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Thiess Pty Ltd

{{About|the international mining services company|other uses|Thiess (disambiguation){{!}}Thiess}}{{Short description|Australian-based international mining services company}}

{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Thiess Pty Ltd

| logo = Thiess logo.svg

| former_name = Thiess Bros

| type = Subsidiary

| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1933}}

| founder = Henry Horn and Leslie Thiess

| location_city = Brisbane

| location_country = Australia

| area_served = {{Plainlist|

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Mongolia
  • South Africa

}}

| industry = Mining services

| num_employees = 12,000 (2021){{Cite web|title=People and careers|url=https://www.thiess.com/en/people-and-careers|access-date=23 April 2021|website=Thiess}}

| parent = {{Plainlist|

}}

| subsid = Thiess Contractors Indonesia

| homepage = {{URL|thiess.com}}

}}

Thiess Pty Ltd is an international mining services company based in Brisbane, Australia. Established in the 1930s as Horn & Thiess, the company later became Thiess Bros and Thiess Contractors before being bought by Leighton Holdings in 1983 to become part of the CIMIC Group.{{Cite web|title=The beginning|url=http://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/the-beginning|url-status=dead|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Thiess|archive-date=22 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322163647/https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/the-beginning}}{{Cite web|title=Into the 1980s|url=https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/into-the-1980s|url-status=dead|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Thiess|archive-date=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103100253/https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/into-the-1980s}}{{Cite web|title=Into the 21st century|url=https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/into-the-21st-century|url-status=dead|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Thiess|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124203449/https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/into-the-21st-century}} Thiess' headquarters are located in the Thiess Centre in South Bank in the Brisbane CBD near the TAFE Brisbane City campus.{{Cite web|title=Contact us|url=https://www.thiess.com/en/contact-us|url-status=dead|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Thiess|archive-date=2 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002134709/http://www.thiess.com/en/contact-us}}

Following restructuring within CIMIC in 2014 and the merger of several international Leighton businesses into Thiess, the company claims to have become the largest contract mining services provider in the world.{{Cite web|title=Powering towards 2020|url=https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/powering-towards-2020|url-status=dead|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Thiess|archive-date=14 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314062324/https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/powering-towards-2020}}

History

Thiess was founded as Horn & Thiess in 1933 by Henry Horn and Leslie Thiess with headquarters in Toowoomba. Initially the business focused on road-building and earth moving but subsequently expanded into dam construction, open cut mining and other forms of civil engineering. After other members of the Thiess family bought Horn out, it was renamed Thiess Bros.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/97116338 Thiess Bros' contracts] Queensland Country Life 9 June 1949 page 16[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50561710 The Story of Thiess Brothers] The Courier-Mail 30 March 1953 page 7{{cite book|chapter-url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/thiess-sir-leslie-charles-les-17797|title=Thiess, Sir Leslie Charles (Les) (1909–1992)|chapter=Sir Leslie Charles (Les) Thiess (1909–1992) |publisher=Australian Dictionary of Biography|accessdate=3 January 2020}}

In 1951 Thiess was listed on the Sydney and Brisbane stock exchanges.[https://web.archive.org/web/20200103100512/https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/shaping-a-bigger-future Shaping a bigger future] Thiess

After importing Toyota Land Cruisers into Australia for the Snowy Mountains Scheme in 1959, Thiess became the Toyota commercial vehicle franchisee in Australia.[https://web.archive.org/web/20190123180846/https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/shaping-a-bigger-future Shaping a bigger future] Thiess[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131805063 New Thiess Toyota link] Canberra Times 6 May 1971 page 33 A 40% shareholding in Thiess Toyota was sold to Toyota Australia in 1968, with the remaining stake being sold in 1980.[https://web.archive.org/web/20200106214239/https://www.philgilberttoyota.com.au/guest-services/toyota-history/ Toyota History] Phil Gilbert Toyota[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/137011960 Thiess to sells its interest in Thiess Toyota] Canberra Times 30 January 1980 page 27Toyota acquires distributor company Truck & Bus Transportation June 1980 page 130 From 1967 until 1970, Thiess was also the distributor of White Motor Company products in Australia.White Trucks distributorship Freight & Container Transportation December 1967 page 17Thiess drops out of White operations; changes planned Truck & Bus Transportation September 1970 page 144

