HUTCHIES’ A QUARTERLY MAGA ZINE FOR HUTCHINSON BUILDERS
AUGUST 2024
Survival in a national crane drought HUTCHIES has future-proofed itself against a shortage of cranes across the nation’s construction industry. Chairman Scott Hutchinson said Australia had a serious crane drought, with supply drying up and crane numbers unable to meet demand in the current property boom. Scott said Hutchies’ ability to maintain a supply of cranes to its national projects was the legacy of a decision taken almost 20 years ago to establish an in-house crane division to service Hutchies’ projects.
“Hutchies Cranes and Hoists was originally known as Building Industry Supplies (BIS) because, as well as Hutchies, it was servicing major builders such as Abi Group, Leightons and Watpac. “BIS transitioned to Hutchies Cranes and Hoists when dynamic growth at Hutchies
Hutchies maintains an in-house fleet of cranes and hoists to service its national projects. Six Hutchies’ cranes dominate this Brisbane cityscape.
meant the division could no longer supply the outside market.” Scott said establishment of the crane division was not a money-making decision. “It was about control of Hutchies’ building schedules and forward planning to guarantee the right equipment would be available for projects at the right time,” he said. Hutchies Cranes and Hoists currently operates a fleet of 26 cranes, two Franna mobile cranes and 33 hoists with a team of 106 comprising crane operators, dogmen, hoist drivers, riggers, servicing personnel, and administration. On the Gold Coast, which is a development hotspot, a record number of cranes are in the sky, with not enough available to service the number of projects on the go and in the pipeline for the future. A recent crane index, published by Rider Levett Bucknall, showed 61 cranes towering above Gold Coast City, with 22 removed during the quarter, but 22 going up as new projects began. The report said residential cranes dominated the skies, accounting for 86.9 per cent of all cranes in the region, with others in aged care, commercial, education and mixed-use sectors. • Top level leadership change at Hutchies Cranes and Hoists – Page 9.
Great Scott! Chairman a great Queenslander “Transformative leader in construction, as well as a philanthropist, cultural advocate and champion of indigenous employment.” – Citation Queensland Greats 2024.
IT is official – Chairman Scott Hutchinson is a great Queenslander! He has been acknowledged as a great Queenslander by being included in the Queensland Greats Awards 2024.
The awards recognise outstanding Queenslanders for their years of dedication and contribution to the development of the state and their role in strengthening and shaping the community in Queensland.
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