“The pitch seemed irresistible. Save humanity and the planet, and make a fortune in one fell swoop…"
You ever hear of the former shaper to the stars Nev Hyman? Maybe not. Short memories.
Nev is a pioneering surfboard shaper, first with Nev Surfboards, later with Firewire, who has caused a ruckus with his plan to make billions out of selling pre-fab houses to Third World countries.
In a lengthy investigation by the Australian Financial Review, Nev, sixty-two and who still wears a reddish afro, claimed that within five years his pre-fab company Nev House would be worth eleven billion-plus (US) and spitting out over a billion US in aftertax profits.
Seven-time world champ Layne Beachley and INXS guitarist husband Kirk Pengilly threw $US250k into the venture; Sally FItzgibbons and her dad and bros tossed in another five hundred k.
“The pitch seemed irresistible,” writes the AFR’s Carrie LaFrenz. “Save humanity and the planet, and make a fortune in one fell swoop… But after eight years and $8 million in multiple fund raisings, the promise of the sale of tens of thousands of homes by Nev House’s founder has evaporated. Now, a group of angry shareholders is demanding answers after raising serious questions about how the company is operated.”
Nev’s plan? Sell cheap flat-packed houses to Third World countries, Vanuatu, the Philippines, Indonesia and so on, at an enormous profit.
“Glossy pictures in the investor slide pack show poverty-stricken areas and Hyman posing in a slum with plastic rubbish bags. The group said it wanted to be present in more than 50 countries by 2025. Investors were being offered the opportunity to buy in at $US30 a share.”
“When asked about high salaries paid in the early days, he acknowledges that from time to time he drew wages based on advice from the CEO. “Perhaps the digital age of social media and internet companies making billions in a very short timeframe has skewed today’s investors thinking that anything they put money into will do the same,” he says.
On and on it goes.
Hey guys…
I know this does not read well for me. However, it is the view of only 3% of NevHouse shareholders and two disgruntled employees both of whom were sacked for gross misconduct by ignoring shareholders interests for their own right to vent. We appreciated one particular investor mentioned who actually did push us to be commercially more compliant. We respected that and acted at considerable expense to rectify issues.
I have ALWAYS put my shareholders interests first. The shareholder majority and my management team are behind this company and its endeavours 110%.
This is NOT a crash and burn story.
We are well on the way to delivering NevHouse to the South Pacific again, and for indigenous communities here under the company Nev Gunya, let alone significant global interest from years of travel, awards etc coming home to roost in 2021/22
Yes, mistakes were made but we have rectified them all and most importantly rid the company of self interest individuals. We are proud about what we have achieved over 7.5 years, especially over the past 12 months on the smell of an oily rag. Watch this space my friends.
I understand that some may just wish to take this story as it reads and for a bit online fun when it has gone onshore, without any understanding of the facts, make a mockery of me and NevHouse. It is water off a ducks back because everyone has a right to vent their views, like the AFR and a few just did with this somewhat salacious story. I and my team acknowledge mistakes have been made but are comfortable that we have done everything we could to protect the interests of our shareholders through this tumultuous 7.5 yr journey to date.
The few detractors who sunk the boot in when we are alive and well should be called to account.
What was their real purpose? To warn others not to invest in Nev because he’s inept and a poor judge of character? Maybe at times I have been, but aren’t we all? I admit that I do give people the benefit of the doubt and yes, I do trust the goodness in people too much, but I am smart enough to know that getting good, ethical and passionate people around me is paramount to keep the sharks away and I have done just that. My team of management is tight and I love them for who they are and what they stand for. Check the website for info http://www.nevhouse.com
By the way, we are not taking more investment in the company, and have not done so for a year or more. Yes, a related group has established an independent Opportunity Zone Fund in the US that will be a customer of NevHouse who will in turn sell our revolutionary CRPP (Composite Recycled Plastic Panel) technology too. These CRPP panels will be a component of our equally unique Australian Building code and Cat5 rated modular structures that use no concrete and can be assembled anywhere by locals in 2-3 days! THIS is what these few fools have run the risk of undermining for some sense of purpose in throwing me and therefore the company under the bus.
