SamWilko Advisory Industry Advice
Transport, Construction & Technical Services

Industry Consolidation in Engineering & Construction – what are the Risks?
During turbulent economic times like these, the importance of Engineering and Construction to Australia’s ongoing prosperity becomes truly apparent. Apart from producing around 9% of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product, in 2019 the Construction industry employed over...

Why is it so hard to plan Infrastructure Investment programs?
Here’s a selection of quotes from a recent article about infrastructure: “tremendous growth, concentrated in the largest metropolitan areas, will place new demands on already overtaxed infrastructure” “Rooftop solar panels have rattled electric utilities, which...

What’s on the Horizon for Civil Contractors in NSW?
I recently attended the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) launch of the NSW 2020 10 Year Civil Infrastructure Report (which I must say was well worth the price of lunch at Parliament House). The headlines of the BIS Oxford Economics report are broadly in alignment...

Challenges faced by the Engineering and Construction Industry – a 2015 versus 2019 Perspective
Sea changes in the competitive forces that shape infrastructure construction in Australia have resulted in a growing “hump” of projects to be delivered. The reasons for this become apparent when comparing current Major Projects forecasts with the 2015 perspective....

What’s going on in the Infrastructure Industry – Revisited
I recently reviewed an article I wrote in early 2015, exploring the goings-on in Infrastructure Construction. It was a timely check in, given the great deal of discussion throughout the Engineering and Construction industry concerning intensifying “margin squeeze". In...

As a Leader can we really make a Difference?
As you’ve no doubt heard and felt, our current disappointment, disillusionment, distain for our elected leaders, those responsible for leading and governing our major financial institutions and even those charged with the responsibility for providing spiritual guidance to our increasing secular society is palpable.

You never know when or where learning opportunities will show up…
I recently had the opportunity to spend a week camping in a large paddock on Singleton Army Base with stunning views of Brokenback Mountain range, accompanying the Barker College Cadet Unit (BCCU) Annual Cadet Camp of which my son is a member. As one of over 20...

Leadership challenges for Professional Services Firms – navigating the “Bermuda Triangle”
A recent Australian Financial Review article got me thinking about the particular challenges faced by Professional Services firms in Engineering, Law, Accounting and the like in effectively managing growth, as well as the role that great leadership plays in dealing...

Effective Management Capability – what does it take to build it?
Over a 30-year career in Engineering and Construction I’ve experienced first-hand the challenges that bid consortia, project teams and businesses corporate and smaller face in building effective Management Capability. The circumstances may differ – for example...

What’s going on globally in Transportation?
Not so long ago we took a look at developments in the local transportation industry, using Porters 5-Forces model to get a contextual understanding of what’s driving the changes. Let’s now take a snapshot of moves in Europe and Asia with a number of the major...