The Story of Sam the Paving Man
Arriving in Australia as a young Lebanese immigrant in 1975, Sam Harb’s story is one of determination 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 Sam and Annette embraced and became synonymous with quality and reliability.
Now with four decades of hands-on, ground-up experience, we continue to be driven by our passion for and commitment to craftsmanship, quality and integrity. Our down-to-earth, trusted and respected teams know how to deliver under pressure – no matter the challenge. From civic spaces to iconic landmarks, our work makes a difference to places where people live, work, interact and connect.
Sam the Paving Man is still a family business, reflecting Sam’s drive and determination to provide quality work. Sam’s passion to build a new life in Australia for his family meant that the business grew as he and his team undertook larger and larger projects, culminating in the paving surrounding the stadium at Sydney Olympic Park in 2000, which introduced them into working on some of Australia’s most iconic building projects. Many team members have been with the business for more than 30 years and all members of the Harb family still work in the business, including Annette, who provides back-office support for the strong and growing business.
And the business has not forgotten its roots either – Sam the Paving Man still supplies stone for projects small jobs, including new residential projects, highlighting quality materials and Australian stone when possible.
An industry leader, our continued investment in Australia includes the ownership of local quarries, giving the company rare control over quality, consistency, and supply. With the purchase of Melocco, Sam the Paving Man proudly carries forward a 108-year legacy in Australian stone manufacturing, serving as custodians of our country’s natural stone heritage. Coupled with long-standing partnerships with international quarries, we offer our clients the best quality stone in the world, backed by real-world knowledge, earned through hard work, on the ground, on the tools.