Back in 1994 Peter Collier was a struggling family man who wanted to devise a way of building a family home with almost zero resources. As a successful professional Potter, Ceramic Technician, and Artist, of some 25 years experience, Peter was familiar with clays and other related materials, and was a man gifted with the ability to think outside the square.

His dream was to create a building material that would provide his family’s need for a home at an affordable cost, as well as helping others (including the underprivileged) to also achieve this dream. Frustrated by being unable to acquire bank assistance, Peter started experimenting with various raw materials with a view to devising a cost effective material to build his house with.

After what he believed to be Divine inspiration, his attention was directed to specific experiments that finally developed a formula that blended cellulose, cement, sand and binders, and other materials into a building block with unique qualities - today's Timbercrete®.

When independent laboratories tested Timbercrete’s characteristics in accordance with the Australian Building Standards, they were surprised at its performance compared with traditional building materials, and suggested that Peter and Judi apply for a patent to protect the unique nature of the invention.  Patent applications were subsequently lodged in 28 countries, some of which have since been approved, with the balance pending.

As soon as Timbercrete® appeared on the market, the Colliers were presented with a variety of business propositions from people & organisations wanting a slice of the action. They were offered large sums of money to part with the rights to the patent.  However they resisted the temptation to become yet another centralised Big Business, or to sell out for one huge sum. They decided to offer the opportunity to individuals through a franchise opportunity, which also allows customers to deal with a local representative who can provide personal service and advice, thus sharing the blessing.  

Peter's measure of success: “the degree to which one can hear God's voice and obey” and  Mission Statement to "be a blessing” has helped him not  lose sight of his original objectives.

These are:

• To offer a business opportunity to worthy applicants who share our environmental and social values.
• To provide a cost effective environmentally friendly and uniquely attractive building product to 1st and 3rd world countries.
• To provide micro-enterprise opportunities and humanitarian aide through a “self-help” approach rather than just a “hand-out” approach. Using the vehicle of a franchise, we plan to provide a “fishing line” not just “a fish” and a “leg up” not just a “hand out”.
• To build a network of franchisees providing friendship, support, cooperation and assistance, encouraging each one to reach their full potential and become all that God intends them to be.

Some of the projects in which Timbercrete has been able to be a blessing include:

• Building homes for underprivileged families via Habitat for Humanity (Australia)
• Training Indigenous Australians and Canadians to manufacture blocks for their own
  housing needs (Perth, Dubbo, Canada)
• Training people from Third World or developing countries to use Timbercrete in micro-enterprises (including India, Africa, South Africa and Fiji)
• Providing training for Nationals to build low cost orphanages and schools (Sri Lanka, Argentina, Romania, Pakistan)

While it may have been  easier & more lucrative to simply sell his Patent to Big Business, Timbercrete is more interested in the “triple bottom line” approach – PEOPLE, ENVIRONMENT & PROFITS, in that order.