Queensland Gaskets started in Hope Street South Brisbane in 1953, in a very basic worker’s cottage, after the founder, Quentin Quarterman, saw an opportunity to supply industrial gaskets to the burgeoning market in South East Queensland.
Fast forward seven decades, and the third-generation family-run business is not only celebrating 70 laps around the sun as industry leaders, but also of building partnerships with top tier global companies. Queensland Gaskets is now set to hit the next 70 years continuing its steady growth and continuous improvement.
“To have clocked seven decades as a family-run business that is still based out of Brisbane is an incredible feat,” said owner and Managing Director Carl Quarterman.
“From that humble old worker’s cottage where Quentin carefully crafted gaskets for just a handful of companies, we have become industry leaders who are now delivering more complex, large-scale projects than ever before to our clients.
“To say we’re excited about what the next 70 years will bring is an understatement.”
Mr Quarterman first stepped into the Managing Director role in 2012, taking over from his father Guy who in turn took over in1968 from founder Quentin, when he died unexpectedly.
While each generation has laid key stepping stones for Queensland Gaskets journey, the past decade has marked a myriad of major milestones for the company that included QG providing rubber and plastic components to a wide range of industries in Australia. Most notable more recent partnerships include working with Rheinmetall Defence Australia and with e-mobility pioneers Tritium.
After recognising demand for quality evidence and process consistency from their clients, Queensland Gaskets became one of the State’s first businesses to adopt the ISO9001:2015 standard, while further implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning system.
Queensland Gaskets partnered with Pronto Software to improve their manufacturing efficiencies, retain detailed manufacturing processes and procedures to further optimise their machine cutting capabilities.
While these key milestones cemented Queensland Gaskets’ position as industry leaders, Mr Quarterman said community and customer relationships have remained at the forefront of what they do.
“Innovation is a key pillar of Queensland Gaskets, but we remain a family-run company with traditional roots and firm foundations,” Mr Quarterman said.
“Two of our four company core values, Relationships and Teamwork provide us a day-to-day environment that allows us to continually improve and engage with suppliers to support our customers by providing a capable network of businesses.”
“Our other two core values of Quality and Accountability sustain that capability. We are a proud Australian manufacturer that strives to do more locally with local businesses.”
For Mr Quarterman, that ethos has led him to Chair the national Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN); become an active member of the Queensland Minister’s Advisory Council on Defence Industry and Jobs; an Advisory Board Member of the Queensland Defence Science Alliance, and a member of the City of Ipswich Defence Industry Development and Attraction Committee.
“At Queensland Gaskets, we believe in providing solutions to our customers’ challenges. By supporting and engaging with our community we continue to improve what we do, improve the skills we have, and set a foundation for our future,” Mr Quarterman said.
“And after 70 years we’re thrilled to not only celebrate our platinum anniversary with the community, but also look forward to working with them on the next stage of our exciting journey.”