Proudly Shoalhaven with Chance Hanlon

Hanlon Windows has grown from a family business operating out of a garage to one of the largest manufacturers of windows and doors in the nation. Chance Hanlon is now owner and Managing Director of the Bomaderry company started by his parents, Brian and Judy, 38 years ago, and is proud
that three of his children work alongside him. Brian and Judy’s vision to set up a small family business has resulted in a company that employs more than 80 people in the Shoalhaven, Wollongong and Sydney. “We started in a factory shed on our Bolong Road premises making shower screens and wardrobes, then started making windows and doors from there,” Chance said.

The award-winning company provides custom made windows and doors and is proud of its innovative, energy efficient aluminium and timber products. “We are all about sustainability, both inside and outside of the business,” Chance said. “Double-glazing is now second nature and makes the home so much more energy efficient. “We are working really hard within the business to be energy efficient, from installing LED lighting and solar panels on the roof, which has saved 75% on electricity, and we’re looking at water recycling on the premises. ”While the Bomaderry factory remains the head office and manufacturing site, Hanlon Windows has showrooms in Drummoyne and Oak Flats and also supplies products to the Far South Coast, Canberra and Southern Highlands. “We dabbled in manufacturing in Sydney but had problems with employment so we brought the manufacturing back to Bomaderry and brought some employees down here too for a seachange,”Chance said.

The Bomaderry site employs 65 people, including apprentices and trainees. Chance is proud of the company’s dedication to helping local people by
teaching them how to use tools and giving them a trade to go on with. The company sponsors many sporting teams, a long list of charitable organisations and causes, and supports local high schools and other organisations.
Chance said the Shoalhaven boasted a great business community and there was “no place better” to do business. “The Shoalhaven is a great place to work, live and play. We’re close to Sydney, have fantastic beaches, great cafes and restaurants – it’s a really nice place to raise a family.” Chance has high praise for the Shoalhaven Business Chamber and highlights its monthly networking night as a great example of the business community coming together and learning from each other. “We have 50-100 people attending to share ideas. It’s not just big companies, it’s mum and dad retail businesses as well. Everyone learns something at these networking nights. “What’s unique about the Shoalhaven is the type of people who want to live, work and play here. I’ve lived here for 40 years and the friends and networks available to you here are second to none. “When I work in our Sydney showroom for a day and drive back here, I can just feel the relaxation start to happen. It’s just a far more relaxed lifestyle in work and outside of work. “We’re very lucky to have the Shoalhaven campus of Wollongong University here where two of my kids have gone through. We have great schools, both public and private and the TAFE supplies quality courses. “What better place is there to do business?”.