Having been exposed to the business side of their family since they were toddlers, it is no surprise the Marcolina children, Kristy (Delporte) and her twin brothers Daniel and Adam, have assumed prominent positions with Atrium Homes.
Daniel, who clearly remembers accompanying his father to building sites and watching him lay bricks and mortar, is purchasing manager, Adam the senior estimator and Kristy one of the company’s accountants.
The fact that Kristy, Daniel and Adam are under 30 years old, have demonstrated commitment to a continuing management role, and in the future will own Atrium Homes, contributed to the company winning this year’s Youth in Family Business Award.
“This will be my ninth year in the business,” Daniel told WA Business News.
“After school I went to TAFE for a year to do a diploma of building, but I had to finish early and go straight into the business because we were so busy.”
And the choice to enter the family business could not have been any easier for Daniel.
“You know it so well, why would you not do it,” he said.
“It is hard work, you do more hours because it is your family’s and everything you do has an impact on them. But I love it; it is in my blood and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Parents Bill and Pat Marcolina have 70 per cent ownership of the business, with the remaining 30 per cent divided equally among their children. When they retire, the children will have equal ownership.
Atrium Homes started business in 1989, but the family business started by Bill’s father, Willem Marcolina (senior), has been operating for more than 40 years. Prior to incorporation, the business was operated jointly by Willem Marcolina (senior) and Bill and Pat, until Bill’s parents retired.
Atrium Homes employs 26 people, five of whom are members of the Marcolina family.
During the first year of operation, the company turned over $300,000 compared with last year’s $20 million, a reflection of Atrium Homes’ substantial growth.
YOUTH IN FAMILY BUSINESS - ATRIUM HOMES
- Atrium Homes was formed in 1989.
- Atrium is owned by Bill and Pat Marcolina and their three children.
- Bill and Pat Marcolina have 70 per cent ownership of the business, with the remaining 30 per cent divided equally among the children.
- Kristy, Daniel and Adam Marcolina, all under 30 years old, work in the family business.
- Atrium has 26 employees.
- The business changed its focus in 1996-97 to niche, upmarket housing.