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Fulton Hogan
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 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (June 2015) |
Fulton Hogan is a large infrastructure construction, roadworks and aggregate supplier company in New Zealand, which is also active in wider Australasia.
Key Information
The company was founded by Julius Fulton and Robert Hogan in Dunedin in 1933.[3] In 2013 the company reported an annual operating profit of NZ$96.5 million, from revenue of $3.22 billion,[2] and employed over 5,500 people.[1] This is up from 3,400 staff and a net profit of over $55 million on revenue of $891 million in 2005.[4]
History
[edit]After the motor vehicle gained increasing prominence in the 1920s, political and popular pressure grew to create a system of New Zealand state highways. The newly formed Fulton Hogan would be one of the companies growing from and building this system in the following decades, at first mainly in the South Island.
It was created by Julius Fulton, an assistant surveyor, and Robert Hogan, a mechanic, who had both been employees of the Neuchatel Asphalte Company in East Taieri in the late 1920s. After losing their jobs, they formed their own company during the Depression; with Hogan organising machinery, often bought or loaned from the Public Works Department, and Fulton overseeing the works.
While World War II slowed their expansion, the years after the war found large growth in roadworks and also in the building of the Comalco Aluminium Smelter and Roxburgh Hydro plant. These days, the company's operations stretch through all of New Zealand and much of Australasia, covering such tasks as residential driveways to dams and airport runways.[5]
In popular culture
[edit]Fulton Hogan's logo was seen in all 5 series of the BBC Comedy Keeping Up Appearances. The character "Onslow" is always seen wearing a cap with the "FH" logo on. According to Geoffrey Hughes, the actor who played Onslow, he was given the cap by a Fulton Hogan truck driver while on a promotional trip in New Zealand for a previous project.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Corporate Profile" (PDF). Fulton Hogan. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2008.
- ^ a b c "News & media - Fulton Hogan". Fulton Hogan. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
- ^ Steeman, Marta (30 September 2011). "Australia smiles on Fulton Hogan". BusinessDay.Co.NZ. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- ^ Fulton Hogan buys Taranaki roading firm - New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 6 June 2006
- ^ Development of New Zealand Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine (PDF) (from Business NZ, an industry advocacy group, with excerpts from The Fulton Hogan Story - Tyrell, A.R. 1992)
- ^ "Keeping Up Appearances". TV Tropes. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fulton Hogan.
Fulton Hogan
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Founding and Early Years
Establishment in 1933
Fulton Hogan was founded in 1933 in Dunedin, New Zealand, by Julius Fulton, an assistant surveyor, and Robert Hogan, a mechanic, during the height of the Great Depression. Both men had previously worked for the Neuchatel Asphalte Company near East Taieri, where they were involved in asphalt laying, but were laid off amid widespread economic hardship that left many without employment. Recognizing an opportunity to leverage their complementary skills—Fulton's expertise in surveying for precise road planning and Hogan's mechanical knowledge for equipment operation—they formed a partnership with minimal capital and basic tools, including a £5 Boothmac sprayer and a bitumen kettle towed by Hogan's Willys-Knight car.[3][4] The duo's initial business centered on asphalt production and road contracting, focusing on essential repairs to support New Zealand's developing infrastructure despite the era's financial constraints. They began operations in the Fairfield area near Dunedin, securing their first contract for road maintenance between Saddle Hill and Fairfield, which involved fixing cracks and potholes on local routes. This early work highlighted their resourcefulness, as they operated without dedicated facilities, relying on portable equipment to deliver bituminous surfacing amid limited job opportunities. By combining their technical backgrounds, Fulton and Hogan positioned the fledgling firm to contribute to regional road improvements, laying the groundwork for future expansion.[2][4] A key early milestone came with the formal registration of Fulton Hogan Limited on December 30, 1935, with an initial capital of £10,000, enabling them to pursue larger-scale projects. Although formal asphalt plants would come later, the partners quickly established a reputation for quality asphalt-related roadwork, securing subsequent local contracts that supported highway development in Otago. This phase underscored the company's origins as a resilient, hands-on operation born from economic adversity, with the founders' partnership proving instrumental in navigating the challenges of the 1930s.[2][5]Initial Operations and Challenges
