Probuild
{{Short description|Defunct Australian construction company}}
{{about|the former Australian construction company|the former American building materials supplier|ProBuild}}
{{Infobox company
|name =
|logo =
|industry = Construction
|foundation = 1987
|founder = Phil Mehtren
|defunct = February 2022
|location_city = St Kilda Road, Melbourne
|location_country = Australia
|area_served = Australia
|key_people =
|revenue = $1.4 billion
|revenue_year = 2021
|operating_income =
|income_year =
|net_income =
|net_income_year =
|num_employees = 750
|num_employees_year = 2022
|parent = Wilson Bayly Holmes Ovcon
|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20220223061315/https://probuild.com.au/ www.probuild.com.au]}}
Probuild was an Australian construction company that traded from 1987 until 2022.
History
Probuild was founded in 1987 by Phil Mehtren.[https://web.archive.org/web/20220910131040/https://www.afr.com/politics/constructing-success-its-all-about-relationships-20080614-j901n Constructing success: it's all about relationships] Australian Financial Review 14 June 2008 In 2000 it was purchased by Wilson Bayly Holmes Ovcon.[https://web.archive.org/web/20180305081929/https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/building-pipeline-in-aus-sees-probuild-contribute-60-of-wbho-revenue-2017-11-17 Building pipeline in Aus sees Probuild contribute 60% of WBHO revenue] Engineering News 17 November 2017 An attempt to sell the business to the China Communications Construction Company in 2021 was blocked by the Government of Australia on national security grounds.[https://web.archive.org/web/20210809113528/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-12/chinese-company-withdraws-bid-for-australian-builder-probuild/13050908 Chinese company withdraws bid for Australian builder after Government flags security risk] ABC News 12 January 2021[https://web.archive.org/web/20210124004605/https://www.urban.com.au/news/near-300-million-sale-of-probuild-to-chinese-interests-falls-through Near $300 million sale of Probuild to Chinese interests falls through] Urban.com.au 12 January 2021 In February 2022, it was placed in voluntary administration by Wilson Bayly Holmes Ovcon with Deloitte appointed administrator.[https://web.archive.org/web/20220908130318/https://www.reuters.com/article/wbho-australia-idCNL1N2UZ019 S Africa building giant WBHO quits Australia, blames hardline COVID response] Reuters 24 February 2022[https://web.archive.org/web/20220312001615/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/09/probuild-collapse-administrators-investigate-50m-transferred-to-civil-construction-division Probuild collapse: administrators investigate $50m transferred to civil construction division] The Guardian 9 March 2022[https://web.archive.org/web/20220312231244/https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/probuild-collapse-workers-back-on-site-and-50m-owed-in-loans/news-story/f1ed7288ed3a7705687a6acf0f5199d8 Probuild collapse: workers back on site and $50m owed in loans] News.com.au 11 March 2022
Roberts & Co took over five projects in Melbourne, while the Western Australian business was sold to SRG Global.[https://web.archive.org/web/20220908105143/https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2022/04/05/roberts-co-acquires-five-vic-probuild-projects/ Roberts Co acquires five Vic Probuild projects] Infrastructure Magazine 5 April 2022[https://web.archive.org/web/20220315004251/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/rapid-reboot-sees-probuild-s-wa-business-offloaded-20220314-p5a4ii.html Rapid reboot sees Probuild's WA business offloaded] Sydney Morning Herald 14 March 2022 Hutchinson Builders took over the 443 Queen Street, Brisbane project.[https://web.archive.org/web/20220630233116/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-06/cbus-queen-street-brisbane-project-hutchinson-builders-appointed/101041520 Hutchinson Builders appointed to Cbus Queen Street project after Probuild collapse] ABC News 5 May 2022
Notable projects
Notable projects completed by Probuild included:
- Aurora Melbourne Central[https://web.archive.org/web/20200326212119/https://www.probuild.com.au/projects/projects/aurora-melbourne-central Aurora Melbourne Central] Probuild
- Greenland Centre, Sydney[https://web.archive.org/web/20200326212024/https://www.probuild.com.au/projects/projects/greenland-centre Greenland Centre] Probuild[https://web.archive.org/web/20220909113038/https://www.afr.com/property/probuild-signs-greenland-centre-contract-commencing-work-early-2017-20161130-gt0pla Probuild signs Greenland Centre contract, commencing work early 2017] Australian Financial Review 30 November 2016
- Marina Tower Melbourne[https://web.archive.org/web/20220223103625/https://www.probuild.com.au/projects/projects/marina-tower Marina Tower] Probuild
- Netball Central, Sydney[https://web.archive.org/web/20220223103631/https://www.probuild.com.au/projects/projects/netball-central- Netball Centre] Probuild
- Victoria One[https://web.archive.org/web/20220223103629/https://www.probuild.com.au/projects/projects/victoria-one Victoria One] Probuild
At the time of its cessation, Probuild was involved in the construction of The Ribbon, Sydney, West Side Place and 443 Queen Street, Brisbane.[https://web.archive.org/web/20221011201853/https://www.urban.com.au/news/nsw/probuild-take-over-construction-of-the-ribbon-hotel-project-in-sydneys-darling-harbour-from-grocon Probuild take over construction of The Ribbon hotel project in Sydney's Darling Harbour from Grocon] Urban 18 January 2021[https://web.archive.org/web/20200326212019/https://www.probuild.com.au/projects/projects/west-side-place West Side Place] Probuild[https://web.archive.org/web/20200326212041/https://www.probuild.com.au/projects/projects/443-queen-street-brisbane 443 Queen Street] Probuild[https://web.archive.org/web/20220224032917/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-24/qld-construction-probuild-administration-443-queen-brisbane/100857262 Probuild collapse puts major Brisbane CBD development at 443 Queen Street construction, workers in limbo] ABC News 24 February 2022