20*20's Business Development Manager Richard James Trainer has been involved in the property and manufacturing industries for over quarter of a century.
His experience crosses all boundaries of the industry - from sales and marketing to project and property development, in both remote and metropolitan areas.
Work colleagues and friends recognise he is a true entrepreneur - someone who knows what he wants and goes and gets it.
Richard James Trainer has owned and operated manufacturing businesses producing products for development projects. He has a broad understanding of consumer needs - hence his specialisation in accelerating mainstream construction.
He was early into the business of designing systems some years back, being Systems Designer and Developer of a system that allowed high speed construction of low cost, high density housing.
In this period, he developed over 500 residential apartments and constructed and managed five motels. He also owned and operated a caravan park in Australia's north-west with a total of some 300 residences.
He has a fundamental understanding not only the requirements to develop projects of this size, but also what is required from him for the day-to-day management of these projects.
Stefan Jadlowkier met Richard James Trainer back in 2001 and worked for his property company in sales for two years before coming back to join 20*20 in a business development role a couple of years ago.
"When I first knew him, he operated pretty much like he does now - everything moves at breakneck speed and he's always two or three steps ahead, which is an entrepreneural trait," said Mr Jadlowkier.
"He's one of the most entrepreneurial people I've ever come across. He's always looking for new ideas outside the box, and when he believes in something - whether it's his idea or someone else's - he'll back it all the way," he said.
Englishman and long-time friend Dennis McKee met Richard James Trainer 20 years ago when Mr Trainer sold him his first house in Australia.
"He's a great bloke, a loyal friend, a very generous person, a great father to his kids, and a very exciting business person," Mr McKee said.
"I've never known anybody with such amazing ideas in business and the energy to pursue those ideas through to the finish.
"He's an outstanding entrepreneur - the definition of an entrepreneur being somebody who comes up with great ideas and pushes them forward," said Mr McKee.
"He's a great innovator in construction. I was privy to some of the early discussions he had many years ago with regard to a system similar to the one he's got at the moment.
"Richard Trainer then developed the system he's got at the moment as a spin-off from that. He refined it and improved it, and what you see with 20*20's unique construction system is based on his ideas. He put a lot of work into it, a lot of research and kept at very doggedly," Mr McKee said.
"It's a very impressive system. It's a great product - it's revolutionary in the speed with which a building can be put together, and it has a very high standard.
"The 20*20 building system ticks all the boxes - it's safe, it's durable and easy to of construct - it's a 21st Century product.," Mr McKee said.
20*20 Chairman Terry Romaro (Order of Australia Medial), who provides outstanding management and administrative expertise to the company, currently holds ten different directorships and serves on a number of Authorities and Advisory Boards serving Australian governmental and industry bodies .
"We've managed to win a lot of awards with our houses because we've got an innovative product. Richard Trainer has put a lot of tireless hours into developing and promoting it," Mr Romaro said
"We've done all of the hard work and now we've achieved things that a lot of competitors haven't been able to achieve."
Now in his 60s, Mr Romaro said he had never met anyone with the raw energy that Richard James Trainer possessed.
"It's beyond me - I've never met anyone like him. He's got such a capacity to do things and motivate himself. He is self-motivating - he's incredible. I must admit that I could never achieve or do the things that he does. I wouldn't try because I'd wear out.
"He's also a very good motivator of people and he's a very intense person. There's this massive passion for whatever he does. When he gets a focus on something, he really gives it his all.
"Richard can get ten or 15 people in a room, and I can't remember half the things those people have said in that meeting, and he'll come away remembering every single thing people have said.
"I've prided myself in my years of doing business that I tend to be able to associate with people who will succeed. Fortunately in the past, they have succeeded. I believe Richard is one of those who has success written all over him," Mr Romaro said.
20*20 Pty Ltd has also worked closely with leading international building materials company James Hardie ever since Business Development Manager Richard James Trainer showed the company his unique steel construction system.
James Hardie Western Australian Property Development Manager Bill Buxton said when Mr Trainer was developing the system some years ago, which was primarily aimed at indigenous housing in remote areas, he was aware that 20*20 was a very good concept.
"From James Hardie's point of view we're always looking for systems we can incorporate - either floors, walls or whatever - we try to complement good systems and products. Having look at the 20*20 system in the early days, we were one of the few companies that were there at the inception, and we're still around today giving 20*20 support," Mr Buxton said.
"We know it's working because we've physically got many, many houses in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. More recently, we're starting to see the evolution of 20*20's new system of housing - not only in Perth, but also primarily in remote areas.
"The State Government wants to turn the mining and resources towns of in the north-west into cities within ten years, and that demands a lot of housing. 20*20 has a construction system that can help do that.
