Steeled to strive

WHEN Lou Ots and Neal Simpson took the plunge and signed on to form the Warwick arm of R&F Steel Buildings six years ago, they strived to make the franchise bigger and better from day one.
With hard work and dedication the men built their business, like their sheds, from the ground up, with meticulous precision and second-to-none service.
Like all good things, timing was crucial to the company’s establishment and success with the business venture coming at an opportune time,” Mr Ots said.
“I managed Condamine Steel for eight years and worked there for about 18 years before one of the big steel mobs bought them and I was left without a job,” Mr Ots explained.
“Around the same time the asparagus farm that Neal managed closed so we were both without jobs, and over a beer one day we saw R&F Steel Buildings in Gatton had put an ad in the paper for a sub agent in Warwick to complement their business and we decided we’d have a crack.”
The men backed their ability and knowledge in the industry.
“Neal had built sheds for a while and I’ve been in the steel game all my life,” Mr Ots said, who is a fitter and turner by trade.
Tomorrow, the local family business, which specialises in sheds, industrial, commercial, rural farm sheds, garages, patios and carports, will mark an exciting milestone, unveiling a new office and display shed at 97a McEvoy Street.
Mr Ots purchased the land three years ago with the idea of building a display shed in the back of his mind, but was prompted to act when the business started to outgrow itself.
“It is really good and probably not before time,” Mr Ots said of seeing his plans come to fruition.
“Neal and I had been working from our homes and involved in not only selling the sheds but also building them, too.
“We would often have to do our paperwork at night or on the weekends but now we have got to the point where one of us can take a step back from building.”
The franchisee said the display centre, which includes a carport, garage and bigger shed, would offer customers the ability to see and feel the quality of the workmanship.
The blokes say the company would not be where it is today without the love and support of their wives, Merisa and Lisa, and the help of their employees.
Current, past and prospective clients are invited to attend the official opening and sausage sizzle tomorrow from 1pm.