Fulton Hogan's initial operations in the 1930s were shaped by the Great Depression, which severely impacted New Zealand's economy through high unemployment—reaching around 30% by 1933—and reduced public spending, yet it also spurred government-funded relief works to build infrastructure like streets and roads using unemployed labor.[6][7] This context created niche opportunities for small contractors like Fulton Hogan, founded in Dunedin in 1933 by Julius Fulton and Robert Hogan, to secure modest contracts amid the downturn, as municipalities and the government prioritized cost-effective road maintenance to stimulate employment.[2][8] The company faced significant challenges, including limited capital—starting with basic equipment like a £5 Boothmac sprayer and a bitumen kettle towed by a personal car—and intense competition from larger, established firms vying for scarce government tenders.[2][5] Labor was abundant due to widespread unemployment but often unskilled, leading to reliance on low-wage local workers under harsh conditions, while the founders navigated cautious bidding strategies, submitting tenders only with mutual agreement to avoid overextension.[9][5] A specific example was their early persistence in securing small public works contracts, such as a road repair job to Mosgiel, which helped build credibility despite the economic constraints.[2] To address these hurdles, Fulton Hogan developed basic asphalt mixing techniques adapted to New Zealand's local materials, pioneering simple road surfacing methods with rudimentary tools that improved durability for rural and urban paths.[5][9] For survival, the firm diversified into minor road repairs and aggregate supply from quarrying operations, maintaining cash flow through small-scale projects and reinvesting profits; by 1935, it was formally registered with £10,000 in capital, sustaining operations until 1940.[2][5]Expansion and Development
Post-World War II Growth
Following World War II, Fulton Hogan experienced significant acceleration in its operations, aligning with New Zealand's broader reconstruction efforts and infrastructure boom from the late 1940s through the 1970s. The New Zealand government invested heavily in public works to support economic recovery and population growth, averaging 7.3% of GDP on infrastructure during this period, with particular emphasis on transport and energy sectors.[10] This national push enabled the company to secure contracts for road construction and maintenance, capitalizing on its early expertise in asphalt production to contribute to the country's expanding network of state highways.[11] Key projects during this era included the sealing of the 59 km Mossburn to Te Anau highway in the 1950s, a critical link in Southland's transport infrastructure.[2][11] These contracts underscored the company's role in supporting government-led initiatives in roads and energy, which were essential for post-war electrification and connectivity.[10] Technological advancements further propelled Fulton Hogan's growth, including the adoption of mechanized equipment and enhanced asphalt formulations for greater road durability. In the 1950s, the company launched Fairfield Asphalt, its first dedicated production facility, and merged with Maxwell Bros to incorporate additional trucking resources.[2] By the 1960s, it acquired the Via Nova asphalt plant from Denmark, introducing advanced mixing technology that improved efficiency and output quality.[2] Milestones included establishing multiple plants across the South Island, such as the Walton Park sand plant and a 50% stake in Tasman Asphalt in Nelson during the 1970s, solidifying its regional presence.[2][11]Entry into Australia and Pacific
Fulton Hogan's expansion beyond New Zealand commenced in 1981 with the formation of Rowe Asphalt in Brisbane, establishing the company's initial foothold in the Australian market through a majority share acquisition that allowed it to commence asphalt production and road surfacing operations in Queensland.[2] This move capitalized on the company's expertise in asphalt technology, initially focusing on supplying materials and services to local infrastructure projects while navigating Australia's regulatory environment for foreign entities. By the late 1980s and into the 1990s, Fulton Hogan grew its Queensland presence organically, securing contracts for road maintenance and construction, which provided a stable base for broader national expansion.