BESIX WATPAC

1993

Strong Foundations

Changing of the guard as a 'magnificent project' kicks off

Company founder Gregory Watkins resigned from the position of Chairman of the Board in 1993, handing over the reins to Leo G Williams AO. Williams was a former commercial lawyer and Australian rugby union player and official. He played for the Queensland Reds (1961–1965), managed the team (1971–1972) and also served as president of the Queensland Rugby Union (1988–1995). The changing of the guard follows three years of successive losses and a downturn in US operations. Williams would remain Chairman until 1996 – the same time it took to complete the complex Terrica Place, touted as a 'magnificent project' in the heart of Brisbane's CBD.

Federal Minister for Administration Services at the time, Frank walker QC MP, said "Terrica Place is a wonderful blend of old and new. It is a modern, energy-efficient building, and with its beautiful sandstone and granite facade it pays due recognition to its historical surroundings".

Terrica Place, Brisbane

#​In 1993-94 the company exited its Hawaiian operations and established a civil contracting business securing work for Queensland Railways' Brisbane and Gold Coast rail link.

Throughout the 1990s recession, the company showed remarkable resilience and ingenuity, strengthening its position outside of SEQ with a refurbishments division in Canberra and property developments in Far North Queensland and Box Hill, Victoria. 

This flexibility and diversity is a trait that continues today, with BESIX Watpac currently exploring in partnership with the global BESIX Group, new avenues of work with public partnerships, waste and water projects, and sustainable property development. 

"Undoubtably, the success story for Watkins Pacific Limited this year has been the Crompton Gardens Retirement Village at Aspley in Brisbane. With the awarding to Watpac of the $60 million Terrica Place project for the Commonwealth Government, construction work now on hand is the strongest it has been for some time."

Leo.G. Williams, Chairman of the Board 1993-1996, 1993 Annual Report.

#Milestones

swipe

1909

Strong Foundations

BESIX Founded
SBB Group forms Six Construct

1966

Delivering Excellence

SBB Group forms Six Construct
Watkins Pacific registered with the Builders Board of Queensland

1985

Redefining What’s Possible

Watpac lists on the Australian Stock Exchange

1986

Redefining What’s Possible

Queensland prepares for Expo 88
David Little sets business up for growth

1987

Redefining what's possible

David Little sets business up for growth

1988

Enduring Partnerships

Hospitality, Tourism and Expansion

1992

Enduring Partnerships

Our stadia expertise kick-off

1994

Enduring Partnerships

Team work makes the dream work
Changing the landscape of Brisbane CBD

1998

Delivering Excellence

Establishing a North Queensland presence

2000

Delivering Excellence

Welcoming the new millenium

2004

Redefining What’s Possible

SBB rebrands as the BESIX Group

2006

sustainable solutions

Upskilling with stadiums

2010

Enduring Partnerships

Celebrating a quarter of a century

2012

Enduring Partnerships

Business is flying in South Australia

2013

Redefining What’s Possible

BESIX Group buys shares in Watpac

2018

Enduring Partnerships

BESIX and Watpac join forces

2022

Redefining What’s Possible

Building our legacy