North Construction & Building, based on the Central Coast with its head office at Tuggerah, has taken out the National Business Excellence Award for Large Commercial Building Company at the 2023 National Business Excellence Awards, hosted by Master Builders Australia.
With 36 years in operation, the company has grown to become a significant regional construction player.
Established by Michael North and Warwick Mosman in 1987, the company’s core values and focus on regional NSW have remained steadfast through changes of ownership and expansion.
Having first established an office in Gosford in their early days, North moved its head office into the Tuggerah-based Mariner’s Centre of Excellence in 2016.
Since then, regional growth has occurred with a presence now established in Dubbo, Orange, Mudgee, Tamworth and Brisbane but the company retains its Central Coast focus.
In the beginning, North focused on delivering small to medium commercial projects mostly in the industrial sector.
Projects like the Helipad at Gosford Hospital in 1994 and the new Post Office at Woy Woy in 1995 began a diversification into other sectors.
In the mid to late ‘90s, education projects became a growing part of the business focus with St Edwards College East Gosford an early example.
Today, education projects are a key strength of the business with North having been involved in more than 120 separate school, early learning and university projects.
In the late ‘90s a project for Woy Woy Aged Care began North’s heavy involvement in the aged care and seniors living sectors.
The company has contributed to many significant community projects on the Central Coast, including Gosford City Arts Centre (now the Regional Gallery), Terrigal Surf Club and The Art House at Wyong.
North also made an international contribution to the construction of the Yegeli Early Childhood Development Centre in Papua New Guinea with New Hope International in 2011.
It was recently awarded the contract to deliver the new Gosford Regional Library, with other major Central Coast projects including Toukley ARY, Coast Christian School, Bluewave Living Woy Woy, Norah Head Community Hall and Play Space and Mangrove Creek Visitor Centre.
Managing Director Matthew Cook said receiving this latest award was an “awesome and proud moment” for the business.
“I want to give a massive thanks to the entire North team for their collective and relentless pursuit of continual improvement,” he said.
“This result is a culmination of the long-held recognition and focus within the business that personal and professional growth in our staff is what grows our business.
“Beyond such focus of training and developing our workforce, this growth also enables us to maintain an amazingly strong, positive culture and one which fundamentally underpins building with trust.
“Thank you also to our trade contractors, consultants, partners and clients who support us in the journey.”
The 2023 National Business Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in financial management, operations, customer service, business improvement and corporate social responsibility within the building and construction industry.
They validate and celebrate the businesses which are leading the way in best practice and have instilled this objective into their long-term business strategy.
Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the organisation was dedicated to promoting best practices within the industry.
“Our commitment to promoting industry excellence is underscored by our recently released 2050 Sustainability Goals, which outlines our determination to foster a more robust, viable, and sustainable industry,” Wawn said.
“By addressing critical issues affecting business performance, minimising risks and maximising opportunities through an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, we aim to shape a sustainable future for businesses, workers, and communities.”
This year’s competition featured 25 finalists across eight different categories.
“These awards do not merely acknowledge success; they also recognise the ability of businesses to thrive in challenging conditions, showcasing their adaptability, innovation and resourcefulness,” Wawn said.
Terry Collins