[12] Strategic growth in Australia accelerated in the early 2000s through targeted acquisitions of local firms, enabling compliance with state-specific procurement rules and integration of regional expertise. In 2000, the company acquired Standard Roads Civil Engineering and Astec Australia, significantly boosting its capabilities in road construction and quarrying across multiple states, including further development in Queensland.[13] Expansion into Victoria followed in 2009 with a 50% stake in Pioneer Road Services, based in Melbourne, which added over 1,000 staff and enhanced pavement services in southeastern Australia.[14] These acquisitions, combined with joint ventures like the 2010 partnership with John Holland for major projects, allowed Fulton Hogan to scale operations while adapting to Australia's decentralized market structure and foreign investment guidelines.[15] In parallel, Fulton Hogan entered the Pacific Islands market in 1983 with its first project, the asphalt overlay of Nadi International Airport in Fiji, marking an early foray into regional infrastructure supported by New Zealand's post-war domestic growth in roading expertise.[2] By the 2000s, the company had secured additional contracts for road upgrades across Pacific nations, including ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation works in Fiji that encompassed significant portions of the island's road network, contributing to improved connectivity in remote areas.[16][17] To succeed in these diverse markets, Fulton Hogan adapted its core services to local conditions, particularly in Australia where it aligned asphalt formulations and construction practices with national standards such as those from Austroads, ensuring mixes that perform under varying environmental demands including higher temperatures in northern regions.[18] This included modifications to aggregate blends and binder types for enhanced rutting resistance and longevity in subtropical climates, drawing on the company's research and development to meet stringent durability requirements without compromising on sustainability goals.[19]Business Operations
Core Services and Products
Fulton Hogan specializes in infrastructure engineering and construction, with core services encompassing road and pavement construction, asphalt production, precast concrete manufacturing, and asset management. The company designs and delivers durable pavements for roads, airports, ports, and driveways, leveraging over 85 years of expertise to ensure high-quality outcomes using advanced equipment and mobile teams.[20] Asphalt production forms a cornerstone of operations, supplied from a network of manufacturing plants across Australasia, focusing on sustainable processes to meet industry standards.[21] Precast concrete manufacturing includes prestressed and precast elements tailored for infrastructure applications, emphasizing precision and reliability in production. Key products include various asphalt types such as hot mix and warm mix variants, which are engineered for performance in diverse conditions, alongside aggregates sourced from 45 quarries to support construction needs.[21] Binders like emulsions and poly-modified options complement these, providing versatile solutions for pavement sealing and surfacing. Concrete products extend to ready-mix and specialized precast items for bridges, utilities, and transport infrastructure, prioritizing durability and environmental considerations. In specialized areas, Fulton Hogan provides services for water infrastructure, including water and wastewater solutions through experienced partnerships, as well as transport projects covering roads, bridges, airports, ports, and rail.[22] Project management consulting supports these efforts with site-specific oversight and turnkey delivery, ensuring efficient execution.[22] Asset management optimizes road networks via innovative systems, smart analysis, and modeling to extend infrastructure life and enhance maintenance efficiency.[23] The company innovates through proprietary pavement designs, developed in over 30 laboratories, which enhance durability for high-traffic environments like ports and airports, incorporating advanced materials and techniques to improve construction quality.[24] These innovations, such as specialized microsurfacing and polymer-modified binders, address pavement defects and promote longevity without compromising sustainability.[20]Geographic Reach and Facilities
