KARRATHA-BASED Carr Civil Contracting has relied on three cornerstone principles to steer its growth – focus on the end goal, build a strong committed team of people, and grow sustainably.
KARRATHA-BASED Carr Civil Contracting has relied on three cornerstone principles to steer its growth - focus on the end goal, build a strong committed team of people, and grow sustainably.
Carr Civil provides integrated civil solutions, offering earthworks, concrete coring and construction, as well as specialised bulk haulage activities.
Its clients include Pilbara Iron, Pilbara Rail, Dampier Salt, Energy Development Ltd and a number of major contracting companies.
Managing director Mark Blayney, who bought the business in 2002, has led significant growth within the company over the past six years, boosting staff numbers from five to 200 and annual turnover from $1 million to $60 million.
After spending one month in voluntary administration in 2004 following the collapse of another company it was undertaking works for as a lower-tiered subcontractor, Carr Civil concentrated its efforts on establishing solid foundations upon which to grow.
Mr Blayney believes the emphasis on building his team and the systems and processes around them directly following that period was critical in allowing it to get back on track and pursue sustainable, longer-term growth.
The company is establishing its mission of 'providing a professional integrated civil solution', helping to define and focus the efforts of the team.
It also identified its niche market within the industry, positioning itself in the marketplace as a provider of professional civil contracting services to reputable clients for works up to a certain value.
The company identified, and continues to prioritise, service to clients whose work is not subject to the influences of the current construction boom.
This is to ensure that, when the current period of sustained economic activity slows, Carr Civil will retain a solid client base.
Together with its own success, Carr Civil is committed to giving back to regional communities and remaining locally based within the regions it which it operates.
With a presence in Karratha, Port Hedland, Onslow, Carnarvon, Geraldton and soon Tom Price, the company realises the importance of directly contributing to the local community and being viewed as a long-term member of those communities, rather than as an organisation simply out to make short-term financial gain.
And while operating in the current strong economic climate in Western Australia, and particularly in the Pilbara region, Carr Civil is determined not to become complacent with respect to its future.
Not content to rest on its laurels, the management team has set a goal to grow Carr Civil into a $300 million, privately-owned company in five years.
The company has recently employed a chief financial officer, group operations manager and a full-time IT manager to improve the capabilities of the team and put in place the management structure to allow it to operate effectively as it strives towards its goal.