In February 1980, Thiess was taken over by CSR in a hostile takeover.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110970890 Plans for Thiess] Canberra Times 1 December 1979 page 20[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/137008188 CSR Offer Accepted - Thiess directors give up fight] Canberra Times 12 January 1980 page 16[https://web.archive.org/web/20200106191946/https://www.delisted.com.au/company/thiess-holdings-limited Thiess Holdings Limited] Delisted Australia In April 1981, the construction division was sold to a consortium of Hochtief (50%), Westfield Group (25%) and Leslie Thiess (25%).[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126831342 Sale to Thiess] Canberra Times 3 April 1981 page 16 In July 1983 Thiess was acquired by Leighton Holdings, with Hochtief becoming the majority shareholder in Leighton Holdings.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131848365 Leighton plans to merge with construction giant] Canberra Times 9 June 1983 page 23[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/136923744 Chances for profit curbed, Leighton chairman says] Canberra Times 25 October 1984 page 21

In 1987 Thiess diversified into waste collection establishing Thiess Waste Management Services. This was sold in July 2012 to Remondis.[https://web.archive.org/web/20151120121439/https://waste-management-world.com/a/remondis-expands-in-australia-with-230m-acquisition Remondis Expands in Australia with $230m Acquisition] Waste Management World 10 July 2012

In 2011, the business was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|url=http://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/thiess-pty-ltd/|title=Thiess Pty Ltd|date=2011|website=Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame|access-date=11 July 2019}}

In 2014, the mining operations of Leighton Africa, Leighton Asia and Leighton Contractors were merged into. In 2016 Thiess's civil engineering business was merged into Leighton Contractors which was renamed CPB Contractors.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpbcon.com.au/en/our-company/our-history|title=Our history|publisher=CPB Contractors|access-date=2 October 2019}} Since then Thiess has been entirely focused on mining projects.{{cite web|url=https://www.cimic.com.au/en/our-services/our-brands|title=Our brands|website=CIMIC|accessdate=20 April 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420080621/https://www.cimic.com.au/en/our-services/our-brands|archivedate=20 April 2019|url-status=live}}

In 2021, CIMIC agreed to joint ownership (50/50) of Thiess with Elliott Advisors.{{Cite web|title=Our future {{ndash}} 2021 and beyond|url=https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/our-future-%E2%80%94-2021-and-beyond|url-status=dead|access-date=25 April 2021|website=Thiess|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302001714/https://www.thiess.com/en/about-us/our-history/our-future-%E2%80%94-2021-and-beyond}}

Major projects

Major projects undertaken by Thiess include:

