Subbies burnt as major builder for Hungry Jacks, KFC collapses

A Brisbane construction company that included KFC, Guzman Gomez and Hungry Jacks among its clients has gone under with some subbies owed almost $400,000.

A Brisbane construction company that included KFC, Guzman y Gomez and Hungry Jacks among its clients has gone under with some subbies owed almost $400,000.

Jason Stone and Paul Allen, of PKF Melbourne, were last week appointed receivers and managers of Murarrie-based DCB Developments after weeks of speculation about the future of the 15-year-old company.

DCB, specialised in design and construction in the retail and commercial sectors, and at the time of the appointment was working on Leda Development’s $60m Currumbin Service Centre that will include a drive-thru Zarraffa’s Coffee shop, KFC, Shell service station, Coles Express, 24/7 Gymnasium and a Storage King.

Some subbies say they are owed several hundred thousand dollars by DCB, with one contractor claiming they were on the hook for close to $400,000. Comment has been sought from administrators PKF Melbourne.

An automatic email reply from the company says that “DCB has ceased trading. We are working with a non-appointed receiver and an administrator to understand next steps. You will receive an email in due course advising the outcome.”

Guzman y Gomez outet constructed by DCB Developments

Subbies say there have been delays in receiving payments from DCB in recent weeks with one told that funds from the Currumbin project had not come in.

ASIC documents show another company called DCB Dev Pty Ltd working from the same address as DCB Development was established in March this year.

ASIC records show this company, whose director is DCB Development general manager Christian Bright, also is in the process of being voluntarily wound up by Mr Bright. Neither DCB director Daniel Cox nor Mr Bright responded to a request for comment.

Australian Constructors Association (ACA) chief executive Jon Davies says productivity performance in the building sector was “among the worst.”

“On the current trajectory, we will simply be unable to deliver the current pipeline of new energy, housing, defence, transport and social infrastructure in a timely manner,” says Davies.

ACA’s report - Nailing construction productivity - said the sector’s ‘operating system’ requires a complete overhaul and called for a National Construction Strategy.

“We urge the government, industry and unions to come together and make improving construction productivity a nation-building priority,” he said.

Vincents revamp

High-profile Brisbane beancounter Paul Vincent is rebadging his eponymous firm and restructuring the board ahead of its 35 anniversary.

Vincents, which has expanded from two people to 240 staff across seven offices, will now be known by the tagline ‘every angle’ symbolising the growth of the firm and expansion of services. Starting out in 1989, Paul Vincentbecame a specialist in the emerging field of forensic accounting which involves beancounters analysing financial information for evidence of misreporting or malpractice.

“We are very well recognised for our expertise and specialised skills in areas including forensic accounting and tax, but it was time to reposition the Vincents brand to reflect how much we have expanded since beginning operations as a two-person team,” Vincent says.

Vincents now offers economic advisory, data analytics, lending and private wealth advice.

Vincents executive chair Jonathan Dooley says the firm has noticed a shift in the past decade with advisory work becoming a significant facet of the business.

Dooley says Vincents will announce a new, restructured board in the coming months, with an independent chair expected to head the group.

“Bringing diverse, independent voices in to guide the business’ next phase is extremely important and we look forward to announcing more soon,” Dooley says.

Vincents executive chair Jonathan Dooley with founder Paul Vincent