More Than a Construction Company

Building is in Matt’s bones. Working in the industry from the age of 17, he learned every aspect of design and construction, while specialising in concrete and steel. It was a perfect foundation for a shift into the modular housing space.

Alongside colleague Steve West, Matt founded BDC Global while working in PNG, with the aim of building secure and affordable housing for communities in emerging economies. Combining social conscience and exceptional all-round construction skills, every job is infused with hope for a better future.

Matt firmly believes that an investment in people is an investment in life. With the right spirit and expertise, anything is possible. From the highlands of Papua New Guinea (where he worked for five years) to the heartland of Australia, Matt places community at the centre of every project he undertakes.

A mechanical engineer with a deep grounding in maths and science, Dean always knew he wanted to make a difference. As a secondary school teacher, he saw the profound impact a teacher can have on a child’s life. And as a mechanical engineer, he realised the importance of using his significant skills to benefit communities – from the ground up.

Dean is no stranger to personal challenge. As an 18-year-old, a devastating car accident altered the course of his life. Ten years later, when he was working as an engineer in the US, a cerebral aneurysm saw him emerge from a 10-week coma to face years of rehabilitation. No matter. Dean emerged stronger from these extraordinary challenges, with renewed appetite for community transformation. Now he wants to provide safe, accessible housing and creative commercial solutions across Australasia.

Steve is our man on the ground in Papua New Guinea. Arriving there in 2015, he hooked up with Matt, who flew in as a FIFO worker. The two men hit it off straight away, working together to train local residents in the latest building techniques – adapted to their unique part of the world.

With more than 30 years in construction behind him, Steve specialises in optimal applications for steel and concrete. He is passionate about improving living standards in PNG, bringing secure housing within the reach of the poorest people.

His dream is to build a manufacturing facility on the Pacific island, to supply the local market and also export to other countries including Australia and New Zealand. Rather than agonise over the colour of tiles or carpet, he knows that those in dire need want secure, durable flooring that covers the dirt – the rest is a bonus!