Family values lay the foundation for one of Australia's business success stories
From its humble beginnings in 1898 as a one man plumbing business in Richmond, founder Albert Edward Smith set in motion an industry leading company that would become one of Australia’s most successful family owned businesses.
The growth of AE Smith into a formidable mechanical services company with 12 offices around the country, 600 employees and intrinsic involvement in Australia’s built environment has been anchored around a combination of family values and innovative vision for the future.
AE Smith’s impressive success story is traced through three generations and hundreds of men and women who worked with them for up to fifty years.
Its’ original business success enjoyed as a result of the huge demand for plumbing services during Melbourne’s settlement boom, meant founder Albert Smith could hand the business on to his son, Bert. He would serve the company for the next 40 years.
Bert’s vision of broadening AE Smith’s services to include mechanical services for heating, cooling and ventilation saw the business take on larger projects in Melbourne. This passion for expansion was shared by the founder’s grandson, Barry Smith who took over the reins in 1953. Under his leadership, AE Smith opened offices throughout the country and added further landmark projects to the company’s portfolio.
But just as importantly, AE Smith continued to build on a culture of integrity and innovation amongst staff that has created an enviable team of leading engineers and trades people. The company proudly boasts a host of employees who’ve been with AE Smith for as long as 50 years – testament to the passion employees have shared for growing the business.
AE Smith is now headed by CEO Andrew Permezel – a continuation of the family dynasty. At the helm since 2006, Permezel carries on the AE Smith vision of combining family values with business innovation.
110 years later, the company is regarded as the industry leader in mechanical services and a major player in shaping Australia and New Zealand’s building industry. Working with Australian and international partners, AE Smith collaborates on multi-million dollar projects, new developments and landmark buildings including: Brisbane's 53-storey Riparian Plaza and the tallest residential building in the world; Melbourne's 92-storey Eureka Tower as well as the iconic MCG.
The company is also recognized for pioneering various business stewardship issues that would never have been considered by founder Albert Smith 110 years ago – particularly major initiatives to reduce the impact of the air conditioning industry on the environment.
From the passion and vision of Albert Edward Smith back in 1898, to its outstanding record of growth into a BRW Top 500 Private Company, AE Smith remains a proudly Australian family owned business that promises to live on for another 110 years.
Top: AE Smith Hobart office 1968.
Above: AE Smith ute 1968.
AE Smith team, Christmas 1948, including the two women who formed the office staff, Shirley Grimshaw and Joan McDonald.
AE Smith team late 1960s.
Back: T Court, K Rogers, B Roache, P Williams, R Forsyth, L Johnston, F Baker. Middle: G Smith, K Smith, K Horak, F Richardson, J Bohmer, L Scotland, M Clarkson, M Gaffney, T Prichard, B Kennedy, J Marshall. Front: Graeme Warland (still working for AE Smith! See 2007 drafting team photo below), S Rogers, G Denman, Barry Smith, R Denman, J Mills. Seated in front: M Ong, Francis Pak (also still working for AE Smith!), B Redman.
AE Smith Melbourne team circa 1990.
Choreographed team and vehicle shot, crack of dawn, VFL Park, Waverly. Michael Kiraly (back row 1st from right), Russell Wilson and Peter McCarthy (middle row 3rd and 4th from right), Ian Wallace and Trevor McAllen (front row 1st and 2nd from right) all still work at AE Smith. Today Michael Kiraly is Facility 1st General Manager, Russell Wilson is a Service Technician, Peter McCarthy is Melbourne Service General Manager, Ian Wallace is a Commissioning Technician with Melbourne Construction, and Trevor McAllen is a Project Manager with Melbourne Service.
L to R: Mark Hobday, A Milne, George Zombos, Brad Burke, James Collins, Sean Duffy, Ron Oates, Alan Chamberlain, Tom Ng, Chris Wardle, Graeme Warland (also pictured above in AE Smith team late 1960s photo), Barry Schneider, Xianjiang Lu, Steve Kozsik, Imran Khan (absent: Shane Sier, Warren Kidd, Victor Umansky).
AE Smith Finance team 2008.
L to R: Ann Davids, Brenda Lai, Tanya Meldrum, Diane Wise, Judy Moseley, Phuong Nguyen, John Taylor, Sheila Ohis, Lyndall Carrig, Ross Cochrane, Peter Robinson, Andrea Byrne, Adrian Clark, Wilson Zoh, Adam Franklin (absent: Angela Graham).
