Tradeware two call time

Mitch and Leonie O’Mara are leaving their renowned Brisbane store to the next set of hands.

Tradeware Building Supplies has been a staple of the Brisbane construction scene for 32 years. Now, Mitch and Leonie O’Mara have made the difficult decision to retire after building the business from a bare block of dirt.

For Mitch, the decision ends 44 years in the timber sector. He started out driving trucks in 1982 before moving into management at Fine Line Timbers — now Five Star Timbers — in 1988. In 1994, he and his wife Leonie took a leap of faith and launched Tradeware Building Supplies while raising a young family.

“We just thought, well, let’s give this a go,” Mitch said.

Over the decades, that gamble grew into a highly respected timber business known for quality, service and a willingness to evolve.

“We’ve learned a lot over the years and had to diversify a lot,” he said.

Over the years the team has specialised in lattice and wine barrels, which were turned into eskies and heater barrels. But it was timber slabs that became the business’s signature.

“If you visit our website, you’ll see the beautiful slabs we have. That’s where I really made my name in the industry and it was one of the highlights of my career.”

Mitch sourced only seasoned timber, travelling far into regional areas to find old timber getters with sheds full of slabs that had been drying for decades.

“I’ve still got slabs out there that are over 30 years old,” he said.

The character of the timber — cracks, knots and natural features — became part of the appeal. Mitch also taught himself how to finish and resin slabs, learning through trial, experience and online videos. Tradeware’s approach has always been highly hands-on. Customers often arrive with an idea for furniture, benchtops or feature pieces, and Mitch and his team help turn that idea into something practical.

While builders were always a core part of the customer base, major economic disruptions forced further innovation. When the GFC and then Covid hit, Mitch found new ways to generate revenue, including breaking down wholesale timber packs and reselling smaller quantities. More recently, Tradeware expanded again — importing FSC-certified cumaru hardwood from South America.

“We created about five different avenues of selling,” Mitch said. “It’s not bad for a little retail timber yard when we first started in ’94.”

Mitch said competition in the timber sector used to be fierce, but many yards have fallen away over time. His philosophy, however, never changed.

“I never bought average-grade wood. I always bought the best wood available.”

He credits the business’s longevity to service, quality and loyalty.

“If you have those three things, price is never an issue. Back in the day, the people who ran timber yards were grumpy old buggers,” Mitch said with a laugh. “We changed that. We became super helpful.”

He is equally proud of the people who helped build the business. Long-time manager Dave started just one week after Tradeware opened. Mitch said most of the staff are over 60 and all are friends.

Another point of pride is the presentation of the yard itself.

“I pride myself on having the cleanest timber yard in Australia,” Mitch said.

“There’s not a piece of strapping on the ground. Workplace health and safety is everything. Safety for the public has always been absolute number one.”

New owner Graham Robertson, of Robertson Brothers Sawmill will work with Mitch to ensure a smooth transition. Even so, stepping back will not come easily.

“Tradeware would not have happened without the love and support of Leonie,” Mitch said. “I will be eternally grateful for her dedication in helping create a successful and fun business. Without Leonie, Tradeware probably would not have existed. She was the driving force — not only behind the success of the business, but in making it fun as well,” Mitch said.

After 44 years of marriage, with the couple’s first grandchild due, Mitch says the timing feels right: “We’re both in our mid-60s now. It’s time to have a bit of fun.”

Story by NTHA