Rust never sleeps, and neither does Kim

Born and bred in Western Australia, Kim is no stranger to the art of durability—both in his career and his personal passions.  

A cycling enthusiast and an ice hockey player for over 50 years, Kim has embraced a lifetime of activity and challenge, qualities that mirror his dedication to a long-standing career in coatings and insulation. 

Kim’s journey in the industry began in 1978, when he took up an apprenticeship as a painter.  

Little did he know that this first step would lead to a career filled with exciting opportunities and high-profile projects.  

By the 1990s, Kim was ready to take on a new challenge—running his own business. His business quickly became a trusted name, working with national and international companies. 

“I started in the industry in 1978 as an apprentice painter. After working for a couple of different companies in the 80s, I started my own company in 1997,” Kim said.  

After selling his company in 2007, Kim continued to expand his expertise before landing an exciting position as the Australian distributor for Humidur products. In this role, he became certified to train others in using these specialised coatings, a responsibility he continues to take pride in today.  

“Training applicators to apply Humidur products is a requirement of the manufacturer to cover their warranty,” he explained, adding that this training covers key aspects like surface preparation, coating application, and product mixing. 

Today, Kim is a Lead Fabric Maintenance Coordinator at Monadelphous, having joined in September 2024. He now serves as a Coatings and Insulation Subject Matter Expert in the Energy division, using his wealth of experience to support both Monadelphous’ people and clients.  

“I enjoy being able to help both our people and our clients with issues that may arise from time to time,” he said. 

“I also look at new technologies and better ways of doing things, which for me is pretty cool.” 

After more than four decades, Kim’s commitment to his craft is as strong as ever. And just like his hockey skates, his dedication to the industry shows no sign of wearing out.  

When it comes to encouraging others to join the field, he’s passionate about the possibilities.  

“They say that “Rust never Sleeps” and with that in mind, being a multi disciplined business you can work as a blaster/painter or become an inspector, there are opportunities to become a planner or estimator,” he said. 

“You could also further your education and become an Engineer.”