cyclones and bushfires. During that time, thousands of men and women have toiled on Hutchies’ building sites doing the hard work and making the hard decisions on a daily basis. As a result of the dedication of all those people, the Hutchies of today has a reputation for integrity and high quality work. To survive in the building industry for 100 years with a good reputation is a great achievement by all concerned. In my eyes, Hutchies is a super-builder with the status of the super-hero of my childhood. Here we present Hutchies’ history for your entertainment in the genre of a superhero magazine. This lighthearted look at Hutchies over the past 100 years will set the scene for 12 months of celebration throughout Australia which I hope you will join in. We at Hutchies enjoy our work but we are also serious about good results. So in our year of celebration, we will also continue with the business of building for our clients. My best wishes to you, your family and friends as I invite you to participate with Hutchies and celebrate our centenary year. John Scott Hutchinson Chairman
J. Hutchinson Builders
Published in 2011 by Hutchinson Builders. Images State Library of Queensland & Hutchinson Family.
CENTENARY CELEBRATION ISSUE 1912 - 2012
THE SUPER BUI LDER
CREDITS
Story by Ian Ward & Suzy R ichter. Design co ncept by Georgia R ichter-W ard. Illustrat ions and L ayout by Georgia R ichter-W ard & Jessica Welsh.
Our story begins...
IN FEBRUARY 1911, AS ALL OF ENGLAND WAS IN THE ICY GRIP OF ONE OF ITS COLDEST WINTERS ON RECORD, John (Jack) Hutchinson, a 36-year-old builder/businessman, from Bury, Lancashire, left WITH HIS YOUNG FAMILY FOR A BRAND NEW life in the recently formed Federation of Australia...
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Travelling aboard the 1898-built steamer, “Rippingham Grange”, Jack and his wife, Ellen, plus sons, Jack II (13) and Eric (10), were all buoyed by hopes and dreams of living in a land ‘Downunder’.
Voyage of the S.S. Rippingham Grange, 1911
After an eventful voyage via the Suez Canal, which encountered rough seas, sandstorms and searing heat, the family arrived in the gentler climes of the Tropics and landed in Brisbane on April 13, 1911.
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This is part of the drawings referred to in the annexed indenture made between and the Hon the secretary for Public Works of Queensland dated the
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Jack’s skills and experience quickly found him work wtih a local builder and, in his own time, he tendered for government contracts. HE signed tender documeNts for State Government work at Fort Lytton on January 29, 1912... representing the first written record of J. Hutchinson, Builder and Contractor, of Manly.
The Queensland Government Gazette of March 14, 1912 announced J. Hutchinson had won a contract valued at £73/10s to construct a new kitchen and improvements to Non-Commissioned Officers’ quarters at Fort Lytton, an important Commonwealth defence installation at the mouth of the Brisbane River.
This Four-line announcement signalled that a new identity had emerged within the Queensland construction industry.
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elder son, Jack II, left school and started as an apprentice builder with his father, while studying estimating at COLLEGE.
With father and son working side-by-side, it was the beginning of what was to become a long Hutchinson tradition of family involvement in the building industry.
Jack built a family home AND office at Manly and concentrated on local work, winning many Government contracts for repairs and additions in the Moreton Bay suburbs. The scope of this early work showed he was not well known to the architects of Brisbane. Instead, the canny newcomer was surviving on Government work based on price and quality, rather than relying on reputation.
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All that changed in August 1914, when Jack won a contract to construct his first CBD building - a substantial new brick warehouse for R. Jackson, a general carrier and customs forwarding agent, near the busy Creek Street ferry in downtown Brisbane.
When Jack’s second son, Eric, turned 14 in 1915, he too left school to be apprenticed to his father, strengthening the family work ethic.
Jack II
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Jack I (Pres.)
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As well as working together, OVER THE YEARS, the HUTCHINSON MEN became HEAVILY involved in local community and sports activities... a Hutchies’ tradition that continues today.
