Big River Industries, a leader in the manufacturing and distribution of timber and building products, has announced the acquisition of Specialised Laminators (SLQ), a renowned panel products company based in Brisbane, Queensland. This strategic move enhances Big River’s panel products offering and strengthens its presence in the industry.

SLQ, established in 1977, has earned an outstanding reputation for producing high-quality decorative and functional panel products. Known for their innovative solutions and commitment to excellence, SLQ’s products are highly regarded in the construction and architectural sectors. The acquisition will allow customers to access an expanded range of premium panel solutions through Big River’s Panels Division nationally, combining the strengths of both companies to deliver superior products and services.

“Bringing SLQ into the Big River family is a significant milestone in our mission to offer top-quality panel products to our customers,” said John Lorente, CEO of Big River Group. “This acquisition allows us to expand our specialised Panels Division, providing customers with a broader selection of innovative and high-performance panel solutions. The synergies between SLQ and Big River create exciting opportunities for growth and product development.”

John Closter, one of SLQ’s founders, and Wayne Austin, General Manager, will continue to lead the business under the Big River umbrella, ensuring continuity and leveraging their expertise to drive future success. “Joining Big River Group is an exciting new chapter for SLQ. We are confident that our combined expertise and resources promise enhanced product availability, improved supply chain efficiencies, and innovative panel solutions tailored to meet diverse construction needs,” said Closter.

“We are thrilled to become part of Big River, a company that shares our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Our customers can look forward to an expanded product range and enhanced service capabilities,” Austin adds.

Big River has been operating for over 120 years, manufacturing and distributing timber and steel formwork products, timber flooring, building products, structural plywood and related timber products. It also distributes a broad range of other building products, including MaxiWall and MaxiFloor, primarily to the commercial, residential and infrastructure construction market segments.

Architecture & Design Team

Big-River-acquires-Specialised-Laminators-SLQ-1732068237.png

Big River Group

Let’s connect!