It’s no exaggeration to say that much of the land around the Albury-Wodonga region along the NSW-Victoria border was developed by one company: Nordcon.
Indeed, looking at a map of the city of Wodonga today, it can be seen that the Nordcon group has built more than half of the new road infrastructure and major sewerage and drainage infrastructure created since 1974.
Such an achievement is a great testament to the determination of Nordcon founder Jorma (Norm) Pietila, who made the brave trek from Finland to Bonegilla in 1959 with little money and only a basic knowledge of English.
In his early years in Australia, he worked on the Ghan railway, based in Williams Creek, SA. In the 1960s, he moved to Melbourne with his family, which saw him working on many housing developments and commercial sites, building sewer mains and storm water drains and establishing his own business.
This included the early works at Tullamarine Airport and Doncaster Shopping Centre.
The big move to Wodonga came in 1974, when Norm moved his family to Wodonga, to take advantage of the work opportunities and decentralisation push by the then Whitlam Government.
Norm’s business won contracts to work on many roads and infrastructure in Albury, Wodonga and surrounding areas for local councils and the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation.
In the mid 80s, Norm teamed up with another Finnish immigrant family, the Alatalo brothers, and this saw the start of a venture into land development.
Norm retired in the 90s and relinquished the reins to his eldest son Eric, who was already managing the family business, now rebranded as Nordcon Construction.
Eric has continued to evolve and grow the land development sector of the business and this has seen many long and enduring partnerships that have formed the Nordcon brand seen today.
“We are a unique property development group,” Eric said.
“We are involved in the whole development process from start to finish – we own the land, we have our engineering teams do the design of the estates, our construction crews then install the services and build the roads, and then our in house sales and marketing team sells the land.
“We’ve developed as far south as Bright in the Alpine Valley in Victoria, and as far north as Griffith in NSW.
“Having all aspects of the development process under the one roof means we’re able to maintain high standards and effective communication, which results in a high quality end product and seamless experience for our buyers.
“We don’t sell ‘off the plan’ like a lot of other developers do. When we’re ready to go to market, the Stage is often almost complete so our buyers are able to view their block of land before going to contract and there are no long waiting periods for Titles and settlement.”
Eric said Nordcon wasn’t just the largest developer in the area, but probably also in regional Victoria.
“With 12 active estates in our area, we have land for every buyer and budget in every stage of life,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on providing the best choice and range of land and people really enjoy the process of buying land, whether it’s their first home, dream home or investment property. It’s really important to us that we’re creating communities that are well thought out, and people are proud to live in.
“Since 1997, we have developed 4500 lots in this growing regional community. We have also helped bring much needed services and facilities to our area, including a new supermarket in Baranduda (just south of Wodonga), childcare centres, medical facilities as well as a variety of community and affordable housing initiatives.
“A big project on our horizon is the Baranduda Town Centre, the heart of the growth corridor of our area. We’re working in conjunction with Council, architects and local businesses to deliver this exciting project over the next 15-20 years. We want to create the sort of community we would all want to live in.”
Essential equipment
The success of any earthmoving business of course depends on the calibre of its staff and the quality of equipment in the fleet.
Nordcon is currently staffed by about 70 employees in total, including construction crews, engineers and office and sales staff.
The workforce is complemented by a fleet of more than 130 items of plant and equipment.
“We have large and small excavators, wheel loaders, skid steers, backhoes, paving machines (concrete and asphalt), dump trucks, scrapers, dozers, rollers of every variety, trucks and a lot of utes, and most of them are Volvos,” Eric said.
“We have about 30 excavators, the vast majority of those being Volvo, which we get from CJD Equipment.”
Eric said choosing Volvo was easy because the brand ticked a lot of boxes.
“We consider many elements when considering the best piece of equipment for the job,” he said.
“We look at product support, and CJD’s branch here in Wodonga provides a great service supporting our field technicians.
“We look at reliability of the machines, including the information we can gain from the experience of others in the industry.
“We look at the integration of the latest technology machine related to improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
“And we assess productivity benefits such as the integration with machine control and our ability to remotely monitor the machine status and production.
“Nordcon has had Volvo machines in our fleet for over 30 years, and we chose to purchase Volvo machines early on because of their exceptional quality and reliability.
“What stood out about Volvo’s offerings was their commitment to producing equipment that not only performs at the highest levels but also embodies sustainability and efficiency.
“Volvo machines are also known for their comfort, which is vital when our operators spend many hours in them.
“The intuitive controls, spacious cabins, and smooth ride make a real difference in productivity and morale on site.
“Our construction crews appreciate the high quality of the machines, knowing they are reliable and comfortable to operate, which leads to better performance and overall project success. This focus on operator comfort and machine efficiency helps us maintain a positive and productive work environment, contributing to better outcomes for our clients and the community alike.”
Core values
Eric said Nordcon’s fleet is designed to embody its commitment to excellence, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology.
“We understand that the construction industry is rapidly evolving, and that’s why we partner with leaders in innovation, such as Volvo Construction Equipment,” he said.
“Volvo’s position at the forefront of new technologies in the construction equipment industry allows us to incorporate their advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly machinery into our fleet.
