Page 8 - Built on Integrity

Introduction

Team spirit and loyalty

A In addition, A W Edwards has a long commitment
W Edwards is one of the few leading,
to our Cadet Program, consistently investing
privately-owned construction and
fit‑out businesses in Australia. We are
management and directors, including my father, my
a fourth generation family business. My grandfather, time, training and money in it. Many of our senior
Austin William (AW as he was always known), brother Malcolm and myself, have come through
started out building spec cottages in Eastwood this process. It’s a proud part of our culture to
in 1921 supported from these early days by one nurture and develop young people.
of his brothers, Silas. Both AW and Silas played A W Edwards has a solid reputation for
pioneering roles in the Australian building and quality and performance and a strong balance
construction industry. At the time of AW’s death sheet. Our steady growth, based upon a financially
in 1974, he had overseen the rise of A W Edwards sound approach continues to stand us in good
from one‑man band to a leader in the industry. stead. As my father Stanley once said about pricing
AW had the ability to build team spirit and earned projects, “We don’t need to do it for the practise.”
immense loyalty and respect from his workforce. We are a good team of people to work with
Mr A W’s son, Stanley Edwards, who became and we exhibit the values and ethos of business
Managing Director in 1961, steered the Company as set down by my grandfather, continued by my
through its next 4 decades with the support of father and now my brother, myself and the current
key directors and managers. Stan continued the management team. A W Edwards was built on
same philosophies as AW with an emphasis on his integrity and honesty and a team of good people.
employees, rewarding talent and loyalty and seeking We continue to practise these values every day.
out new opportunities without losing focus on the I hope you enjoy this snapshot of our history.
core business of construction. The same principle
of doing the right thing by all continued.
When Stan retired as Chairman in 2005 he
had spent 51 years with the Company. This length
of service is not unusual for A W Edwards. At the
time of writing 5 other employees could boast over Bruce Edwards
47 years with the company, 30 over 40 years and April 2014
an impressive 116 over 25 years.

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