Industry Icons - 189 Years in the Making
30th August 2025
By Kat Welsh
In an era where it is becoming more normal for careers to span across multiple fields, it is important to celebrate individuals who have dedicated more than 3 decades (each) to our industry.
In the timber off-site prefabrication sector, 5 such people stand as living proof of the value of loyalty, passion, and culture within the workplace. Their stories highlight not only the technical innovation and progress that have shaped this pivotal industry, but also the importance of nurturing positive workplace cultures where employees feel valued and supported.
As housing demands grow and the call for sustainable, environmentally responsible construction intensifies, their contributions underscore how people - and the environments they work in - are at the heart of building the future.
The following 5 people, a combined career totalling 189 years, are retiring this year. We pay homage, and find out what has been meaningful for them along the way.
Cathy Fraser
32 Years in the Industry - Director CX, APAC with MiTek
How did you start in the industry? What was your role, and how did you get to be where you are now?
I had been in the Construction Industry since 1982, working as a Sales Rep for Monier, Wesfarmers, Boral and Stramit. I was approached for a position as a Sales Rep for a new business for MiTek (known as Gangnail at the time)in 1994. Barry Hulcombe was the Manager for Qld, at the time and he had already taken the chance of taking me on as the first female Sales Rep at Monier. When that part of the business closed, I moved into Sales for Builders Hardware.
In 1997 when Bostitch was bought by MiTek, I moved into a Technical Support role assisting customers transition to MiTek Software. In 2007, I took on the State Manager role for SA and Tasmania. In 2021, MiTek restructured, and I then moved into the role as the Director for the newly formed CX (Customer Experience) function for the APAC region. How did I get here? A combination of study, great mentorship, willingness, dedication to both MiTek and customers and drive.
What is your greatest achievement in the industry?
I have never really thought about achievements, but I think that it is really being able to demonstrate that there are no barriers for women in this industry. I was the first female in all my roles, and I hope that sets a great example for other women that may believe they are limited in this industry. I would also like to think my contribution is to leave behind a legacy that continues to support, guide and inspire others I have worked with.
What do you love most about the industry?
When I think about what I love most, it always comes back to the people. The Businesses we work with are mostly family owned and operated which makes them less corporate and more like family. Working with all the staff at MiTek has also felt like family so we’ve laughed and we’ve cried but mostly laughed! Everyone genuinely cares for each other and as we have long term partnerships with our customers, we get to know each other well.
What is the biggest change you have noticed throughout your career for the frame and truss sector?
It has to be technology. When I think about the developments in equipment over the years and the software, it blows my mind. I am also pleased that there are more females in the construction industry in general. I feel less alone.
What do you feel is the greatest challenge it faces for the future?
Residential Housing design. As blocks become smaller, houses will go up instead of out. The Timber Frame & Truss industry need to get more involved in this space. We need innovators.
What would you want people to know most about the value of working in this sector? Or what advice would you give anyone at the start of their pathway.
Have a learning mindset. It is a highly technical field, and the devil is in the detail. Be prepared to absorb knowledge from those around you. This is a great industry to be part of and when it gets into your blood, you couldn’t imagine working in any other. Always remember quality is important, families sleep under your trusses so design and make with integrity.
What are you looking forward to most about where life is leading you, post working?
I am looking forward to regaining some time to spend with those I love, have some new experiences, evolve some interests, learn some new skills, travel and becoming more active in the community.
Ian Currie
34 Years in the Industry - Business Development Management for Pryda
How did you start in the industry? What was your role, and how did you get to be where you are now?
After about 12 years in government and mining industry roles, I found myself out of work due to the mining industry downturn. I responded to a very small ad in the daily newspaper (if anyone remembers them) that had no real details. Without knowing anything about the timber industry, it's fair to suggest that I had even less of an idea when the interviewer mentioned trusses - wasn't that Nanna's old undies? My first role was as a Fabricator Solutions Engineer at Gang-Nail (now MiTek). After about 4 years, I was head-hunted by Pryda to look after their growing Equipment Division as an Equipment Engineer. Over the next 30 years, I have worn many different hats , ending up specialising on working with our customers across ANZ to improve their productivity and processes.
What is your greatest achievement in the industry?
I think my greatest achievement (plus the most enjoyable) was helping our customers grow and improve. Seeing their adoption of many ideas that was probably outside their thought channel brought a smile to my face. I reflect on the feedback I had from a customer some years ago (over a few drinks) where he opened up. "Ian, you know one thing that pisses me off about you?" Here we go, I thought! "We'd be in a meeting and we had tabled our thoughts and you had this uncanny ability to say, "That's a really good idea, however, have you thought about this?" He followed up by saying, "the thing that got to me, is that you came out of left field with a really great idea".
