Having played a major role in the infrastructure development in the Burdekin, Bowen and Whitsundays areas over the last 50 years, BQC Quarries has proven its undeniable commitment to quality decade after decade. With all three arms of the business – BQC Quarries, Burdekin Concrete and BQC Sands – celebrating milestones in 2024, Operations Manager Lawrence Fahey reflects on the last half a century with pride in the product and appreciation of loyal customers.
BQC Quarries commenced in 1974, initially operating out of the Rocks Quarry in Clare as well as a civil contracting service undertaking subdivision work and major projects on the Bruce Highway for the Department of Transport and Main Roads. In 1984, the concrete batch plant was established to diversify the business’s offerings and allow it to move away from civil work, with Burdekin Concrete celebrating 40 years in 2024. To top it all off, BQC Sands was established in late 2022 and recently celebrated one year in business.
“Since the quarry’s inception, we have always had a technical representative with a civil engineering background starting with my father, John Fahey,” Mr Fahey said. “This is unusual for family-owned independent quarries and normally something that only the Tier 1 companies could offer. Our advantage has been that we have always been able to offer that technical advice with a small business mentality that offers a collaborative and tailored service.”
Supplying roadbases, cover aggregates, scour rock, structural concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, decorative pebble, screened sand and much more, BQC Quarries prides itself on designing materials to meet bespoke requirements if and when required. Quality is of utmost importance to the business, and nothing leaves its sites unless it passes preapproved NATA endorsed testing.
“It shocks most people when I tell them the amount of third party testing we do to meet specification,” Mr Fahey said. “As a result, we have had to upgrade our sites in recent times. For example, our concrete plant has an automated batching system to ensure a consistent product and a chilled water plant to decrease concrete temperatures.
“Like any industry, it is dynamic and ever changing. You have to be thinking ahead or you will be left behind.”
Now with a team of approximately 50 across the three businesses, Mr Fahey highlighted his appreciation and importance of their staff who he emphasised have always held a high work ethic and a family-based approach to work culture and the customer experience. Giving back to the community is also important to the business because, as Mr Fahey puts it, “without the community, there is no need for a quarry or concrete plant to exist.”
BQC Operations Manager Lawrence Fahey
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