HUTCHIES’HUTCHIES’ HUTCHINSON BUILDERS 1912 • 2017 105 YEARS A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR HUTCHINSON BUILDERS NOVEMBER 2018 Flying high across Australia Skytower and Growler duet BRISBANE Skytower and ADF growler – both masterpieces of beauty and advanced technology – provided the backdrop to River- fire, the finale of the three-week Brisbane Festival which is Queensland’s largest art and cultural event. Riverstage hosted a day-long concert, head- lined by Violent Soho, while the Austra- lian Defence Force (ADF) provided a C 17A Globemaster flypast, Roulette aerobatics and EA-18G Growler performances. Riverfire – the massive fireworks display – topped off the day. The soundtrack throughout the day celebrated sci-fi and superheroes, which fitted in with the futuristic technology of Brisbane Skytower and the Growler. Brisbane Skytower, in Margaret Street, is the city’s tallest building and will top out at 95 levels – the maximum height permitted in the CBD. Unique gateway for private jet travel InternatiONAL high-flyers – including busi- ness leaders, politicians, movie stars, musicians and sporting personalities – now have a curfew- Victorian Premier, free private jet base for their convenience in Daniel Andrews, Australia at the Melbourne international airport. opens Australia’s Australia’s first purpose-built private jet base ultimate facility is now a $100 million reality, with the facility for private execu- officially opened by Victorian Premier Daniel tive jet travel in Andrews. Melbourne against Growing global demand for private and charter the backdrop of a jet services, prompted prominent Australian restored Douglas businessman, Paul Little, to create the ultimate DC-3 aircraft – the facility for private travel in Australia. fixed-wing propeller- driven airliner that revolutionised air ➤ Story, more pics cont’d P. 2 transport in the 1930s and 1940s. HUTCHIES’ From the LAST month I spoke at QUT’s Business Leaders’ Forum in Brisbane to share insight into my career Managing and what makes Hutchies different in the signifi- Director ➤ Continued from Page 1 cant role it plays in the Australian construction industry. I must admit I was a little apprehensive having Unique gateway for looked at the calibre of previous speakers and “There are no commercial targets at Hutchies; contemplated for ages about how I would pitch we simply back our people. We say to those 36 private jet travel my presentation. team leaders do what you can and work within your means.” Construction on Melbourne Jet Base began I decided to give away a few of Hutchies’ “Australia’s building unions are major long-term in 2016 and the exclusive private jet terminal is cultural and operational secrets and here are stakeholders in construction, governments come now a unique new gateway to Australia. some extracts in the form of “quotes” and and go and so does industrial relations policy. Hutchies’ project team worked alongside “external tweets” which paint the picture: Hutchies has 1,730 employees, and of course we the client and consultant teams to develop the “During the 90s as managing director, fourth must comply with the laws of the day. We have a design which includes: generation Scott Hutchinson had expanded proactive open communication relationship with main hangar for up to 18 aircraft with a Hutchies rapidly from a sub $20 million per annum clear structural span opening of 70 metres operation to a $170 million per annum business our employees and their union representatives.” for aircraft access; – on the back of relationships with private sector “We don’t hold cheques – we pay on time, every sculptured roof form inspired by aero- developers.” time.” dynamic concepts clean of any plant or “My brief from Jack and Scott was – “do what- “Every decision made at Hutchies is a long-term equipment; ever you think, just treat Hutchies as your own”.” decision and they are quick decisions. We don’t specialty hangar displaying a refurbished “You would be hard-pressed to find a $2.7 billion need to report to London or Spain – we make the Douglas DC-3 aircraft and doubling as the business with 1,730 employees, 345 projects this call and get on with it.” facility’s function space; “What gets made and lost in Hutchies stays central hub including a basement carpark year out of 17 offices across Australia operating in Hutchies – a reference to Scott and Jack and service area, customer lounge, without a human resources department or an Hutchinson growing the balance sheet to its accommodation, meeting rooms, offices, in-house lawyer.” (Tweet) current $320 million net debt position; they never catering and function facilities; and “But that’s how Hutchinson Builders operates, aircraft pavement including taxi-way, Greg Quinn, the man who’s been managing raid the place.” pedestrian and vehicle pavements and director of the 106-year old private company for “Scott Hutchinson has an unmistakeable intel- landscaping. 