S3. Ep 28. Talking with Dan Burmeister and Chris Bertacco about ‘pivoting’ during the Pandemic, reaching the milestone of delivering 100+ Cladding projects, and life within the competitive Fit-out sector!

Hey Legends! This week’s podcast episode is a real treat! I had a chat with two of the directors at St. Ferrer, a mid-tier building contractor in South Melbourne. They’ve got quite the story to share – from being a fit-out and refurbishment contractor to becoming a top player in cladding replacement projects.

In this episode, we meet Dan Burmeister and Chris Bertacco, each with their own unique journey into the construction world. Chris, haling from a non-traditional background, started off in the restaurant biz before finding his groove in business development roles. Dan, on the other hand, took the more traditional route, starting out in the trades and working his way up through big contractors.

This conversation is less about business strategies and more about the story behind St. Ferrer’s evolution. We dive into how they adapted when their core business, like everyone’s, took a hit during the pandemic, and how they found an opportunity in cladding replacement projects.

You’ll hear about the challenges and complexities of these projects, and how St. Ferrer turned them into successes. We also discuss why these projects became necessary on a large scale, and the auditing process that followed.

But it’s not just about projects – it’s about resilience, evolution, and creating a thriving culture within a company. Despite tough times in the industry, St. Ferrer’s story is a testament to the power of adaptability and seizing opportunities. So, if you’re looking for some inspiring insights into navigating challenges and finding success in unexpected places, this episode is a must-listen!

During our conversation, we delved into some fascinating topics:

• Background of St. Ferrer Building Contractors
• The Demand, Need and Complexity of Cladding Projects
• Strategies for High-Stakes Cladding Remediation
• Navigating Through Market Challenges with Diversification
• Empowering Growth: Finding Purpose and Ownership in Construction Beyond Top Tier Builders
• Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Fit-Outs
• Evolution of the Business & creating a positive culture
• Opportunities in a Challenging Market

If you’re all about the Aussie construction vibe, this episode is your go-to for some real talk with the directors at St. Ferrer. Get ready to dive into their fascinating journey from fit-out specialists to cladding replacement experts. Discover how they tackled tough times during the pandemic, found new opportunities, and turned challenges into triumphs. From the intricacies of cladding projects to the secrets of thriving in a competitive market, this episode is jam-packed with insights that’ll keep you hooked from start to finish. Tune in and get inspired by their story of resilience, evolution, and success in unexpected places.

Hope you enjoy the podcast!

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