{{columns-list|colwidth=35em|

  • Leichhardt Dam, Queensland, completed in 1958{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LsVSDwAAQBAJ&dq=Lake+Moondarra+thiess&pg=PA126|title=Mates!|first=Stephen |last=Outram|page=126|publisher=What else is possible?|year=2018|isbn=978-0994332752}}
  • Tooma Dam, Snowy Mountains, completed in 1961
  • Geehi Dam, Snowy Mountains, completed in 1966
  • Murray Two Dam, Snowy Mountains, completed in 1968
  • Corin Dam, Australian Capital Territory, completed in 1968{{cite web|url=http://guides.naa.gov.au/records-about-act/part2/chapter9/9.2.aspx|title=Corin Dam|publisher=National Archives|accessdate=5 January 2020|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402231724/http://guides.naa.gov.au/records-about-act/part2/chapter9/9.2.aspx|url-status=dead}}
  • Talbingo Dam, Snowy Mountains, completed in 1971
  • Dartmouth Dam, Victoria, completed in 1979{{cite web|url=https://portal.engineersaustralia.org.au/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Dartmouth_Dam_nomination.pdf|title=Nomination of Dartmouth Dam as a National Engineering Landmark|publisher=Engineering Heritage Australia (Victoria)|date=1 June 2004|page=6|accessdate=3 January 2019}}
  • Googong Dam, New South Wales, completed in 1979{{cite web|url=https://www.library.act.gov.au/find/history/search/Manuscript_Collections/hmss_0281_thiess_construction_photographs|title=Thiess Construction Photographs|publisher=Libraries ACT|accessdate=5 January 2020}}
  • Splityard Creek Dam, Queensland, completed in 1980{{cite web|url=http://www.floodcommission.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0007/7792/Tarong_Energy_Appendix_11.PDF|title=Wivenhoe Power Station: Official Opening|publisher=Queensland Flood Commission|accessdate=4 January 2019}}
  • Sugarloaf Dam, Christmas Hills, completed in 1981{{cite web|url=http://buschtaxi.org/toyota-celebrates-60-years-of-helping-build-australia/|title=Toyota Celebrates 60 Years of Helping Build Australia|date=26 September 2019|publisher=Busch Taxi|accessdate=3 January 2020}}
  • Wivenhoe Dam, Queensland, completed in 1985{{cite web|url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/thiess-barnard-jv-to-build-queensland-dam|title=Thiess Barnard JV to build Queensland dam|date=1 December 2011|publisher=Construction Index|accessdate=3 January 2020}}
  • Lake Awoonga Dam, Queensland, completed 1985{{cite book|url= http://waterysauces.org.au/history/construction/pullarbook/construction.pdf|first1=Ian |last1=Pullar|first2= Margaret |last2=Cook|title=Watery Sauces: A People's History of the Water Resources Commission (Queensland) and Its Predecessors, 1881-1995|page=224|publisher=Department of Natural Resources and Mines|year=2001|isbn=978-0734517876}}
  • Hayman Island Resort, Queensland, completed in 1987{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sadvDwAAQBAJ&dq=Thiess+Sydney+Harbour+Tunnel&pg=PA165|title=The Playful Entrepreneur: How to Adapt and Thrive in Uncertain Times|first1= Mark |last1=Dodgson|first2=David M. |last2=Gann|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2018|isbn= 978-0300233926|page=165}}
  • Chimneys at Loy Yang Power Station, Victoria, completed in 1988{{cite web|url=https://australianminingreview.com.au/features/thiess-a-proud-history/|title=Thiess: a proud history|publisher=Australian Mining Review|date=29 March 2019|accessdate=3 January 2019}}
  • Redcliffe Bridge, Western Australia, completed in 1988{{cite web|url = http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0007066|title = Structurae: Redcliffe Bridge (1988)|accessdate = 6 November 2007}}
  • HM Prison Barwon, Victoria, completed in 1989{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ctee/REPORTS/Correct.pdf|page=39|title=Correctional services and sentencing in Tasmania|publisher=Parliament of Tasmania|year=1999|accessdate=3 January 2019}}
  • Newman to Port Hedland section of the Great Northern Highway, completed in 1990{{cite journal|title=The Dream Becomes Reality |date=March 1990 |journal=Western Roads|volume=15 |issue=1 |page=1 |publisher=Main Roads Department |location=Perth, Western Australia}}
  • Junee Correctional Centre, New South Wales, completed in 1991{{cite journal |url=http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/previous%20series/proceedings/1-27/~/media/publications/proceedings/23/champion.ashx |author1=Champion, Ronald |author2=Curnow, William |title=Corrections contract management in New South Wales: the Junee experience |format=PDF |publisher=Australian Institute of Criminology |journal=The Issues– Corrections |year=1993 |pages=93–101 |accessdate=15 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327093714/http://aic.gov.au/publications/previous%20series/proceedings/1-27/~/media/publications/proceedings/23/champion.ashx |archive-date=27 March 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
  • Sydney Harbour Tunnel, completed in 1992
  • Fulham Correctional Centre, Victoria, completed in 1997{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ctee/REPORTS/Correct.pdf|page=41|title=Correctional services and sentencing in Tasmania|publisher=Parliament of Tasmania|year=1999|accessdate=3 January 2020}}
  • Windan Bridge, Western Australia, completed in 2000{{cite web |title = Transfield Thiess joint venture of the City Northern Bypass |url = https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Court/1996/11/Transfield-Thiess-joint-venture-of-the-City-Northern-Bypass.aspx |publisher = Government of Western Australia |date = 13 November 1996 |accessdate = 27 January 2018 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20180127050025/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Court/1996/11/Transfield-Thiess-joint-venture-of-the-City-Northern-Bypass.aspx |archivedate = 27 January 2018 |url-status=live }}
