Who we are
We’re not just builders. We’re hospitality people – with decades of lived experience in kitchens, equipment sales and fitouts.
Founder Oliver Primes is a former chef who’s worked across kitchens, project management, and sales. With an in depth understanding of how hospitality businesses actually operate, Oliver shaped Protech around one philosophy: build it properly, deliver it fast, and treat people right.
“I’ve cooked in these kitchens. I’ve sold the gear. I’ve seen what fails when a builder doesn’t understand hospitality. That’s why we do things differently.”
From DA delays to airflow dramas – we’ve seen it all, and we’ve built a process that gets ahead of the pitfalls. We understand what’s required for a venue to open on time, function efficiently, and meet code. That’s why we’re here: to build your business.
Our values
They’re not just words on a wall (though yes, the artwork’s cute). Our values shape how we show up – from the first site visit to the final walkthrough. They guide how we plan, communicate, and hold ourselves to standard – on site, in the office, and everywhere in between.
Timeline
From Oliver’s first kitchen job in Perth to founding Protech and launching thousands of hospitality venues – your story’s in expert hands.
1985
Oliver arrives in Australia (from Austria) and lands his first kitchen job in Perth. A lifelong passion for hospitality begins.
1986–1993
From 2nd chef in Cairns to major hotel kitchens (Novotel, Intercontinental, Radisson), Oliver builds real-world hospitality knowledge under pressure.
1993–1996
Returns to Germany. As Sous Chef at Ratskeller, he helps turn Theater Café into one of Muenster’s most successful venues.
1996–1999
Back in Queensland, Oliver co-founds a barramundi and eel farm - later selling smoked fillets direct to chefs at the Sydney Fish Markets.
1999–2002
A career pivot: managing the Merino Motor Inn, working film sets, and entering the cotton industry - all while staying close to hospitality.
2002–2005
Joins Bevwizz to sell commercial kitchen equipment. Tops the sales charts, then transitions into hands-on project management.
2006
Begins delivering turnkey kitchen installs with a Swiss engineer, mastering the technical requirements of stainless fabrication, ventilation, and commercial compliance.
2009
Launches Protech Hospitality Fitouts. One builder, one mission: faster, smarter, better hospitality builds.
2012
Partners with Kreativ Design Studio to offer seamless collaboration with specialists in hospitality interiors.
Today
Thousands of venues later, Protech is one of Sydney’s leading hospitality fitout specialists. With deep industry knowledge, in-house trades, and real-world experience, we build venues that work - and work hard.