KK: It’s great to catch up with Tom Breukel from Riviera Barns and Garages, who are also a member of the Fair Dinkum Builds Group. Welcome to Coffee with Kenny. You’re looking nervous.
TB: Hello Kenny, yes, I’m a little nervous, maybe it’s your reputation.
KK: I’m sure you will be fine. How do you like your coffee, Tom?
TB: I’m a prodigious tea drinker.
KK: Interesting. Preferred venue?
TB: I like to make my own.
KK: Now, Riviera Barns and Garages have offices in both Bairnsdale and Sale, operating since 1999. Which opened first?
TB: Bairnsdale, graduated to Sale.
KK: How many staff are at Riviera Barns and Garages?
TB: Five at both locations, a couple of yard works and three office staff, plus numerous sub-contractors.
KK: How long have you worked in the business Tom?
TB: Just over two years Kenny.
KK: What is your role?
TB: Sales, building permits, invoicing – a bit of everything.
KK: Do they let you drive the trucks?
TB: No, they tell me that I do too good a job in here.
KK: I would probably take that. What did you do before you got into the sheds business?
TB: I’ve done a couple of different things. Had a stint at Patties and did some handyman work, painting and landscaping with my dad.
KK: How’s business at present?
TB: Pretty good still, it is starting to slow down since COVID and the bushfires, it was hectic for a while, some normality is beginning to return. Plenty of sheds needed to be replaced which was sad, but good for business.
KK: There has recently been a change of ownership?
TB: Grant and Linda Woods founded the business, their business partners, Mark and Denise Grummisch came and joined 10 or so years ago. Their sons, Lee and Kyle purchased the Woods’ half not so long ago.
KK: It’s very much a family business these days.
TB: I’m the odd one out here in Bairnsdale.
KK: Are the Grummischs builders?
TB: No, all the sheds are built by sub-contractors. We use a consistent set, some of which have built sheds for the company for 15 years. We have a good team that do a great job.
KK: It’s a one-stop shop Tom?
TB: Yes and that certainly attracts customers.
KK: What’s the turnaround time on a shed at the moment?
TB: From start to finish, including permits, it is usually around three months.
KK: Impressive.
TB: They come together pretty quick, the longest wait is usually the kit, that can take up to three weeks.
KK: How long did the time frames get in the busy times after fires and COVID?
TB: It got out to about nine months.
KK: It’s a lot more manageable now, happy customers.
TB: Back in the day, apparently, it was a one to two-month time frame, so we are nearly there.
KK: What’s popular in shed sales at present?
TB: The 6 x 7m sheds are always popular. At present people are keen to get something for a boat or caravan, around the 10 x 8m mark are in vogue.
KK: Doing many big sheds at present?
TB: Most at present have a bit of size about them, not many of the smaller variety.
KK: What’s the biggest you have ever sold?
TB: One recently, an 18 by 24 American barn. It’s about 432 square metres.
KK: That’s a big man cave.
TB: It was for a farmer, for machinery storage.
KK: Obviously you don’t do just sheds, what else is on the list?
TB: Carports, verandas, pergolas and patios.
KK: Plenty of places for koalas to get some shade. Horse barns?
TB: And shelters, sometimes, if someone is coming in to get something for their horse, they tend to go horse and storage, so it’s usually a fair sized shed. Somewhere for the horse and float.
KK: I see quite a few awards hanging on the walls.
TB: We were the top sales team with Fair Dinkum in 2023 and runner-up in 2022.
KK: Is the winter generally a quieter period?
TB: It can be a bit quieter and it can get a little tougher to complete jobs with weather, especially concrete. Some sites can become hard to access, especially if it’s out in a paddock.
KK: What colour do people usually get sheds?
TB: Monument has been the probably highest selling colour of the past two years. Its charcoal coal created to match the charcoal of roofs on houses.
KK: What other colours are popular?
TB: Surfmist is popular.
KK: What do the koalas prefer?
TB: Pale eucalypt.
KK: I’m a fan. What do you do when you’re not in the shed game?
TB: Socialise with family and friends.
KK: We will finish with some quick questions. Favourite food?
TB: Fish and chips.
KK: What is your speciality dish?
TB: I make a pretty good parmigiana.
KK: Does pineapple belong on a pizza?
TB: Not a fan.
KK: What is your go to pizza?
TB: Ham and cheese.
KK: Favourite TV Show?
TB: It’s constantly changing and usually something my partner is watching.
KK: Favourite movie?
TB: Something super hero related.
KK: Who would play you in in a movie?
TB: Ryan Reynolds, he’s pretty funny.
KK: Hilarious. Dream holiday destination?
TB: Japan.
KK: If you could become friends with a fictional character, who would you choose?
TB: Batman.
KK: Three people you would love to have a drink with?
TB: Robert Downey Junior, Hugh Jackman and Heath Ledger.
KK: Tom, it’s been a pleasure, not sure why you were so nervous.
TB: Me either, thanks Kenny.
