Bill Stoddart - Chair

Bill Stoddart has been the Managing Director of Stoddart, a diversified metal products manufacturing company since 1980. The company was founded by his father in 1959. Bill has presided over the company through a period of extensive growth to where it is now, a major manufacturing company, supplying products throughout Australia and internationally.

Bill graduated from the University of Queensland in 1964 with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Metallurgy. Prior to joining Stoddart, he worked for Comalco.

When he joined Stoddart, he set about learning the business from the ground up; managing the factory floor, engineering products for manufacture and finally moving into company management.

Stoddart now employ 360 people including 65 apprentices at three Queensland manufacturing sites and offices across New South Wales and Victoria. The Stoddart workforce are employed in a number of product divisions which include commercial kitchen and architectural contracting, food service equipment, stainless steel plumbing products, refrigeration display doors, store fixtures, street furniture and precision fabrication.

Stoddart remains a private company, with a strong commitment to training, development and innovation. The company has taken on hundreds of apprentices during its 45 years in business. Stoddart have been a major supplier on landmark projects including Parliament House in Canberra, Chifley Tower in Sydney, and the Brisbane International Airport. Stoddart is a regular supplier to US companies including Virgin Megastores, the Federated Department Store Group, and DFS Duty Free Stores.

In 1992, Bill was elected the Foundation President of the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association and served as a Board member for 10 years. The Association has become internationally recognised and conducts programs for technical service, training and industry accreditation.