To simply describe Now Buildings as a shed manufacturer would be doing a disservice to the reputation it has built in rural communities over nearly two decades
To say Australia’s farmers have different needs to their inner-city counterparts might seem like an obvious statement, but it can lead to problems if it is not fully understood.
Success in agriculture relies on dealing with companies who understand the unique requirements and that what works in suburbia is often grossly inadequate for Australia’s harsh rural environments.
One manufacturer who has established its entire business around this premise is Now Buildings, which prides itself on designing and building high-quality sheds specifically designed for rural Australia.
Not only are these sheds strong enough to easily withstand the harsh conditions faced in the country’s most remote areas, but Now Buildings also knows that a ‘one size fits all’ approach simply does not work for large-scale farmers.
“We build some of those sheds in the most remote parts of the country and the biggest difference with us is there’s no compromise on quality,” Now Buildings director Trevor Walker says.
“One of the things our customers talk about so much is the quality of the building and the fact that we’re an Australian company – those things are really important to the customer base.”
Adapting to all
Now Buildings has a comprehensive range of sheds listed on its website, covering everything from hay sheds, drive-through sheds, open-bay farm sheds and small acreage sheds.
This speaks volumes about Now Buildings’ point of difference – the company does not try and cover every possible shed buyer in Australia but focuses entirely on the rural market and what Australian agriculture requires.
This expertise, combined with the company’s ability to meet the individual design requirements of different agricultural sectors, has made Now Buildings a trusted company for thousands of clients.
No job is too big for Now Buildings, as evidenced by a large-scale commercial project at Julia Creek in north-western Queensland last year.
Now Buildings was able to achieve an enclosed building which measured 135m long, 21m wide and 5.1m high, becoming one of the longest structures built during the company’s history.
A total of 175 rolls of insulation were used to make this project happen, along with a whopping 30 whirlybirds to keep the machinery inside well ventilated.
Having the ability to design and build sheds to such unique specifications is one of many reasons why Now Buildings has an endless list of repeat customers.
Among those repeat customers is Terra Firma, which first contacted Now Buildings in 2020.
Seeking a large shed concept, Now Buildings was able to utilise its ‘Mammoth’ system to meet the requirements of that project.
“While this shed system does mean having posts in the middle, the project didn’t necessarily call for a clear-span option, so the cost savings were hugely beneficial,” Walker says.
Another shed is currently being constructed for Terra Firma, and once this project is completed there will be more than 10,000sqm of Now Buildings sheds on the one property.
Chalmers Vineyards is another major and ongoing fan of Now Buildings’ work. After making its first purchase in 2019, Chalmers Vineyards has continued its growth and has bought six sheds during the past six years.
These sheds are spread out from to northern Queensland to Heathcote in central Victoria, along with another in Merbein which is near Mildura and the Victoria-South Australia-New South Wales border.
Chalmers Vineyards’ purchases provide just one example of the national footprint which Now Buildings has with its products, and why customers in every state are finding them ideal for their needs.
Ever lasting
Across the nation, Now Buildings has thousands of happy customers who have dealt with the company since its inception 17 years ago.
The company’s website is filled with testimonial reviews from farmers who have purchased sheds in every part of Australia.
It is the quality design and engineering, plus the care in customer service, which these positive experiences can be put down to.
Walker founded the business after selling half of a large shed company, which the decision to start Now Buildings stemming from “wanting to do things better” and “where the customers were put first”.
This is something he says Now Buildings does not take lightly, having used its time in business to establish long-term supplier relationships, along with a large network of builders around Australia who can help the customer.
This has all been done with the goal of providing the best quality product and customer service experience possible, while also keeping costs down for the end user without compromising on quality. “There were a lot of product improvements I’ve worked with over time, based on ways I’d like to do things,” Walker says.
“They weren’t necessarily the most economical way to do things but it was just going to provide a superior product that was going to withstand and have the ease of construction.
“It meant we had to get our supply chain right to build better.
“Now Buildings is in its 17th year and we’ve been with BlueScope steel that whole time. As far as bracketry and key components, we’ve been with Allplates that entire time.
“We have these relationships where they’ll go above and beyond because we support them and they’ll also put in whatever systems are needed to make sure it’s right.”
In addition to these networks, top quality materials and expert engineering combine to make sheds which customers can be confident will last.
All Now Buildings sheds use high tensile bolts and Class 4 fasteners, with gutters and downpipes included.
Site-specific engineering from an independent structural engineer is provided, along with heavy duty connection and footing design plus high-grade industrial strength materials being used throughout the process.
Grade 4 screws are also used throughout, which do not rust or degrade even when close to salt or oceans.
“It’s the same with the high tensile galvanised bolts – your whole building is held together by these components and if those components aren’t any good, your whole building is useless,” Walker says.
“We are proud of the product and we won’t compromise.
“We’re happy to satisfy any questions customers have got in any scenario, but we know that if they go with us – and our team members know that if they go with us – they’re going to end up with a fantastic product that they’re proud of and they’ll be raving about.”
Now Buildings’ products can be viewed online at https://shed.sale/FFM or calling on 1300 491 839.