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From as early as anyone can remember, the English-born builder, Jack Hutchinson, was referred to simply as ‘Hutchie’ - in that great Australian tradition of referring to mates with affectionate informality... and his company BECAME known as ‘Hutchies’.
Jack Hutchinson had arrived uptown and, although his work still included Government projects, there was an influx of jobs from many of the leading architects of the day.
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In 1921, with plenty of quality work in Brisbane’s CBD on the books, Jack I bought property just across the river from the city heart at 36-38 Montague Road, South Brisbane, where he established AN office, storage yard for materials and a service area for equipment.
By the end of the first decade of Hutchies, 47-year-old Jack I was an experienced and successful builder and astute businessman who SOCIALISED, holidayed AND mixed freely with Brisbane’s foremost architects, commercial leaders and politicians. Both his sons were in their twenties - young, strong and enthusiastic - and in their prime as qualified builders.
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THE Roaring 20’s of the post-world war era was one of prosperity and Hutchies was enjoying an increased reputation as well as stronger and more valuable contacts with the city’s architects. The 1920’s began well with a high profile contract... the 7000-seat Ernest Baynes Grandstand at RNA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills.
While Hutchies built many architect-designed homes for professional and business people, work expanded to include factories, warehouses, shops, jewellers, musical outlets, wine distributors, department stores, offices, medical suites, automobile garages, schools, motion picture theatres, hotels and banks - some as far afield as Roma and Mitchell. (mitchell post office - above)
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Among its growing list of prestigious projects was Ballow Chambers - one of the first of a few new purpose-built modern specialist medical buildings commissioned in Brisbane in the 1920s.
The reverberations from the Wall Street stockmarket fall - the Crash of ‘29 - were felt worldwide...ushering in the Great Depression which also engulfed Australia. BRISBANE FELT THE FULL FORCE OF THE TIMES AND LONG QUEUES FOR FOOD HAND-OUTS WERE COMMONPLACE.
Months earlier, Hutchies had started work on The Plaza - a motion picture theatre in Paddington, Brisbane. with the crash, the owners could not pay the £14,000 construction costs and J. Hutchinson was awarded the property as settlement. This bold move highlighted the financial strength of Hutchies... in the enviable position of being able to absorb such a heavy loss without severe implications to day-to-day operations. opening night in 1930 (below) was a gala occasion.
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Jack I took an eager interest in the motion picture industry and quickly learned everything he could to become a hands-on manager of the Plaza. It was the beginning of a regimen that lasted for many years... Jack I’s dual role of builder and theatre owner/manager.
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Jack’s time also was shared by the Queensland Master Builders Association, where he served as vice-president during 1929, when the building industry went into serious decline FOLLOWING the Great Depression. Jack I was a popular and able leader AND In March 1930 he became president - a position he held for three years. Jack
a few years later, Jack I (circled) was one of the officers and delegates who attended the 31st Convention of the Master Builders Federation of Australia in Brisbane in 1937.
In its third decade, Hutchies prospered, despite having to endure the Great Depression and the onset of World War II. During this period, J. Hutchinson became the largest privately owned construction company in Queensland, employing more than 400 men.
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On December 17, 1932, Jack II (34) married Lily May Collins. TWO YEARS LATER, ON OCTOBER 17, 1934, Jack II’s son, John Collins Hutchinson (Jack III) was born. Sadly, the excitement of a new addition to the family was eclipsed by the death of Jack I’s wife, Ellen, who died two days later on October 19.
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in 1938, the new father and sons partnership of J. Hutchinson & Sons was officially formed.
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by the late 1930s, Jack I still owned 100% of Hutchies and, although he was still active in the firm, Jack II and Eric had managed the business for 15 years. The two men finally approached their father to make them partners.
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In 1939, Jack I was remarried to Win Connell, the Matron of the new Murwillumbah Hospital who he had met while visiting that construction site. in august The same year, Jack III, aged four years, carried out his first duty for the family company and took the microphone for his part in the official opening of the Murwillumbah Hospital... But, unfortunately, WHEN the little fellow’s HIS BIG MOMENT CAME... he was lost for words.
