10 minute read
THE FINAL WORD
To round off each issue, we ask our contributing business leaders for their views on the same question
What is your greatest motivator at work?
Peter Hook
General Manager, Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions “Collaborating with local organisations to support and strengthen the manufacturing industry. We are uniquely positioned to bring in global expertise and to make a significant difference. Providing best in class capabilities motivates me.”
Tosh Bourke
General Manager - Commercial, Legrand Australia “We have a very committed workforce who are focused on delivering high quality products and services to our customers, and many of these employees have been with the company for a very long time.
We create a very positive impact on people, families and communities across Australia, New Zealand and beyond, and this remains a strong motivator for me.”
Marc Avery
General Manager of New Business and Strategy, Richard Crookes Constructions “I feel that we’re in a city-shaping business. We come to work every day, and some of the things that we do will change the shape of our city, which is phenomenal. It’s hugely motivating and it means you have interesting and big conversations on a daily basis.”
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MCCONNELL DOWELL
CONSTRUCTION
CREATING BETTER
TOGETHER
McConnell Dowell has built countless iconic structures across Australia and the wider APAC region. We explore socially responsible processes and complex infrastructure with CEO, Scott Cummins
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Ryan Gray
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MCCONNELL DOWELL
CONSTRUCTION
of potential reasons,” Cummins says. “Whether it’s excitement about our employees, our customers or the community in which we work, we constantly strive to bring an unrivalled enthusiasm to all new projects that we undertake, as well as being able to bring our specialist capability in an innovative and creative manner to all new projects. In this way, we will soon commence the build of the new Bridgewater bridge, which promises to be another iconic project for MCD, spanning one kilometre over the river Derwent in Tasmania.”
Building the new Bridgewater bridge is Tasmania’s largest ever transport infrastructure project, and the new structure will make travel safer and more efficient. As well as this, it will connect local communities, create more open space and change the way people travel between the Construction is a highly north and south of the state, opening progressive industry that up previously unavailable travel links to all citizens. With major construction forms a critical part of the economies in which we operate.”due to start this year, the new bridge will be open by the close of 2024.
Like many people destined to fulfil The innovative design features a long prosperous careers within the vast possibilities of the worldwide construction industry, Scott Cummins, CEO of McConnell Dowell (MCD), started to recognise a passion for construction at a young age. Developing an unwavering desire to build things, this led to a real interest in science and physics, alongside the hunger to develop solutions to problems.
new, four lane bridge downstream of the existing bridge including enhanced interchanges at Granton and Bridgewater, a safe shared pathway for cyclists and pedestrians and a navigation height matching the Bowen bridge. The significant upgrade will benefit the 22,000 people that travel across the bridge each day, including local residents, commuters and freight vehicles and will fix the missing link in Tasmania’s national highway.
Following extensive consultation on the project’s reference design in late 2020, a number of enhancements have been incorporated by MCD into their plans, including direct access from Bridgewater onto the new bridge and an uninterrupted connection between the Brooker and Lyell highways.
A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
Cummins speaks glowingly of the hard-working staff at MCD, describing them as “Dedicated, committed and innovative, driven by purpose and
the goal of fulfilling the company’s values. They have so much potential and are so well equipped to deal with the changing nature and the demands of the world. We try to provide some guidance, through mentoring advice, and really do all we can as a company to develop our loyal staff. I personally believe it is best to provide them with what they need, whether that’s inspiration, guidance, or general strategic direction and then simply get out of their way and let them work it out and tell me how it can best be achieved. “I’m a firm believer in that it is all about partnering together, whether as team members of a successful staffing unit, or through the manufacturing and supplier relationships that you must manage and nurture in order to achieve optimal outcomes in business. Just as we do with our head contract clients, we rely on partnerships even more with our supply chain. Grasping an understanding of each other’s needs and tapping into the innovation that the supply chain can bring to the project will offer solutions to enhance working practices.” “THERE IS REALLY NO PROJECT THAT I AM NOT EXCITED ABOUT, AS THEY ALL PRESENT BOUNTIFUL OPPORTUNITY” – SCOTT CUMMINS, CEO, MCCONNELL DOWELL
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MCD’s strengths in its professional partnerships translate to how it operates within the communities it works in.
“Maintaining a social responsibility is an extremely important aspect of the organisation, from bottom up, to top down and everything in between, this aligns with our collective purpose,” Cummins affirms.
“It adds so much more to a project knowing that you are not only delivering the needed infrastructure, but the project is providing so much more to the community as it is constructed. The company has recently developed and adopted an MCD specific environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework. This builds upon the ESG components and our values as an organisation, leading to real meaning and relevance to all within our company.”
MCD places immense value on the focus of the many environmental issues encountered throughout the region and is constantly seeking methods to build and deliver projects in the most sustainable way.
“Elsewhere we are very pleased with the inroads we have made in increasing female participation within the organisation. In tackling the need for diversity, we have also just completed our first reconciliation action plan to address the needs of reconciliation with indigenous Australians,” he expands.