I also love the idea that people would seek my opinion on a lot of matters and knew that it was honest feedback with no bias to where I worked.
What do you love most about the industry?
To me, from an environmental and physical appearance perspective, I've always loved timber. As a kid at school and into my adult life, I have been impressed with woodturning and the variability in the raw material. As they say, when you get splinters in your veins, you'll never get rid of them.
What is the biggest change you have noticed throughout your career for the frame and truss sector?
There are 2 key areas that there have been major changes in my time within the industry. The biggest is probably the engineering software capabilities. The investment made by each of the nailplate suppliers has been huge to keep pace with engineering changes, different raw materials, and different manufacturing techniques. The second area of major change has been the production technology. When we see what is happening around the world, adoption in automation is the way forward to improve productivity and profitability - but it should be after strict due diligence for individual businesses. Not all automation suits everyone's' market needs.
What do you feel is the greatest challenge it faces for the future?
Like many industries, the lack of skills will be an ever-growing challenge. Whilst automation and improved software solutions may help in bridging the gap, I suspect there will always need to be key personnel to oversee what's right & wrong.
As has been talked about for some years now, the ever-growing timber shortage will be a challenge to the industry's success.
What would you want people to know most about the value of working in this sector? Or what advice would you give anyone at the start of their pathway.
As the world (and governments) see the importance in the use of timber construction, it's an industry that is destined to grow. Therefore, if you have a sense of innovation, there is great opportunity. There is an increased collaboration around the world, so you have a growing capability to travel & work.
What are you looking forward to most about where life is leading you, post working?
As a lot know, we are about to be blessed with our 7th grandchild (may be here by the time you read this). After a working life that's seen me away for extended times from my family, I want to give them a bit back. I love cooking and already, the kids are putting in orders what they want in their freezer. Aside from that, my wife & I have travel plans; both around Australia and overseas. These are going to be started in the next couple of months.
Peter Hutchison
35 Years in the Industry - Senior Director Corporate and Key Accounts, Asia Pacific for MiTek
How did you start in the industry? What was your role, and how did you get to be where you are now?
I was approached by Stephen Fray, the Managing Director at the time to consolidate the 4 businesses managed by Gang-Nail Australia, being Gang-Nail; TECO (Timber Engineering Company); Databuild; and Duofast. My original title was State Manager NSW / ACT & WA. My subsequent roles included adding to my responsibility State Manager VIC & TAS then State Manager QLD & NT, before being promoted again to National Sales Manager for Australia. When MiTek regionalised the global structure, I was appointed General Manager Prefabrication for Asia Pacific, and my final role was Senior Director Corporate & Key Accounts for Asia Pacific.
What is your greatest achievement in the industry?
Playing a small part in the promotion and transition from contemporary Timber stick construction to Timber prefab in the WA market.
What do you love most about the industry?
Most definitely ... the people (colleagues, customers, & competitors) involved in our unique niche segment of the Timber industry.
What is the biggest change you have noticed throughout your career for the frame and truss sector?
There's obviously been many changes in the 35 years I've been involved, but the area that stands out for me is the innovation and evolution of Equipment being used to manufacture Frames & Trusses to provide not only improved efficiencies but also in a much safer environment.
What do you feel is the greatest challenge it faces for the future?
How the Industry will handle the loss of protection provided by proprietary software and in turn the consequential accelerated market maturity.
What would you want people to know most about the value of working in this sector? Or what advice would you give anyone at the start of their pathway.
Whilst it doesn't have the glamour or obvious career development opportunities as promoted by some other Industries, for the most part it does play a critical role in the economy and as a result will always be valued. The structure, training and pathways for personal growth are continually improving.
What are you looking forward to most about where life is leading you, post working?
Having more time to enjoy the other aspects of life and travel.
Kevin Labrooy
42 Years in the Industry - VIC & TAS Business Development Manager
How did you start in the industry? What was your role, and how did you get to be where you are now?
I Started as a production supervisor with a nailplate company in the early 80’s.
The GM and Sales manager at the time recognised my relationship building skills and offered me a position in sales.
I was responsible for managing and nurturing relationships between the company and its clients, partners, and customers.
I am so great full for the opportunity that I was given at the time.
What is your greatest achievement in the industry?
Maintaining a successful, sustained career over four decades. I’ve show adaptability in a changing industry (technology, materials, regulations) and a reputation strong enough to stay relevant. Passing on my knowledge to my work colleges, younger workers, or even new Business owners.
What do you love most about the industry?
The People in the Truss and frame industry, the friendships I have built along the way with owners, managers and staff.
