Meet The Boss - DSM Construction

MEET THE BOSS

DAN HAYNES Managing Director, DSM Construction

“Back yourself and your team, then start at the start and just keep going. It’s as simple as that.”

DAN HAYNES can say he has helped bring the Mid North town of Peterborough into the 21st century. Starting in April 2017, and over the following 18 months, his company built a $17 million sewage system for the community. The system replaces septic tanks used by 1,200 properties and which date back more than a century.

Those properties, including main street businesses and the SAMEX meatworks, are being connected to the new system via 25 kilometres of gravity sewer main. The project coincided with a million-dollar facelift taking place in the main street. The developments are expected to attract a wave of new small businesses.

DSM Construction is a civil construction and civil services company based in Middleton on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula between Port Elliot and Goolwa. Established in 2009, it offers clients a holistic service, from design and conception through to project management and project delivery.

Recent projects include a $1.7 million rising main upgrade for Kangaroo Island Council; rising main and effluent lagoon construction (project value $3.3 million) for Mount Remarkable District Council; rising main installation ($1.8 million) for Mid- Murray Council; wastewater treatment plant

upgrade ($1.8 million) for Barossa Council; and the upgrade ($400K) of Penneshaw Christmas Cove Marina.

Dan said the Peterborough project had tested all the DSM Construction skills for its size and the manpower and management needed to complete it over 18 months. “Once the project was awarded it was subject to a complete redesign,” he said. “It had a very tight construction deadline, which was met despite the constant design changes. It was highly challenging and highly rewarding to complete such a difficult project.”

Dan has been in the civil utility construction industry over 20 years. He and his family moved here from New South Wales in 2002. His career has involved him in all facets of civil construction, but specialising in water and sewer construction. “We spent most weekends travelling from Adelaide to Middleton and Goolwa to go surfing and sailing,” he said. “When we formed the company the decision was made to move down to the south coast. We haven’t looked back since.”

DSM Construction has 20 to 30 employees “depending on the project we have on the go”. There are two yards, one in Middleton and another in Hindmarsh Valley, and a base

on Kangaroo Island. Dan said: “I have been asked on more than one occasion, ‘How do you take on such large projects?’ The answer is simple. Back yourself and your team, then start at the start and just keep going. It’s as simple as that.”

And his recipe for running a successful business? “Be multi-skilled, be able to adapt to different working and economic climates, and surround yourself with people who are highly skilled in their own right as your support network.”

Does the future hold promise for your enterprise? “Yes, we have a few exciting projects and developments on the horizon.” However, he would like state and local governments to place higher emphasis on supporting local South Australian business, and more recognition from government of the importance of small business to the economy, and to remove unnecessary red tape and levies.

Written by John Satterley