Dahlsens: A trusted business for builders

Starting when Danish immigrant Johan (John) Christian Dahlsen established a small timber yard in Bairnsdale in Victoria, 147 years later Dahlens is a leading trade supplier and truss and frame manufacturer, working with builders to be a complete trade destination for all needs.

Welcome to another edition of Fast Five – our series where we ask some of the most influential and exceptional leaders five questions to get a behind-the-scenes look at some of Australia’s most dynamic organisations.

In this edition we speak to Peter Geard, Chief Executive Officer of Dahlsens.

Peter recently became the first non-family CEO in the company’s history, though has extensive history at the company, including as General Manager of the North in Cairns and Advisory Board member for eight years. Before that he was a Garden Merchandiser for Coles Tasmania, a National Garden Buyer at Coles Myer in Melbourne, and managing director at Kemp & Denning back in Tasmania.

1. How has Dahlsens ensured its longevity in the construction industry?

Dahlsens takes pride in our heritage and our values as family business that has been trading for over 145 years.

The values of the business and our people reflect the relationship we have with the community, our customers and supply partners. Those values are: take responsibility, everyone contributes and we all grow together. The business operates across the eastern seaboard, stretching from Victoria to the ACT, New South Wales and into Far North Queensland and the NT.

The ability to add value to our customers through an absolute focus on the trade has provided us with a competitive advantage. This focus, combined with a strong understanding of the individual needs of the regions we serve, continues to add value to our customers.

2. How does the business ensure satisfaction for both suppliers and customers?

It is important to ensure that relationships are continually nurtured both with our supply partners and our customers. In many ways our relationship is the same with both. We understand that to be successful we must continually work to add value to the supply chain; understanding that the market will always change and that our relationship with both must be agile.

We see our role as one of finding and delivering value and innovation for the customer, while supporting the growth of our supply partners. Covid-19 was a great measure of the strength of our past relationships across the supply chain. Post-Covid, those strong partnerships have flourished.

3. Much was made of the cost of building supplies post-COVID-19. How is that situation evolving?

The cost of building materials across the country has without doubt not only stabilised, but in many cases we have seen a significant decline. The slowing of house building across most of the country has resulted in several factors that have contributed to reduced costs. Some of these include increased supply options including overseas imports, reduced sea freight costs and the option to use new building products.

4. What are current construction industry trends? Are clients continually devoted to seeking efficiency and environmental gains?

We are seeing a significant focus around energy efficiency and access improvements. This is on the back of the National Construction Code (NCC) changes that have been adopted. These changes are regulating the future building code requirements that improve energy usage.

The designs we are seeing across the country are using new and interesting building materials in their design. Large entrance doors and windows are often features of new second homes being designed. Recycled materials are being specified, this is a growing trend for renovations and extensions particularly.

5. What does the future hold for the Dahlsens business?

We see the future for the construction industry to be very strong; there will always be cycles in the industry. Innovation and the desire to remain customer focused will see the Dahlsens business continue for another 145 years.