Former Baulderstone executives set up Synergy Construct

MICHAEL Gramazio and Craig Weaver are putting the "fun back into building", having left secure jobs with Baulderstone to form Synergy Construct.

MICHAEL Gramazio and Craig Weaver are putting the "fun back into building", having left secure jobs with tier 1 construction firm Baulderstone to form Synergy Construct.

And the business partners have ambitious growth plans, aiming to generate annual turnover of $80 million by the company's fifth year of operation.

Mr Weaver said the company would initially target projects from $3 million in value but long-term would operate in the $5 million to $30 million market.

"With large companies you get big projects, big challenges but what you don't have is control of your own destiny," he said.

"Big organisations are very regimented . . . some of the compliance gets a bit onerous and we saw an opportunity to put the fun back into building."

Mr Gramazio said Synergy planned to create a vibrant and dynamic culture for future staff.

"We want to get people out from behind a computer doing paperwork, back in the field doing what we're in the industry to do and that is to build," he said.

"We are trying to become more IT savvy, paperless, cloud-based software, foremen running around with tablets."

Mr Weaver acknowledged that commercial construction was in a lull but said Synergy would establish a point of difference, and confirmed it had already been engaged to undertake early feasibility work on a major mixed-use project proposed for the CBD.

He said the company would bring a tier 1 approach to Adelaide's tier 2 construction market - becoming involved in the early design stages of projects rather than focusing entirely on delivery

"The market thinks we're crazy but what we don't want to do is try and establish a business on the crest of the wave," he said.

"We need to be ready for the crest of the wave and the only way to do that is to get in when you're at the bottom."

"The biggest challenge that we've got as a business in the tier 2 space is that anyone that needs a building built believes the way they're going to get the best outcome is to design it and then throw it out to the bulls and let builders fight for it."

"What they don't realise is that they've given away all opportunity to add value by relying on people that have no constructability expertise - they're just relying on their consultants."