Business Confidential: Brisbane property, development, business news and gossip

A NATIONAL insurance giant has unveiled its new $73 million headquarters in Queensland, complete with hi-tech system that does away with access cards by recognising each of its 1700 staff members.

NATIONAL car and home insurer Youi has unveiled its new $73 million Sunshine Coast headquarters at the Sippy Downs technology precinct.

The completion of Stage 1 of the state-of-the-art four-level building at 142 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, provides the rapidly growing insurer with 12,500sq m of hi-tech office space and accommodation for up to 1700 staff.

Youi CEO Frank Costigan said: “We are one of the region’s major employers and have been part of the Sunshine Coast since Youi commenced its Australian operation with 30 staff in 2008.

Youi’s new headquarters at 142 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs.

“The decision to build our new headquarters at Sippy Downs reinforces our commitment to growing with the community and providing additional employment opportunities across the region,” he said.

“The Sippy Downs location places Youi in the heart of the rapidly developing technology precinct and in close proximity to the University of the Sunshine Coast that will enable us to partner with the University.”

“The new headquarters will feature an innovative advice hub where customers and public are made welcome to drop in to discuss their insurance or obtain advice about Youi’s products.

“It is complimented by a highly-sophisticated security entry system that does away with access cards by recognising each individual staff member.”

Staff will start moving into the new headquarters before Christmas.

Stage 2 of the project will see a 12,500 q m wing added to the new headquarters providing space to accommodate up to 3000 staff.

NEW LEADER AT NRA

NOEL Robinson’s NRA Collaborative has appointed Katie Newall in a leadership position as an associate.

Katie will be involved in design, in addition to her role as lead Project Architect with the practice.

Qualified in New Zealand in Architecture, she has been working with the most notable firms in London including Future Systems and Wilkinson Eyre.

NRA Collaborative associate director Katie Newall.

In Australia, Katie worked with Architectus on the award-winning Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the Cremorne Theatre upgrade and with BVN Donovan Hill Architecture on award-winning projects including the Robina Health Precinct, 480 Queen Street and AM30 Tower, to name a few.

KWB GROUP MOVE NORTH

KWB Group, owners of the Kitchen Connection brand, have unveiled their new $12 million production facility in Lytton in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs as part of a new partnership with manufacturing company KT3 Kitchens.

The office/warehouse at 97 Trade St will allow the company to relocate its manufacturing plant from NSW to Queensland.

KWB Group managing director John Bourke said the Lytton site was strategically selected for meeting expansion goals and increasing warehouse production for both their kitchen and wardrobe divisions.

“Investing in Queensland is a big focus for our brand at the moment,” he said.

“The Lytton site presented one of the best options for us due to its sheer size, accessibility to main arterials and proximity to our expanding network of Kitchen Connection showrooms.

“Our showrooms throughout the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast are experiencing unprecedented demand and we wanted to be in a position to better service that geographical footprint and cater for additional showrooms over the next five years.”

John Bourke from KWB Group, Peter Farquhar from KT3 Kitchens, Chris Weyland from KT3 Kitchens, Dan Smentana from Joyce Corp and Bonner MP Ross Vasta at the new production facility at 97 Trade St, Lytton.

To establish the manufacturing facility, KWB Group partnered with Adelaide’s largest kitchen manufacturer, KT3 kitchens.

The new Lytton production facility is part of an aggressive growth strategy by KWB Group, which has seen a multimillion-dollar turn around for the business since it was acquired in 2012 by John Bourke and business partner Chris Palin.

The business has experienced an average annual growth of 23 per cent over the past five years with orders now expected to be in excess of $60 million for this financial year.