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One week later on September 3, 1939, Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced Australia’s involvement in the Second World War. On the home front, this created a shortage of manpower and a diversion of materials... but it also triggered a stream of new building work for the war effort.
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During this unsettled time, Jack I, once again, took on the role of president of the Queensland Master Builders Association... a position he held until 1943.
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War came to Australian shores on February 19, 1942, when early that clear summer’s morning, 188 Japanese aircraft bombed Darwin. Two attacks, led by Mitsuo Fuchido (right), the same commander responsible for the air attack on Pearl Harbour just 10 weeks earlier, killed more than 300 people and wounded more than 400.
Brisbane was seen as a strategic target for further Japanese attacks and urgent action was taken to protect the population in the event of air raids.
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As Brisbane was the major northerly city in Australia, General Douglas MacArthur, Commander-inChief of the Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific set up his headquarters there.
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In less than 12 months, Hutchies built 14 major air raid shelters in Queen, Elizabeth, George, Edward, Adelaide Streets, Wickham Terrace and Yeerongpilly.
as allied defence forces poured into brisbane, The Queensland Master Builders Association and its president, Jack Hutchinson, liaised with the Allied Works Council to coordinate the building industry for the war effort.
Hutchies won many wartime contracts, including part construction of Camp Cable (originally known as Camp Tamborine), near Logan Village.
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CAMP CABLE
“THEY PASSED THIS WAY”
A massive camp, capable of housing 20,000 US troops, was built by a handful of local contractors in just six weeks, with the total cost in excess of £400,000.
1942 - 1944
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During the war years, Hutchies carried out many other projects for the Allied Works Council, until Australia’S Prime Minister Ben Chifley WAS finally able to announce the end of the war against Japan on August 15, 1945.
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Hutchies survived the war years and, as the manufacturing sector took off in post-war Queensland, the company’s earlier focus on warehouse, office, retail, private school, church and hospital buildings expanded to incorporate industrial buildings.
The company prospered and Hutchies busily continued as a well recognised, highly respected and significant player in the local industry.
Jack II moved to the family holiday home at Surfers Paradise and Eric’s son, John, started work at J. Hutchinson & Sons.
In 1951, jack II’s son, Jack III, aged 17, went to his first Hutchies’ Christmas party at the Baroona Labor Hall in Caxton Street, Paddington, in inner Brisbane. It was there the lanky, sandy-haired schoolboy first caught sight of pretty June Smith, daughter of William (Bill) Smith, a valued company foreman labourer.
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In 1952, Jack III left school and started at Hutchies as an apprentice carpenter while studying quantity surveying at QIT at night. Later that year, Jack and June started going steady after they partnered each other in a three-legged race at Hutchies’ company picnic at Maclean Bridge, near Jimboomba.
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After June graduated as a qualified nurse, the couple married in 1958. Son, John Scott Hutchinson (Jack IV), arrived in 1959, followed by siblings Lindy, Wendy and Kenneth.
By the mid 1950s, many of Hutchies’ projects were not being completed on time. The company’s good reputation - forged over more than four decades and once its major strength - began to tarnish.
By the late 1950s, Jack I and sons, Jack II and Eric, were in poor health. They decided to return the company to profit, then sell up and finally retire.
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In 1956, Jack II - aged 57 years - contracted tuberculosis and required hospitalisation and a long convalescence, but managed to run the business from his sick bed. The following year, his son, Jack III, having finished his Diploma in Quantity Surveying, was estimating part-time for the family business, while holding down a full-time job with the State Department of Works.
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But, Jack II, still gravely ill, realised that all was not well with the family business either and he strongly urged his only son to continue with his secure position in the Works Department... rather than face an uncertain future back with Hutchies.
The reason for his concern could be traced back to the war years which had brought many changes to the construction industry in Queensland with the Americans introducing new ideas and machinery.
