The AUSPAN History
Our journey
Explore the AUSPAN timeline from the family farm through to our growing team and innovative facilities today.
The Original Family Farm
Ben Richardson left school to join his father John on the grain, sheep, and – believe it or not – red deer family farming enterprise. They farmed around 5,000 acres just south of Gnowangerup and from a very young age Ben and his three brothers Steve, Caleb and Lloyd thoroughly enjoyed helping their dad wherever they could. They still have the original family farm, which has been in the family since 1910. Their great, great grandad settled on this land and started the huge task of clearing and setting up the farm to support his growing family. The family now sharecrop the farm, and when they aren’t at AUSPAN, you will often find them out there enjoying family time together.
The first steel workshop
Steve Richardson left school and joined Ben and John in the family farming operation. With this came the need to find some additional work to keep them all busy, so they set up a corner of the farm shed as their first steel fabrication workshop and started doing some sub-contract steel fabrication for businesses in the local area.
AUSPEX
A property was purchased in Gnowangerup and with the help of some family friends, the AUSPAN journey began. Although back then the business was known as AUSPEX STEEL.
A big milestone
The 100th project is completed.
A small and mighty team
Employee count is now at eleven including Ben and Steve’s brother Caleb, and cousins Gavin and Mike.
The age of AUSPAN
This was the year that AUSPEX STEEL became AUSPAN, and the employee count stood at 14, plus an ever-growing team of sub-contractors.
A proud accomplishment
The 500th project is completed.
Major growth
Lloyd, the youngest of the Richardson brothers, joins the business. The new industrial arm of the business was launched and saw the company expand its offering into the design and construction of factories, warehouses, bulk storage facilities, heavy vehicle workshops and the mining sector. AUSPAN's second office opens in Maddington and is moved to Canning Vale by the end of the year. The company's third office also launches this year in Albany.
We hit 1000!
Our 1,000th project is completed.
Toodyay office opens.
Geraldton office opens.
Gnowangerup HQ
Our 1,500th project is completed. Plus, the new Gnowangerup production facilities and HQ is completed.
Innovative technologies
Installation of the new Voortman beam line steel processing machine.
90 team members!
The opening of an additional office location in Canning Vale to accommodate the increased number of team members.
What I enjoyed most about working with AUSPAN was the responsiveness, [and] the depth of knowledge of the staff. They’re a very good team to work with and so the overall experience was fantastic as a result.
“The dealings we have had with AUSPAN have been really good. I wouldn’t hesitate on calling them again to put up another shed for us in the future.”
“The whole process was seamless. I definitely would recommend AUSPAN; they are serious shed builders I think they have done a fantastic job!”
“Really enjoyed working with AUSPAN and would definitely recommend AUSPAN. They are a well-designed, strong, durable shed and just a great company and great people to work with.”
“It was a very simple process to say this is the size and dimensions and then the guys at AUSPAN put that into motion and had it designed and built for us in no time. Made the decision to build a hay shed and had it standing within 8 weeks.”
“Some of what AUSPAN add to their sheds are other peoples optional extras which end up costing the same amount anyway.”
“Very happy with how everything went. We were kept informed on how all was being done as project went along. All options were put forward to work out what was the best shed for us. Was very happy with how quick and detailed quoting was done. Wasn’t left wondering about anything. The shed has paid for itself in 2 years!”
“Overall experience I would rate as very good, they were very adaptable to challenges we had at the time. They were very easy to work with. The shed is very good, it has no structural issues and it has made our storing of machines very easy.”
“What they said they were gonna do they followed through on it there were no if’s or buts. What they said they stuck to and that’s the way I like business to be done. We signed the contract one day a fortnight later the shed was here and 3 days later it was built.”
“I totally recommend AUSPAN to anybody that is contemplating building a shed. I find that their strength, structure and quality of materials and workmanship is totally flawless.”
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