Welcome to Edition 4 of the ‘Right Angles’ newsletter. It is safe to say we have experienced a number of changes since the last edition not only internally but also the changes with the economic climate.

We have successfully navigated our way through the winter months of short days, cold temperatures and the flu season and have also seen the conclusion of another financial year.

Business for FK Gardner & Sons has been robust with construction, civil, hydraulics and plant hire all reporting strong opportunities.

Even in the short space of time between editions of our newsletter, the global economy has changed significantly. The US lead credit crisis is beginning to make its presence felt across the world and in Australia with uncertainty and fear seemingly driving the sharemarket into a daily volitile event.  In the construction industry we have seen a number of projects shelved and tender lists growing, a far cry from only 6 - 12 months ago when the market was very tight.

It is our belief that we have invested considerable time and effort in establishing initiatives and improvement of our processes to ensure the impacts of the global credit crises on our company, our clients and suppliers are kept to a minimum

We have experienced tremendous growth in both business and cultural development terms over the past 2 years, with a considerable focus to improved safety culture, with the outcome to achieve a  ‘No Injuries to Anyone’ goal.

With a large number of new personnel entering our industry, significant additional education and broadening of skills of supervisory and management personnel has been undertaken to not only improve our own safety performance, but the safety performance of our subcontractors and suppliers also.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers, suppliers and staff for their contribution over the past 12 months.  We wish you and your families a safe and Merry Christmas and look forward to working  with you in 2009.

Gary Gardner
Managing Director

Late last year FKG were involved with the construction of the Murilla Fitness Centre which is located in the town centre of Miles. 

The centre was built over a 6 month construction period.  It consisted of the construction of a new sports hall including a basketball, badminton and volleyball court which has been erected on the same site as the Miles War Memorial swimming pool and kiosk which was built in 1965 and has significant importance and heritage to the Miles community.  

To ensure the heritage of the existing dwelling wasn’t jeopardised FKG used a similar aged brick for the construction of the weights and amenities room.  Working closely with a number of different consultants enabled FKG to create a fitness centre that supported and maintained the heritage of the original site while creating  a sporting complex that is ideal in visual design and functionality for the local community.

FK Gardner & Sons Managing Director Gary Gardner attributes the success of not only this project but the Company as a whole to his dedicated team, "the entire FKG team plays a vital role in creating value for our clients” he said.

FKG would like to thank Project Manager Carl Fiedler, Site Foreman James Lunn and the entire team who were involved with the successful construction of the Murilla Multipurpose Fitness Centre. 

Our reputation is directly linked to our success.

This project was awarded a 2008 Downs and Western Housing and Construction Award for the category of Sporting Facilities up to $3million.

FKG successfully raised $6,203.70 through fundraising activities including Melbourne Cup lunch, BBQ’s and raffle ticket sales.  Being a male dominated industry we recognise that our team will face challenges with men’s health issues and this was a great cause to be involved with.  We received enormous support from our entire team.  Organised activities occurred throughout QLD at our construction sites, from Toowoomba to Mackay the whole FKG team were involved.

A huge thank you needs to go to those participants who shaved their Mo for Movember some of which had not touched their beard for over 25 years!!

The secret is out.  FKG has for the past two years been providing a ‘one stop shop’ property development service for our clients and have recently established this business unit known as FKG Developments.

Our developments team consists of development managers, professional planners, designers, environmental consultants, property managers and alike with a strong administration arm to co-ordinate clients’ projects from inception through to construction and leasing.

Located on the ground floor at 10 Pechey Street, Toowoomba our Development Team has a current client portfolio well over $100 million ranging from shopping centres, industrial parks to a regional transport depot on the Darling Downs.

Projects are underway across Queensland and Northern New South Wales servicing both public and private clients.  This includes Lismore, Ballina, Toowoomba and surrounds as well as northern and southern Brisbane suburbs, Caloundra, Buderim, Nambour, Bundaberg and Mackay.

FKG Developments utilise the FKG services including Civil, Construction, Total Hydraulics Services Pty Ltd and Ezyquip Hire Pty Ltd to ensure clients' expectations are exceeded and that the development is delivered on time.

One signature project for FKG Developments is the multi storey development for QLD Health in Bundaberg.  Bundaberg Regional Council has claimed the recently approved building as ‘the best building in Bundaberg’.  Located in the medical precinct of Bourbong Street, this architecturally designed green star building will have Queensland Health, the Queensland Cancer Fund and a local cafe operator as tenants when it opens in twelve months.  Currently in the building approval stage work is anticipated to commence on site by the end of October to allow for demolition of the existing residence and excavation for the basement car park.

So if you are looking for a team of professionals to manage your development from conception to completion give FKG a call as we would be pleased to present our services.  Look out for our next newsletter as we will keep you posted with more development secrets.

Photos - pictured left are FKG Development Projects;  From Top, Medici Medical Centre Toowoomba, Margaret Street Office Building Toowoomba and Anzac Central in Toowoomba.

This year the FKG Mackay team participated in the Absolute Enterprises Raft Race which is held annually in support of Childhood Cancer on the Pioneer River in Mackay. 

The Raft Race is a signature event for Mackay and is aimed at creating a fun, active family day for the whole Mackay community. 

The FKG Team used building materials and banners to construct their raft.  While they may not have won the race they didn't sink, a true testament to their rafting skills.  It was a great event to be involved with and we look forward to competing in 2009!

Our office will close from Friday 19 December 2008 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2009 if you require urgent assistance during this period your project manager can be reached by mobile.

We wish you and your families a safe and Merry Christmas and we look forward to working with you in 2009.

We value your opinion, if you have any feedback regarding our newsletter please feel free to call Lauren Flint on 0746 200 500 or e-mail lauren.flint@fkg.com.au