News

The Board of Directors of Tasmania's leading diversified Construction Company, Hazell Bros, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Bennetto as Chief Executive Officer.

Since its inception in 1944, the business has been led by a Hazell family member. Through its 65 years of operation, Hazell Bros has grown to employ more than 500 people throughout Tasmania and interstate, and has completed many landmark projects.

The appointment of Bob Bennetto as CEO is a natural progression for the Company, which is one of Australia's fastest growing private businesses and a leader in the industry.

With a background in the construction industry, both in Australia and overseas, Bob has worked for various companies including Lewis Construction Company, Leighton Contractors, and John Holland.

In addition to a substantial background in civil, building, and multidiscipline project management, Bob also brings a depth of experience in executive strategic management to Hazell Bros.

Geoffrey Hazell said he is absolutely confident that the move will assist the Company in its endeavour to continue its success and growth.

"Bob brings a high level of expertise and commitment which will support Hazell Bros' progression into the future," he said.

"I am delighted to be part of this exciting stage of Hazell Bros' evolution and am looking forward to the challenges as well as the opportunities that are available for Hazell Bros both in Tasmania and interstate," Mr Bennetto said.

Hazell Bros has announced the winners of the inaugural Apprentice of the Year and Trainee of the Year awards at its annual Christmas Dinner.  Sarah Bowles was named Trainee of the Year, and Damian Voss won the Apprentice of the Year Award.

As an Employer of Choice, Hazell Bros is highly committed to supporting and building the capability of our workforce, and in particular has a strong record in employing and developing our apprentices and trainees.

The prestigious awards recognise the outstanding achievements and high quality work of our apprentices and trainees. Congratulations to Sarah and Damian!

Hazell Bros Apprentice of the Year 2009 Damien Voss

Damian is 18 years old, and undertook work experience with Hazell Bros. He was offered an apprenticeship and is now a 2nd year Automotive Mechanic apprentice in the Fleet Maintenance workshop. Damian willingly works additional hours (including weekends), has taken on a mentoring role with first year apprentices, and enjoys working in different parts of the business.

Damian is undertaking Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology and is about to enter his third year. He has ambitions to    undertake a dual trade (Auto Electrical). Damian has also completed several additional certificates.

Damian lives at Glen Huon, runs his own business, is a volunteer fireman, and has lovingly restored a 1968 D4D Caterpillar Bulldozer. Damian is commended on thinking outside the square, and being given responsibility above his years.

 Hazell Bros Trainee of the Year 2009 Sarah Bowles

Sarah is 23 years old and has worked with Hazell Bros for 2 and a half years. She is a Site Administrator at Waddamana/Lindisfarne Substation for the Construction Team.

Sarah has a strong customer focus and demonstrated leadership skills. She completed Certificate III in Business this year and was nominated by the Tasmanian Skills Institute for entry into the 2009 State Training Awards. 

Sarah is looking to continue her career and study with Hazell Bros in the future.

Sarah lives at Bothwell and has a high level involvement with the local football club.

"I like to make Hazell Bros proud with my work," she said.

" I chose this training path as I didn't just want a job anymore, I wanted to have a career."

Hazell Bros has recognised employees who reached long service milestones in 2009.

HB congratulates and thanks:

• Rob Lorkin - 35 Years
• Paul Voss - 30 Years
• Baul Batchelor - 20 Years
• Tim Gillam - 20 Years
• Mark Arnold - 15 Years
• Wayne Ayres - 15 Years
• Ian Bezzant - 15 Years
• Jason Bowerman - 15 Years
• Peter Griggs - 15 Years
• Peter Leyland - 15 Years
• David Munday - 15 Years
• David Triffett - 15 Years
• Mick Walker - 15 Years
• Annette Norris - 15 Years
• Jason Carnes - 10 Years
• Cooee Direen - 10 Years
• Robert Rowlands - 10 Years
• Jerrod Williams - 10 Years

Tasmanian Construction Company Hazell Bros has received a national award at the Australian Marketing Institute's Gala Presentation for Marketing Excellence, in recognition of its Internal Marketing Program. 

The judges commended Hazell Bros on its internal marketing program, which is based on the simple but important value of Health and Wellbeing as a driver of employee satisfaction and loyalty.

Hazell Bros supports its employees through a range of initiatives, including health assessments and education, fun runs, sports teams, bootcamp, and assisting employees in achieving their health and wellbeing goals.

Managing Director Geoffrey Hazell said that the program supports the Company's Employer of Choice status, and aims to drive a positive culture throughout the business statewide.

"Our people are at the heart of everything we do - and our commitment to them is that we will provide an engaging workplace in which employees are happy and motivated," he said.

"This includes providing events and activities, reward and recognition programs, and ongoing development of our communication strategies and content."

Tasmanian Construction Company Hazell Bros won the 2009 Minister's Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices (Tasmania Region) at a ceremony held in Canberra last night.

Managing Director Geoffrey Hazell, who last night accepted the award from Julia Gillard, said the Company identifies gaps in its skills base and has a dedicated Training team responsible for developing all the employees, including the 57 Australian Apprentices.

"Hazell Bros has been training Australian Apprentices for more than 21 years," he said.

"It's an important part of the company's succession planning. 

"Apprenticeships are a core part of this business - so we can build for the future."

Almost half of Hazell Bros' Australian Apprentices are working in areas where there's a skill shortage.

"I think employers have a responsibility to maintain their training and keep their apprentices on through downturns in order to identify and fill potential skills gaps in the industry."

"We have focused on apprenticeship and traineeship programs through good economic times, and continued to build on these because we know that the apprentices and trainees of today will be our workforce, and the industry's workforce, as we progress into increasing workloads in the future."

Hazell Bros won two categories of the Master Builders Tasmania Awards held late last week.

The awards were presented for Excellence in New Construction ($5M to $10M) for the News Ltd Hobart Print Centre, and the OH&S Award for the Launceston Aquatic Centre.

Hazell Bros has been acknowledged for engineering excellence at the Engineers Australia Tasmania Division awards night. 

Hazell Bros won a joint award with Johnstone McGee & Gandy for the Lake Margaret Pipeline Replacement project currently being undertaken for Hydro Tasmania.

Despite the very significant challenges of harsh topographic and climatic environments, there is now a woodstave pipeline that provides a link between the technologies of the past and its ability to meet current and future demand for clean, green energy.

Hazell Bros Managing Director Geoffrey Hazell said that the project called for innovative engineering, including the design and construction of self propelled trolleys to facilitate the construction process and future maintenance along the pipeline. 

"There is no known pipeline where such a trolley has been provided, and to be able to say that this has happened on the West Coast of Tasmania shows that Tasmanian engineers can lead the way in terms of construction," he said.

"Combining engineering excellence while maintaining the heritage of this Tasmanian icon has been a challenging and rewarding project."