Families’ winning ways

JAH ROC FURNITURE

JAH Roc Furniture has won awards every year but one since 1988, when two surfing mates – Gary Bennett and David Paris – acted on their desire to make "legendary" pieces from WA wood, stone and iron.

The one year they did not win an award, 1989, they were invited to exhibit in Beverley Hills, LA, and began exporting to the US.

Jah Roc pieces are now all over the world, with recent orders heading to Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland, the US, Scotland and England.

The Old York Flour Mill has become the Jah Roc Mill Gallery, housing not only Jah Roc’s design and manufacturing facilities, but also the work of six other artists and crafts people. A Margaret River showroom, opened last year, is the latest addition to the family enterprise, which employs 13 full-time and five part-time staff.

2nd generation

GAVIN CONSTRUCTION

GAVIN Construction was founded in 1969 by Irish immigrant Michael Gavin and is now in its 33rd year.

From its beginnings as a humble residential construction operation, Gavin Construction has evolved to become recognised as a specialist in the design and construction of commercial and industrial projects. Michael Gavin’s son, Sean, has taken over as managing director of the company.

Gavin Construction has won numerous Master Builders Association construction awards, Housing Industry of Australia awards and Building Designers Association awards.

The company has worked on several key WA projects, including Centrelink Midland, Enjo Australasia, Turner Engineering, Applecross Professional Dental, and Aussie Natural Spring Water.

3rd generation & youth award

D TRANDOS & SONS

PIONEERED by Greek immigrant Dimitrios Trandos in 1939, D Trandos & Sons has become one of the largest family vegetable growing businesses in Western Australia.

Currently managed by third generation family members Jim and Arthur (Dimitrios’ grandsons), the business supplies major supermarkets nationally. It has diversified during its 60-year history and includes an export division, Western Australian Corn Growers. D Trandos & Sons was one of the first vegetable growing companies to work with the Department of Training to develop a training protocol for the industry.

The business also received a Youth in Family Business Commendation, for family businesses that employ a family member under 30 years of age who has a demonstrable commitment to a management role/ownership.

4th generation

HARVEY BEEF (EG GREEN and SONS)

BEEF processors and exporters the Ernest George Green family has been in Harvey since 1909, but its history in the South West extends back to the 1840s, when grandfather Levi Green settled in Pinjarra.

Now, EG Green and Sons is responsible for 40 per cent of WA’s meat produce, exporting more than 16 million kilograms of beef each year.

The company processes 170,000 cattle annually, with annual sales now close to $150 million.

Ten family members own EG Green Holdings, which incorporates a training arm awarded WA Food Industry Trainer of the Year in 2000.

Senior members of the Green family have now stepped aside from all day-to-day management positions to more readily accommodate strategy changes following an independent review of the company.

Best family business employer

FOTEK SCHOOL PORTRAITS WA

FOTEK’S work is found on family fridges, mantle pieces and sideboards from Kununurra to Esperance, and beyond.

The Veal family took over the WA Fotek franchise in 1988 and bought the business outright just three years later.

Equally owned by four family members, Fotek now employs 32 people.

Fotek’s sponsorships include major educational associations and conferences, school fundraisers and Kids Help Line.

   The company’s commendation award is for affording all stakeholders – family and non-family – equal opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the business.

Fotek is a member of the Professional Schools Photographic Association, which not only enhances its reputation, but also the staff’s photographic skills.