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2009
3 March 2009
Scrap metal to wedding cars
After 30 years in the Mudgee scrap metal business, Ian Cameron is moving on. The business, which was established by Ian, has been purchased by former Sydney stockbroker, Stuart Faulkner.
The sale was handled by Geoff Bartlett of O’Brien Bartlett.
But Stuart is no stranger to this type of business.
Stuart’s father, David owned national scrap metal company, Metalcorp until he floated it and sold out to Smorgons.
Now David is well and truly retired but has moved from Newcastle to Mudgee during the week to teach Stuart the ropes about what this type of business is all about.
Stuart said he wanted a change of lifestyle for his young family and also to get back to the grass roots of what the family had been involved with for many years.
“It was also good to get out of Sydney.
“I was working for a financial firm in Sydney and luckily got out just before the global financial crisis really hit home.
“I just love being able to wear shorts and boots to work and not have to get into a suit.
“It’s also far less stressful living in Mudgee,” he said.
Mr Cameron said he was happy to be retiring.
“It was only on the market for six months.
“I’m now starting a wedding car hire company,” he said.
Stuart has big plans for the company, now called ‘Country Scrap and Steel’.
“We have already been awarded a big contract at the Liddell Power Station for Xstrata. Thirteen other companies tendered for the job so it was great to see it awarded to a Mudgee firm
“This was all going on through the sale process.
“We are also working closely with the Australian Rail and Track Corporation (ARTC) to clean rail corridors for OH&S purposes.
“Mid-Western (Regional) Council has indicated it would be interested in working with us as it is keen to use local companies.
“It’s only the beginning,” he said1 .