Although Hutchies still enjoyed the advantages of reputation, experience and contacts, it had chosen not to invest in the new machinery and technology... demonstrating an ill-fated slowness and reluctance to adapt to change.
suddenly, events took a turn for the worse. In 1961, Hutchies built “Camdenâ€?, in Hamilton (right) valued at ÂŁ206,174, for speculative developers. Costs on the project blew out and the apartments - pioneers in strata titling in Brisbane - were slow to sell. In the inevitable fall-out, Hutchies was left with a large debt that was disastrous, considering its already weakened financial position.
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Jack II negotiated a hefty overdraft of £40,000 with the Bank of New South Wales to keep Hutchies afloat in its sea of debt. in this time of crisis, although some of Hutchies’ regular suppliers extended credit, many others insisted on being paid cash up front. And most leading architects declined even to put Hutchies on their tender lists, because of the builder’s poor performance. The gloom was deepened when Jack I died on April 27, 1964 - just four months short of his 90th birthday.
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Jack III realised his father and uncle faced certain personal financial ruin. In 1966, he resigned from the State Department of Works, bought a second-hand ute from his savings and signed on as a Hutchies’ employee on a carpenter’s wage... about half of his former government salary. The company had just won large contracts at the University of Queensland’s new agricultural campus at Gatton, but, when Jack III visited the job site, he was shocked to discover poor construction methods... hutchies’ techniques were outdated, with very little machinery in use, no subcontractors on site and major excavations still being carried out with pick and shovel.
After discussions with his father, Jack III initiated a major staff shake-up with a raft of promotions, demotions and sackings. Efficiency rose dramatically and the Gatton project finally finished in profit.
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Jack III (left) became the company’s construction manager in a supervisory role by day and estimator by night. With his guidance, the company - with its renewed focus on equipment, programming, schedules and quality control - began to show steady improvement. One of his most important jobs was to meet with suppliers, creditors, sub-contractors, architects and clients to win over their confidence and revive Hutchies’ reputation. By 1968, Hutchies had eliminated its hefty overdraft, held a good credit rating, and, once again, had clients and architects approaching it to tender on projects.
At this time, when his father was aged 70 and uncle aged 67, and the company was debt free and profitable, Jack III suggested to his father and uncle the time for their retirement had arrived. After lengthy family discussions, Jack II and brother Eric agreed to retire to the Gold Coast and Jack III officially took over the reins at hutchies.
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To raise funds to plough into the business, Jack III and wife June, now parents of four young children, took the bold move to mortgage their newly built family home at Fig Tree Pocket for $17,500.
Hutchies, now a limited liability company with a new injection of cash, reverted to its original company name of J. Hutchinson. At just 34 - a similar age to that of his grandfather when he arrived to start a new life in Australia - Jack III was now master of his own destiny.
In 1968, Hutchies’ office and yard moved from Montague Road, South Brisbane - its home for 47 years - to the Plaza Theatre at Paddington.
The Plaza Theatre was owned by Jack II and had lain empty for several years before Jack III set up the Hutchies’ office in the foyer and used the cavenous interior as a storage area.
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it was a long road back, but over the subsequent years, Hutchies once again revelled in the respect and esteem of the business and building community.
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nonetheless, the 1970s were challenging years for the building industry as a whole. The long boom, which had started after World War II, came to an abrupt end under the new federal Labor government with Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who swept into power in 1972.
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Despite some tough times, Hutchies prospered and outgrew the Paddington Plaza. in November 1976, hutchies moved to new premises at Seventeen Mile Rocks, an outer western suburb of Brisbane. The new office was designed and built to the company’s needs and included a generous amount of outdoor storage for equipment and materials.
Since 1968, Jack had specialised in work which other builders generally avoided. he often sought out difficult jobs that required in-house building skills and expertise. As a result, Hutchies became well known for complex refurbishments, where its own employees carried out the trades. This self reliance, based on a ready supply of in-house skilled tradesmen, also led to a reputation for unusual work in remote and isolated areas, such as the Archer Point lighthouse in far north Queensland (left). This type of work served up healthy profit margins, even though it was usually much more difficult to carry out.