Few untruths to be corrected, if you are remotely interested:
* I did not take one for the boys with Imelda for one of her 3,000 pair of shoes. (I would have though for the Andy Warhol or Renoir on the wall.) That was a completely random meeting that had NOTHING to do with NevHouse. Of course I do NOT condone her past for a second…but my God it was an interesting enlightening moment in time as she chewed our ears off for 3 hours about The Phillipines, Ferdinand, her acquittal, and a legion of the famous from the 70’ and 80’s.
* I have never in my career flown Buisness Class…Cattle all the way Hosea
* No high life for me in Bali. Those around me were sadly high most of the time. I did get some sick waves with my bruda from anuda muda Ketut Menda though, and stayed with him most of the time.
* There is NO unaccounted investor capital. Every damn cent was accounted for by our, at the time, pedantic pommy EY trained auditor, Dave Snell.
* Sally, Layne and Kirk featured without there permission still support me and our vision
This is pure character assassination of me, at the expense of:
175 other long suffering shareholders, many of whom are now my loyal friends,
The need for a plastic waste solution for the planet (4t of co mingled contaminated low grade plastic in each 60m2 home),
The need for affordable housing, refugee, and post disaster solutions,
All of which our solution provides.
I and my team are undeterred. We continue on regardless, and our shareholders will be stoked soon enough.
You may want to get some perspective on this story if you are safe n sound in your 9 to 5 by looking at the life and times of an entrepreneur we all know. Elon Musks book is a must read. (I am NOT comparing me to him, OK?! Although we were both born in South Africa and I reckon he’d have ginga pubes! 🙂 This just to give some perspective on how hard it is to create and deliver disruptive and or much needed technologies.
Have a squiz at the following and if you haven’t read the book, you should.
https://www.marketwatch.com…
Like building NEV Futureshapes from a 14yr old kid in the eastern suburbs of Perth to the global company it became. That was not easy. (1974 to 2006).
Founding Firewire and enduring that journey was even harder. (2006 to 2018)
Introducing and copping the criticisms of computer shaping CAD/CAM as an alternative to hand shaping surfboards from 1988 to 2005, resulting in APS3000, Shape3D and AKU Shaper. This was a painful and financially unrewarding experience, but ultimately awesome for me to witness the fact that it is now the industry standard adopted by most shapers worldwide. (1988 to 2004)
Yes…I am blowing my trumpet but I believe it is only fair that I do under the circumstances of this AFR story…
The very last comment by respected Sydney businessman Gary Flowers was 3 years old!
It was said at the time because we sacked his colleague and newly appointed CEO, Gordon Irons
When approached recently by AFR, Gary actually declined to be interviewed and alerted me. Why? Because he was smart enough to know that this would not be constructive regarding the future of the company AND his investment. He and 97% of the shareholders feel the same way. The AFR printed has printed the quote out of context. And, for the record, I have never failed in business, and I don’t intend to at my ripe old Ranga-age.
Anyway guys, really? Does it matter? If it actually does to you, please PM me on FB and I’d love to tell you more, unlike one ex-employee and investor who shawly did not have the balls to do so before instigating this beat up.
I’ll get over the stain on my name that, I up until Saturday, was as clean as a ginga’s bum. Burleigh is looking good right now for a quick one.
We at NevHouse are all good…So please just let us get on with it to actually do some far king good?!
Nev
that would be CO-founder … with Bert Burger of Sunova surfboards.
Yep…Bert and I built early the Firewire, had some issues, and became mates again. He is an awesome human, and borderline genius. What he has done with Sunova is simply amazing. But he is not a ranga so he’ll neva stack up…
As a general rule, most surfers are pieces of shit as this demonstrates yet again. Pro-surfers are the fucken worst.
