Bobcat to boardroom: WDC’s booming success story

By HARRY CLARKE | SPONSORED

THE opening of Western Downs Civil’s expansive new headquarters in Chinchilla has marked a major milestone for an organisation recognised as one of the most remarkable local business success stories to come from the Surat Basin resources boom.

In just over ten years WDC, founded by Chinchilla local Josh Hardimon, has grown from a three-man, two-vehicle operation to become the region’s go-to civil construction and earthworks provider, directly employing 132 workers and generating more than $50 million in annual revenue.

The company has paid more than $54 million in wages to its 95 percent local workforce and provided more than $1 million in sponsorships to community clubs and organisations throughout the Western Downs.

Now operating from a $4.7 million new facility in Chinchilla, co-owned by WDC operations manager Cameron Fabian, and servicing mining projects as far afield as north and central Queensland, Hardimon said WDC was primed for continued growth and broader service delivery.

“It’s pretty awesome, what we’ve done. It’s a bit hard to explain but it’s certainly been a humbling experience,” he said.

“For a long time we’ve wanted to bring the team together and provide them with a professional setting to work. If you actually invest in facilities like this for your employees, you get it back.

“We now have a workplace that the team deserves.”

SLIDESHOW: WDC Headquarters in Chinchilla – IMAGES: Gerkies

Hardimon’s achievements with WDC and the company’s ongoing community investment has drawn enormous acclaim from Chinchilla locals and the broader business community, especially among those aware of Hardimon’s humble beginnings.

The 38-year-old grew up as a foster child in Chinchilla. After graduating from high school he moved to Toowoomba and worked for FKG Group, first as a labourer and then as an apprentice carpenter, supervisor and project administrator.

Seeing opportunity in Chinchilla at the height of the Surat Basin’s coal seam gas development, Hardimon returned home and established Western Downs Civil in 2013.

WATCH: WDC civil construction works on CS Energy’s Tesla battery pack

Starting with just a bobcat, truck, and a 13t digger loaned from local Bern Davies, WDC today has a fleet of 136 heavy vehicle assets used to service energy giants such as Shell QGC and Origin, under contracts worth more than $40 million.

The rapid development of renewable energy infrastructure has seen the company’s growth continue to accelerate.

“It’s been a lot of head down, arse up,” Hardimon said.

“It took a while to get some traction and actually build the reputation that you can execute the work, but we managed to do that and we’ve got an abundance of work for the foreseeable future. 

“We will continue on the same trajectory from our new base here in Chinchilla but we anticipate having an additional three or four new depot locations over the next five years.”

WATCH: Official opening of WDC Headquarters – VIDEO: Gerkies

As well as open plan work spaces, high end office facilities, a stunning boardroom and a spacious, tailor made workshop, WDC’s new headquarters in Chinchilla also provides staff with lounge areas, a gym and a bar.

Hardimon said the official opening of the facility this month, led by National Party leader and Maranoa MP David Littleproud, was “the proudest moment” of his professional life.

“It was a proud moment, especially for someone like myself. I love Chinchilla. I grew up here, went to school here, and we have this great business here,” he said.

“It’s not just a place to work, it’s a place to socialise and relax. We wanted a professional, corporate-type fit out that you’d expect in a Brisbane-type office out here in regional Queensland.

“People say there’s no loyalty from employees these days but there is. If you truly look after your employees – don’t just talk about it but actually give back to them – then you do get that loyalty.”

Littleproud, who also grew up in Chinchilla, said WDC’s achievements as a company, and Hardimon’s achievements personally and as a businessman, was “what our nation is all about”.

“It’s not just a Chinchilla success story but it’s an Australian success story – a young local that’s created something from scratch that’s now employing so many people and supporting their families.

“It really is the heart and soul of what our nation is about. We should be proud of Josh not only for what he’s achieved for Chinchilla but what he’s achieving for our country. It’s businesses like his that pay the bills.”