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It was at this time that Hutchies learned the value of repeat business and to do whatever a client wanted... regardless of how big or small the job. The new focus became the client, rather than the size or type or work, and company turnover reflected the result. Hutchies’ complete preparedness to follow a client anywhere and do anything that was required - while carrying out the job to the highest of standards remains a vital cornerstone of its philosophy today.
, 1985 ding June 3030 ancial YeararEn , 1985 Turnover - -Fin ne Ju g din Financial Ye En
TURNOVER 9.0 8.0 7.0
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From an early age, Jack’s son, John Scott Hutchinson - or Scott as he is known - had visited construction sites with his father and knew he wanted to be involved with the family business. In the early 1980s, Scott graduated from the University of Queensland with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduating, Scott worked as an Engineer and His time in a design office qualified him to issue structural certificates and certify drawings. In 1983, he began part-time study for a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Queensland. Sadly, his grandfather, Jack II, died in the same year scott began his MBA.
The adventures of a working holiday overseas beckoned and Scott set off travelling with two mates in a VW Kombi van through the UK, Europe and North Africa. He came back home in 1985 and settled down to full-time studies to finish his MBA with a thesis aptly entitled, “Training and Development of Foremen in the Construction Industry”.
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Scott started full-time with hutchies in February 1986, when the company’s annual turnover was around $7 million. One of his first tasks was to put on his salesman’s hat and knock on doors looking for business... a role his father Jack had taken on so successfully in the 60s and 70s.
For its 75th anniversary celebrations on July 20, 1987, Hutchies launched a new logo with a 75-year badge for the gala function at Tattersall’s Club... chosen as the venue because Hutchies had built the dining room 50 years earlier in 1937.
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Special guests at the 75th anniversary celebrations included Brisbane Lord Mayor Sallyanne Atkinson and architect Robin Dodds, who had worked with all four Hutchinson generations. The event was an enormous boost to business turnover and company member interest.
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Also in its 75th year, company members, Len White and Barry Butterworth, approached Hutchies to form a club which would finance social events, including an annual four-day fishing trip to Moreton Island. hutchies happily agreed to match the social club’s fundraising dollar-for-dollar.
In 1988 the Lennons Hotel refurbishment in Queen Street, Brisbane, in time for World Expo 88, proved to be instrumental in Hutchies’ progression and growth. The job was about twice the size of the company’s usual large projects and it came with a tight time frame with huge liquidated damages attached. Successful completion of this project gave Hutchies the confidence to move to a higher level as a building contractor.
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The 1990’s got underway on a happy note with the marriage in September 1991 of Scott and Mary-Jeanne Peabody.
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The period following 1991 was one of consolidation and prosperity... and a time of reflection for Hutchies about the future direction of the family business. Jack III had served as managing director from 1966 to 1992 and most of the work was based on relationships he had built with a large group of elite architects. Hutchies also had a solid branch office network and projects throughout Queensland - a structure on which it would base its financial growth and future.
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In 1992, Jack became Chairman of the Board and Scott (right) took over as Managing Director. When he became MD, scott also became the fourth generation Hutchinson to have hands-on control of the family business. it was a move that would usher in a decade of change for Hutchies... With a style similar to Jack’s, Scott established a business network of friends - but this time it was with a new, young breed of property developers for whom hutchies became the preferred builder. Annual revenue during this decade would grow from around $20 million in 1992 to $215 million in 2000.
Another major milestone was reached when Hutchies celebrated its 80th anniversary on November 5, 1992 with 400 guests and, this time, labor Premier Wayne Goss was guest of honour at Tattersall’s Club.
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In the 1990’s Hutchies loaned seed capital and mezzanine money to generate more work... realising that helping developers resulted in many more building opportunities.
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Hutchies also demonstrated its ability to carry out major projects on the international scene by building the Craggy Range winery in New Zealand (above), a Canadian factory for Orion Buses and the national headquarters for Western Star Trucks in Kelowna, Canada.
