What you missed at Bowens Building + Innovation Expo

Rethink Building.

What a day it was at the Bowens Building and Innovation Expo! From 3.30pm when doors opened, this year’s Expo saw over 5,000 guests walk through the doors of the Royal Exhibition Building, witnessing firsthand the innovation and technology speeding up construction and reducing builders’ reliance on trades. With exhibitors showcasing their most innovative products and technologies, this year’s Expo brought to life just what is changing in the ways we do building and construction in Australia.

Featuring over 125 exhibitors, attendees had firsthand access to the industry leaders and trailblazers who continue to innovate in order to better support trades. Builders, apprentices and others trades were given the chance to test out some brand new and innovative building products that have entered the market.

One of which, the wedi system, is a product that has revolutionised wet room construction from start to end. With one builder saying, his carpenters straighten the walls and can install wedi in one day, rather than waiting 3-4 days for a tiler to screed and waterproof before tiling.

This is Bowens’ first Expo in a number of years, Bowens Managing Director, John Bowen couldn’t wait to welcome builders, acknowledging the importance of innovation as a way to service a growing industry under pressure.

John Bowen, said: “It was fantastic to see the huge turn out for our returning Expo. Seeing dedicated builders hearing from the new ways in which they can speed up their project, saving time and money. At Bowens, we pride ourselves on giving our builders access to the best, the best quality products and timber, driving the best profitability and the best build outcome.”

“We would like to thank all of the suppliers who joined us on such a successful day. Bowens will continue to showcase innovation at our stores, our Innovation Centre, via our e-commerce platform and of course face to face with the builders that ensure the strength of our industry.”

Bowens Innovation Specialist, Andrew Healey, was running the Innovation Forum stage all day, speaking to leading builders and suppliers about the very products being showcased.

“Innovation to us means improving performance and improving profitability. When we are looking for new products to share with our builders, it’s all about finding the right products, the right application and then working directly with the builders to help them put those pieces together.”

“The innovation we drive is all about finding new solutions to repeat building issues that call for new ways of thinking. 80% of all new building builds fail in either balconies or wet rooms, so these areas continue to be a focus area of where we can better support builders to deliver on time, within budget with a long lasting product for their clients.”

Big thanks to our Bowens Ambassadors who were down for the day Bardie Sommerville, Stef Apostilidis, Ben Carr, Jeconiah Pen and Matt Minichelli. Participating in seminars, interviewing attendees and learning first hand the innovative products on show, we were stoked to see them lapping up the new ways of working and how they can take these products back to their worksites and teams.

As the night wrapped up, we were stoked to see Dave Norman of Roseleigh Homes walk away as the winner of the brand new 2022 Toyota HiLux SR5. Dave was thrilled to have won the new car and looks forward to showing off their new HiLux on the worksite. 

With an open bar, food vendors and lots of giveaways, we already know 2024 is going to have to be bigger and better to top the 2022 Bowens Building + Innovation Expo. Thanks again to everyone who helped to make it happen and everyone who made an effort to make it down. A special thanks to major sponsor Toyota and supporting partner Taylor Made.