Building Success: The Enduring Partnership of Colgan Industries and Thorntons
The Colgan Industries story dates back to the late 1960’s, when Martin Colgan, a ‘ten-pound pom’, started a subcontract bricklaying and block laying business in Perth. Building on a successful subcontracting career, the business evolved to specialise in large commercial heritage restoration projects, including prestigious sites like St George’s Cathedral, Government House, Perth Town Hall, Fremantle Train Station, the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison and countless others.
A foundation of trust
The partnership between Colgan Industries and Thorntons dates to the earliest days of the company. “Dad was one of their original clients, working with Thornton Palette Murphy & Co.,” recalls Daniel Colgan. This foundational relationship has been maintained through generations, with Darren Fissioli, a partner at Thorntons, currently serving as the principal point of contact for Colgan Industries and the family.
One of the key reasons for Colgan Industries’ loyalty to Thorntons is the personalised and proactive service they receive. “We’ve been very happy with ready access to Darren. He’s very proactive and gets onto things quickly,” says Daniel. This level of responsiveness and dedication is crucial for Colgan Industries, especially given the complexities of their projects and the cyclical nature of the construction industry.
Proactive and Personalised Service
Thorntons’ approach to tax planning and asset protection has been particularly valuable for Colgan Industries. “Tax planning is always a big one for businesses. They monitor things and invite us in to discuss strategies throughout the year, not just in May and June,” explains Daniel. “They’re very proactive and forward looking on tax, structuring of entities, and asset protection appropriate for our specific needs. They tell us the things we need to do now, to secure our position in the future and in anticipation of legislative changes that are in the pipeline.”
The relationship between Colgan Industries and Thorntons goes beyond professional services; it is built on trust and mutual respect. “We’ve had some challenging times, but Thorntons were always there, by our side. When we needed support, it was always there. Their knowledge of our families’ business affairs is intimate, and we often joke within the family that Thorntons probably knows more about us than we know about ourselves,” Daniel remarks.
While Darren is the principal point of contact, Daniel commented, “We deal with 3 or 4 staff members on a regular basis and they are all very friendly, engaging and responsive and people have really gone the extra mile to assist us.”, adding, “after such a long relationship, you’d probably expect it, but it really is there and greatly appreciated”.
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Thorntons is an accounting and advisory practice to mid-size, family-owned businesses in Western Australia. We offer a fully integrated portfolio of financial, tax, succession, and estate planning services and have the experience to guide you through the complexity so that you can enjoy stability, peace of mind and certainty.
To discuss your individual business needs and find out if we might be a fit for you, please contact Thorntons at tp@thorntons.biz or call (08) 9421 1722.