Praising award winning small contractors

At Latham, we like to keep an eye out for local businesses and contractors doing well within the building and construction industry. Whether they're new up-and-comers to the industry or long-established businesses who started small and have gone on to to achieve great things, we think they should be recognised for their efforts.

With construction awards season now open, we'd like to acknowledge some of the local contractors who have received industry accolades in the past, and inspired a new generation of small construction businesses and tradies to find success.

David Moses, Horizon Homes, NSW

Award: 2014 MBA Young Builder of the Year

Source: news.com.au

David was the winner of last year's Master Builders Association (MBA) Young Builder of the Year award for his entry in the Sydney suburb of Manly; a five bedroom home built in the style of a traditional French Chateau. A former finalist for MBA’s Young Builder award in the past, as well as a finalist for the Australian Institute of Building's "Young Achiever of the Year", it wasn't the first time that David's been recognised for his skills.

David is a tremendous example of a construction contractor who started out small, and has gone on to build his business, Horizon Homes, to where it is today — an Australian company with more than 60 employees, who work on up to ten projects at any given time. With beginnings as a small, family-run business ourselves, at Latham we’re proud to see David and his small construction business bloom. 

Steve Burke, Amerex Renovations & Additions, WA

Award: National HIA Professional Small Builder/Renovator of the Year 2014

Source: Amerex Renovations & Additions

Steve started working in the building and construction industry as a carpenter. After becoming a registered builder in 1987, he founded his own small company, Amerex — and across his 25 year involvement in the industry has completed over 500 renovations and building projects. Within his Perth construction business, he personally oversees every building project his company is involved in, stating that “I get to know each and every one of our clients by listening to them, understanding what they need and what is important to them. I manage every aspect of their construction project from the start to the end …”.

What’s even more impressive about Steve and his business, which has seen enormous growth since he first established it, is the breadth of awards his company has received over the years. For instance, before taking out the national HIA award in their category last year, Steve and Amerex had won five WA HIA Professional Small Builder/Renovator of the Year awards since 2009. For a competitive award, this is a huge achievement; the HIA construction awards recognise only the very best builders in their field, and are judged on comprehensive criteria including business leadership and management skills, customer service and satisfaction, financial management practices and the ethical conduct of the business.

John Plozza, Proview Homes, QLD

Award: Master Builders 2014 State Rising Star

Source: Proview Homes

As the recipient of Master Builders 2014 State Rising Star Award, builder John Plozza has earned a reputation for his enthusiasm and unique approach within the Queensland building industry. As a qualified builder and Director of Proview Homes, John exemplifies the success that can be achieved through matching business skills with trade expertise.

Operating a boutique, small construction business in Townsville, John tends to do things a little differently to the typical fold of commercial builders in the north — focusing on building smaller and more sustainable dwellings, with a more one-on-one approach when working with clients and his team of contractors.

Joe Mercieca, Blue Eco Homes, NSW

Award: MBA NSW Excellence in Construction Award

Source: Leura Garage

After more than 25 years working in the industry — which provided a wealth of experience in the design and construction of portable and modular dwellings — Joe Mercieca made the decision to steer his business down a purely environmental path.

In 2010, Joe founded Blue Echo Homes — a small construction business based in the Blue Mountains of NSW. Here, he specialises in building low-profile sustainable homes that fit seamlessly with the natural environment. After just one year of operation, Blue Echo Homes were awarded the Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Construction Award. This award recognised the quality of construction and environmentally sustainable design demonstrated in the ‘Leura Garage’ project — an old workshop transformed into a wine bar.

As a third generation family owned and operated Australian company, Latham  specialise in designing and manufacturing the highest quality architectural stair, floor and wall products right here in NSW. If you’re a small construction business or local contractor who shares our ethos to strive for excellence in your work, contact us to see how we can help with your next construction project.  




To find out more about Latham products, please visit www.latham-australia.com. To talk to a Latham product expert, call 1300 LATHAM (528 426) or email sales@latham-australia.com.