Hutchies celebrated its 85th anniversary in 1997, once again at Tattersall’s, but, this time with National Party Premier Rob Borbidge as guest of honour.
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During 1997 and 1998 Jack III had served as President of Queensland Master Builders Association... the same position held by his grandfather in the 1930’s and 1940’s . while there, he had been impressed with the performance of the organisation’s executive director, Greg Quinn... a qualified builder with extensive industry administrative experience in Queensland and New South Wales. In October 2001, Greg Quinn was appointed Hutchies’ Managing Director... becoming the first non-family member to hold this key position. When Greg arrived, Hutchies had 150 company members, an annual turnover of $150 million, a balance sheet of $22 million and an additional $9 million in property holdings. Scott Hutchinson and Greg Quinn, both in their early 40’s, represented the critical and all-important generational change that would steer Hutchies into its next decade.
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In 2001, after 30 years at the helm and aged in his mid 60’s, Jack stepped down as Chairman... handing control to Scott.
Early in 2002, Hutchies held its 90th anniversary at the Ernest Baynes Stand at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds which it had built 80 years previously. The celebrations had an ‘Ekka’ theme and hundreds of guests, including Labor Premier Peter Beattie, enjoyed the night.
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Good times continued and in 2004 Hutchies was recognised as Queensland’s largest commercial builder... capable of handling 150 projects a year. Structural changes at Hutchies made it largely resilient to a downturn in the building industry in 2006 and, when other builders were in crisis, Hutchies was able to take advantage of the adverse conditions. hutchies grabbed the opportunity to establish itself in Brisbane’s CBD and secured major high profile projects, including the $99 million residential building “M on Mary” (right)... then the company’s largest project to date.
Hutchies also increased its core of internal tradespeople... The strategy was expanded to include internal linings, aluminium fabrication, precast panels, prefabricated buildings, scaffolding and cranes.
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g on as involved puttin es ad tr e th of Expansion be trained as s as possible to ce ti en pr ap y an m future leaders. to increase set up in 2007 as w n io at er l training A training op to 350, with al 40 om fr rs be ld learn to do apprentice num apprentices wou so se ou -h in ght, first time. done ay... to get it ri w ’ es hi tc Hu ers to e things th sons and daught ed ag ur co en so rs The scheme al thers and mothe follow their fa Hutchies. into careers at
Activity on major highrise CBD projects in Brisbane opened the door to the lucrative Sydney market where Hutchies established a new office. This was an extension to the plan to have a network of fully owned offices to service its clients as well as maintain a widespread property investment portfolio.
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The centrepiece of the network was a new hutchies’ head office and storage yard... similar to those the company had at Montague Road, South Brisbane; Plaza Theatre, Paddington; and Seventeen Mile Rocks. On April 24, 2007 Queensland’s then Governor, Quentin Bryce, joined Hutchies and hundreds of special guests to celebrate the company’s 95th anniversary and to officiate at the opening of the new office and yard complex in Milton Road, Toowong.
The new building demonstrated Hutchies’ environmental awareness, with underground storage tanks to harvest rainwater, energy efficiency measures to save power and bike racks and showers for those who cycled to work to cut pollution and build fitness. A carpark also doubled as a basketball court for company health.
Environmental awareness spilt over into the workplace and a dedicated Green Team was established to work with each construction team on any projects which had Green Star or energy rating requirements.
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By 2007, Hutchies was working on almost 100 projects spread throughout Far North Queensland, the Outback, Great Barrier Reef, Darling Downs, South East Queensland, northern New South Wales and Sydney. Its reach had also extended to tourist accommodation projects in the Niseko snowfields on Hokkaido Island in Japan (right).
A $100 million tourist development at Whisper Bay (below) in the Whitsunday Passage allowed Hutchies to re-establish itself at Airlie Beach. its answer to the chronic labour shortage in the tropics was for Hutchies to buy a local caravan park and convert it into a workers’ village capable of housing and feeding 256 workers.
