Tony Halikos has officially opened a new 1000sqm NT Fasteners warehouse and showroom in Darwin, marking the realisation of a decades-long vision he shared with his late father John.
The Berrimah Road facility, unveiled on Thursday, June 18, is more than 12 times larger than the company’s previous premises and was described by Halikos as the culmination of a 15–18 year journey.
“The project’s been 15 to 18 years in the making, and this is a really big, momentous occasion for our family,” he said. “Dad always wanted me to do this and it’s difficult without him here.”
Halikos said the development fulfilled a lifelong ambition that began when he was 18.
“This has been something that I’ve wanted since I was 18-years-old and I’m 43 now, so to get this project up in the way that we did, means a lot to me and my family,” he said.
The project was the first time Tony partnered with his wife Nicki. It was built entirely using local businesses and materials, including Darwin-based builders Bayside Develop Construct, continuing the ethos established when his father founded the company in 1987.
“This project’s 100 per cent local using all our customers and local trades… Every piece of steel here is Australian, every piece of material here came from somebody who works and develops this town.”
Halikos said the new facility would “bullet proof NT Fasteners as a local supplier for next generation NT businesses and for my kids as well,” adding that “economic factors have delayed this by over a decade”.
The showroom launch was attended by NT Treasurer Bill Yan, who said the investment reflected confidence in the Territory’s economic future, citing major projects including the ship lift construction, Arafura Rare Earths, the Nobles Nob mine and the Beetaloo Sub-basin development.
“The NT is on the cusp of a lot of major projects at the moment… and that’s the future for the Territory,” Yan said.
Source: NT News