And pray tell, who or should I ask, WHAT are you? What a stupid gutless statement. But…if you have the courage to back that up, or simply wish to call me out, do it man to man. FB Message me and I’ll give you my number to chat. Its all good buddy…Just saying
so-called “philanthrocapitalism” has the curtain pulled away and what do we find?
Good people committed to the journey of doing some good mate. What are you doing for the planet or your neighbour? I hope enough to make you feel right about what you just said.
Yeah, I don’t have a problem questioning philanthrocapitalism
To achieve deep, robust structural and long-lasting change investment needs to go into bespoke public organisations run locally, governed by a cross section of society who will work on what they want and need. Philanthrocapitalism and its ROI pressure involves centralizing the needs/desires of shareholders, limits transparency and accountability due to privatisation, and involves extraction of profit from taxes gathered from local people all of which have the effect of concentrating wealth and benefits among a few, including those overseas with no long term commitment to a place if and when the profits dry up.
Don’t assume that the ‘good’ you tie to philanthrocapitalism is agreed upon. Far from it.
Very good point mate… Problem the same issues exist in some charities and organisations with a mandate to do good. As I said SOME. Therefore some companies that wish to do good and be financially sustainable and are ethical and passionate can actually achieve the merits of the challenge honourably without continuously putting their hands out to other corporations and governments for funding. The majority, I would argue of people and companies/charities etc are good people with honourable intentions. And they simply want to deliver good. Even with this slight on my name I can assure you those in my team are just that. Honest transparent and damn good people.
layne Beachley Kirk Pengilly and sally Fitzgibbon need to re group and collaborate on a new venture. Billabong Iggy pop style ? INXS bikinis? INXS weetbix ? What do douchebags dig?
Not even sure how to address that Bush. Kirk Layne and Sally are just wonderful people on so many levels. I hope your comment was not saying they are douchbags. If so pleas eexplain. But NOT in the public forum. PM me and you can explain this view to me personally.
Douchbag commenters More directed at Kirk for that goatee he had for years . Completely unsubstantiated just a vibe I had
Haha! Thats funny…I cant stand goatees either. Or gingers…
The really interesting thing is the investors are the same ones who put $$$ into the Webber ( coming soon!!) wave pools.
It’s like ppl who move to N.Z.
It all seems to add up on paper than you get there and realise your going to be living with New Zealanders.
Lose lose
The best thing about nev was that article years ago how he went on a photoshoot with the billabong team to Venezuela and all the foxy latinas thought he was also a pro surfer and were all over him.
Even gingers get lucky from time to time!
Very fond memories. There was no sympathy though…In getting lucky… Just in case that’s what you were thinking… Haha! only kidding. I was a good boy. I cant say the same about Munga, Bainy, Dog, Kliney, Alagich for the NEV International in Los Cocos Venezuella. Still have awesome friends from that trip.
Bustin’ Down The Hyman
My very first board was a Hyman I designed the logo and hand drew it onto tissue. On the Lefthander track Down South in WA a guy walk past and cracked up saying” mate, you better not bust that Hyman” We changed the name to something more 70’s Odyssey Surfboards.
I “Screamed!” for months your 6’4″ Sub-moon was the best board in my mates shop. Ended up in souther mex and Timmy Reyes had one in his quiver. A year or so goes by the board ends up in the used rack and was able to sneak it away for a swell. Loved to get one with wider tail, same nose, rail profile…being serious!
How did Dirk Ziff and his money miss out?
I guess he would rather spend on a sport that is run like a Third World country…
Nasty…Haha!
Imelda is one of the people who makes me furiously angry at her smug attitude to the theft from ‘her people’.
One of the many
I cant agree more mate, and we were not in her precedes to in any way support her. It was almost like going to a museum to ponder on the despots and their actions. I am sure many a journo around the world would have given their right one to have heard her dissertation and seen what we did. Strangely enough she was elected for some official position (I cant recall) and relied 98% of the vote. Weird.