17 years, told the QUT Business Leaders’ Forum lectual hold on Hutchies. His relationship with today.” (Tweet) Greg Quinn and the autonomy Greg has to run the “He inherited the “Hutchies” model of a flat business as if his own, is a really important aspect operational structure with three or four team of Hutchies’ success.” leaders back in 2001 when he was handpicked by “If you have a problem, I want to hear about it then chairman Jack Hutchinson from his position within three seconds. If you have good news, you of CEO at Queensland Master Builders.” (Tweet) can tell me when you see me,” Greg Quinn sharing “Today there are 36 construction team leaders how he doesn’t receive written business reports but with 10 other support teams that all report to Mr prioritises conversations. (Tweet) Quinn.” Enjoying a wonderful speech from Greg Quinn “I know, it’s outrageous but it’s our model which of @hutchies1912. The focus on their people and Scott Hutchinson introduced in the late 90s.” larger success being achieved by an “empowered “If our people don’t perform to expectations, team” is inspiring. (Tweet) they accept that I am going to be on their doorstep. No written reports in a $2 billion business but Terminal lounge overlooking the plane hangar. I’ve spent the last 17 years hovering over Hutchies strong focus on budgets for every project. Focus on making sure there are no chinks in the armour so relationship. (Tweet) The private jet terminal is set to be the that we can go in and deal with any shortcomings.” destination of choice for a variety of VIP “Mr Quinn said another aspect of Hutchinson’s While I mentioned loyalty a few times in travellers who require more than the services philosophy was “no disputes, no lawyers, no litiga- my presentation, I was referring to the loyalty offered by commercial airlines. tion”.” that exists between Hutchies and its employees, Specifically designed to attract private jets “If you have got an issue whether it’s a health subbies and their workers, clients, consultants, and charter flights, Melbourne Jet Base will suppliers and other industry stakeholders greatly increase safety and flexibility, with and safety issue, a contractual issue, a legal issue, including unions. global travellers able to arrive or depart via a problem with a client, a quality matter, sort it on However, on page four of this edition of the Melbourne’s curfew-free international airport day one and if you don’t, I want to know about it.” 24/7. “We try to make sure everybody is focussed on Truth, you will see a loyalty that has existed for “By providing a destination that facilitates the main game and that is good performance more than 50 years between Hutchies and Bank private aviation travel in such an exceptional out on the jobs, quality workmanship, being of Queensland. way, we hope to see an influx of global VIPs profitable, dealing with issues and not becoming It is a story that reflects just why Hutchies visiting Australia to experience all we have to obsessed with winning, we just cut a deal and deserves all of the accolades it receives and why offer,” said Mr Little. move on.” it is where it is today. Complementing a world-class travel experi- “He said the Hutchies’ model generates loyalty The heart and cultural soul of Hutchies was ence, Melbourne Jet Base offers its customers from subcontractors and clients. I genuinely created by and revolves around the Hutchinsons security and confidentiality, as well as quick believe that some subcontractors would prefer to themselves and their desire to be around and efficient movement through in-house work for Hutchies because they know we are non- another 100 years – this permeates through the customs and quarantine. adversarial, we are not going to hold a cheque on entire business and is at the core of Hutchies’ Helicopter transfers, private limousines plus them, and we tend to think we get a better pricing success. passenger and crew recovery zones all mark a key point of difference for the complex. structure and better performance.” – Greg Quinn (COTY 2007) 2 HUTCHIES’ A star is born Pictured at the HUTCHIES has broken ground for the new 53-storey sod turning for tower development within The Star Gold Coast the new tower casino complex. at The Star Gold This exciting development will herald the entry Coast are (from left) Queensland of Australia’s first Dorsett hotel and will include Premier new restaurant and bar concepts and apartment Annastacia accommodation, with 423 one and two-bedroom Palaszczuk; vice options, taking the overall supply at the casino to chairman Dorsett almost 1,400 rooms. Hospitality Destination Gold Coast Consortium is a joint International, venture between The Star Entertainment Group Datin Jasmine and its Hong Kong-based partners Chow Tai Fook Abdullah Heng; Enterprises and Far East Consortium.