Welcome.

Finding the right design and construction management company to handle your project can be pretty confusing. Whether it’s an office fitout, refurbishment or branded environment – should you go for cost over quality? Talent over knowledge? Speed over smart thinking?

Maybe you don’t need to compromise: with a powerful, ever-increasing breadth and depth of experience, Valmont has built a strong reputation for its work and integrated approach. By combining solid design and construction management capabilities, a commercially-proven project development process and unique application of a 360^o service, we deliver excellence, whatever the requirements. A host of industry awards, as well as ongoing client satisfaction affirms that we ensure the perfect blend of creativity and pragmatism.

Working with us.

Arriving at the best solution for your project is a co-creative process. It’s about hearing your needs, sharing ideas and most importantly – ensuring the end result is uniquely yours.

Originality, functionality and relevance all form the core aim of each project. We have yet to create two of the same solution, which comes from treating each of our clients as individuals with very different requirements. And how can you stay secure in the knowledge you’ll be kept informed throughout the entire process? Firstly, Valmont has its own unique structure which involves the project director, designer and project manager working as an integrated team. This approach means that while varied, multiple talents are bringing your project to life, you’ll have a single point of contact – available to take your calls anytime – at your fingertips. Secondly, our reputation as a company providing seamless customer service is second to none. Continuous client endorsement, as well as our depth of experience stand testament to the fact that we work hard to maintain credibility for your benefit.

Our history.

Valmont began life in 2004 as a construction company, founded by its two directors, Sergio Pires and Marcel Zalloua.

Originally focusing on retail fitouts and small commercial tenant construction, a design arm of the firm was added in 2006, spearheaded by Jacqui Esdaile. Since then, Valmont has grown to a national company of over forty, with a construction team consisting of contract administrators, project managers and site foreman, and a design team of both designers and documenters. An estimating team was also established in 2008 to complement the construction service. In 2011, Valmont established a minor works division to offer clients ongoing maintenance and upgrades. To this day, both directors have a very hands-on approach to each project Valmont undertakes. Marcel oversees the construction team at every stage and Sergio is involved in the initial concept development and cost estimation of projects.

Accreditation.

At Valmont, quality control and assurance are part of everyone’s job description. We are proudly certified to ISO 14001, 9001, 4801. Being active members in the design and construction industries, we support many different associations as you will see below.

Meet the management team.

Driven from the outset by Sergio and Marcel, Valmont has grown into the multi-faceted, dynamic company it is today, thanks to the skills and personalities of a much broader bunch of talented professionals.

Sergio Pires Director

Culture Construction

Like co-director Marcel, Sergio Pires’ Bachelor of Building majoring in Project Management gave this young ambitious student enough of a taster to get stuck in as quickly as possible. “I don’t waste time” he freely admits, going on to add that starting the business from scratch has still by far been the most exciting and rewarding decision of his professional career. Continuing to work in a very hands-on role with every project, Sergio refuses to disappear behind the director’s door. This is simply because he enjoys the challenge and happily acknowledges he’s good at what he does. Remaining involved at the initial concept development and cost estimation of each project ensures everything is completed as smoothly as possible. This also offers Sergio the ongoing opportunity to maintain and foster a healthy office culture, conducive to constructive and fulfilling teamwork. “I know when it’s time to have a laugh and when it’s time to be serious” the director and part-time 1964 Vespa addict explains.

Marcel Zalloua Director

Carpe Diem

The young Marcel Zalloua couldn’t move quickly enough. No sooner had he gained a Bachelor of Building majoring in Construction Management, that he’d taken over the mezzanine floor of his father’s fruit factory in Sydney’s inner west. Valmont was officially born. It was 2004 and Marcel had yet to turn 23. Perhaps this entrepreneurial spirit could be attributed to a childhood environment that supported such creative, brave ventures. Marcel, however, simply explains that he has always enjoyed a challenge and loves nothing more than working under pressure to adapt to anything that comes his way. “There is a solution to every problem no matter how big or small”, he adds, shedding light on the philosophy that has driven the company forward at an ever-increasing pace. It’s also worth noting that hot on the heels of Marcel’s dedication to the business is both his passion for family weekends and enthusiasm for car-racing.

Brenton Phillips Director

Commerce, creativity and cooked brekkies

From Adelaide to Sydney and now to Perth, it’s fair to say Brenton has clocked up
extensive knowledge of the commercial landscape – and several thousand kilometres. On completion of his BA in Business, opportunities to apply it presented themselves immediately: from shopping centre administration and supervising international funds to asset management and portfolio valuation, this diverse range of challenges quickly built Brenton’s professional status. He led the Hawaiian portfolio, (comprising of over $500m in assets) and successfully reduced the vacancy rate at the newly-refurbished 50 Pitt St in Sydney – at the height of the GFC. Brenton merely credits this to some lateral thinking: “I’m an ideas man – people might laugh at the first 9, but the 10th is always a winner!” But there’s more to the story than just success in commercial management: “There’s a distinct creative streak in me”, he admits, adding, “in fact, not many people know I play the electric guitar!”. Add to that a passion for cooking up a good-old weekend brekkie, and we think Brenton may well be entertaining the Valmont team very soon…

Jacqui Esdaile Creative Director

Energetic inspiration

Winning over 300 projects in five years has been no mean feat for the design team
and their passionate leader, Sydney born-and-bred Jacqui Esdaile. “I love to problem solve” she enthuses, when asked about her personal contribution to such an impressive achievement. “I’m practical and a good listener”. Jacqui’s vision to work with a small team of like-minded professionals came to fruition in 2006 when she was invited to join Valmont as head of design. Having trained at UTS with a Bachelor of Design in interior design, followed by seven years’ experience in the design and construction industry, Jacqui was the perfect fit for Valmont’s fast-growing business. A natural people-person, she brings the energy required to generate fresh, original ideas tailored to each brief, as well as being creatively fluent in a multitude of visual and structural styes. It’s a bit of a mystery to us, but we’re currently speculating if such motivation and inspiration has something to do with her addiction to Bikram Yoga…

Nikki Tharaldsen Financial Controller

The left-brained team leader

Having started with Valmont in 2006, one of Nikki’s greatest achievements so far has been the successful establishment of Valmont’s finance team, which she now manages with focus and commitment. So what has driven this team leader – with over seven years’ experience in the construction industry – to make such a positive difference to the company? With a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide, Nikki had always dreamed of working as part of a close-knit team who share her own values of openness and loyalty, as well as a good old-fashioned hard work ethic. It’s no wonder Nikki’s colleagues have credited her with a “fun and positive attitude” which creates a “good vibe” in the office. Her humour and warm personality are infectious. The finance team have full confidence in their leader, who they refer to as “articulate, efficient and very good at what she does”. One thing they may not be so aware of, however, is that she’s a huge AFL fan and firm supporter of Port Adelaide!