“By using Volvo’s machines, we reduce emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure high performance on every project. This partnership reflects our commitment to staying ahead of the pack and constructing projects in the most efficient way.”
Eric said Nordcon was driven by a commitment to developing land quickly and efficiently, while ensuring that the communities it built were not only functional but also something to be proud of.
“Volvo shares our vision for a better future. As pioneers in new technologies, their innovations perfectly align with our mission to reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and increase productivity,” he said.
“By choosing Volvo’s machinery, we gain access to their market-leading electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient equipment, which allows us to lower emissions, reduce fuel consumption, and ensure that every project is completed with the utmost precision and responsibility.
“We are proud to be associated with Volvo, as their leadership in technology reinforces our commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and delivering the best outcomes for our community.”
Eric said Volvo’s reputation for reliability and innovative technologies has played a vital role in Nordcon’s growth over the years.
“Their equipment is built to last and withstand the toughest conditions, which has allowed us to complete projects with fewer delays and lower maintenance costs,” he said.
“By incorporating Volvo’s high-performance machines into our operations, we’ve been able to consistently deliver excellent quality developments. Their reputation for reliability means we can trust their equipment to perform day in and day out, which is critical to maintaining the high standards we set.
“For us, Volvo has it all.”
These principles were clearly evidenced when Earthmoving Equipment Magazine recently caught up with the Nordcon team at a series of sites across Melbourne, working on a number of projects.
Over at new residential sub-divisions at Daintree and Avalon Park, a number of Volvo EC250 and EC220 excavators were digging away carrying out general works within the development, while a Volvo L70F wheel loader was running efficiently to and fro placing sand in trenches and loading trucks.
Meanwhile, at its nearby quarry, Nordcon was busy extricating gravel with an EC480 Long Reach excavator, a specialised model designed for projects requiring extended reach and precision. With its long-reach boom and arm, the excavator is ideal for dredging, slope finishing, and deep excavation.
Scandinavian roots
Eric said because his origins were Finnish, there was a strong connection to Scandinavian brands such as the Swedish-based Volvos.
“We have a strong understanding of the Scandinavian approach to quality manufacturing and sustainability,” he said.
“Initially there was a very diligent local sales rep, Arthur Coleman, who was with CJD for 28 years. He always made sure we were always provided the latest information on any products Volvo released.”
Arthur himself has remained a steadfast friend of the Pietilas, and even though he has retired, was with us at the various sites when we did this interview, still registering a keen interest in the activities of Nordcon.
Eric said Arthur’s legacy of service was now being maintained through CJD Regional Sales Manager for Victoria, Matt Kozole.
“CJD has been a valued partner of our business for 25 years. Volvo will remain our first preference for critical equipment to the business,” he said.
“They have demonstrated their ability to remain at the forefront of both quality and technology.
“With our business aiming to improve our productivity in a sustainable way, Volvo are a natural choice.
“Nordcon’s relationship with CJD Equipment will be crucial to our ongoing success.
“The Volvo team provides exceptional support, not only in helping us select the right equipment but also in ensuring great after sales support.
“Their commitment to service and support means that we can quickly address any issues, get timely parts, and ensure that our fleet is always operating at peak efficiency levels.
“This ongoing support allows us to keep our operators safe and confident, while maintaining the smooth operation of all our projects.”
Matt said there was a synergy between CJD and Nordcon because both companies were privately-owned businesses with similar priorities and principles.
He said that Nordcon has been using Volvo for so long and had so many of the machines that some models had even discontinued, but they were still going strong, a testament to their durability.
“More recently they have purchased a suite of “D” series excavators, two new road rollers and an A30G articulated hauler. These machines have the same incredible strength and reliability, which made them an easy choice for Nordcon.”
But whether a machine is new or no longer in production, if there were any issues Matt said Nordcon could lean on CJD’s service and parts expertise.
“Older products are still being supported by CJD and Volvo from our service team,” he said.
“We have a branch based in Wodonga which has a full time parts interpreter and two full- time mechanics, meaning we can offer quick service and maintenance turnaround to the Wodonga region.”
Looking forward, Matt said as the market demands more and more information out of machines, he hoped to see Nordcon take further steps towards productivity-connected services, thus enabling the business’ employees more access to visuals and data to produce higher quality projects at lower costs.
Eric said Nordcon plans to continue leveraging its fleet of Volvo equipment by focusing on the reliability and safety features that Volvo machines provide.
“Having machinery that ensures operator safety and is built for long-term durability will be key to our success,” he said.
“Volvo’s commitment to safety is evident in the design of their machines, which are equipped with advanced safety features like enhanced visibility, stability systems, and easy-to-use controls.
“These features not only improve productivity but also ensure that our operators feel safe and comfortable while working long hours. By maintaining a fleet of Volvo equipment, we can rely on safe, reliable machines that support the well-being of our team and contribute to the smooth execution of future projects.
“We look forward to CJD continuing to be a major supplier to Nordcon, as we continue to expand and update our fleet. Having equipment that minimises risk and maximises operator comfort is critical.”