HORIZON 2030
Developing a longer-term business strategy has been defined by MCD as ‘Horizon 2030’. Preparing thoroughly for the future has begun in detail, alongside implementing a detailed strategy to improve organisational capability, so that the company can further increase its relevance and the value it can bring to project solutions in a rapidly changing world.
“Looking ahead, we also look forward to returning to full strength operations in Southeast Asia, following a very difficult two years in not being able to travel around the region due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
MCD believes that consistent and effective conduct in the way that the company approaches all business and carries out operations, creates the loyalty and trust with its stakeholders and each other. Moving onwards this will be critical for the business to remain sustainable and achieve longterm success.
Cummins details how MCD has constructed a precise list of targets for the next 12-month period in terms of its potential growth as a company and in improving all aspects of its delivery performance, specifically including areas of focus in the ESG arena.
“MCD entered the 2022 financial year in a very strong position but will remain vigilant to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across our operating regions,” he explains. “Core market sectors, especially in Australia, show good signs for growth, driven largely by government infrastructure investment. Increased activity is also anticipated in the private sector due to low interest rates, strong commodity markets, and climate change driven energy transition.
“Where we have been spending a great deal of time is not just looking at the coming year but the longer term. We have closely reviewed macro trends as we see them in areas such as our markets, the society and workforce, sustainability and resilience, regulations, and technology and now seek to develop MCD for all forms of future readiness.”
MCCONNELL DOWELL
Tel: +61 3 9816 2400 mcdgroup@mcdgroup.com www.mcconnelldowell.com
APAC Outlook issue 57 | 25
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Secondly, HCA is working on new a need for sustainable means of
AUSTRALIA
provide total customer satisfaction. Fuelled by this recognition of www.hitachicm.com.au
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
efficiencies within the company to future.”
MACHINERY AUSTRALIA
APAC Outlook issue 53 | 32 | APAC Outlook issue 53 dedication to reliability, innovation and safety above all else. initiatives contribute to ensure we leave the world a better place for future generations.” GREEN PLANS Looking ahead to the future, HCA is focusing on two main areas of development. The first is to continue prioritising the safety and wellbeing of its employees, and working on the and trucks fuelled by batteries are an aspect of operation that is on the cards for the company. “That reality is an area of development for our mining market,” says Green. “Hitachi is well aware of environmental concerns and is driven to help limit negative impacts. We are currently working with multiple partners to facilitate an electrified HITACHI CONSTRUCTION “OUR GOAL IS TO STRIVE FOR AND ACHIEVE TOTAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. OUR PROMISE IS TO BE THE BEST SOLUTIONS PARTNER” - ERIC GREEN, GENERAL MANAGER OF MINING, HITACHI McConnell Dowell has told its story. Collectively, HCA’s policies and environment, electric vehicles (EVs) focused and unwavering in its components to OEM specifications. the mining industry’s impact on the the core of the company will remain capability to remanufacture used Hitachi’s Reman facilities have the resources and environmental burden, Highlighting its own recognition of alternative and renewable energy. the increasingly expanding area of friendly. While it holds these aims, Australia more environmentally in making the mining industry of
of saving on materials, production product development, including operation, HCA exists as a key leader
Now, why not tell yours? Our bi-monthly magazine APAC Outlook is essential reading for business executives wanting to keep up with the latest in global news and trends affecting Hitachi is also committed to reducing consumption. components. With the added benefit COMMITMENT business travel and national energy cost saving options on quality better futures through education and mentoring, and supporting indigenous arts and culture. ENVIRONMENTAL of company emissions. For almost 10 years, Hitachi has been investing inbiodiversification initiatives, offsetting over 38,000 tonnes of CO2 produced from its fleet vehicles, Additionally, improved waste management and recycling practices together help reduce our carbon footprint. “Our Reman facilities offer Asia Pacific businesses across all industries. delivering technology in medical care, of its machines and offset the effects our fleet runs with minimal emissions.
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indigenous communities through landfill, increase the fuel efficiency fuel-efficient vehicles ensures that
is to provide lasting outcomes for Inaugural Partners, whose mission usage, minimise the burden on includes steps to decrease energy states proudly. “The introduction of solar power at selected sites,” Green
Hill Community Foundation proudly became one of The Roy its community. In 2015, Hitachi leave the world in a better place. This to-day business activities, to help the environmental impact of its dayLED lighting, rainwater harvesting and energy efficient installations including “Our branch facilities are fitted with
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA CONSTRUCTION
REDEFINING MINING We speak to Eric Green, General Manager of Mining at Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia, about the company’s mission, values and business developments Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold
HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AUSTRALIA
SYNC LIFT ENGINEERING | SWIRE SHIPPING
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ISS APAC A key driver of technological, sustainable and people-centric change
Issue 57 CONSTRUCTION
www.apacoutlookmag.com/work-with-us McCONNELL DOWELL Delivering eye-catching construction projects in Australia and beyond Marc Avery, General Manager of New Business and Strategy at Richard Crookes Constructions explores revitalising infrastructure
