Locally owned and operated Greg Donaldson Contracting Limited (GDC) has won big at this year’s biennial ANZ Business of the Year Awards held at a black-tie gala dinner at the Ashburton Aviation Museum earlier this year, winning the supreme award and multiple category prizes.
The company, founded by Greg Donaldson, has grown into one of Mid Canterbury’s most respected businesses over the past three decades. It specialises in a full range of civil contracting services across rural, residential, and commercial projects with a commitment to providing excellent service, high quality, and professional workmanship in innovative and cost-effective ways.
GDC was incredibly humbled to be a finalist in all five nominated award categories: excellence in primary industries, excellence in technology and innovation, excellence in environmental sustainability, emerging business leader, and excellence in workplace wellbeing.
GDC general manager Michael Donaldson went on to take out the Emerging Business Leader Award. The company also picked up the excellence in technology and innovation award and received a highly commended in both excellence in primary industry and environmental sustainability, before going on to win the supreme award, as decided by Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan.
Mayor McMillan said it was an inspirational night, with the awards highlighting the incredible talent and drive right here in our district.
“There are so many success stories happening in our own backyard, and they deserve to be recognised and celebrated for their hard work and determination. GDC’s outstanding combination of vision, passion, and excellence has made a significant contribution to our community.”
GDC general manager Michael Donaldson said the success of the night had come as a “massive shock”. It was the first time the company had entered the awards, which have been running biennially since 2022.
“I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet. I haven’t really had a chance to reflect fully on the magnitude of it. Personally, I never expected us to get that far. It’s just mind-blowing. It was no mean feat. The other companies and businesses we were up against were doing a lot of innovative things and exporting overseas. I’m just blown away by what we achieved. I didn’t expect any of it.”
Michael credited the achievement to their incredible team, whose hard work drives the company forward every day. “We are not ones toot our own horn, so for the company to receive this kind of acknowledgment shows that our whole team is doing the right thing, going above and beyond for our clients. Without the staff, we would not be able to do it anyway. We have a very low staff turnover rate, with many having been there for 30-plus years, which has to say something.”
He attributed much of the company’s ongoing success to his father, Greg Donaldson. “Dad’s a forward-thinker. It goes back to how he set the business up from the outset. It’s always been about providing good service at affordable prices, thinking outside the box, coming up with safer, new, cost-effective, and innovative ways of doing things, and achieving good results. Everyone has inherited that same mentality.”
Michael admits that the development of the mole plough had undoubtedly been one of GDC’s most significant achievements.
Born of tragic personal loss, Greg was determined to find a safer way to deliver power by installing underground. After years of research, experimentation, and development, he created a pioneering mole plough technology that transformed the way underground cabling could be installed, enabling faster, deeper, and more cost-effective installations than ever before. The patented mole plough has already proven its worth in the Ashburton, Southland, Waimate, Timaru, and Selwyn districts with the under-grounding of powerlines and installation of new fibre networks.
While his father remains active in operations, Michael took on the role of general manager in late 2024 and, in a short time, has proved his ability to lead with vision and energy. He embodies excellence by leading through example, setting high personal standards, and expects the same from his team, ensuring every project is delivered with precision and professionalism. Like his father, he has an innovative mindset, seeking smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways of working to ensure GDC stays relevant and progressive in today’s environment.
Michael’s long-term vision is to ensure GDC remains a respected and innovative leader in civil contracting while staying true to its core values. A big part of that was being a proud contributor to the Ashburton District through support of local sport, fundraising, and heritage events, like being the long-time sponsor of Ashburton Wheels Week.