"Traditional housing in that region is very labour-intensive and it's time-consuming at the best of times. The quicker you can get the house up and people moving into it, the better, using a highly engineered building system in a pre-fabricated mode such as 20*20's.
"20*20's steel panel houses exceed the star rating standards that we've got at the moment - it's got the added bonus of speed of erection to get people into houses a lot quicker, so they're paying a lot less in rent while they wait for their homes to be built.
"We will be active in marketing the 20*20 system to the mining companies because hopefully it will set a new standard for housing in the north-west of the State," Mr Buxton said.
As for Richard James Trainer's strengths, Mr Buxton said: "His passion for the 20*20 building system. is unwavering. The market is not going to go away - building in Western Australia is just going to mushroom.
"The system is impact-proof in a cyclone, and there are a lot of indigenous housing programs to be tackled," Mr Buxton said.
Keith Pollock, formerly a Principal of OVE ARUP's Australian practice and manager of the group's 30-strong Building Group in Western Australia, joined 20*20 eighteen months ago, and now heads up 8DEEP, the company's design and project development arm.
"When I was introduced to Richard, I knew he was obviously dynamic.
"I think the 20*20 product he has produced gives people a great feeling of security, and they'll be able to tell other people and their families that they're in a secure house that was built very quickly. It's a bit unique and it will definitely withstand the strongest cyclones,"said Mr Pollock.
"The product is a standard product, but I've never seen that product like this used in this way anywhere else," he said.
"I've got a lot of respect for Richard James Trainer - I think he's got a very sharp mind. He's really good, quite logical and very thorough," Mr Pollock said
He said 8DEEP currently had about AUS$90 million worth of projects on its books and if it won a tender for a new holiday resort, that would take it well over the $140 million mark, which would be 'substantial.'
"I see Richard as wonderful father figure and a great family man. As busy as he is, he still goes and trains his kids with football and things in the afternoon and comes back to work again. I wonder whether his drive is for himself or his family and I suspect it's probably more for his family.
"Anyway, I find working with Richard is fun," Mr Pollock said.
Englishman Wayne Rogers first met Richard James Trainer early in 2008 when he was working as a labourer to fund his travels around Australia.
"After a few weeks, Richard presented his steel construction system to myself and fellow Englishman Matt Austin, who is now Construction and Project Manager for 20*20 Pty Ltd," Mr Rogers said.
"Within minutes it was clear to see this was an innovative product, and having monitored Australian media, I could see immense potential and market demand.
"Richard asked if we wanted to get involved in the Business Development of the system; making it crystal clear that it would be a challenge, requiring time and considerable effort.
"Richard's drive and vision was something I wanted to be part of. The fact that 20*20 had a sustainable solution at its core that could contribute to Australia's growth on so many levels was an opportunity that couldn't be missed. I am still grateful to this day that I was given that opportunity," said Mr Rogers.
He said Richard James Trainer had the ability to speak to people on many levels; no matter what their background or position, while he could also share his vision with other people.
"He has the ability to consider all aspects of Business Management and implement words into action. His drive and determination rub off on his colleagues and employees, making people feel they are part of the team and are contributing to something for the greater good.
"He recognises people's efforts and is always the first to give them a pat on the back, and if Richard has something on his mind, he has no problem in sharing it with his team. From a business point of view he his an excellent communicator," Mr Rogers said.
"As an entrepreneur Richard has vision - short, medium and long. His ideas relate to the current market and provide a solution to a current problems, taking into account such critical modern day business elements such as sustainability.
"There's no doubt about that Richard works fast and smart. I would most definiteley work with Richard again - being a part of 2020's growth, working with Richard and knowing Richard on a professional and personal level is something that I am extremely proud of," said Mr Rogers.
20*20 Pty Ltd Construction & Project Manager Matt Austin arrived in Australia from the UK on a working holiday visa just under three years ago, and was sponsored by the company to stay on and work in a senior position.
"I think Richard James Trainer has a lot more drive than most people.
"He really is willing to make things work. He can see where things can take us well before other people - he has a lot of vision and the drive and motivation he puts into his own work rubs off on other people," said Mr Austin.
"The way he drives everyone else who works with 20*20 is unique in itself. What I've learned from Richard Trainer is that he always comes up with a solution to any problem."
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Richard James Trainer: The Million MPH Man
Stefan Jadlowkier, now 20*20 Business Development Manager, first met Richard James Trainer back in 2001 when he worked for him in sales for his property company.
"I worked for him for 18 months or two years and then went off and did some other stuff," Mr Jadlowkier said.
"He operated back then pretty much like he does now – everything moves at breakneck speed and he's always two or three steps ahead....thinking. It's an entrepreneural trait – he's one of the most entrepreneurial people I've ever come across.
