Electric youth

Condamine Electric Company (CEC) managing director Gavin Walton never really expected to be a Dalby success story.  Winning the Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2006 Business of the Year was a welcome surprise, helping to boost the company’s profile and reinforcing its business approach.

“If you’d told me 10 years ago I’d be here today with 28 staff, some large scale contracts and a business excellence award, I’d have probably laughed!”  It’s this humility coupled with youthful enthusiasm that strikes you when you first meet Gavin Walton.
Having started out as an apprentice electrician in the 1980s, Gavin spent some time in Mt Isa and overseas, before returning to Dalby to launch an electrical contracting and switchboard business in 1991.
Today CEC is a leading specialist in electrical design, switchboard manufacture, installation and maintenance.  Projects range from domestic wiring and agricultural installations, to large scale switchboard systems for industry.
When asked to pinpoint the secret to success, Gavin is quick to put it down to “looking after people” – respecting clients, staff and suppliers.

“It’s about listening and being available – being there when the client wants, with as many workers as required to get the job done.

“Don’t underestimate the value of procedures and processes.  Dot your I’s and cross your T’s but at the same time be adaptable and open to change.  Don’t be afraid to expand.”

Several years ago, when the team at CEC was looking for ways to drought-proof the business, they paid attention to the growing trend in energy and water use accountability.

“We became experts in the area of flow meters and haven’t looked back.  We’ve just completed a major project through FSA Consulting where we installed equipment to help manage energy and water use for a number of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) feedlots from Central Queensland to Victoria,” Gavin said.
And it doesn’t stop there. CEC’s clients include Bushman Tanks, Aronui Feedlot, Better Blend, Sandalwood Feedlot, Clark Energy, New Gen Power, Black Toyota, as well as government work such as the new Karingal Nursing Home.
To meet the needs of this expanding client base, CEC has put extensive resources into staff training (CEC currently has 10 apprentices) and is actively involved in projects aimed at attracting skilled workers to the region. The company also plans to develop a new facility on the Warrego (Toowoomba) Highway within the next 12 months.

The dramatic growth of CEC just goes to show that with the right attitude and business approach, you can achieve success - even if you don’t expect it.