Warren Malcom - Concrite

Warren Malcolm (born in 1944) was the founder of Concrite, a major player in the Australian concrete industry. He began his journey in the concrete industry after graduating from the University of NSW with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1966 and then completing a Master of Engineering Science. Prior to starting his own business, he worked for Pioneer Concrete, where he learned valuable lessons about running a business and improving upon existing models​¹​.

In 1976, Malcolm opened a small concrete plant in The Boulevarde at Kirrawee, originally called Form Concrete. The business was renamed Concrite a few years later. Over the next 26 years, Concrite grew to supply 10% of the concrete market in NSW from 12 production plants. Some of the major projects supplied by Concrite included the Westfield Miranda expansion, the high-level Woronora Bridge, the Olympic Stadium, the Sydney Opera House carpark, the GPO redevelopment, The Horizon, and Governor Macquarie and Governor Philip Towers. Concrite was recognized for its productivity improvements, innovation, and avoidance of cost-cutting shortcuts. Malcolm's business model became a standard industry practice, as the company continued to innovate and even became the first company in Australia to develop and supply high strength product, facilitating the safe and speedy construction of technically complex buildings​¹​.

Boral Ltd, an Australian company, acquired Concrite Pty Ltd in June 2001. The acquisition was subject to clearance by the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission. At the time of the acquisition, Concrite was operating six metropolitan concrete plants strategically located on growth corridors around Sydney, as well as six plants in the Southern Highlands and Wollongong. The company had produced over 550,000 cubic metres of concrete during the fiscal year 2000. The locations of the Concrite plants complemented Boral's existing plant coverage of the Sydney concrete market, and most of them were located close to aggregate and cement supply from Boral's low-cost quarries and cement facilities​²​

Despite the sale, Concrite retained its original branding and logo, and the central administration office remained in Sutherland. This decision reflects the strong reputation that Concrite established under Malcolm's leadership​¹​

In 2003, Malcolm holdings built an environmentally innovative commercial building at 243-249 Coward Street, Mascot, next to the Qantas head office called "Aero 247".

Beyond his professional life, Warren Malcolm was also known as a warm and considerate individual. He and his wife Jan were deeply involved in Rotary and politics. He developed a deep concern about climate change and sustainability. The Malcolm family restored and maintained the historic Vine Lodge property in the Southern Highlands, reflecting their appreciation for built heritage​¹​

Warren Malcolm passed away on March 21, 2022 at the age of 78. He was a resident of Gymea Bay for 50 years.​¹​

Warren Malcom was married to Jan Malcom (nee Hutchinson) - daughter of Joy Hutchinson (nee Dickinson) a direct descendant of Henry Skinner and Emily Dickinson.