Building Resilience: Reflections from the Connection Central Podcast

At Campbell Construction Co, we don’t just build structures, we build trust and relationships. Recently, our Managing Director, Ben Campbell, joined Michelle O’Hara on the Connection Central Podcast to reflect on our journey.

It was a candid chat about the construction industry’s challenges, our growth, and what lies ahead. If you missed it, here are the key takeaways: a story of showing up, caring for people, and staying resilient through every challenge.

From Humble Beginnings to National Reach

During the podcast, Ben shared the memory of meeting an insurance broker at a pub on New Year's Eve. Work was quiet in Northern New South Wales, and Ben simply asked for a chance. That chance came three months later in the wake of Cyclone Yasi. Ben packed up his family, moved into a caravan at Mission Beach, and got to work with just one apprentice.

The Rising Cost of Building

Over the last five years, the landscape has shifted. Post-COVID material costs have soared, and finding skilled trades has become increasingly difficult. Ben noted from a recent conference, this shortage puts pressure on labour rates and timelines. However, we see this as a challenge to be managed through smart planning and honest communication, rather than an excuse.

Caring for Our Team

We know that to care for our clients, we first have to care for our staff. Ben spoke passionately about our internal culture. We invest heavily in our team because we want them to go home happy. When our staff have a good work-life balance, they bring their best selves to work, and they treat our customers with the empathy and respect they deserve.

Adapt Modular Homes

Perhaps most exciting is our venture into modular housing. Recognising the need for faster, more affordable housing solutions, we launched our modular home division late last year. The response has been incredible, confirming that Australians are looking for quality alternatives to traditional builds. By manoeuvring the construction process in our own yards, we can deliver high-quality homes without the typical delays of on-site weather disruptions.

The Heart of It All, The Campbell Way

Throughout the podcast, one theme remained constant, people. Ben emphasised that to us, a job isn't just a claim number. At the end of every file is a mum, a dad, or a family going through a stressful time. That mindset of reliability, of turning up when we say we will and delivering on our promises, laid the foundation for everything we do today. It’s not about being the biggest; it’s about being the ones you can count on when it matters most.

Building the Next Generation

Ben also touched on the importance of mentoring young tradespeople, for every six tradespeople leaving the industry, only two are entering. We are big believers in teaching resilience and work ethic. It’s not just about learning how to swing a hammer, it’s about learning how to show up, work hard, and take pride in what you do. We are actively working with schools and communities to encourage more young people to see construction as a rewarding, viable career path.

Connection Central Podcast

We are grateful for the opportunity to speak on the Connection Central Podcast, we highly recommend watching and learning from CEO Ben Campbell.