  • Lane Cove Tunnel, Sydney, completed in 2007{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/workcover-blames-construction-bungles-for-tunnel-collapse-20060330-gdn9xi.html|title=Workcover blames construction bungles for tunnel collapse|date=30 March 2006|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=4 January 2020}}
  • EastLink, Melbourne, completed in 2008{{Cite web|url=http://www.seita.com.au/pages/whos-involved.asp |title=Who's involved? |accessdate=26 June 2008 |publisher=Southern and Eastern Integrated Transport Authority |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601105438/http://www.seita.com.au/pages/whos-involved.asp |archivedate=1 June 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}
  • 400 George Street, Brisbane, completed in 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/400-george-street/4017|title=400 George Street|publisher=Skyscraper Center|accessdate=3 January 2020}}
  • Epping to Chatswood rail link, Sydney, completed in 2009{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/chatswood-to-epping-rail-line-on-track-20020627-gdfeje.html|title=Epping to Chatswood rail line on track|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=27 June 2002|accessdate=5 January 2020}}
  • UQ Lakes to Buranda section of the Eastern Busway, Queensland, completed in 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.translink.com.au/boggoroad.php |title=TransLink: Boggo Road Busway |accessdate=2009-07-19 |date=2009-07-14 |publisher=TransLink Transit Authority |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720113653/http://www.translink.com.au/boggoroad.php |archivedate=July 20, 2009 }}
  • Airport Flyover, Brisbane, completed in 2011{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/airport-flyover-to-finish-early-20100527-wgie.html|title=Airport flyover to finish early|date=27 May 2010|publisher=Brisbane Times|accessdate=5 January 2020}}
  • Stage 3 of the Hinze Dam, Queensland, completed in 2011{{cite web|url=http://www.baueraustralia.com.au/en/bauer-projectreference/Hinze-Dam-stage-3-upgrade/|title=Hinze Dam – stage 3 upgrade|publisher=Bauer|accessdate=5 January 2020}}
  • Redevelopment of Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, completed in 2011{{cite web|url=https://acaa.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/RNSH-Redevelopment-New-South-Wales.pdf|title=Royal North Shore Hospital Redevelopment|publisher=Austrian Construction Achievement Awards|accessdate=5 January 2020|archive-date=23 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323232840/https://acaa.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/RNSH-Redevelopment-New-South-Wales.pdf|url-status=dead}}
  • King George Central, Brisbane, completed in 2012{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/cbd-building-gets-heart-foundation-tick-20091130-k0tl.html|title=CBD building gets Heart Foundation tick|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 November 2009|accessdate=3 January 2020}}
  • Windsor to Kedron section of the Northern Busway, Brisbane, completed in 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.ancr.com.au/airport_link_and_northern_busway.pdf|title=Airport link and Northern Busway|publisher=ANCR|accessdate=3 January 2020}}
  • Airport Link, Brisbane, completed in 2012[http://www.citynorthinfrastructure.com.au/airport-link.php CityNorth Infrastructure, Delivering the Projects] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402092756/http://www.citynorthinfrastructure.com.au/airport-link.php |date=2 April 2012 }}. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  • Victorian Desalination Plant, Wonthaggi, completed in 2012{{cite web| work = ABC News| date = 30 July 2009| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/30/2641003.htm?site=news| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101030052631/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/30/2641003.htm?site=news| url-status = dead| archive-date = 30 October 2010| title = Desal consortium selected|accessdate=3 January 2020}}
  • Hunter Expressway, New South Wales, completed in 2014{{cite web|url=http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2009/november/aa492_2009.htm|title=Hunter Expressway Moving Forward|work=Minister.infrastructure.gov.au|date=17 November 2009|accessdate=30 August 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127095527/http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2009/november/aa492_2009.htm|archivedate=27 November 2009}}
  • Footscray to Deer Park, Regional Rail Link, Melbourne, completed in 2015[https://web.archive.org/web/20121019055225/http://www.regionalraillink.vic.gov.au/construction/footscray-deer-park Footscray - Deer Park] Regional Rail Link, Retrieved 4 January 2020}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183896820702061 Thiess Pty Ltd digital story and oral histories], State Library of Queensland

{{Mining companies of Australia|state=collapsed}}

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Category:1950s initial public offerings

Category:Australian companies established in 1933

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Category:1980 mergers and acquisitions