Queensland Gaskets recently hosted a “Meet the Owner” event, organised by the Family Business Association (FBA) at their advanced manufacturing facility in Salisbury.
This event offered an exclusive glimpse into their operations and journey, showcasing their 70-year legacy in the Australian manufacturing industry. The highlight of the evening was an engaging interview with Carl Quarterman, their Managing Director, his dad Guy, the previous Director of QG, and Grant Field representing MGI, their Business and Taxation Advisors.
They shared valuable insights and stories about how Queensland Gaskets had been successfully run by the Quarterman family for three generations, emphasizing the importance of succession planning in the family business.
The Quarterman Family Story
Queensland Gaskets was established in 1953 by Quentin Quarterman in a modest worker’s cottage in Hope Street, South Brisbane. Quentin had spent most of his young life in outback Queensland but, when he returned from active service in Borneo in 1946, he secured a job as the manager of a gasket company in Brisbane. Here he gained valuable experience in the manufacture of gaskets, and in 1953 after two years managing another gasket company in Goulburn NSW, he returned to Brisbane with his family to start his own business. It was a courageous decision as he was 56 years old and had almost no capital.
“My father was incredibly resourceful,” recalls Guy Quarterman, Quentin’s son. “Starting a business from scratch was daunting, but he managed it with remarkable determination.” Quentin’s hands-on approach—handling roles from manager to salesman, purchasing officer to quality controller, as well as bookkeeper, factory hand, debt collector and cleaner was instrumental in the company’s early success.
Guy Quarterman: Continuing the Vision
To ease the heavy workload Quentin was handling alone, in 1964, Guy Quarterman joined his father in the family business. At aged 67, Quentin needed help, so Guy bought half of the business for about 200 pounds, sealing their partnership with a handshake. “Life was much simpler back then,” Guy remembered with a smile. They worked well together for the next four years, with Quentin teaching Guy everything about running the business.
Sadly, Quentin passed away suddenly in 1968 at the age of 71. Quentin’s 50% share was left to Guy’s mother, making them equal partners.
Under Guy’s leadership, the company expanded its operations and moved to larger facilities, adapting to the changing economic landscape. “We had to learn how to run a larger organisation and make it profitable,” Guy explains. “It was a big shift for us.”
After the passing of Guy’s mother, her family house was inherited by Guy’s sister, and Guy took over the family business. To manage his new responsibilities, Guy established a family trust, making both himself and his wife shareholders in the company. “We created a family trust, and suddenly, my wife and I were partners in the company that owns the business,” Guy recounts. This move transformed them into business partners and shareholders.
During this period, the company expanded its offering and started exploring new markets, developing new products and innovations. It is only thanks to Guy’s visionary leadership that Queensland Gaskets became a brand known for quality and innovative workmanship.
Carl Quarterman: The Next Generation
The Quarterman family always valued education and skill development as crucial keys to success. During school holidays, Guy’s children were learning about the business. However, it wasn’t until Carl returned from working overseas in Singapore that he became interested in the family business. “It’s not easy to plan succession, especially with multiple children in the family, each having different interests and career plans”, mentioned Guy.
“I was looking for a new job when Dad suggested I should manage the business,” Carl recalls. Carl joined the family business in 2010 and had fully taken over by 2012. Guy noted that the succession to Carl was much better executed and prepared than his own. “For a smooth succession, it’s very important that there are good and strong relationships in the family. It’s not an easy process.”
The succession was well facilitated by Grant Field, a specialist in this area, who understood family dynamics. Grant provided essential advice on the legal and business aspects necessary for the effective transfer of the family business, guiding the transition with expertise.
Carl brought a fresh perspective and a keen focus on technology and innovation. He saw the need to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and extended the business capabilities by introducing new technologies such as router and laser cutting, (building on the waterjet technologies Guy has introduced). Carl formalised Queensland Gasket’s high-quality standards by adopting quality management systems ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, which have positioned Queensland Gaskets at the forefront of the manufacturing industry.
Carl is passionate about continuing his, and his dad’s vision for the company’s growth utilising innovative technologies and growing the reputation of Australian manufacturing. He also realizes the importance of skill development in manufacturing. He likes to spark interest in manufacturing among not only his children but also local schools. He hopes to inspire them to value hands-on, technical skills and continue the tradition of smart and skillful Australian manufacturing.
High-end manufacturing
These days, QG specialises in advanced manufacturing, combining high-precision techniques like 5-axis waterjet and laser cutting with sophisticated digital tools such as CNC routing and 3D printing. Their expertise in rapid prototyping, concept development, and global sourcing of high-performance materials enables the family business to provide high-quality custom products.
Under Carl’s leadership, the company continues to expand its reach, forming strategic partnerships with leading companies and diversifying into new industries such as aerospace and defence. Today, Queensland Gaskets produces essential components for companies like Boeing Defence Australia, Volvo Trucks, and Gilmour Space Technologies, and they are the exclusive Australian distributor of Specialty Silicone Products used for EMI Shielding.
Earlier this year, Queensland Gaskets marked a significant achievement by announcing the successful integration of precision tool-kit inserts with OSAAP Australia into their product lineup.
Queensland Gaskets’ story is one of family strength, dedication and focus on innovation. From its humble beginnings to becoming a leader in industrial gaskets, the Quarterman family’s values instilled by Quentin and Guy will undoubtedly continue to guide Queensland Gaskets through the next chapter of its inspirational journey.