No doubt more as Nev develops, or doesn’t develop.
Watch this space Pauly…Its all good from here on in…
I had a sweet 6’8 Nev Hyman thruster back in the 1980’s that I bought off a departing west Aussie. I loved that board. I finally ended up selling it back to Nev’s younger brother Buster.
Hahaha shit ya kinda beat me to it
Did he front that great 90s band, Buster Hyman and the Penetrators?
That is even funnier Ricmatic. Phil Usher and I fronted an air guitar band at our last day of school in Perth 1975. The band was called Buster Hyman and the Penetrators. Then in 2000 a punk band used that nema. Google Dick Hyman…You won’t believe that one. (It is not porn!)
Ha! you’re a good sport Nev, good luck with your trials and tribulations, just remember they’re all cunts.
Haha! That’s gold Huili… My brother Buster Hyman
You broke it of course!
aloha nui Nev. That really was a magic board.
It would be interesting to get Nev’s perspective on what went wrong.
Have you reached out to him Drex?
Done thanks Billy, and as you can see I have commented. I am an open book
Im still not convinced Nev and John C. Reilly are not the same person. https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Haha! Real photo to come for a laugh. Just won’t load for some reason.
Damn it Admin / Derek…Why cant I post a Honey Badger photo of me to debunk the fact that JohnKnee thinks I look like John C Reilly. I am so hurt!…I mean, I don’t look like you twin brother do I Derek Rielly???
I invested in a company that should be going bankrupt soon and even I was able to turn a profit. A fool and their money is easily parted.
GME?
Down fifty percent today. I don’t have the nerve to play that game.
Left BG for a good week join all that excitement. WOW!
None of the people who invested in NevHouse were fools. NONE. They have been extremely patient and prepared to see this through. As I said in my dissertation. This is not a crash and burn / bankrupt story at all. The only fools were those few who had NO CONCERN for the existing shareholders many of whom were encouraged to invest by this few. I have not let them down unlike these few.
I invested in a company whose aim was to sell overpriced prefabs to some of the most vulnerable people on the planet whilst I could virtue signal and now I want my money back! Is that the story here? Miki Dora would be proud of Nev! I am not paying to read the linked article, can’t you do a summary Derek, isn’t that what we are paying you for?
Thanks Jimmy. I think what you are saying is that everyone who invested did so to do good. Making a profit would be nice too. It is my responsibility to deliver that ROI.
Good luck Nev, I hope everyone benefits.
Fuck, Nev looks a lot like that Freeman weirdo who has muscled his way into the surf world.
See photo coming soon 🙂
Chicks dig me…
Bugger, still won’t upload.
The venture might have taken off if they had just built pre-fab gingerbread houses for the poor starving bastards.
Eating your own house is short sighted thinking. Maybe just the fireplace.
Business wise it would be playing the long game. Can we say “repeat customers”.
Funny… Ive been a ginger all me life I think… And me mum named me Neville, I had no hope…I was “a boy named Sue”
Nev hugging Sal is soo fitting.
I love Sal and she loves me. Ask her. I have so much respect for her and her parents. Martin is the best dad anyone could wish for if you were going to be a pro surfer.
$8m over 8 years isn’t that bad for these kinda things is it? Didn’t DHHS just spend $8m in 6 months on their legal fees for the hotel quarantine inquiry? I lost $10k buying shares in a company trying to re-open a North Queensland gold mine once. They found nothing but some crocodiles that were crook from something emanating from the water in the old pit. Fuzzy wuzzies shut it down. Could have bought a fucken boat in Indo with that $10k and then married 6 of my own Imelda Marcos duplicates. I feel sorry for Nev. He’s not a businessman’s arsehole. Still humping the dream.
Hey Wiggoly…You are a champ mate. I don’t need sympathy, just support and a tad of respect not for me but for the shareholders who have stuck by me and my team who are WILL deliver our solution and a ROI.
You’ll be right, Nevvy