Growing with the business means another addition to the family

David Fitzharris has been in the building industry for almost 30 years and is currently the Group General Manager Sales and Export at Brickworks Limited. Since he emigrated from the United Kingdom in the late 80s, he has witnessed a raft of changes to the industry, driven internally and externally. His progress up the ranks has been solid and in line with the company’s growth.

Can you tell us about your professional background and how you rose to the position of Group General Manager in Sales and Export at Brickworks Limited?

I emigrated to Australia in 1987 from the United Kingdom where I originally started my career as a professional football player for Bolton Wanderers Football Club.

After migrating in 1987 I  joined The Austral Brick Company as a Sales Manager. It was in this role that I first met  Joe Khattar, Sam Fayad , Ray and George Khattar of Dyldam at their Lane street Wentworthville project . The Arabic community really assisted me and gave him great support in my role.

In the early 90’s I was promoted to NSW State sales manager then to NSW General Manager. As the Austral Brick Company grew, so too did my role where in 2003 I became Group General Manager Sales for Brickworks Building Products, the parent company of Austral Bricks . It’s an exciting role encompassing all of the Brickworks products including Bricks/Masonry/Roofing/precast and timber .

Over the years as my career continued to develop Brickworks acquired a number of new business’s expanding the product range and services.

What distinguishes Brickworks Limited from other companies in the building industry?

Brickworks staff are able to make key decisions to ensure that our customers get the best and most direct service possible in the right time frame.

The majority of staff have in excess of 10 years service so the product knowledge and technical expertise is second to none .

How has the building industry had to evolve in response to changes in Australian society?

I have seen many changes during my career within the building sector most notably the tax reforms on land / GST other areas to see a lot of change include the environment and safety standards .

During my time at Brickworks there have been a number era’s both under labour and liberal governments as every business we need to adopt the new policies and work with them rather than against .

What are your thoughts on the Budget recently announced by the Federal Government and how does it affect Brickworks Limited?

Some of the key challenges are ensuring the company constantly  introduces new innovative products stimulating the market across all divisions .

What are some of the key challenges facing Brickworks Limited in today’s economic climate and how are these being tackled?

As the environment and sustainability laws continue to change we have introduced Carbon Neutral bricks in Tasmania and we are looking to use as much land fill gas as possible in our factories .

Environmental sustainability plays a deciding role in the operations of the building industry. What strategies does Brickworks Limited employ for the responsible use of natural resources?

We want to be seen as the Best Building products company in Australia.

Brickworks Limited is a proud supporter of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research. Can you tell us about Brickworks Limited’s relationship with this organisation?

As you know we are a very proud supporter of CCIA(Children’s Cancer institute of Australia) . About a year ago I shaved my head and raised $62000 in 4 weeks I must say it wasn’t easy as I wasn’t keen at first but what a great cause .

This year I have been working on a new project to build a house and land package to donate all proceedings to the CCIA . We have been  very fortunate and this is well underway after I was able to secure a block of land for free and a Builder to build the house later this year. We are hoping to raise in excess of $700K for the CCIA.

What is your message to the Builders and developers from the Arabic background.?

The greater Arabic community have supported brickworks throughout my career. We have a great deal of loyalty and now with our growing product range we are able to offer more products and services to cover all there needs .

The Arabic Builder’s will always be part of the brickworks family .

I have now been with the company 27 years the relationships I have are part of my family and will be with me forever.