Fulton Hogan maintains its global headquarters in Christchurch, New Zealand, at 15 Sir William Pickering Drive in the suburb of Harewood.[25] The company's primary operational footprint is centered in New Zealand, where it operates multiple facilities including asphalt plants, quarries, and concrete batching sites to support infrastructure projects nationwide. Key asphalt production sites include the Ravensbourne plant in Dunedin at 1 Ravensbourne Road, facilities in the Auckland region such as the Silverdale plant in North Auckland and the recently commissioned Marini 2500 plant in Drury, as well as plants in Christchurch and the Waikato region.[26][27][28] Fulton Hogan operates 15 asphalt production plants across New Zealand (plus part-ownership in others), with recent expansions including the commissioning of Marini 2500 batch plants in 2024 and 2025 to enhance capacity and reduce emissions.[29][30][31] The company also manages several quarries in New Zealand, such as the Roydon quarry 15 km west of Christchurch, Willowbank Quarry, and Challies Island Quarry, contributing to a total of 45 quarries across New Zealand and Australia for aggregate supply.[32][21] Regional depots support logistics and operations throughout the country, facilitating distribution of materials like concrete from batching sites integrated into construction workflows.[21] In Australia, Fulton Hogan has established a significant presence with offices and facilities spanning multiple states to deliver infrastructure services. Operations include locations in Queensland such as Brisbane, Western Australia including Perth and Albany, New South Wales like Alexandria, and Victoria with headquarters in Richmond at Building 7, Level 1, 572 Swan Street in the Botanicca Corporate Park.[33][34] These sites house administrative functions, construction yards, and production facilities akin to those in New Zealand, including asphalt plants and quarries that form part of the company's 45 aggregate quarries across both countries.[21] The Australian workforce supports extensive project delivery, with the overall company employing over 9,000 people globally as of 2025, a substantial portion dedicated to Australian operations.[1][35] Fulton Hogan extends its reach into the Pacific region through project-based operations, primarily in Fiji and Samoa, where it deploys temporary facilities for infrastructure works. In Fiji, the company has maintained a permanent operation for over a decade, undertaking road and airport projects on islands including Viti Levu and Ovalau since the 1980s, with temporary setups like camps and equipment yards for resurfacing and community connectivity initiatives.[17][36] In Samoa, Fulton Hogan has executed contracts such as aviation-related works documented in 2014, utilizing mobile or temporary facilities to support civil engineering tasks without fixed permanent infrastructure.[37] These Pacific extensions complement the company's core services in roading and aggregates, relying on adaptable setups to address regional project needs across other islands as required.[38]Leadership and Governance
Founders and Key Executives
Fulton Hogan was founded in 1933 by Julius "Jules" Fulton, an assistant surveyor with expertise in land assessment and planning, and Robert "Bob" Hogan, a skilled mechanic experienced in equipment maintenance and construction operations. Their complementary backgrounds enabled Fulton to provide strategic vision for infrastructure projects while Hogan ensured practical execution through technical proficiency, allowing the duo to secure initial contracts in roading during the Great Depression.[2][9][5] Fulton passed away in 1973, and Hogan in 1992, after which family members played key roles in the company's continuity. Descendants such as Jim Fulton, son of Jules, contributed to operations, while later generations including Bob Fulton, Jules's grandson, and Hamish Johnstone, Bob Hogan's great-grandson, joined the board and executive team, blending familial legacy with professional oversight. This involvement facilitated a transition to broader professional management, supporting the firm's expansion while preserving its foundational values.[9][39][4] Today, Fulton Hogan's leadership emphasizes strategic growth and operational excellence under Group Chief Executive Officer Graeme Johnson, who assumed the role in 2025 after serving as CEO Australia from 2022 and CEO New Zealand previously; his tenure has focused on integrating Australian and New Zealand operations for enhanced project delivery across infrastructure sectors. Chairman Dean Hamilton, appointed in 2020, brings over a decade of CEO experience from organizations like Silver Fern Farms, guiding board decisions on sustainability and market expansion. Family directors Bob Fulton, with more than 30 years in engineering and construction since joining the board in 2008, and Hamish Johnstone, appointed in 2014 as General Manager Investments, contribute to strategic investments and joint ventures, ensuring alignment with the company's long-term vision.[39][40][41] In recognition of their pioneering contributions to New Zealand's infrastructure sector, Jules Fulton and Bob Hogan were posthumously inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2014, honoring the enduring impact of their partnership on civil engineering and community development.[9][42][43]Ownership Structure
