Mark Happer returned to Universal Cranes in the General Manager role in 2017 after the completion of Smithbridge Australia contracts. Mark was the Operations Manager of Smithbridge Australia and has been a key member of the Smithbridge Group of companies for over 20 years. Prior to Mark’s appointment as Operations Manager, he successfully grew, the wholly owned subsidiary Universal Cranes Pty Ltd, to one of Australia’s largest privately owned crane hire companies as General Manager.

Mark also brings years of site and project management experience to this role from previous experience on a number of historical Smithbridge projects includ- ing the Otira Viaduct and Route PJK Expressway in New Zealand. Mark further refined his management skills as General Manager of Universal Cranes. Mark was responsible for managing and coordinating over 100 staff, growing the business and establishing additional branches.

Mark was responsible for the overseeing all projects and ensuring the successful delivery of project work. He was also responsible for the coordination of resources and personnel across the company’s projects.

Ben Smith has been working with Universal Cranes since 2020 and is currently the National Operations Manager. Ben is known for exceptional leadership skills, comprehensive knowledge of lift engineering and a strong commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. Ben has a passion for optimizing operations, enhancing customer satisfaction, and driving business growth through innovative solutions and effective team management. Adept at navigating complex challenges and delivering outstanding results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Ben possesses a comprehensive understanding of the construction industry, underpinned by his registration as an engineer and experience in design engineering, project management and contract administration across resource, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

In addition to his role at Universal Cranes, Ben has been a member of the Smithbridge Group Advisory Board since 2016. In this capacity, he contributes to the organization’s strategic vision and decision-making processes, leveraging his industry knowledge and leadership experience to guide long-term planning and innovation. Ben’s advisory role has further honed his ability to align operational strategies with overarching business goals, ensuring sustained growth and success for the company.

Patrick Silver’s career in the construction and heavy lifting industry spans over a decade, characterized by increasing responsibilities and diverse project experiences.

Patrick began his construction career in site-based roles for various contractors, most notably as a site engineer during the construction of the Daunia and Caval Ridge coal mines in Central Queensland.

In 2014, Patrick joined Smithbridge, where he contributed to significant projects such as Star Mountain Plaza in Papua New Guinea and the Nambucca and Stingray Creek Bridges in New South Wales.
In 2017, Patrick transitioned to Universal Cranes, where he supported all areas of the business in his role as Lift Engineer and subsequently as Sales and Engineering Manager.

For the past three years, Patrick has led the Projects and Heavy Lift branch at Universal Cranes. In this position, he and his team have provided critical support to numerous clients by developing and implementing heavy lift solutions for a wide range of projects.

Matthew Moller began working at Universal Cranes Brisbane Branch in July 2007. Initially, he was part of the crane crew, operating a Franna for five years. He then advanced to operating slew cranes for the next seven years.

In 2019, Matt transitioned into an office role as a crane & Sales supervisor, a position he held for a year. In November of 2021, Matt was promoted to Operations Manager for the Brisbane branch.

In January 2024, Matt became the Branch Manager of Universal Cranes Brisbane Branch.

After 10 years in the electrical reticulation industry in New Zealand, Stuart first joined the Smithbridge Group of companies in 1998. Since then, he has worked in several positions within the company in New Zealand, Guam, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Australia. These have been hands-on, supervisory and managerial roles in Contracting, Equipment Logistics, Fabrication Workshop, HSE, Compliance, Precast Concrete and Wind Farming. Stuart has been responsible for managing large projects and is experienced in leading multicultural teams of up to 100 staff. Industry experience and an understanding of customer expectations ensures our Northern NSW customers will receive the best possible service from Stuart and the Ballina team.

Luke Brushe, a born and bred Gladstone local, boasts over 25 years of experience in the crane industry. He has worked on a diverse range of sites including residential, industrial, refineries, and large-scale construction projects.

Throughout his career, Luke has operated cranes of various sizes, from Frannas to 1350t crawler cranes, developing skills in lift planning, job scoping, and optimizing fleet capabilities to provide the best service possible.

Luke joined Universal Cranes Gladstone in April 2019, initially as part of the crane crew before transitioning into Sales and Supervision. His dedication and leadership led to his promotion to Operations Manager of the Central Queensland Branch in November 2020.

As of March 2025, he has been appointed Branch Manager, where he continues to lead a dedicated team focused on customer satisfaction.

Since its launch in 2014, Universal Cranes Roma has been a cornerstone of the Surat Basin community, delivering unparalleled lifting solutions. As someone who began my journey here as a Rigger and worked my way up to Branch Manager, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing—and contributing to—the growth and evolution of our branch firsthand.
Over the past decade, we’ve built more than just infrastructure; we’ve built relationships. From domestic projects to large-scale civil and mining operations, our customers trust Universal Cranes Roma to deliver professional, reliable, and safe services. This trust has been the foundation of our success and fuels our ongoing commitment to excellence.
At Universal Cranes Roma, we take immense pride in representing a brand synonymous with quality and professionalism. Our highly skilled team shares a passion for meeting and exceeding expectations, ensuring every project is completed to the highest standards.
As Branch Manager, I’m proud to lead a team that upholds these values and contributes to the reputation of Universal Cranes in the Surat Basin. Together, we’re not just lifting loads—we’re elevating the standards of service in our industry and strengthening the communities we serve.

John’s career with Smithbridge Group began in New Zealand, where he served as a construction supervisor. His exceptional leadership and organizational skills led to his relocation to Guam, where he continued to excel and was promoted to Plant Manager in 2003.

In 2005, John and Margot established Universal Cranes Sunshine Coast and John took on the role of Managing Director. Under his guidance, the company has thrived, fostering a positive, cooperative, and safety-conscious environment. John and Margot are also deeply involved in the Sunshine Coast community, where they are respected for their contributions to local causes. Universal Cranes Sunshine Coast continues to stand out as the premier crane company in the region

Gordon Willocks started work for John Smith Contractors (Group Managing Director Albert Smith’s father) in New Zealand as a teenager and has been part of the Universal Cranes family from the very beginning. Gordon has experience in wharf, bridge and foundations construction.

He spent 11 years in Guam working as Operations Manager for Universal Cranes sister company Smithbridge. Gordon moved to Brisbane with his family in 2004, taking up the post of Operations Manager for the flagship Universal Cranes Brisbane operations. An energetic and engaging leader, Gordon again relocated to North Queensland as the owner and operator of the Universal Cranes Townsville branch. Gordon manages an industry-leading crane hire business in North Queensland, continuing to grow in a challenging economic environment.