"His real strength is that he knows what he wants, and he goes and gets it – he's a real go-getter!
"Richard is always looking for new ideas outside the box, and when he believes in something, he'll back it 150 per cent. If I think of something I think might work, he'll back it. Where he sees an opening he'll go for it.
"I think he inspires loyalty, but you've got to know how to take him. He's always moving very fast, and if you're not used to that, you'll fall behind. He moves at a million miles an hour, and expects the same from his staff," Mr Jadlowkier said.
"I worked for him for 18 months or two years and then went off and did some other stuff," Mr Jadlowkier said.
"He operated back then pretty much like he does now – everything moves at breakneck speed and he's always two or three steps ahead....thinking. It's an entrepreneural trait – he's one of the most entrepreneurial people I've ever come across.
"His real strength is that he knows what he wants, and he goes and gets it – he's a real go-getter!
"Richard is always looking for new ideas outside the box, and when he believes in something, he'll back it 150 per cent. If I think of something I think might work, he'll back it. Where he sees an opening he'll go for it.
"I think he inspires loyalty, but you've got to know how to take him. He's always moving very fast, and if you're not used to that, you'll fall behind. He moves at a million miles an hour, and expects the same from his staff," Mr Jadlowkier said.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Richard Trainer - Entrepreneur, Loyal Friend and Great Dad
"Richard James Trainer is a loyal friend, a very generous person, a great father to his kids, and a very exciting business person," according to long-time friend Dennis McKee.
"I met Richard Trainer 20 years ago. He sold me my first house in Australia when he was still a thin bloke, and we've kept in touch.He's a great bloke.
"I've never known anybody with such amazing ideas in business and the energy to pursue those ideas through to the finish, although sometimes he gets a bit too excitable for his own good.
"He's an outstanding entrepreneur - the definition of an entrepreneur being somebody who comes up with great ideas and pushes them forward," said Mr McKee.
"He's certainly a forward-thrusting businessman - he's got all the attributes in that regard.
"Obviously he's had some knocks and scrapes in the past like a lot of us have had, but they are part and parcel of what you get in an entrepreneurial career," Mr McKee said.
"He's a great innovator in construction - I was privy to some of the early discussions he had many years ago with regard to a system similar to the one he's got at the moment which proved to be ineffectual - it was a cement product.
"Richard then developed the system he's got at the moment as a spin-off from that. He refined it and improved it, and what you see is based on his ideas. He put a lot of work into it, a lot of research and kept at very doggedly," Mr McKee said.
"It's a very impressive system. It's a great product - it's revolutionary in the speed with which a building can be put together, and it has a very high standard.
"The 20*20 building system ticks all the boxes - it's safe, it's durable and easy to of construct - it's a 21st Century product. There are no two ways about it.
"The whole idea of bricks and mortar is an Egyptian thing from 2,000BC. This system has taken advantage of modern technology and modern material and he's doing a great job with it," said Mr McKee, who manages a business promotions company.
"We specialize in business calendars for 700-800 companies in Perth in Western Australia - embroidered shirts and everything from printed coffee mugs and anything you can imagine with the company name printed on it," he said.
"I met Richard Trainer 20 years ago. He sold me my first house in Australia when he was still a thin bloke, and we've kept in touch.He's a great bloke.
"I've never known anybody with such amazing ideas in business and the energy to pursue those ideas through to the finish, although sometimes he gets a bit too excitable for his own good.
"He's an outstanding entrepreneur - the definition of an entrepreneur being somebody who comes up with great ideas and pushes them forward," said Mr McKee.
"He's certainly a forward-thrusting businessman - he's got all the attributes in that regard.
"Obviously he's had some knocks and scrapes in the past like a lot of us have had, but they are part and parcel of what you get in an entrepreneurial career," Mr McKee said.
"He's a great innovator in construction - I was privy to some of the early discussions he had many years ago with regard to a system similar to the one he's got at the moment which proved to be ineffectual - it was a cement product.
"Richard then developed the system he's got at the moment as a spin-off from that. He refined it and improved it, and what you see is based on his ideas. He put a lot of work into it, a lot of research and kept at very doggedly," Mr McKee said.
"It's a very impressive system. It's a great product - it's revolutionary in the speed with which a building can be put together, and it has a very high standard.
"The 20*20 building system ticks all the boxes - it's safe, it's durable and easy to of construct - it's a 21st Century product. There are no two ways about it.
"The whole idea of bricks and mortar is an Egyptian thing from 2,000BC. This system has taken advantage of modern technology and modern material and he's doing a great job with it," said Mr McKee, who manages a business promotions company.
"We specialize in business calendars for 700-800 companies in Perth in Western Australia - embroidered shirts and everything from printed coffee mugs and anything you can imagine with the company name printed on it," he said.
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