Business
2 July, 2025
Haymans investment signals a strong future for the North West
The wholesaler says it will continue to service Mount Isa and surrounds for decades to come.
Haymans Mount Isa manager Rob Schroeter says he’s proud to sit at the desk of his brand new office after a multi-million investment by head office to construct a purpose-built facility in the city.
The fact it was an all-local build made it even more special, he said.
“When we went out to tender, we looked at numerous options, but we knew that the best option for us was to build with a local contractor,” Mr Schroeter said.
“The beauty of a local contractor is that he is here on site. I could be around, I could talk to him.
“We’re able to make local decisions with local people.”
Trevor Morris Builders led the construction, while local electricians and plumbers were also engaged for the project.
Mr Schroeter said having a local touch made a big difference.
“We were almost finished and a massive storm hit Mount Isa ... not long after I got a text message from Jay Morris, telling me that he was inside and checking the building for leaks,” he said.
“We were only a couple of weeks away from starting to move in. Jay came out, waded his way through the water that was almost up to the top of the footpath, came inside and took numerous pictures which he sent me, telling me it doesn’t leak.
“It’s a great story because I’ve known of other builds that have had big storms and they leaked like a sieve. This was totally watertight from day one.”
The branch manager said the major investment should be seen as a sign of confidence in Mount Isa’s future.
“From our humble beginnings way back in 1989, we’ve moved several times,” he said.
“We’ve made a major commitment by building this as a company-owned building. This is not a rented property.
“Our company has invested some millions of dollars in getting this facility up and running.
“The board trusts my judgment that Mount Isa has a future and a strong future ahead of it, and the whole North West region as such will continue to drive our business forward into many years to come.
“We expect to be here in the next 20, 30, 40, 50 years and still be having Haymans in Mount Isa and still be going strong.”
Mr Schroeter, who has worked for Haymans in Mount Isa for almost 20 years, said he loved the Outback city.
“Look, Haymans, it’s a great company to work for; they’re really good. They look after their employees,” he said.
“I like the climate here in Mount Isa. I like it a lot. I like the nice, cool winters. I don’t mind the heat in summer. I don’t like humidity whatsoever.
“The business is strong. We’ve built it from the ground up and a lot of the team, we’ve been together for a lot of years and we’ve been able to diversify our business, whereby we are not just an electrical wholesaler anymore.
“We’re wholesale purchasing specialists.
“At any one time, we can access over 27,000 suppliers within our group.
“So, on the back of that, we can source anything for anyone from anywhere, worldwide.
“Even though our sign says that we’re a wholesaler, we are open to the general public.”