Redefining excellence since 1886.
Since 1886, our engineering company’s journey epitomises a legacy of innovation, growth, and unwavering commitment.
Of humble origins
The realisation that sail power was giving way to steam, and that demand for industrial services would increase, set George H. Varley on course for greatness.
1886
George H Varley forms a plumbing and boiler-making business in King St, Newcastle
1886
George H Varley forms a plumbing and boiler-making business in King St, Newcastle
1912
GH Varley Pty Ltd becomes Incorporated, 8 family members are shareholders
1912
GH Varley Pty Ltd becomes Incorporated, 8 family members are shareholders
1913
GH Varley passes away, son Reginald inherits leadership of the business
1913
GH Varley passes away, son Reginald inherits leadership of the business
1914
Darby St premises are opened
1914
Darby St premises are opened
1921
Varley suffers first period of financial difficulty
1921
Varley suffers first period of financial difficulty
1923
Reginald (pictured) resigns, replaced by brother Ambrose
1923
Reginald (pictured) resigns, replaced by brother Ambrose
1930
Clement Y Varley, another son replaces Ambrose
Clement is to become Varley’s longest sitting Chairman at 44 years of service
1930
Clement Y Varley, another son replaces Ambrose
Clement is to become Varley’s longest sitting Chairman at 44 years of service
1939
Varley received ‘Priority T’ status due to its work on Australia’s naval fleet in WWII
1939
Varley received ‘Priority T’ status due to its work on Australia’s naval fleet in WWII
1964
The business closes King St and Darby St facilities and moves to Parker St, Carrington
1964
The business closes King St and Darby St facilities and moves to Parker St, Carrington
1966
Clem G Varley Jr joins the company to prepare for succession from his father
1966
Clem G Varley Jr joins the company to prepare for succession from his father
1967
‘Varley Aluminium’ is formed
1967
‘Varley Aluminium’ is formed
1970
Clem Varley Sr resigns; Clem Jnr (pictured) becomes chairman
‘Covar’ is formed to deliver civil engineering services; sold back to employees in 1973
1970
Clem Varley Sr resigns; Clem Jnr (pictured) becomes chairman
‘Covar’ is formed to deliver civil engineering services; sold back to employees in 1973
1972
‘Corrosion Control Pty Ltd’ is acquired
1972
‘Corrosion Control Pty Ltd’ is acquired
1975
‘Varlec’, Varley’s first electrical division, is created
1975
‘Varlec’, Varley’s first electrical division, is created
1976
Wollongong facility is opened, offering industrial services to the Illawarra region
Power station works commence at Eraring, Vales Point and Bayswater Power Stations
1976
Wollongong facility is opened, offering industrial services to the Illawarra region
Power station works commence at Eraring, Vales Point and Bayswater Power Stations
1979
Business rebranded ‘Varley Engineering’ to better represent the company’s diversity
‘Hill and Mills Fabricating’ is purchased, operating out of Young St, Carrington
1979
Business rebranded ‘Varley Engineering’ to better represent the company’s diversity
‘Hill and Mills Fabricating’ is purchased, operating out of Young St, Carrington
1985
‘Croft and Associates’, an environmental consulting business is purchased and soon becomes known as ‘Envirosciences’
1985
‘Croft and Associates’, an environmental consulting business is purchased and soon becomes known as ‘Envirosciences’
1988
‘Invartech’ is created; owned by Varley. It provides design and project management services
‘Varley Shelters’ is created to fulfil the company’s first foray into the Defence market
1988
‘Invartech’ is created; owned by Varley. It provides design and project management services
‘Varley Shelters’ is created to fulfil the company’s first foray into the Defence market
1995
Jeff Phillips, Clem’s son-in-law, assumes the CEO role from Clem Jnr at 31 years old
1995
Jeff Phillips, Clem’s son-in-law, assumes the CEO role from Clem Jnr at 31 years old
1999
The ‘Varley Commander’ fire truck contract commences
A new, 5,000m2 facility at Virginia QLD is opened to facilitate specialised vehicle manufacture
1999
The ‘Varley Commander’ fire truck contract commences
A new, 5,000m2 facility at Virginia QLD is opened to facilitate specialised vehicle manufacture
2000
Tomago Head Office and main workshop is purchased; at 12 hectares, it is almost 7 times larger than the previous facility
Clem Varley Jnr passes away and Jeff Phillips becomes Managing Director and Chairman
2000
Tomago Head Office and main workshop is purchased; at 12 hectares, it is almost 7 times larger than the previous facility
Clem Varley Jnr passes away and Jeff Phillips becomes Managing Director and Chairman
2003
Varley Rail moves into a large facility at Darling St, Carrington
2003
Varley Rail moves into a large facility at Darling St, Carrington
2004
PT Varley Indonesia commences operations in Jakarta
2004
PT Varley Indonesia commences operations in Jakarta
2010
Ray Hall, Varley’s longest ever employee of 70 years, sadly passes away
Ray is celebrated by a long-service honour wall created in his name
2010
Ray Hall, Varley’s longest ever employee of 70 years, sadly passes away
Ray is celebrated by a long-service honour wall created in his name
2011
Varley celebrates 125 years in operation; the book “By George, We’ve Done It!’ is published to commemorate the occasion
Varley acquires ‘SEM Fire and Rescue’ in Victoria to expand the company’s specialised vehicle manufacture capabilities
2011
Varley celebrates 125 years in operation; the book “By George, We’ve Done It!’ is published to commemorate the occasion
Varley acquires ‘SEM Fire and Rescue’ in Victoria to expand the company’s specialised vehicle manufacture capabilities
2013
Varley’s Sydney operations are opened in Milperra, offering extra specialised vehicles manufacture capabilities
Varley acquires ‘Telescopic Tower Enterprises’ in Queensland. offering elected work solutions
2013
Varley’s Sydney operations are opened in Milperra, offering extra specialised vehicles manufacture capabilities
Varley acquires ‘Telescopic Tower Enterprises’ in Queensland. offering elected work solutions
2014
Varley acquires ‘BJ Electrical’ to expand its electrical service capabilities
2014
Varley acquires ‘BJ Electrical’ to expand its electrical service capabilities
2015
Varley acquires ‘EMC Electric Vehicles’ in Gosford to increase its electric vehicle manufacture and sales capabilities
Varley’s Queensland operations moves into a new 16,000m2 facility at Narangba
2015
Varley acquires ‘EMC Electric Vehicles’ in Gosford to increase its electric vehicle manufacture and sales capabilities
Varley’s Queensland operations moves into a new 16.000m2 facility at Narangba
Varley’s Perth operations commence. offering extra telescopic rower and specilaised vehicle manufacture capabilities
2016
Varley partners with ‘CTSi’, United States expanding into world-class technical services in Defence
Varley acquires ‘RGM Maintenance’ to increase its vehicle manufacture, sales and national service capabilities
2016
Varley partners with ‘CTSi’, United States expanding into world-class technical services in Defence
Varley acquires ‘RGM Maintenance’ to increase its vehicle manufacture, sales and national service capabilities
2017
Varley expands rail services into Hi Rail
Varley Group is created with 3 major business sectors, Defence, Vehicles and Services
2017
Varley expands rail services into Hi Rail
Varley Group is created with 3 major business sectors, Defence, Vehicles and Services
2021
Varley Group acquires Norship and founds Norsta
2021
Varley Group acquires Norship and founds Norsta
2023
Varley Group acquires FRAME Group
2021
Varley Group acquires FRAME Group