Well grounded in the attic and hoping to climb higher
But that all changed last year when founder John Stewart told his management board he would be going into semi-retirement. The board, which includes John's son Robert, began looking for a general manager.
Enter Andrew Strachan, a 37-year-old wood machinist by trade, who came across the role through a recruitment agency and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
The Attic Group had a succession plan and Mr Strachan was interviewed for the role of general manager on the premise he might ultimately fill the role of chief executive.
"John has nine grandchildren and doesn't want to come into work every day any more," Mr Strachan said. "He's built a very successful business and he's done an incredibly good job."
Robert Stewart, who was part of Mr Strachan's interview panel, is the company's Victorian manager and his daughter Rebecca co-ordinates the company's home shows.
Mr Strachan said it was daunting coming into the top level of a family business.
"In some ways, John's children report to me," he said. "Robert's first words to me when I joined the business were 'I support you 500 per cent'.
"It's not easy to bring in change, new ways of doing things and try to open people's eyes to new markets. So yes, it has been tough ... But it's rewarding overcoming some of the hurdles and tackling roadblocks."
Mr Strachan was appointed last July. He previously worked as the business development manager at Australian Portable Homes and sales manager at Clarendon Homes while studying for a degree in building. He then went to Royal Wolf shipping containers, where he was part of a team that devised the company's initial public offering. In a hugely successful debut, the 2011 float generated $91.5 million for the container group.
Mr Strachan plans to carry that business know-how over to the Attic Group.
"Our business has been very much focused on the mum and dad market, the traditional home owners and what I want to do is take it into a higher-volume market by bringing it to the builders," he said.
Mr Strachan said John Stewart had tried upgrading the business, but with limited success.
"So what I'm bringing to the table is a new level of business with the help of contacts I've worked with in the past," he said.
Founded in Sydney, the Attic Group has branches in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. It employs 50 staff and more than 30 full-time contractors.
The company's most common job is installing the basic attic ladder and providing attic storage areas for an average $2500.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The Attic Group specialises in attic ladders and attic storage installations. Its most common job is installing a basic attic ladder and providing attic storage areas, with the average job costing around $2,500.
Andrew Strachan was appointed general manager last July. A 37‑year‑old wood machinist by trade, he previously worked as business development manager at Australian Portable Homes, sales manager at Clarendon Homes while studying a building degree, and was part of the Royal Wolf team that helped devise its 2011 IPO.
Founder John Stewart moved into semi‑retirement and reduced his daily involvement in the business. The succession plan was activated as part of that transition; the article notes he has nine grandchildren and no longer wants to come into work every day.
Andrew Strachan plans to expand beyond the traditional mum‑and‑dad homeowner market into a higher‑volume channel by targeting builders and bringing the company's attic products into new markets using his industry contacts and business experience.
Founded in Sydney, the Attic Group has branches in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. It employs about 50 staff and more than 30 full‑time contractors.
The Attic Group remains family‑owned and operated. While Andrew Strachan now leads day‑to‑day operations, family members remain involved: Robert Stewart is the Victorian manager and Rebecca Stewart coordinates the company’s home shows. The transition followed a formal succession plan.
The article notes previous attempts to upgrade the business had limited success. Andrew Strachan acknowledges it’s been tough to introduce new ways of doing things and open people’s eyes to new markets, but says overcoming those hurdles has been rewarding.
Investors tracking the Attic Group may want to watch execution of the new growth strategy—particularly success in selling to builders and higher‑volume channels—continuity of family support during the transition, geographic expansion from existing branches, and whether the company can scale jobs while maintaining service quality.
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