Baldyhall Rural Engineering Pty Ltd is a small family owned business servicing the rural sector. The company offers a mobile service in a 100km radius from Stroud Road, NSW, Australia. Owner and Director, Craig Baldwin is a fully qualified fitter and machinist with a welding certification.
We spoke to Craig, about how winning the $2,000 BizGiver grant will help him grow his business.
What is your business best known for?
Our business is best known for friendly reliable maintenance services to our local rural community. This includes handyman work, fireplace installation, MIG, TIG and MMA welding and general steel fabrication and machining.
Why did you start your business?
I have a long history in maintenance and had the ability to deliver a maintenance resource to our local community from our farm. I live and work in our community so it made sense.
Why did you enter the BizGiver competition? Why did you wish for your particular wish?
I entered the competition because my wife has been successful in attaining grants for our local show, rodeo and brickthrowing committees. It was suggested from those donators that we try for grants as the drought had severe financial impact on our business.
Welding is a core component of our business and we must have reliable tools. The workshop welder that I want to replace is over 20 years old and becoming unreliable.
What does being a small business owner mean to you? Why do you love your job?
Being a small business owner means that I can have my own hours and spend quality time with my family. It also means working hard and providing quality service to our community which in turn helps grow our business.
I have always been a tradesman from teenage years. From fixing cars with my father to now teaching my own children the art of fixing things.
How will winning this prize help your business?
Capable and reliable welding machines means jobs can be finished on time and within budget to meet customer needs.
This prize will ensure welding machine reliability and eliminate down time on machine repairs.
Where do you see your business in 5 years time? What are your growth goals?
- Expanded workshop capability.
- Potential apprentice employment of local people.
- Increased promotional and marketing capabilities.
- Online selling of steel products.
What are the biggest challenges your business faces? Will winning the award help?
Rural communities typically base their spending on weather patterns. A long spell of dry conditions has meant limited spending from farmers, a key customer segment of our business.
Running a business in a small community has challenges of its own.
The award will help by ensuring we can keep our hourly rates at competitive prices based on zero capital expenditure.
What have been your biggest achievements?
- Getting started as a small rural business.
- Gaining a contract with the Stroud rodeo committee to increase yard height for WHS reasons.
- Family involvement within the business.
- Being my own boss.
- Helping the rural committee we live in.
Craig finished by imparting these words of wisdom, “If you choose a job you love you’ll never work a day in your life.”
