OUR STORY

Youll find us throughout Australasia

A story of strong, sustained growth.

Vulcan was founded in 1995 by Peter Wells with a clear vision – to become the most customer focused and efficient metals distributor in Australasia, by delivering superior service we have grown consistently ever since.

We began by distributing carbon steel and steadily widened our portfolio to include plate processing, coil processing, stainless steel and engineering steels.

Today the diversity of products we offer, and the geographic spread of our operations means Vulcan has become a key supplier to the Australasian economy. We have 69 warehousing, manufacturing, and processing facilities throughout Australia and New Zealand, employing over ~1300 staff, across six business divisions.

We have achieved this exceptional coverage by a combination of organic growth and acquiring existing businesses.

To ensure the company continues to succeed in the future we will continue to focus on improving the things that really matter – inventory, quality, people, and of course service. We have the management team, the motivated workforce, the infrastructure, and the ambition to keep at the forefront of the steel industry for the next 25 years and beyond.

Superior Service


Our service is the reason for our success over the past 26 years. Put simply we do it better. We are dedicated to delivering the best service in Australasia bar none. With a DIFOT consistently in the high 90’s Vulcan is a leader in the industry.

Inventory Levels

Managed to ensure high product availability.

Transport Fleet

Our own trucking fleet to enable the delivery control.

Responsive People

Empowered people capable of making decisions.

Quality Product

Material sourced with traceability.

Where youll see Vulcan


Vulcan’s range of products is so wide, that they are used in all parts of the economy, everything from the smallest components in high-technology applications to the largest infrastructure and building projects.

Health and Safety


We believe providing a safe and healthy workplace is essential.

We believe all accidents are preventable. Health and safety is a core aspect of our principles and ethos. We take a pre-emptive and highly detailed approach to providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees, contractors, visitors, and the public who share the roads with our trucks.

Employee Culture


A core part of our strategy is to ensure all employees are active decision-makers. Further supported by our wellness programs. Good health isn’t just physical, that’s why we believe it’s important to support the mental health of everyone at Vulcan.

We are adding onsite gym facilities and supporting employees to engage with the appropriate services if they come up against mental health challenges.

Our workforce feels safe and supported, happy and relaxed, yet they are as professional and committed as anyone could wish for.

Our belief in supporting people to be the best they can be extends to the local community where we’re long-time supporters of the Victorian School of the Arts at Melbourne, and the Halberg Trust in New Zealand.

Innovation


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Sustainability


Vulcan is committed to minimising the impact our business activities have on the environment. Having conducted an independently audited ghg inventory, we have an improvement plan to minimise our carbon footprint, including solar energy and other sustainability innovations.

Experienced Leadership


Leaders have a broad base of experience and skills, covering building products and steel distribution, local and international markets, operational expertise and commercial insight. Unit leadership are supported by a senior leadership team, overseen by a Group Advisory Board.

Russell Chenu (Chair)

Russell held numerous finance and management roles in several ASX-listed industrial and resources companies, including James Hardie where he was CFO for 10 years until 2013. Russell is also an independent director of Reliance Worldwide Corp (ASX:RWC) and CIMIC Group.

Adrian Casey

Adrian has worked in the steel industry in Australasia for over 40 years. He managed his own steel processing operation, which subsequently merged with Vulcan in 1998. Adrian is an executive director and as Vulcan's Chief Operating Officer has responsibilities for procurement, as well as leading Vulcan's steel business in NZ.

Wayne Boyd

Wayne has previously held the position of Chairman at Telecom, Auckland Airport, Freightways, and Meridian Energy, as well as several other directorships. Wayne has been a director of Vulcan since its inception.

Rhys Jones

Rhys joined Vulcan's Board in 2006, and currently is Vulcan's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He has previously held several management positions within the steel industry, including an executive of EasySteel NZ and CEO of Pacific Steel and Wire Makers. Rhys was formerly the COO of Carter Holt Harvey’s Pulp, Paper and Packaging, and new ventures division at the time of the Rank Group takeover.

Carolyn Steele

Carolyn is a professional director with extensive experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisition and investment management. Carolyn serves on the board of Property For Industry Limited (NZX:PFI), Green Cross Health (NZX:GXH), Oriens Capital GP 2, WEL Networks, and is Chair of the Halberg Foundation.

Bart de Haan

Bart has extensive experience as a strategy consultant working with senior management and boards of top 50 companies in Australia, US, and Holland. His consulting experience spans across numerous sectors including energy, transport, resources, and building products.

Nicola Greer

Nicola is a professional company director, currently also holding directorships with Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT), Fidelity Life Assurance Company Limited, South Port NZ Limited (NZX: SPN), New Zealand Railways Corporation, and is a member of the New Zealand Markets Disciplinary Tribunal. Prior to embarking on her governance career, Nicola worked in the banking and finance sectors in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Senior Leadership


Vulcan operates as a number of highly accountable units lead by capable and experienced leaders.

Rhys Jones

Rhys joined Vulcan's Board in 2006, and currently is Vulcan's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He has previously held several management positions within the steel industry, including an executive of EasySteel NZ and CEO of Pacific Steel and Wire Makers. Rhys was formerly the COO of Carter Holt Harvey’s Pulp, Paper and Packaging, and new ventures division at the time of the Rank Group takeover.

Adrian Casey

Adrian has worked in the steel sector in Australia and New Zealand for over 40 years. He held management positions in a major New Zealand steel distribution operation before establishing his own downstream steel. Adrian is an executive director and as Vulcan's Chief Operating Officer has responsibilities for procurement, and works closely with each of the business division leaders on strategic and key commercial matters.

Kar Yue Yeo

Kar Yue consulted to Vulcan for over 2 years before joining in 2020. He has worked in the financial markets as an analyst covering a number of sectors, including the steel industry, for over 25 years. Kar Yue held leadership roles at Jarden, Citi, and DMG across Australia, Asia, and NZ. He was an auditor for 3 years.

James Wells

James consulted to Vulcan for a period before joining our company in 2004, when he took on responsibilities for reviewing and implementing our IT systems. James has led our health and safety and group capital programme since 2012.

Helene Deschamps

An ICF-accredited coach, Helene is our partner resource for Vulcan's leadership team. Helene has held senior positions as a people and culture specialist in organisations including Capgemini and Carter Holt Harvey, with a focus on behaviour and culture to achieve performance outcomes.

Lou Cadman

Lou leads Vulcan’s businesses in New Zealand. Lou has extensive experience in the manufacturing and distribution industries focused primarily on the New Zealand building and construction sector. Prior to working at Vulcan, he was Chief Executive of New Zealand Panels Group and held General Management roles at Fletcher Building leading the Fletcher Aluminium and Forman Group businesses.

Bradley Childs

Bradley leads Vulcan’s Australian distribution business. Prior to Vulcan, Bradley has held a number of senior management roles in both Australia and Europe, with PACT Group, VISY and Newell Rubbermaid. These roles have encompassed, R&D, technical, sales, P&L and general management.

Richard Love

Richard leads Vulcan Steel’s Engineering Steel business in Australia. With over 20 years of experience in the metals industry across the country from manufacturing to warehousing and distribution, Richard’s industrial distribution background has specialised in supply to the mining and manufacturing industries. Richard has held operational, procurement and sales-based positions as well as site and unit leadership.

Matthew Lee

Matthew leads procurement and property in Australia. Prior to Vulcan, he had held procurement and manufacturing management roles in the packaging industry including at Propak, San Miguel Yamamura, and Cospak.

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