All Star Access Hire – Background and role at the company
In 2015, brothers Paul and Tim founded All Star Access Hire, leveraging their 30 years of industry experience. They built a skilled team of mechanics, drivers, and customer service representatives. Today, the company combines industry veterans and enthusiastic newcomers, all dedicated to top-notch customer service. Proudly family-owned and operated, All Star Access Hire supports the local community.
Sarah Cook has been at All Star for almost 8 years and has witnessed its significant development: “It’s been quite the journey. When I started, we had 250 machines and we’re knocking on 900 now. We had some exponential growth in that period.” She is the Sales Manager at All-Star, heading a team of five salespeople.
All Star Access Hire and Haulotte have a strong relationship, as Tim, one of All Star’s director worked at Haulotte and have remained friends over time. “Haulotte is now one of All Star’s primary suppliers” specified Sarah Cook.
Challenges and opportunities for women in the construction industry
Women in the construction industry face a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Despite being a predominantly male-dominated field, this sector is becoming increasingly more progressive and inclusive. Sarah Cook has been in this industry for more almost 15 years and is a great witness to the transformation that construction companies have been through.
Women working in construction often find themselves needing to prove their competence more than their male counterparts. However, these challenges also present opportunities for women to demonstrate their expertise and resilience. Sarah Cook has faced such challenges, as she recounts “I get asked questions that my colleagues don’t get asked just because I’m a woman. They don’t trust me when I say you need this machine, they want to speak to a male colleague to reconfirm that what I’m saying is fact.”
Some challenges, not exclusively related to being a woman in a male-dominated industry include balancing client expectations with logistical realities and require strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. As Sarah Cook explains “Everybody wants their machine at seven o ‘clock in the morning, however, not everyone can have their machine at seven o ‘clock in the morning when you’ve got 50 deliveries, 70 deliveries, there’s only so many trucks. I think managing their requirements is important when clients all have different needs and demands.”
She notes that similar challenges exist internally at All Star: “Managing internal expectations is important. We need to keep teams motivated because our work can be repetitive. Finding new challenges and keeping people excited about what we do is key.”
Addressing and overcoming preconceived notions about women’s roles in the industry is essential for creating a more equitable environment. With supportive management and a commitment to challenging stereotypes, women can thrive and make significant contributions to the construction industry: “Sometimes I’ve had to come forward and say that I feel like I’ve been overlooked under the assumption of balancing family life and work. It’s definitely gotten better, although it’s difficult to have those conversations and bring it to the forefront but it’s worth it, and things get better”, says Sarah Cook, bringing a great example of asserting her leadership position.
Perspectives on the Australian market
Looking at the bigger picture, Sarah shares insights about the Australian market: “It’s very buoyant. With a large and growing population, there is a continuous need for building and infrastructure. It’s a government priority to invest in construction.”
Competition is also fierce in this market. Teamwork and solidarity are crucial within All Star Access Hire. Sarah also highlights a sense of camaraderie within the industry : “Everybody knows everybody. When we’re at work, we’re all going to work to fight for our own teams. But then when we see each other outside of work, it’s a real camaraderie around our industry that it’s really attractive. It’s why I will never leave.”
Regarding current trends, there is a significant move towards more electric machines. “The environment is a hot topic, especially in construction. We’re seeing an increasing demand for all-terrain electric equipment, and diversifying in this area will pay off in the long run.”
A great example is the HA20 LE PRO from Haulotte, as Sarah Cook explains “When we first got the HA20 LE PRO, it was a hard sell because people in Australia don’t like change. Now people only want that machine! You have to convince them on the changes and opportunities, and once they try these electric machines, they loved them.”
Reflecting on her successful career, Sarah offers advice to women considering a career in construction: “Don’t be afraid to do it. It can be daunting, but the rewards come. You must work hard, but the industry is very open. I recommend it to anyone. I love it!”
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