With a total of 110 projects, 65 clients, 20 staff, 623 subcontractors and 128,500 hours worked on site – this month Rork Projects celebrates five years in Queensland.
In May 2016, founding partners Brian and Angela O’Rourke were joined by their first Brisbane recruit, Business Development Manager Pepe Ianniello, where the three of them worked out of a small office in Fortitude Valley to get the state office off the ground.
“Opening our Brisbane office was reminiscent of our early days establishing Rork Projects in Canberra 24 years ago,” Managing Director Brian O’Rourke said.
“Any accelerated growth is going to come with risks, and it certainly was hard work.
“I recognised the opportunity that South-East Queensland presented, particularly with the progressive investment into infrastructure from both the public and private sectors.
“It was a decision that has paid off, with our rapid growth over the last five years leading to Queensland being our strongest performing state this year.”
Queensland General Manager Matthew Clayton said Rork Projects’ Brisbane team is the most diverse team he’s ever worked with.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built in Queensland,” he said.
“Our rapid growth has been enabled by our staff, as we employ subject matter experts in their respective disciplines.
“When I first started two and a half years ago I asked Brian where he wanted this business to go, and he said ‘Lets just grow the Brisbane business and see what happens’.
“Two and a half years on and we have not only grown the business from a revenue perspective, but we have grown our capacity and capability.”
With Rork Projects landmark multi-million dollar new build project at 28 King Street nearing completion, Mr Clayton acknowledged how the Queensland portfolio of works has diversified over time.
“Our core business will always be commercial fit out and refurbishment, but we now have the skillset to tackle complicated multi-level new build and are stepping into new sectors and engaging with new clients on a regular basis,” he said.
“This broadening of sectors and project types allows us to pivot as opportunities slow or accelerate so that we can ensure we are maintaining a balance and consistency of work for the delivery team.”
Further milestones that Rork Projects has achieved in Queensland over the last five years include:
- Through the Wa Initiative, donating over $20,000 to Yalari to support a young student to attend Clayfield College
- Growing staff diversity to an above-industry average of 36 per cent female employees
- Expanding our partnership with NBL foundation club the Brisbane Bullets to become their Major Sponsor in 2021
- Appointment as Head Contractor for the construction of multi-level residential apartments at 191 Stratton, Manly.
Mr Clayton said the rapid growth has further prioritised ensuring that we are delivering a consistent quality product in the safest possible way.
“My vision for the future is to continue to grow with a measured and disciplined strategy to ensure we are continually servicing existing clients but have the capability and capacity to continually grow both our client base and sector experience,” he said. “If the last five years are anything to go by, Rork Projects has a very exciting future in Brisbane.”