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Once established in the area, Hutchies moved on to the ambitious landmark $500 million Port of Airlie project by Meridien.
By the end of 2007, Hutchies’ reputation and financial strength was at an all time high... a situation extremely attractive to financiers and developers. Financiers insisted their developer clients obtain prices from Hutchies, because they liked the financial strength of the company and they knew it would still be there at the end of the job.
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In 2009 Jack was given the rare honour of a Life Membership of Master Builders Queensland, being one of only eight members to achieve the award since 1882. He was described as an outstanding member of the building industry whose life epitomised “pride in the job�.
P RIDE
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I
Master Builders
125 YEARS
TH
E JOB
This is to certify that
Jack Hutchinson 49
is recognised for his exceptional service to Master Builders and the building and construction industry
Global financial crisis hits home hard as All Ords take a nose dive CANBERRA - THE Federal Government is under increasing pressure now that the country is firmly in the grip of the worldwide financial crisis. After opening with a slight rise yesterday, the local sharemarket took a battering as all the major stocks tumbled in a sea of red.
That same year, Hutchies was forced to grapple with the global financial meltdown, which began late in 2008. But the company was in better shape than most... Despite having more than 1000 company mouths to feed, it was debt free and asset rich, with an enviably strong balance sheet. Hutchies’ inherent strengths built up over many years came to the fore in these tough times. The company had strong buying power, loyal subcontractors, competitive pricing, a spread of locally owned offices, a reputation for quality work and financial independence. Developers and financiers, who had confidence in Hutchies’ ability to survive in the uncertain financial times, directed more business its way.
And Hutchies also won its share of the Rudd Government’s Federal Stimulus package. The survival strategy was straight forward... do a good job, look after clients and company members and make a fair profit in the process. Hutchies survived the toughest test of all and thrived in a time of world financial decline.
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Jack suffered a mild stroke while playing golf with June but recovered well to celebrate his 75th birthday with family in October 2009. accolades continued to flow as His long and productive life was acknowledged... induction into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2010 and inclusion in the 2011 Australia Day honours list as a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the building and construction sector.
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Since 2008 Hutchies’ response to the GFC was to diversify geographically and be active in all sectors of the marketplace. This strategy also reduced exposure to the private developer market and increased work in the Government and booming resource sectors.
As a result, Hutchies opened new offices throughout the country and, for the first time, became a true national entity with a presence in every state and territory. In 100 years, Hutchies had grown from a one-man operation to one of australia’s largest privately owned building and construction companies.
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Hutchies’ Board structure may have started as a loose arrangement of family consultation but, by 2011, it had evolved into a tightly knit team with the experience and expertise to lead the company into the future. The members are (L-R) kellie williams; Scott Hutchinson, Chairman; Greg Quinn, Managing Director; jack hutchinson; and Steve Norton, Finance Director.
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On the eve of its centenary celebrations, Hutchies had a turnover of $925 million, 1065 direct employees - including 168 apprentices - and 144 projects under construction. Despite global financial uncertainties, flood, cyclone and bushfires, Hutchies is well positioned for its second century and prepared for the challenges of the future. But Jack and Scott agree...their greatest achievement is having remained firm friends throughout.
HUTCHINSON BUILDERS
1912 • 2012
100 YEARS
“Everybody told us never to do business with friends... but that is all we have ever tried to do.”
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Honesty and Integrity Hutchies has an impeccable reputation for honesty, integrity and fair dealing. At Hutchies, we take a co-operative and flexible approach to contractual relations. Our superior services are built on well-respected office and on-site company members, many of whom have been with Hutchies for most of their working lives. We have on-staff tradespeople including carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, concretors, plasterers and tilers. The security of our clients’ projects is protected by our strong
balance sheet and prudent financial management. Enquiries are welcome to our Financial Controller or Bankers who are available to provide relevant information and answer queries about the financial strength of our company. Suppliers and sub-contractors to Hutchies know that all payments are made promptly, further ensuring efficient, trouble-free projects. We have excellent working arrangements with all building unions and trade organisations.
