Feature
Issue No. 34 - April/May 2007
Sure guide to an impressive flow rate
Given its sector, water engineering and contracting firm Guidera O’Connor sprang into being very quickly and made our Fast Mover list comfortably this year.
Founder and MD Tony Guidera is a business management professional with experience across a range of industries including engineering, manufacturing, water, aquaculture, food and finance.
It seems he has done the well-rounded manager’s trick of taking a stint in every job in the place, as he also has extensive experience in sales and marketing, project management and engineering.
Behind him he has a record of growing small businesses into solid and profitable organisations and it’s clear he likes to stay involved.
As well as holding down the helm of Guidera O’Connor Pty Ltd he’s Chairman of equipment financier Principal Finance Pty Ltd. He is also on the board of Pristine Oyster Farm Pty Ltd at Coffin Bay, electrical contractor Ralec Pty Ltd, and property developer GuideRed Pty Ltd.
Guidera O’Connor took shape after he bumped into an old friend.
“I had previously managed a water treatment company and in a chance meeting with Andrew O’Connor (an old school and business colleague) in late 2001 he suggested I get back into the water industry with his company,” Tony says.
They formed the new company as an equal partnership between engineering firm O’Connor and Tony.
O’Connor offered the immediate credibility of an established and well respected name, along with experienced directors and engineers in Malcolm Kinnaird AO and Andrew O’Connor, and existing staff and infrastructure.
“I provided experience and knowledge in the water industry along with the management and business development skills required to start the business,” Tony says.
“I was also the sole employee, acting as estimator, project manager, receptionist and accounts clerk.
Later, lawyer Steve Palyga joined the board, bringing ...
