For over 40 years, Sam the Paving Man has been a leader in premium paving and hardscaping, shaping the streets, squares and civic spaces that define Australia’s major cites. What started as a family business has grown into a trusted leader in public domain works driven by a clear purpose: building beautiful cities from the ground up.
From arriving in Australia as a young Lebanese immigrant in 1975 to founding one of the country’s most recognised paving companies, Sam Harb’s story is one of determination, grit, and vision. With nothing but a strong work ethic and a dream, Sam and his wife Annette launched a small, home-based paving business in 1985—hand-delivering flyers, knocking on doors, and managing every project themselves. Their dedication quickly earned Sam the nickname “Sam the Paving Man,” a name that soon became synonymous with quality and reliability.
More than 40 years later, that humble operation has grown into an industry leader. Our continued investment in Australia includes the ownership of local quarries, giving us rare control over quality, consistency, and supply. With the acquisition of Melocco, we proudly carry forward a 117-year legacy in Australian stone manufacturing, serving as custodians of our country’s natural stone heritage. Combined with over 25 years of trusted international quarry partnerships, we now offer clients access to the world’s finest natural stone—backed by hard-earned knowledge, precision, and pride in our craft.
A defining moment came with the completion of the Sydney Olympic Park project, where our team installed over 20 million pavers across 200,000m² of space. The project’s scale and complexity solidified our reputation as the go-to paving experts for large-scale, high-pressure projects. This success propelled us to the forefront of the industry, establishing Sam the Paving Man as Australia’s largest paving company.
In 2009, Sam the Paving Man took a significant step forward by acquiring Granites of Australia, a company renowned for its ownership and production of the prestigious Austral Black granite. This exceptional stone, known for its striking aesthetics and superior quality, has become the material of choice for numerous high-profile projects. Today, Austral Black is proudly specified for developments by the City of Sydney, Parramatta, and Liverpool Councils, reinforcing its reputation as a premium Australian stone.
Building on this success, in February 2023 Granites of Australia and Sam the Paving Man expanded their expertise with the acquisition of Tillett Stone. With a remarkable 150-year legacy, Tillett Stone, located in Adelaide, South Australia, has long been recognised for its craftsmanship in processing premium Australian stone into a range of high-quality products. From pavers, tiles, and kerbs to bespoke items stone bollards, seating, and intricate pavement patterns, this addition strengthens our capabilities and broadens our offering of superior stone solutions.
Sam the Paving Man’s acquisition of Melocco Stone in Melbourne marks a strategic expansion, reinforcing our commitment to building Australia with premium Australian natural stone materials. By integrating Melocco Stone’s rich heritage and expertise into our operations, we enhance our capacity to source, process, and deliver high-quality, locally sourced stone for landmark projects nationwide. This move strengthens our supply chain, supports Australian industry, and ensures that our clients have access to the finest natural stone products, aligning with our vision of crafting enduring landscapes and infrastructure with materials that reflect the beauty and resilience of Australia.
Today, over 40 years later, Sam the Paving Man employs more than 200 staff and specialist subcontractors. Our services now include importing premium natural stone, civil works, and façade cladding, while staying true to our core values of craftsmanship and customer service. These acquisitions reflect our ongoing commitment to being 100% Australian-owned, sourcing, producing, and crafting the highest quality Australian stone for projects across the country.
