Culture
There is something unique about Hutchies' culture. It's not easy to describe, but it's so easy to see and feel.
We were born as a family business, and we've held on to the core values of forming long-term connections, taking care of each other and the community, and working towards a common goal. We're passionate about staying integrated with our communities, giving back, and doing the right thing.
When you join the Hutchies fold, you're becoming part of our family – and that comes with some simple responsibilities, including representing us as best as possible at work and at home.
We work hard and celebrate our successes, but we don't lose sight of being good citizens of society – respecting each other always.
TheHonourableDameQuentinBryceADCVO,25thGovernorGeneralofAustraliaatHutchies’Toowong105YearPartyThe story of Hutchies has great appeal to all of us as a community and as individuals. There is something real, genuine and inspiring about it – 5 generations – across each one – authentic, purposeful leadership with a clear vision – a shared ethos firmly grounded in integrity, diligence and service. A culture where relationships are key, where people matter, where people take care of each other, pulling together – hugely critical in this rigorous competitive industry – construction. Where that Australian thing we call “a fair go” is solid, understood and agreed.
Empowering structure
Hutchies operates through a network of around 25 distinct construction teams. Each team leader runs their own business unit – responsible for recruitment, project delivery, subcontractor relationships and their bottom line. This extreme autonomy gives people the freedom to run things their way, driving deep personal pride and ownership. Our flat structure means all team leaders report directly to the Managing Director. Anyone at Hutchies can call anyone at any time about anything – that's our golden rule.
Trust in our people
We trust our people to do the right thing – always. Ready access to business leaders is rare in large organisations, and yet our structure makes it easy for anyone to talk to the most senior people in the business. We don't rely on rigid policies or corporate bureaucracy. We back people on character, mutual respect and a handshake. It's how we've operated for over a century, and it's why people stay.
Hands-on
Hutchies is one of the last true builders in Australia. We directly employ our trade workforce – carpenters, scaffolders, labourers, crane and hoist operators – alongside our office and project teams. This hands-on model means we control quality, safety and culture from the ground up. Almost half our workforce is site-based, making us one of the largest direct employers of trade workers in the industry.
Investment in careers
Rather than outsourcing development or cutting back during downturns, we run our own registered training organisation – Hutchies Training. Operating live, on-site commercial campuses, we train hundreds of apprentices, cadets and subcontractors each year. Our completion rate sits at 90%, well above the industry average. We invest in people from the ground up because we believe the best way to build culture is to grow it yourself.
Social club
We work hard and we celebrate hard. Hutchies runs one of the most active social calendars in the industry – with dozens of company events each year across Australia. From massive regional breakup days and ladies lunches to team dinners, charity rides and everything in between, our social club makes sure successes are celebrated together and the close-knit bond that makes Hutchies special is always front and centre.
Industry engagement
We don't just build – we show up for the industry. Hutchies is actively involved in industry bodies, awards programs, government advisory groups, trade associations and community partnerships. From sponsoring important initiatives, through to mentoring the next generation to sitting at the table on policy, we believe the industry gets better when builders get involved in the things that matter.
#The Hutchies Way
Hutchinson Builders is a business based on people and relationships. We've never been a conventional construction business – and this continues to be a differentiator for us.
Our culture is unique. Our achievements are the products of integrity, lifelong relationships, and a whole lot of heart – characteristics rarely seen in modern business. Our success has grown from our distinctive organisational structure, and the enduring partnerships we have nurtured with suppliers, sub-contractors and clients.
Around here, people say they bleed blue. It's not something we put on a poster – it's something you feel when you've been part of the business long enough. It comes from trust, autonomy, and a genuine belief that if you back good people, good things happen.
Scott Hutchinson
Chairman ▪ Joined Hutchies 1986
"I believe the strongest measure of a company's culture is the longevity of its people. Hutchinson Builders currently holds more than $25M of long service leave and employee entitlements – a compelling indication of the average tenure of our people. The fact that so many people have made their career here is our proudest achievement. Given that we'll spend around 100,000 hours of our lives working, it's imperative that work is more than a means to an end. Hutchies nurtures an environment that supports professional development, champions innovation, and brings people together. It's the human side of our business that has made us great – the relationships, the dedication, the loyalty. That's the balance we've got right for people to stay and continue to build on our success."
Russell Fryer
Managing Director ▪ Joined Hutchies 1998
"Hutchies is and always will be a family-owned business. We're extremely proud of our heritage as a trusted builder of choice for thousands of clients across Australia. Our people are empowered by a flat and autonomous structure with ownership, support and accountability to achieve great things. As a registered training organisation, we have a culture of continuous learning and improvement – providing opportunities for experience across a wide range of projects and sectors. With teams operating from Cairns to Hobart, Hutchies is a place where you can grow and call home."
#Respect + Inclusion
Hutchies is committed to continuing to build a diverse and representative employee base. We believe it makes good commercial sense to develop a workforce as multi-faceted as the communities in which we live and work. We have dedicated ourselves to building – and continue to nurture – open, honest, fair and collaborative relationships with all stakeholders in the workplace.
Indigenouscareersinconstruction
StatimYaga
Our award-winning Statim Yaga (start work) initiative has trained and employed hundreds of Indigenous people across the construction industry. We work with all levels of government across Australia, and our subcontractor and supplier networks to create genuine opportunities that improve employment parity. Our in-house Social Responsibility Team has become known as the go to specialists in this space, with their connections to country, respect...
Buildingequity
Supportingwomeninconstruction
Awardwinninglearning
HutchiesTraining
Hutchies believes in investing in people. Our mission is to find the right person and provide them with the right training to set them on the ultimate career trajectory. Our very own award-winning training division, Hutchies Training, has a completion rate of 90% (well above the industry average) and delivers hands-on, enterprise-based learning experiences that equip you with the most up-to-date skills for the job.
#Awards
We celebrate our people through a range of long-recognised awards programs each year. These aren't just trophies – they're how we acknowledge the people who set the standard for the rest of us.
#Recognition
A lot of people have built long and successful careers at Hutchies which we like to recognise. At our breakup day each year, we award our Hutchies Veterans with special gifts to mark these impressive milestone achievements.
Our senior leadership averages over 16 years with the business. Dozens of people hit 5, 10, 20 and 30-year milestones every single year. In an industry known for high turnover, that says everything about the kind of place this is.
5 Years
A custom fishing rod and reel with the recipient's name engraved and a blue Hutchies Veteran 5 year lapel pin.
10 Years
A custom made leather jacket or bag, a magnum of champagne and a bronze 10 year Hutchies Veteran lapel pin.
15 Years
A custom watch designed by Scott and Jack Hutchinson in collaboration with local watchmaker Adina.
20 Years
A travel voucher and our silver 20 years Hutchies Veteran lapel pin.
25 Years
A pinball machine (or something else special) from Scott Hutchinson.
30 Years
Something even more special from Scott and Jack, along with our shining diamond and gold Hutchies Veteran lapel pin.