David started working at Hayes Steel in 1998 spending a couple of years learning everything he could about the steel industry, from welding, painting, packing, racking, deliveries and sales.  He purchased the business from the previous owners, Michael & Gai Hayes, around the year 2000. He became the Owner & Director working full time in the business.

Many years were spent working alongside Scott Foster (his right hand man and Manager), Peter North (brother and Workshop Manager) and the rest of the staff who helped grow Hayes Steel into the business it is today – a fully functional and profitable metal fabrication and steel supply company specialising in quality Australian Made Steel.

2017 started drastically as the business was hit hard in March by Murwillumbah’s largest flood in recorded history. 1.8m of filthy water went through the entire premises, completely decimating the office, machines, tools, stock and trucks. For weeks, Hayes Steel employees and many community and church volunteers worked around the clock to wash, dry & oil every length of steel in our extensive range, as well as repair any salvageable equipment.  David was hands-on in the thick of the rebuild effort working 20hr day/night until the business was able to function again in a capacity that could support the 22 families relying on Hayes Steel for employment.  

Just as things were looking up and Hayes Steel was again focussing on the future, we received the devastating news on the morning of 25th July 2017 that David had passed away during the night from a heart attack. Shocked and shaken to the core by this unforeseen tragedy, Hayes Steel once again struggled to come to terms with disaster. United in grief and loss with his family, Hayes Steel employees resolved again to soldier on with a view to continuing David’s legacy.