Duncan Reynolds

Research & Development

Duncan Reynolds has been with us since his father, Len Reynolds, founded the company more than 25 years ago. He started as a scaffolder, worked on the tools, and built an expansive knowledge of the design, fabrication and installation of sewer vents, vent cowls and odour filters.

With a huge knowledge of Sydney Water and council wastewater requirements, Duncan now leads the R&D side of the business.

“My role is to keep SVSR punching above our weight in terms of knowing what is going on in our industry both nationally and globally.

In construction, there are always new materials, equipment and better ways of doing things. If you are stuck on the coal face you will never see any of that. My role was created to step back and see what is happening in universities and internationally, and to be across the research that is going on and put SVSR and our clients’ needs at the forefront.”

Duncan initially studied business management, social sciences and engineering at university… before his focus shifted.

“School careers counsellors won’t ever tell you to get a job painting sewer pipes… but the one constant in my life has been the family business.”

While his studies may be seemingly unrelated, Duncan has found a unique way to combine them to create different and smarter ways of doing things.

“I’m interested in finding ways to manage sewerage infrastructure better. I’m really interested in the crossover between engineering, sustainability and helping communities through social responsibility. I just want to create innovative solutions to wastewater problems.”

Since 2017, SVSR – under Duncan’s leadership – has been involved in the UNSW Maker Games.

“We welcome engineering students into our business and present them with a real-life challenge. Their role is to design a prototype in response to that challenge. Not only do we develop our contacts and relationships within the university, but we’ve also worked with interns from the Faculty of Engineering. I really enjoy the mentoring element involved.”

Duncan has seen SVSR – and the industry more broadly – evolve over the years, calling it ‘unrecognisable’ from when the family business first started. He now enjoys working with his sister, SVSR Managing Director Kylie Ridding.

“Our strengths and weaknesses are really complementary. She is great with people and my strengths lie in the technical side. We work really well together.”

Please contact us for innovative and leading sewer ventilation services.