Mr Kolodziej started the business in 2001 after leaving a partnership, growing from five employees then to 30 now.

While business expansion has meant new team members have joined within the past 17 years, many original staff remain with Kolmark, which points to its strong culture.

“The apprentice uptake has gone up. I’ve always been committed to apprentices – I’ve put three on in the past year,” he said.

“The second apprentice I ever put on is still with me after 22 years and our operations manager, Tim Freeman, has been here 17 years.

“Our team has all been with us a long time.”

Kolmark’s commitment to its employees extends beyond those who are just getting started in the industry, with family a strong driver for Mr Kolodziej.

“We have a family focus. They know we’ll always support them if they have troubles,” he said.

“Our greatest concern is to make sure their families are OK. We support our guys.”

With staff longevity and a strong business culture, Kolmark’s managing director feels confident he can steer the business into a niche he is confident the company will excel in.

Kolmark has been manufacturing stainless and mechanical products for almost two decades, building up the business from supplying one major customer – Tasmanian Alkaloids – to taking on food and beverage projects in Tasmania, nationally and in New Zealand.

Upgrading stills for North-West’s Southern Wild Distillery as it relocates, Kolmark is also about to start work on a new distillery next to Callington Mill at Oatlands.

Both Tasmanian recent distillery projects fit the direction Mr Kolodziej wants Kolmark to head.

“This is going to be our future. We see distilleries as the way forward for our business.”

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