A Hutchies’ project is completed... on time... on budget, and... to exceptional standards of quality.
Our services: Large scale construction Civil works Modular construction Dedicated demountable housing construction No obligation design development and cost
planning services Project finance services Design and construct services Cranes and hoists Scaffolding Aluminium fabrication Steel fabrication Steel fixing
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Formwork Plumbing Roofing Wall and ceilings Internal fit-outs Landscaping services Facilities management Catering and accommodation services
www.hutc QUEENSLAND
BRISBANE Street Address: 584 Milton Road Toowong Q 4066 Postal Address: Locked Bag 3002 Toowong DC Q 4066 Phone: +61 7 3335 5000 Fax: +61 7 3335 5005 info@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au CAIRNS Street Address: 3 Mt Finnigan Court Smithfield Q 4878 Postal Address: PO Box 1032 Smithfield Q 4878 Phone: +61 7 4038 9000 Fax: +61 7 4038 9038 MACKAY Street Address: U3, Site Business Park 38-42 Margaret Vella Dr Paget Q 4740 Postal Address: PO Box 11064 Caneland Macaky Q 4740 Phone: +61 7 4953 9800 Fax: +61 7 4952 5222
m.au o c . s r e d l i ACN 009 778 330 hinsonbu
ROCKHAMPTON Street Address: 150 Kent Street Rockhampton Q 4700 Phone: +61 7 4937 5100 Fax: +61 7 4927 1920 ORMEAU (Scaffold Yard) Address: 153 Burnside Road Ormeau Qld 4208 Phone: +61 7 3804 6163 Fax: +61 7 3335 5984 TOOWOOMBA Address: 8 Prescott Street, Toowoomba Q 4350 Phone: +61 7 4632 5877 Fax: +61 7 4632 5461 TOWNSVILLE Street Address: 83-87 Duckworth St, Garbutt Q Postal Address: PO Box 7261, Garbutt Q 4814 Phone: +61 7 4755 8000 Fax: +61 7 4755 8055
MAROOCHYDORE Street Address: Level 1, 1 Beach Road Maroochydore Q 4558 Postal Address: PO Box 240, Mooloolaba Q 4557 Phone: + 61 7 5451 9777 Fax: +61 7 5443 1922
SYDNEY Street Address: 23 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018 Phone: +61 2 8344 2400 Fax: +61 2 9313 7386
NOOSA Street Address: 32 Rene Street, Noosaville Q 4566 Postal Address: PO Box 1228, Noosaville DC Q 4566 Phone: +61 7 5430 6000 Fax: +61 7 5430 6010
TWEED HEADS Street Address: 36 Machinery Drive Sth Tweed Heads NSW 2486 Postal Address: PO Box 7056 South Tweed Heads NSW 2486 Phone: +61 7 5506 1500 Fax: +61 7 5523 9533
NEW SOUTH WALES
ABN 52 009 778 330
VICTORIA
MELBOURNE Address: 70-72 Cecil St South Melbourne Vic 3205 Phone: + 61 3 9282 9500 Fax: +61 3 9681 6977
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ADELAIDE Address: 20 George Street Wingfield SA 5013 Phone: +61 8 8162 9956 Fax: +61 8 8260 4163
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
PERTH Address: 16 Robinson Avenue Perth WA 6000 Phone: +61 8 9227 0000 Fax: +61 8 9227 5666 KARATHA Address: PO Box 742 Address: PO Box 742 Karratha WA 6714 Phone: 0419 762 917
NORTHERN TERRITORY DARWIN Address: 8 Mendis Road East Arm NT 0822 Phone: +61 8 8932 1719 Fax: +61 8 8931 0719
TASMANIA
HOBART Street Address: 235 Murray St Tas 7000 Postal Address: PO Box 3190 West Hobart Tas 7000 Phone: +61 3 6235 9900 Fax: +61 3 6234 826