I would like to acknowledge three pioneers of the Australian truss and frame Industry.
Peter Taylor
Chris Rogers
Stephen Fray
What is the biggest change you have noticed throughout your career for the frame and truss sector?
The Evolution of Design Software Advancements. Automated computer controlled linear saws, the one touch robotic nail plate placement and automated jigging system that makes cutting and assembling faster and more accurate than ever.
What do you feel is the greatest challenge it faces for the future?
Like most manufacturing businesses in Victoria, skilled labour shortages are going to somewhat impact the demand for prefabricated Trusses frames and Floors.
I believe automation will help immensely in this area.
Light Gauge steel is a threat.
What would you want people to know most about the value of working in this sector? Or what advice would you give anyone at the start of their pathway.
There is a high demand and Job Security for Timber Systems Designers.
The industry is at the cutting edge of prefabrication and modular construction—faster, safer builds. Anyone starting in this industry will see different and new Construction methods and should embrace this new technology.
What are you looking forward to most about where life is leading you, post working?
Working 3 days a week related to our industry.
Venturing on a Knockdown rebuild project to build our final home that will accommodate our growing family, 5 Grandkids and more to come I’m sure.
Restoring and enjoying my Classic Cars.
Chris Shaw
47 Years in the Industry - State Manager Western Australia / Northern Territory for Pryda
How did you start in the industry? What was your role, and how did you get to be where you are now?
I started my career in truss and frame working at a Steelfast licensed truss plant in February 1978.
In those days there were no computers, and all truss detailing was done by either drawing out the truss full size on the floor or drafting it to scale on the drawing board. I was 19 and just finished 2 years of architectural drafting and needed a job. They thought they needed a draftsman. I had no idea. It took about a day of working there to realise that drawing it the way they were doing it was crazy, and I started to use trigonometry, then HP97 calculators and eventually along came computers. That business changed hands and nailplate suppliers over the ensuing years, and I later moved to the only Pryda fabricator in WA after having had a few years using both the Pryda and Mitek systems. I ended up managing and becoming a director of that business for about 10 years before joining Pryda in 1997.
What is your greatest achievement in the industry?
I think one of the most satisfying achievements is getting to a point where customers and people involved in the building industry might call to “just run something by you” and seek an opinion or guidance on something they are doing or considering. I have always enjoyed telling them how I thought something might be done or equally my opinion of just how fantastic or sometimes how not so great that new idea might be.
What do you love most about the industry?
Those 28+ years at Pryda and almost 48 years in the industry seemed to fly by, and to me it always felt like much more than just a job. Being a “one man band” for Pryda in WA certainly had its challenges but I learnt to be involved in almost all aspects of the business from software to equipment to general sales and marketing with just about everything in between. I didn’t have much choice, but I revelled in it. One day I would be dealing with software, the next I would be hands on in a factory working on something equipment related and the next talking with industry bodies or builders and engineers about truss and frame and prefab. Working somewhat alone for so long meant it became very much who I was.
What is the biggest change you have noticed throughout your career for the frame and truss sector?
Without doubt it would be just how far truss software has come. The better it gets, the more we want and expect, but that is the same in everything today. The more recent developments in equipment with things like direct delivery have been game changing and now the wider acceptance of prefab in WA after years of pushing are finally here and we are embarking on substantial change.
What do you feel is the greatest challenge it faces for the future?
There are still challenges ahead in WA with roof shapes and details that have evolved from “stick” roofs and that can make truss roofs more difficult in the short term, but these are slowly being addressed, and builder education is key as well as our ability to meet capacity as the market evolves here.
What would you want people to know most about the value of working in this sector? Or what advice would you give anyone at the start of their pathway.
I fell into this industry by accident and as much as I revelled in it and loved it, no one ever told me I would never be able to get out.
What are you looking forward to most about where life is leading you, post working?
I have a pretty big bucket list and have always felt like I didn’t ever have enough time to do the other things I wanted to do, so spending more time at the beach shack, away more in the caravan and more frequent rides on the adventure bike as well as getting to some of those other lesser known destinations that we have been eyeing off for a while now.
Thank you to Cathy, Ian, Peter, Kevin, and Chris, for taking the time to be part of this article.
FTMA Australia would like to extend the deepest of heartfelt gratitude to those who have dedicated decades of their lives to the timber off-site prefabrication industry.
Your tireless commitment, innovation, and craftsmanship have not only advanced the field but also paved the way for future generations to build on your legacy. The progress and excellence we see today are a direct reflection of your vision and hard work.
As you move into retirement, we thank you for your remarkable contributions and wish you every happiness and fulfilment in this new chapter of life.
