MEMBER PROFILE
Company Name : DKM Utility Services
Where is your business based ? DKM has recently relocated into a new larger premise in Tullamarine in May of 2016 . The company occupies a large factory , with multiple offices and training facilities but also continues to occupy a second factory also located in Tullamarine . The current space allows DKM to bring together all civil works under the same roof , incorporating the company ’ s other branch of traffic management staff as well as training . DKM is located right next to Melbourne ’ s freeway networks and Melbourne Airport , allowing us great access to all our clients . Our contracts currently have us travelling anywhere from Warburton to the eats , Apollo Bay to the West , and Cobram to the North .
How did your business start ? DKM was launched in 1999 , with two employees , David Murphy ( Director ) and Ray ( General Manager ) working out of a home in Melbourne ’ s north . Within six months the business had expanded and moved into new premises that were bigger and allowed for continued growth . DKM is a familyowned and operated company in the civil construction industry that has come a long way since its humble beginnings . Today , the company is thriving and continuing to grow into a recognised industry player .
How long have you been in this business ?
DKM has worked in the civil construction industry for over 18 years . DKM began operation at a time in the industry when projects were undertaken by the “ old fashioned ” means of just digging and laying pipes manually . Over time , as the industry has changed , DKM has seen new innovations hit the market , including directional drilling and pipe cracking , which the company was quick to embrace and utilise .
What area of civil construction do you specialise in ?
The company specialises in the removal and disposal of asbestos pipes , directional drilling , pipe cracking , conventional open cut and hydro excavation . Our crews are all qualified and highly skilled in undertaken works involving asbestos . DKM has removed many thousand metres of asbestos pipe throughout Melbourne metropolitan area as well as regional Victoria .
Along with construction crews we also have poly welders , pressure testers and dedicated temporary water supply crews . Our temporary water resources now give us the capability of having 10kms of temporary water supply at any time . This gives our clients a great advantage in keeping their customers and the community supplied with clean water at times of need and infer structure failures .
What sort of equipment do you primarily use ?
Today DKM offers a range of trenchless capabilities spanning both pipe rehabilitation and installation of new mains , with a project breakdown of roughly a 50-50 split . DKM now operates seven pipe cracking units , directional drilling , temporary water supply and hydro excavation . We currently have over 15 active projects at any time .
Why did you join CCF ? DKM joined CCF on its way to growing into the business it is today . CCF was initially engaged to help us establish systems that worked within our industry through the main three components of OH & S , Environmental and Quality .
Training is a major part of growing as well as maintaining a business and its staff . In our industry training varies extensively and constantly needs reviewing and updating . The CCF training program and facilities was an integral part in our development , awareness and access to training .
How many staff do you employ ? DKM ’ s move to a larger premise has allowed the company to expand and employee new staff . The staff total over 70 employees , including traffic management staff . DKM has a strong and unified team that works with great efficiency and take a collaborative approach to their work and their projects .
DKM is keen to invest in the future of civil works by continually taking on trainees regularly . We currently have three trainees completing certificates , we also had three successfully complete there traineeships earlier this year . The introduction of younger people to the industry has been something we have focused on for many years . In total , we have introduced fourteen trainees since the company ’ s beginning . DKM has little staff turnover and has not lost one of its trainees to date and this is a testament to the company .
We also have a diverse range of subcontractors that have worked with DKM for over 10 years . These have been very successful relationships that are still going strong today .
Do you have a completed project or achievement that you are most proud of ?
We have many project achievements we are proud of , however , the standout for the business must be our program of works contracts . DKM have never missed a program we have been engaged to complete and we have completed these program of works contracts since our inception , across the state and for many water companies .
Our team works very efficiently and is trusted across all facets of our programs , from working with our clients , stakeholders , councils and other utilities . It ’ s certainly a testimate to the team on how quickly and efficiently they can adapt and successfully complete changes in programs , scopes and the needs of all stake holders .
What are the biggest challenges that your business faces at the moment ?
The biggest challenge that DKM faces is other utilities . As utilities have been sold and become privatised , there has been an undeniable lapse of quality in their works . Furthermore , gas utility assets have now become a major hazard for civil construction companies , both in safety and cost .
Experience in the industry also seems to be aging within Melbourne metro but becomes even more difficult once rural work is considered . This is something we recognised early and was an issue we started to tackle early with our traineeships . n
THE BULLETIN – Civil Contractors Federation VIC SPRING 2017 11