A
Real
Advantage
A
Reliable Solutions For Your Facility and Infrastructure
Real
The ARA Group provides solutions for any and all challenges faced within your facility or infrastructure. Our seven divisions work together to deliver fully integrated, in-house solutions from beginning to end; from turnkey electrical and security services through to fire protection, building services, energy management, maintenance and cleaning. We also distribute electronic security systems and provide tailor-made door solutions.
With our team of experts supporting you and your company, ARA gives your business A Real Advantage.
The ARA Group Is Built From Seven Divisions
Our People
With Over 1300 skilled employees located across Australia and now in New Zealand, ARA Group is an entirely employee owned & operated.
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Edward Federman
Executive Chair and Managing Director - Group
With more than 30 years of experience in the building services industry, Edward Federman co-founded ARA Group in 2001 with a vision to build the business through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Since 2001, Edward has helped to grow the business to employ over 2,000 people across a diverse range of product and service divisions.
Allison McCann
Chief Financial Officer - Group
Allison McCann is an experienced finance professional with an established history in the building services industry. Specialising in acquisitions, banking, forecasting and accounting, Allison has been Chief Financial Officer at ARA Group since 2010. She was appointed Company Secretary in 2012, and in 2017 joined ARA’s Board of Directors — making her the first female to join the Board. Allison is an Advisory Board Member of the ARA Endowment Fund and serves on the group’s Compensation Committee. She also holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Manchester.
Tony Franov
Managing Director - Security
Tony joined ARA 17 years ago and has built a security division from a $4 million turnover business to a division with a turnover in excess of $80 million. Tony is a member of the Board and has extensive experience in security systems in high risk buildings such as financial institutions, correctional services and state police buildings.
Stuart Harmer
Managing Director - Products
Stuart Harmer has more than 30 years of experience in the security and electrical engineering industry. As Managing Director of ARA Products, Stuart focuses on growing market-leading security, architectural hardware, electrical and identity distribution businesses using cutting-edge technology. Stuart previously co-founded International Security Control Solutions (ISCS) in 1997 before the business was acquired by the ARA Group in 2009, where Stuart stayed on to build the ARA Products division. Stuart currently serves on the Board of Directors and is a member of the ARA Endowment Fund.
Paul McCann
Property Services Managing Director -
Paul McCann has more than 20 years’ experience across all aspects of property services, specialising in the commercial cleaning and property maintenance sectors. Paul founded CMC Property Services (now ARA Property Services) in 1994 and built the company from its basic beginnings to where it is today. The business has become a leader in the sector through continual innovation, technology, customer service and its commitment to environmental sustainability. He is an advocate for the emerging fields of ‘green cleaning’ and ‘social procurement’, and has based ARA Property Services’ strategic plan around these concepts. Paul has served on the Building Services Contractors Association of Australia (BSCAA) Board for more than 12 years and was appointed Victorian President in 2014.
Michael O’Loughlin
Managing Director - Indigenous Services
Michael is a former Australian Rules football champion, having played more than 300 games with the Sydney Swans. During his sporting career he achieved Premiership wins and All-Australian selection on two occasions, and was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2015. Post football career, Michael has applied his leadership and team-building skills to establish ARA Indigenous Services. Drawing on his life experiences as an advocate and mentor in the Indigenous community, Michael has positioned the company at the forefront of Indigenous education, support and engagement in the property services industry.
Phil Harding
Managing Director - Mechanical
Phil Harding has more than 25 years’ experience in the building management industry, with proven ability to maximise the strengths of large operational teams while nurturing and growing client/builder relationships. As Managing Director of ARA Mechanical since 2006, Phil has earned a reputation for his contribution to developing business strategies, incubating new business models and growing the business to the $50 million-dollar turnover division it is today. He previously founded and managed Air Conditioning Engineering Services (ACES) in 2001 before the company was acquired by the ARA Group in 2006. Phil serves as an Advisory Board Member on the ARA Endowment Fund and holds a Master of Business Technology from the University of New South Wales.
Brett Chambers
Managing Director - Electrical
Brett Chambers has more than 30 years’ experience in the building services industry, from hands-on construction of electrical instrumentation systems to commissioning, estimating and business development. As Managing Director of ARA Electrical since 2001, Brett has been actively involved in steering the organisation into new strategic areas including the development of the engineering, automation, renewable energy, heavy industrial and high voltage components of the business. He has also focused on developing long-term client relationships and building a strong and reputable contracting business with various locations across New South Wales and Queensland. Brett joined the ARA Board as an Executive Director in 2010.
Tony Murr
Managing Director - Building Services
Tony Murr started from humble beginnings as a builder to now evolving into his current role as National Managing Director of ARA Building Services a division of the ARA Group. With more than 25 years in the Australian Building and Construction Industry, Tony has significant experience in structural and remedial construction for all industrial, residential and commercial sectors. For the last 15 years, he has proven his ability to take lead in overseeing larger scale group projects, as well as mentoring teams to focus on the delivery of individual projects. Tony has shown excellent business acumen in his ability to mould ARA Building Services into a profitable and efficient business, working alongside ARA Corporate division on the strategic acquisition of over 9 companies that complement the existing framework of the Building Services business. Tony also holds a B.P.E. and Diploma in Building & Construction.
News
Find out what’s going on within the ARA Group.
Our Growth
Founded in 2001, ARA Group has grown in size, strength & success every year.
2001
ARA Begins Operation.
2001
ARA acquires Sealeck Doors & Windows.
2001
ARA Acquires BASS Electrical.
2001
ARA Acquires Monarch Doors.
2002
ARA Acquires Automatic Fire Protection Design.
2002
ARA Group establishes its Manufacture, Electrical, Security & Fire platforms.
2003 – 2006
ARA experiences over 50% organic growth.
2006
ARA Group has a turnover of $97 million with no bank debt & an EBITDA of 8% of sales.
2007
ARA establishes its Mechanical Division with the acquisition of ACES.
2007
ARA Fire expands to Melbourne & the Central Coast.
2007
ARA Electrical expands to Wollongong.
2007
ARA acquires Advanced Security, Advanced Mechanical & Advanced Building Technologies; named 1 of the 5 best insolvency transactions of 2007 by Australia and New Zealand Legal Society.
2007
ARA Becomes an Employee Owned Company.
2009
ARA Security enters the security product distribution business.
2009
ARA Electrical enters the overhead high voltage service and installation business.
2009
ARA Group sets a record turnover of $201 million.
2010
ARA conducts a capital raising from its shareholders & takes on new shareholders to ensure flexibility in capital structure.
2010
Due to the GFC, this is the only year in ARA’s history to experience in a decline in sales ($201 million to $197 million).
2011 – 2013
Sales grow organically by 42%.
2013
Sales grow to $280 million.
2014
ARA achieves records sales of $301 Million.
2014
ARA achieves a record EBITDA of $13 million.
2014
ARA implements a new branding and marketing initiative.
2014
ARA invests significantly in underground high voltage service and installation work.
2015
ARA Group invests in a fit out company.
2015
ARA invests in an emergency service and repair business.
2015
ARA Group establishes a new high voltage business in Singleton, NSW.
2015
Sales are a record $322 million.
2016
ARA sets record sales of $352 million.
2016
ARA sets a record EBITDA of $16.6 million.
2016
ARA Building Services acquires two remedial building businesses.
2016
A strategic acquisition was made in the newly formed Distribution Division.
2016
A record amount of dividends was paid to shareholders.
2017
ARA Security expands its operations to New Zealand.
2017
ARA establishes its Products division.
2017
ARA establishes its Property Service division.