OUR STORY
Alexander: A construction company shaped by legacy, driven by delivery
From its beginnings as a building company based in Napier in 1947 to its construction business expansion into Manawatū, Alexander continues to deliver projects with precision, pride and reliability.
Building the foundations of an emerging construction company
Alexander was founded by Ralph Alexander, who started the company in 1947, using an army gratuity he received on his return from World War II. Ralph had served as an infantryman in the Western Desert and had twice been made a prisoner of war (he escaped both times).
Upon his return home, he used that same grit and determination to start his own construction business. Initially, just one car and a custom-made, cut-down trailer transported the building materials to site, with Ralph running the carpentry and joinery shop from the family home in Georges Drive, Napier. A structure built from recycled ships’ beams served as the workshop.
A family business: RG & C Alexander Ltd
In 1947, Ralph was joined by his younger brother Cedric. Now a family business, RG & C Alexander Ltd was formed.
Initially, they worked on building sites together, completing quotes at night. They took on jobs that other builders shunned and figured out innovative solutions to achieve success.
Growing with Hawke’s Bay: housing and government projects
As the city of Napier rapidly expanded, so did the brothers’ work prospects. New housing developments were needed and by 1963, demand, driven by the housing shortage and a lucrative contract for the Government Group Housing Scheme, saw RG & C Alexander further expand their operations.
The brothers also took on community projects. These included construction of sewerage and stormwater pumping stations for Napier City Council. Education and commercial ventures became integral to their portfolio, alongside work on several high-profile industrial buildings (including the Weldwell Electrode Factory). More diverse commercial work followed, notably the Muddy Creek Diversion, which was a landmark project aimed at preventing flooding in the Ngaruroro River area.
A turning point and a new chapter for the business
Many projects later, and after almost four decades at the helm, Ralph retired as General Manager of RG & C Alexander in 1984. The new company of Alexander Construction (HB) Ltd was formed under the astute management of Ralph’s son, Chris Alexander.
Tragedy struck in 1993 when Chris died unexpectedly. His reputation and that of his family was such that Napier City Council held a minute’s silence in his memory. It marked a turning point in the company, and for the first time, its day-to-day management was transferred to someone outside the family.
In 2002, Mark Hamilton was offered the opportunity to become director and major shareholder of the company, and after 57 years, the Alexander family elected to scale back their involvement in the business.
Mark continues to take the company forward, building on the family legacy left after more than seven decades as a stalwart of the industry. His commitment is to deliver each project with quality, integrity and care. The same qualities he seeks in his valued and talented team.
Today: carrying the Alexander legacy forward with quality, integrity and care
Alexander has grown as a building company over the years, offering building construction outside of Napier, with a second office operating from Manawatū, and managing projects nationwide.
Property Development was added to the services of Alexander, with the acquisition of residential design and build company Homeworx in 2025, and partnering with the Truss House system to support their growing ambitions.
From significant legacy projects to honing expertise in building medical centres and being a trusted partner in government projects, Alexander continues to proudly deliver residential, industrial, commercial, health, education, retail and community projects, with the same grit and standards that shaped us in 1947.
Building awesomeness on site and within the community.
In order to stay on top of our game and provide better service than anyone else, we are constantly assessing ourselves for methods of improvement and striving towards the company vision of ‘Building Awesomeness’. We are serious about this vision, it’s written all over our site containers, site fencing and throughout our office. It’s in the language we speak, which spreads to our team, clients, consultants, sub-contractors and community. We are careful to employ people who share our values and are just as obsessed as we are with doing an awesome job.
Alexander are committed to giving back to the communities they build in and are passionate about giving a leg-up to the people and organisations doing their own version of awesome. Through sponsorship and support, Alexander help local organisations grow their impact and deliver real outcomes for the people they serve.