MANUFACTURING AWARD
Winner: Wastech
Sponsor: M+K Lawyers and ARM
Finalists: SRXGlobal, Norden Body Works, Objective 3D
WASTECH CEO Brett Jones accepted the company’s award nomination just three months into the job.
“In the interview (technical support manager) Paul (Bone) told me he was a Hawthorn supporter so I signed up,” he said.
Mr Jones said the company’s culture also impressed him.
“It’s hard to implement a strategy when the culture’s not right,” he said.
Recent award wins have buoyed the Hallam business’s culture, including the Casey Business of the Year and Casey Manufacturer of the Year for 2013 and, last May, the Melbourne South East (MSE) Business Awards Business of the Year Overall Business Excellence award and Medium Enterprise category.
“I take it as a great challenge and opportunity,” Mr Jones said.
Wastech provides standard and custom-designed engineered products and solutions for the recycling and waste industries.
Two brothers started Wastech in 1993. They’d been diesel motor mechanics and had largely worked on trucks involved in the waste business.
They set up in Ordish Road, Dandenong, before moving to Redgum Drive, Capitol Drive and finally, in 2007, Wedgewood Road in Hallam.
The business has grown from a three-man band to an industry leader with more than 90 staff and a turnover pushing $30 million.
Seven engineers work full time to develop new products and systems.
The business has supported its entire workforce in studies ranging from certificates through to a masters of business administration.
“The appetite for growth is pretty high,” Mr Jones said.
The company won its first job in Saudi Arabia the week before its Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce nomination in October last year, following a recommendation from client Veolia.
“They obviously hold us in high regard,” Mr Jones said.
Wastech’s customers range from large national retail stores and shopping centre developments to small supermarkets and suburban retailers.
Managing director Neil Bone said the broad product range Wastech manufactured and the level of innovation it applied to its products made it a leader in its field within Australia.
“Innovation and outstanding customer service keeps us ahead of our competitors and high quality product ensures we stay there,“ he said.
Wastech was the only Casey business to win an MSE award last year.
“Manufacturing is a high-pressure industry and it is terrific to have our growth and success in this industry recognised,“ Mr Bone said.
“We like to think the judges have recognised the effort we have put into our team approach within the business and the support and opportunity for growth that we offer all our employees.
“We have a solid business vision and values system that has been communicated to all our team and is on display in our foyer for all our partners to see and be involved in.“
Wastech was a nominee for the CSR and Employment, Manufacturing, Retail and Commercial, and Premier Regional Business awards.
It was a finalist for the Premier Regional Business Award.
