Married for 23 years and in business just as long, Bill and Diane Elliot of W&D Earthmoving split the running of the business between them. Bill spends most of his working hours on-site, while Dianne manages the day-to-day operations of the business. But what’s the secret to their success – particularly Dianne’s in what is, traditionally, a male-dominated industry?
Dianne has been in the earthmoving industry for 37 years, starting when she was 17. By the time she met Bill, Dianne already had her own machinery and nearly 15 years experience to her name. Starting W&D Earthmoving in 1984, the business has now grown to become one of the area’s most reputable companies, employing ten staff and having five machines in the field.
W&D Earthmoving offers customers a range of services including earthmoving, excavation, demolition, swimming pools, drainage – just about anything you can think of relating to earth construction. Starting in the industry at such a young age, Dianne feels as though she is born to it and carries a knowledge and confidence about her work that one can only gain through years of experience and working in the industry.
Dianne has always run their business from home, spending much of her time managing accounts, clients, customers and employees.
While she loves the freedom and flexibility that owning their business allows, it’s more so that it is not a typical nine to five job. With machinery needing to be moved from site to site, Dianne and Bill are on call, often receiving and taking calls outside what most people would term “normal” business hours.
Dianne said one of the many reasons that they have been successful is that they are always available for their customers, with their phones always manned and answered properly. Their customers have confidence that the person on the other end of the phone knows what they are talking about and that the job will be done well.
Another secret to their success is never knocking back work and taking on whatever comes in. Despite experiencing some stressful times, they still enjoy what they do – so much so that despite being at a point in their lives where they could be considering retirement, there are no such plans in the immediate future.
As passionate as ever, Dianne believes the government should be doing more for the building industry by spending money on the housing market to kickstart it again. And, with the current water restrictions, pools also have become an issue for many, limiting how people can fill their pools.
Long-time residents of the Shire, Dianne and Bill support their local community through the Lions and Rotary Clubs, sporting clubs and variety clubs with sponsorships and lending a hand.
Never one to sit still for long, Dianne continues to enjoy playing squash and softball. Snow skiing is also high on the list, with a recent skiing trip to France whetting the appetite for more. Dianne said she and Bill try and reward themselves with an overseas holiday every 4 to 5 years, in between business trips and business functions.
With a drive and determination that comes from years of success, it’s not hard to imagine that Dianne and Bill will still be actively involved in their business for years to come.
W&D ELLIOTT EARTHMOVING PTY LTD
Ph: 9524 6422
Fax: 9524 6364
Email: elliotts@earth-moving.com.au
Website: www.earth-moving.com.au
| 
