HUTCHIES’ A QUARTERLY MAGA ZINE FOR HUTCHINSON BUILDERS
MAY 2026
Collaboration unites the flat management network COLLABORATION between independent teams within Hutchies’ flat business structure enables the national network to function as a united force. Chairman Scott Hutchinson said this decentralised but united flatline process worked to the benefit of clients and projects. “At any given time, Hutchies has a wide range of project types in a large cross-section of locations that represents a huge national reservoir of knowledge and experience,” said Scott. “Collaboration between the teams makes this resource available and interchangeable across our vast network.” Scott said the collaboration can be in a formal way with structured meetings or in a more casual manner. “Teams are autonomous and make their own decisions without being bogged down by funnelling approvals through a central location, but they work together through collaboration,” he said. Scott said video conferencing had become a valuable collaborative tool.
Video conferencing has become a valuable collaborative tool connecting teams across the national network. “Interstate or inter-office video conferencing hook-ups are as easy as walking into the next office to confer with colleagues,” he said. “The teams may be separated by hundreds of kilometres, but they are able to network and think as one when it comes to planning and delivery on a project. “As well as the digital connec-
Three Hutchies’ teams – Coolangatta, Cairns and Townsville – collaborated with a combined safety workshop held in Townsville, which included dinner out for the crew. From left, Aaron Ohl, Murray Emmerson (COTY 2025), Gareth Hodgins, Steve Morrow, Jimmy Andersen, Toby Lyons (head obscured), Paul Pereira, Darren Jones, Matt Townsend, Kyle Hare, Jake Anderson and Kevin Anderson.
tion between teams, we also encourage travel across our regions to allow our people to engage in person with each other and with clients despite the distances separating them. “And many of the teams organ-
ise joint social events that allow collaboration to take on a personal as well as professional status.” • More on collaboration, see the Managing Director’s Message, Page 2.
Construction fuel update CHAIRMAN Scott Hutchinson said the construction industry thrived on diesel and petrol and that cutting back on usage was a limited option while keeping projects on time. Scott said a national fuel shortage would put construction behind schedule. “Hutchies will monitor fleet fuel usage, but team members have to get to construction sites, and diesel-powered machinery like cranes and heavy equipment need to keep rolling. “Our civil team will be hit hardest by fuel shortages and costs because they operate fuel-guzzling heavy machinery for projects like earthmoving, roads, kerb, channelling and drainage,” said Scott. “Our suppliers will also have a hard time of it, with manufacturing and delivery costs being pushed up by rising fuel costs that will have to be passed on to consumers. “As well, our tradies will be paying more to keep on the road. “The cost of new projects will have to rise if the Middle East situation drags on,” he said.