Bordeaux nails it; 40 years on and building strong

For STEVE MILUTINOVIC, family has always been a big part of the success of his construction company. Wife, Sue, joined him in the administrative side 36 years ago and all three of their sons – Michael, Jamie and Mark – are now also working in the business.

LOCAL family business Bordeaux Construction and Management was created by Steve Milutinovic in 1983 and, four decades on, he and his family are celebrating the contribution they’ve made to the building, renovation and refurbishment of homes and businesses in Canberra and the region. 

What started out as primarily a kitchen and cabinetry business, Bordeaux has expanded over the years and grown into specialising in home renovations, extensions and new homes. 

Bordeaux also specialises in commercial fitouts and joinery and is fully licensed as a builder in NSW and ACT.

For Steve, family has always been a big part of the success of Bordeaux. His wife, Sue, joined him in running the administrative side of the business 36 years ago and Steve says that they continue to be great business and life partners. 

All three of their sons – Michael, Jamie and Mark – are now also working in the business and bringing their own sets of skills.  

Serbia born and Canberra bred, Steve started his apprenticeship in 1977 in carpentry and joinery. He also learnt cabinet making with his apprenticeship with ACT Builders and Interior Joiners. Steve says he has always loved working with his hands: “There’s a joy about working with your hands and bringing a design to reality,” he says. 

Steve worked on large projects, such as the National Gallery and the High Court, which gave him great experience in working with natural timber and creating detailed furniture for these iconic public institutions.  

Two years later, he says he went out on his own thanks to his dad who spruiked Steve’s out-of-hours services to his friends. Steve found that his side projects were taking on a life of their own and, in time, it had developed into a full-time job. 

“It got to the stage where I couldn’t keep up, so in 1983, I started Capital Cabinet Making,” says Steve.  

Steve fondly remembers working alongside some great designers and architects, creating high-end furniture, cabinetry and also refurbishments to mainly kitchens and bathrooms. 

Quickly, Steve created a name for quality workmanship and was awarded several Master Builders’ awards for both bathroom and kitchen of the year. 

“Working with some fantastic interior designers, I could use my skills to bring their visions to life,” he says.

“Whatever they planned we brought to reality. We have to make sure to work structurally and how to deliver the job.  

“Of course it’s been a big drawcard to have gained the recognition of my peers and when you win multiple awards, it shows that you are at the top of your game.”

Steve says he enjoys being a trendsetter with the designs they create and the complexity of the craftsmanship they pride themselves on. 

In time, Steve says the business changed its name to Bordeaux Kitchens and then more recently to Bordeaux Construction and Management. 

He says the famous Bordeaux wine region in France is an easily recognisable name that conveys quality and timelessness. He says the family felt it was a fitting name for the business that prides itself on excellence in everything they do. 

And, inspired by the luscious Bordeaux red-wine hues, in their Queanbeyan showroom there is an iconic red kitchen.

“This kitchen has become a classic design. It’s about 25 years old now, but people think it is new when they come into our showroom. It really stands out and captures the imagination,” says Steve.  

Steve says he’s proud to have played a role in the careers of many apprentices and up-and-coming tradespeople who now have moved on to run their own businesses.  

“It makes me feel extremely proud and I enjoy keeping in touch with former staff,” says Steve. 

With his family by his side, Steve says that Bordeaux Construction and Management is going from strength to strength. Their focus on the construction side of the business enables them to become a “one-stop-shop” for clients seeking the total renovation package. 

“Our eldest son, Michael, holds an unrestricted A-class builder’s licence and has more than 17 years of industry experience, and heads up the project management side of the business. Jamie is a B-class builder and runs the joinery arm as well as manages many of our rural jobs. And Mark, who is an ex professional football player, has more recently joined us and is assisting in running the joinery shop as well as learning to project manage,” says Steve. 

Steve says he’s working more in “quality control” these days, ensuring the Bordeaux excellence is evident and on track on every project no matter the size or scale. 

“The success of our business is thanks to our ability to meet the task and deliver projects with excellence from design to handover.” 

A proud grandfather of Mateja and Luka with another grandchild soon to join the family, he describes being a grandfather as the “absolute pinnacle” and Steve says fondly that the next generation of CEOs of the business have come into the world.   

Bordeaux Construction and Management, visit bordeauxbcm.com.au, 8 Aurora Place, Queanbeyan or call 6299 4642.

Related