Fulton Hogan operates as an unlisted public company, with ownership shared among members of the founding Fulton and Hogan families—along with their descendants—and current and former employees through a staff share scheme initiated in 1972.[2][44] This structure fosters a sense of collective stewardship, with over a quarter of the company's over 9,000 employees holding shares, promoting alignment between workforce interests and long-term business objectives.[2][1] The governance model emphasizes balanced oversight through a board of nine directors, comprising five independent members—including Chairman Dean Hamilton, appointed in 2020—and four directors with ties to the founding families, such as Bob Fulton (grandson of co-founder Jules Fulton) and Hamish Johnstone (great-grandson of co-founder Robert Hogan).[39] Family representatives, including those from cornerstone shareholder groups, provide continuity and influence strategic direction, while independent directors ensure objectivity and external expertise in areas like finance and operations.[39][45] Decision-making integrates employee participation via the longstanding share scheme, which allows selected staff to acquire shares and receive dividends, reinforcing commitment to shared success.[46] Ethical guidelines stem directly from the founders' principles of integrity and community focus, codified in the company's REAL values—Respect, Energy & Effort, Attitude, and Leadership—which guide daily operations and corporate culture.[47][9] Key policies include robust succession planning to maintain leadership continuity amid family involvement and employee growth, alongside comprehensive risk management frameworks addressing operational, financial, and environmental challenges across its Australasian operations.[48] These elements underpin the company's unlisted status, prioritizing sustainable governance over public market pressures.[2]Financial and Organizational Overview
Revenue and Profit Trends
Fulton Hogan, established informally in 1933 and formally in 1935 as a small contracting business in New Zealand, experienced gradual revenue growth in its early decades, primarily through local road construction and quarrying operations. By the post-World War II period, the company had expanded its scale, but detailed financial figures from the 1930s and 1940s remain limited due to its private status and smaller operations. Significant acceleration occurred in the late 20th century with diversification into aggregates and asphalt production, leading to revenue reaching NZ$3.22 billion and after-tax profit of NZ$96.5 million in the financial year ended June 2013, marking a recovery from the NZ$7.9 million profit in 2012 amid Australian market challenges.[49][50] Post-2013, revenue trends reflected robust expansion, particularly into Australia and the Pacific, where infrastructure investments drove double-digit growth. By 2023, annual revenue had climbed to NZ$6.67 billion, increasing to approximately NZ$7 billion in 2024 before a slight dip to NZ$6.8 billion in 2025, influenced by economic cycles and project timing. Profits followed a similar upward trajectory, with after-tax net profit rising to NZ$348.6 million in 2024—a 36% decline from the prior year due to one-off costs—and recovering to NZ$357.8 million in 2025, supported by operational efficiencies. Pre-tax profit also advanced to NZ$502.9 million in 2025 from NZ$497.2 million in 2024. These gains were bolstered by a forward order book exceeding NZ$10 billion in recent years, underscoring sustained demand.[51][52][53] Revenue is primarily derived from construction services, accounting for the majority through roadworks, civil engineering, and infrastructure projects, while materials supply—including aggregates, asphalt, and concrete—contributes a substantial portion via integrated quarrying and production facilities. This dual-stream model has provided resilience against economic fluctuations, as seen in the 2012 downturn when Australian construction losses offset New Zealand gains, reducing overall revenue to around NZ$2.7 billion. Broader cycles, such as post-GFC recovery and COVID-19 disruptions, have similarly impacted margins, with profits rebounding via government-funded infrastructure booms.[50] Looking ahead, Fulton Hogan targets sustainable growth of 5-7% annually, aligned with rising infrastructure demands in Australasia, including renewable energy and urban development projects, though exposure to commodity prices and labor costs remains a key variable.[54]| Financial Year (ended June) | Revenue (NZ$ billion) | After-Tax Profit (NZ$ million) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | ~2.7 | 7.9 |
| 2013 | 3.22 | 96.5 |
| 2023 | 6.67 | 382 |
| 2024 | 7.0 | 348.6 |
| 2025 | 6.8 | 357.8 |