Constructing and Reinforcing Stronger Communities Across Western Australia
This Construction Leader Has Quietly Established a Powerful Presence Across Metropolitan and Regional Western Australia.
For Thomas Building, growth has never been measured by size alone.
Over the past 15 years, the Western Australian commercial builder has successfully navigated some of the construction industry’s most challenging market conditions while steadily expanding its geographic reach and technical capabilities. Under the leadership of Managing Director Greg Cran, the company has built a reputation for resilience, adaptability and a commitment to long-term, sustainable growth.
“We successfully navigated the downturn in the Pilbara mining sector between 2013 and 2016. As opportunities in the region declined, we diversified our operations, strengthened our presence across the Pilbara and broader North West, and established a significant foothold in the Perth metropolitan market. That strategic diversification has been a key driver of our resilience and long-term growth,” Cran said.
The company later weathered the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerged in a strong position for continued growth.
“Having established a strong position in Perth while maintaining our regional operations, we were able to navigate the challenges presented by COVID-19 and continue our growth trajectory,” Cran said.
Today, Thomas Building delivers projects across metropolitan and regional Western Australia, balancing a diverse portfolio while remaining committed to the communities in which it operates.
From High-End Apartments to Engineering Challenges
Rather than focusing on a single construction niche, Thomas Building has built a diverse portfolio spanning commercial, industrial, residential and technically complex projects.
One of its most prominent metropolitan projects is the award-winning Gardens Apartments development in Perth, a high-end residential project showcasing exceptional architectural detailing and construction quality.
At the same time, the business continues to deliver technically demanding projects throughout regional Western Australia.
In Karratha, Thomas Building delivered the METSO facility, incorporating a 5,500-square-metre warehouse and an innovative structural solution featuring freestanding concrete columns without temporary propping.
“The Gardens Apartments represents one end of our capability spectrum. It is a highly complex project with significant architectural detailing, curved building elements and premium finishes. At the other end, projects such as the METSO facility in Karratha demonstrate our ability to deliver technically demanding industrial infrastructure, including what was believed to be Western Australia’s first application of freestanding concrete columns without propping,” Cran said.
The breadth of projects reflects the company’s ability to adapt to varying client requirements, locations and technical challenges.
“Many people in Perth are unaware of the breadth and complexity of the work we undertake in regional Western Australia. Our experience extends well beyond traditional commercial construction and into highly specialised industrial and infrastructure projects.”
A Regional Builder at Heart
While Thomas Building has established a strong metropolitan presence, its regional roots remain central to the business.
Delivering projects in remote and regional Western Australia requires a fundamentally different operating model from construction in metropolitan markets, demanding careful planning, strong relationships and logistical expertise.
“Regional construction is highly relationship-driven because the available trade base is limited. We invest heavily in becoming part of those communities by relocating key personnel and their families wherever practical, rather than relying solely on fly-in, fly-out arrangements,” Cran said.
This approach has enabled the company to build lasting relationships with local subcontractors, suppliers and community stakeholders across the Pilbara and broader regional WA.
“In regional locations, materials and resources are not always immediately accessible, so planning and logistics become critical. Success often comes down to having the right systems and preparation in place long before construction begins.”
The regional focus has become a key differentiator for the business, allowing it to successfully deliver projects in locations where many metropolitan-based contractors struggle to operate effectively.
Navigating a Challenging Market
When asked to describe the current state of the construction industry, Cran is direct.
“Brutal.”
According to Cran, the industry’s greatest challenges are not competition between builders, but ongoing labour shortages, declining productivity and escalating construction costs.
“The biggest challenge is managing rising costs and labour shortages while ensuring clients understand the level of risk currently being absorbed by builders. Sustainable construction businesses require sustainable margins, particularly in today’s market conditions,” Cran said.
While demand for construction remains strong, margins across the industry continue to be squeezed by escalating costs and a constrained workforce.
“The reality is that builders, subcontractors and suppliers all need to remain financially sustainable if projects are to be delivered successfully. The industry works best when risk is shared appropriately, and commercial outcomes are fair for all parties involved.”
Despite these pressures, Thomas Building remains focused on disciplined growth and maintaining strong relationships with clients and project partners.
People Before Growth
With a workforce of approximately 50 employees, Thomas Building has deliberately maintained a culture that emphasises accessibility, collaboration and personal development.
For Cran, people remain the company’s greatest asset.
“Every member of our team is important, regardless of their role or experience level. We want people to feel supported, valued and given every opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers,” he said.
The company actively invests in staff development, training initiatives and leadership opportunities while maintaining a strong focus on employee wellbeing.
“We work hard to create an environment that feels connected and supportive rather than overly corporate. That includes regular communication, professional development opportunities and social initiatives that strengthen our culture.”
This people-first approach has helped the company attract and retain quality personnel in an increasingly competitive labour market.
Relationships That Last
The emphasis on relationships extends beyond employees to subcontractors, consultants and suppliers.
One of the company’s core principles is maintaining trust through consistent and reliable payment practices.
“We’ve built long-standing relationships with many of our subcontractors and suppliers. A key part of that is ensuring people are paid on time and treated fairly, regardless of project circumstances. That reliability helps build trust and encourages long-term partnerships,” Cran said.
The philosophy has strengthened the company’s reputation throughout the industry and helped establish a reliable delivery network across both metropolitan and regional markets.
For Cran, strong relationships ultimately underpin successful project delivery.
“Construction is still very much a relationship business. The quality of the relationships you build often determines the quality of the outcomes you achieve.”
Technology Supporting a People-Driven Industry
While technology continues to transform construction administration and project management, Cran believes the industry will remain fundamentally people-driven.
“Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly improve administrative efficiency and document management, but construction remains a people-focused industry. At the end of the day, projects are still delivered by skilled tradespeople, supervisors and project teams on the ground,” he said.
Thomas Building continues to embrace emerging technology where it delivers genuine value, while recognising that successful projects still depend on experience, communication and leadership.
“There are efficiencies to be gained through technology, but relationships, expertise and problem-solving will always remain at the heart of construction.”
Growing for the Right Reasons
Looking ahead, Thomas Building remains focused on developing its people, maintaining profitability and pursuing sustainable growth rather than expansion for its own sake.
The business continues to evaluate opportunities across metropolitan and regional Western Australia, while remaining selective in the projects it pursues.
“We’re not driven by growth for growth’s sake. We want to work on quality projects, deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients, create opportunities for our people and maintain a strong, sustainable business.”
It is a philosophy that has defined Thomas Building’s evolution. Through mining downturns, economic uncertainty and the challenges of COVID-19, the company has continued to grow by remaining disciplined, investing in its people and building lasting relationships across metropolitan and regional Western Australia.
While the company may operate quietly, its impact is clearly visible in the communities where it continues to live, work and build.
AT A GLANCE
Who: Thomas Building
What: A commercial construction company delivering diverse metropolitan and regional projects with particular expertise in regional Western Australia.
Where: Western Australia, including metropolitan Perth, the Pilbara and Northwest regional communities.
Website: www.thomasbuilding.com.au
PREFERRED VENDORS/PARTNERS
Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers – www.perdamanchemicalsandfertilisers.com
Perdaman is a strategic Australian business building the industries that underpin economic growth, national resilience and future prosperity, from food security (Project Ceres) to energy security (Project Helios) to sovereign industrial capability (WA refinery), grounded in Project Vesta’s Karratha housing for regional communities and the strategic Australia-India partnership.
