Pyrenees Quarries
GLENN GUEST, Director and Part owner of Pyrenees Quarries reports on the diversity and growth of the business.
WHEN early settlers erected their dwellings and created their garden landscapes in the new Victorian goldfields towns that sprang up in the 1850’s, they used the local stone and natural materials that were such an endemic element of the Golden Triangle.
Well over a century later, Castlemaine stonemasons Glen Taylor and Glenn Guest, attuned to the need for a good supply of local stone that would harmonise with the created and natural landscape of Central Victoria, opened Pyrenees Quarries.
Now, eleven years later, Pyrenees Quarries has attained an Australia-wide reputation for the supply of stone and stone products to suit individual requirements. The three partners of the business are Glenn Guest, who brings a wealth of stone masonry and technical experience, David Horner, a geologist with forty years of experience in oil and soft rock geology and Doug Hansford who takes care of the administration, orders and deliveries.
Originally beginning with the purchase of the 150 year old Pyrenees Quarry at Avoca, producing blue/grey slate and quartzite building, paving and feature stones, the company then opened their Yapeen quarry from which is extracted the mellow honey-coloured sandstone, so reminiscent of the goldfields area.
As the business has grown and areas of need have been identified, the team at Pyrenees Quarries has worked to source high quality materials to best suit those requirements. We currently supplying stone from other quarries in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland as well as a number of established suppliers throughout the world, delivering an exciting range of granite, limestone, marble, quartzite, sandstone and slate.
We also stocked is a good range of professional quality stone working tools, saw blades, grinding discs etc at very competitive prices.
The stone range includes building and terracing sandstone and slate, paving in random form, tiles and flagstones in polished and natural split surface, water feature stones, landscaping boulders and slabs, stone strata and cladding, stone steps (natural and worked), natural headstones, pool coping, roof slates, hearth stones, lintels, table tops, granite and marble slabs, lawn edging, cobble stones to name just a few.
Clients are able to wander the three acre site at leisure, choosing from a multitude of rocks in all shapes and sizes, including huge flat slabs and rounded boulders up to five tonnes.
With stone preparation facilities onsite, Pyrenees Quarries specialize in producing unique products. Experienced stone masons and facilities are available to modify, cut, profile, polish, drill or shape stone to suit customer’s requirements.
Eight years ago, after many requests, the business expanded into the supply, manufacture and installation of custom built granite, marble and reconstituted bench tops for domestic and commercial use.
Granite, marble and travertine is sourced from a wide range of suppliers, as well as all major reconstituted stone ranges such as Caesar Stone, Essa Stone, Smart Stone etc. Samples from most stone ranges are on display at the workshop.
All kitchen bench tops, vanities, table tops, hearths, mantles, customised table tops, counters, splashbacks, bars, fireplace surrounds etc. are custom made to the client’s requirements. Mitred edges, waterfall ends, undermount sinks, carved draining grooves and curved benchtops are just a few of the many options available. Up to date equipment in the workshop, such as automated edge profile machines and saws and a new Comanduli edge polisher, ensure a quality job is produced and experienced installers are on hand to complete the job.
Pyrenees Quarries is environmentally responsible. When the business was established in 2003, a 20,000 litre rainwater tank and a natural filtration recirculation system was installed, “We are very aware of the impact our footprint has on the environment, so we do what we can to reduce it,” explained business partner, Doug Hansford, who is President of the Guildford/Upper Loddon Landcare Group.
“Nothing is wasted. All the water is recycled. We put the rainwater tanks in when we first started out. We are connected to mains water but rarely need to use it. Rainwater is also recycled through triple filtration sediment pits, when the pits are full we pump out the water, which is like slurry, and return the stone slurry back to the quarry,” he said.
“We also sponsor the local Landcare Group, which plants trees to help maintain and preserve the local environment. We are aiming to be carbon neutral to further reduce our footprint. The next step is to look at green electricity.”
Another green initiative has been the introduction of Slate Mulch, a natural and low maintenance mulching material that helps to retain soil moisture, retard weed growth, keep soil warm in winter and cool in summer, is fire resistant and not easily wind-blown or water washed. It is long lasting, is insect and mould resistant and there’s little compaction with time, giving a low long term cost.
New products are always being explored. Under development at present are crushed Pyrenees quartzite/slate and Chooky and Yapeen crushed sandstone. This crushed rock should be suitable for pathways and/or driveways and for ornamental garden use. It is hoped this can be offered for sale in the next few months. Rocks suitable for use in gabion walls are also being investigated as a possible future product.
Pyrenees Quarries are a member of CMPA and its directors believe having an industry body to protect the interests of the stone and quarrying industry is essential. This was seen when members successfully mobilised to protest the proposed introduction of a mining tax in 2010. Having an industry body also encourages mutually beneficial networking as is seen with the close working relationship Pyrenees Quarries enjoys with other local businesses Allstone Quarries and Mount Granite Quarries.
Pyrenees Quarries offer retail sales direct from their factory facilities at 18 Martin Street, Castlemaine and are open from 7.30am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays and after hours by appointment.
60 SECONDS WITH A VOTING MEMBER…
What is your name?
Glenn Guest.
Who do you work for?
I am a Director and part-owner at Pyrenees Quarries Pty Ltd.
How many years have you worked for this business?
Glen Taylor, Doug Hansford and I started this business in 2002.
How many years have you been involved in the Industry?
25 years.
What is your role at the company?
I am Production Manager and Quarry Manager.
What does your job involve?
Overseeing all production at the workshop and yard and overseeing
quarrying operations.
What is the best part of your job?
The personal satisfaction of producing a top quality product to suit the individual needs of our clientele.
Pyrenees Quarries PTY LTD
Glenn Guest – Director
Ph: 5470 5288
You must be logged in to post a comment Login