Built on foundations of community, family, hard work and innovation, GBP Cranes and Heavy Haulage has lifted itself from humble beginnings to become an industry and community leader in Northwest NSW.
The Gunnedah based company is a shining example of getting the little things right to produce big outcomes. Some 50 years of hard work, both on the job and out in the community they are proud to be a part of, sees them well positioned for the next 50 years.
General Manager Damien Roman talked us through how GBP was originally founded as Gunnedah Building Products in 1975 and specialised in the production of concrete Besser blocks. Showing us around the company’s state of the art new HQ, Damien spoke proudly about building the company’s success and the man who led their dedicated team to it, Managing Director Stuart Grosser.
Sadly, Stuart passed away recently and the loss has been a difficult time for all. Stuart was a true gentleman and remained hands on with cranes right up until his last week. He was instrumental in building the business to become the largest provider of crane services in regional NSW and helped to establish the new facility.
The facility is said to be one of the biggest developments of any company in the region and is a proud testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of Gunnedah and surrounding communities.
The centrepiece of the new location is a huge mechanical workshop. This massive building has been built to accommodate equipment from GBP’s big inventory of cranes, heavy haulage trucks and other plant machinery. The workshop has been operational for about six months and features a state-of-the-art, fully computerised vehicle servicing pit.
The workshop is led by new GBP recruit Dominic Martinuzzi who is well-versed on the company’s growing Liebherr crane fleet which ranges from the 20T Franna right through to Liebherr 250T all-terrain cranes.
Outside the workshop, more cranes and trucks are parked neatly in positions where two more sheds are due to be built in the coming months. There is an onsite weigh station to enhance road compliance and preparations are also underway to install a dedicated fuel bay. This will be complemented by full wash down facilities for vehicles, drawing on recycled water from huge underground storage tanks.
Such is the demand for its services and rapidly expanding fleet, Damien said they have nearly outgrown the new site already.
The company employees about 50 full time staff and is fast approaching 60 – servicing the rail, mining, agricultural, gas and building industries. It also operates two other sites in Narrabri and Tamworth.
Being a proud locally built company, built by and with amazing locals, it was far from surprising to hear about the deep community connections and support beyond the day to day workings of the company.
Annual sponsorships are many and as varied as the town in which GBP was built. The list is exhaustive, however, talking with Damien it’s clear that it is something they take enormous pride in. Beginning the roll call of support is major sponsor of Gunnedah Rugby Club, and then it continues across the community to include; Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce silver sponsor, annual local university scholarships, Lions Club Gunnedah, Gunnedah Workshop Enterprise, Gunnedah Can-Assist, Gunnedah Salvation Army, Allawah Cottage, Pirates Rugby Club Incorporated, Rotary Club Gunnedah West Inc, Swimming Gunnedah, Narrabri Clay Target Club Inc, Lloyd Sign Co, Tamworth Basketball, Gunnedah West Rotary, Gunnedah Volunteer Support Group, Gunnedah Show Society, Gunnedah Rugby League Football Club, Gunnedah Motorcycle Club Inc, Agracom Pty Ltd – charity golf day, GS Kidd Memorial Public School P & C, silver sponsorship for Wade Ryan Boxing, Black n Blue Boxing, Bravehearts Foundation Arundel, Trek4kidz, Narrabri Junior Rugby, and last but not least, Yallambee Charity Golf Day.
Built on solid foundations and rising to every challenge and opportunity in its path, it’s clear that this regional success story has many chapters yet to be written.
