Company History - Construction Engineering
The origin of Construction Engineering goes back to 1953, when D Shalit & Company was formed. This company comprised the personnel who were later to form Construction Engineering.
Over the years, Construction Engineering has experienced steady growth through maintaining repetitive clients (as can be verified by the number of negotiated contract projects carried out) and being able to diversify as required and follow industry trends.
From 'humble' beginnings, Construction Engineering has - over recent years - had an annual turnover ranging from $200 million to $300 million, thus making it one of Melbourne's largest privately owned building companies.
Construction Engineering has an office in Southport, Queensland, which is staffed locally and supplemented from Victoria should the need arise.
Projects undertaken over the years cover all aspects of construction, ranging from:
- Commercial domestic
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Institutional
- Health
- Educational
- Retail
- Hotels
- Civil works
Sizes of projects have also varied, from the smallest works to $100 million projects such as Watergardens Town Centre and the South Melbourne Lifestyle Centre.
In order to achieve this growth rate we expanded the involvement and levels of responsibility of staff. This involvement proved to be successful, as indicated by the company's exceptionally high long-term staff retention levels.
Most of our executives have developed within the company, having started either as graduates of tertiary institutions or trade apprentices. The combination of academic and technical staff has enabled the company to develop many technical and organisational improvements.
All staff have, at some stage, undertaken various courses run by the Master Builders' Association and similar organisations.
These courses have covered:
- Management and leadership
- Occupational health and safety
- Industrial relations
- Project planning
- Scheduling
- Quantity surveying
- Estimating
- Land surveying
The management of the company is broadly carried out on a 'group decision' basis. Among the directors the levels of expertise vary from construction and industrial relations to administration and accounting, incorporating a blend of skills required to successfully manage a large building company such as Construction Engineering. Therefore, major decisions are made on a consensual basis with close communication and interaction among the directors.
The company has a well founded reputation for its ability to provide unique solutions to complex construction problems. The ability to think laterally and approach problems from alternative viewpoints is a well utilised skill which is incorporated on all projects.
Construction Engineering also derives its success from an ability to provide an unparalleled level of service to clients. Paramount to the company's philosophy is the creation of a 'Project Team' environment in which members focus on a common goal.
The successful implementation of this philosophy ensures that a significant component of our work is procured through our repeat client base. The company considers this to be one of its greatest accolades.
