“So, the business started in 1986, with my Dad – Max Lamb Senior – and his best mate, Peter Brayshaw. Two good mates that enjoyed fishing, skiing and the odd beer together on the weekend,” Max Jr says. “They started off with $1,000 and a rented shed.”

Originally offering mechanical repairs, panel beating and roadworthy certificates for second-hand vehicles, the business was built on hard work and practicality from day one.

“Essentially, it was a lot of hard work, to be honest. A very committed work ethic,  That’s how they started off.”

Almost four decades later, M&P Services stands as one of the largest manufacturers of transportable buildings north of Brisbane — a transformation that reflects not only business growth, but the broader possibilities of regional innovation.

The company’s first major evolution came through transport — a natural extension of Max Lamb Senior’s background.

“Dad invested in a Dodge– tow truck. So, we started towing vehicles, and that progressed to tilt tray trucks,” Max Jr explains.

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, M&P Services had grown into transportable building logistics, servicing large resource and mining projects across Central Queensland. “That progressed into transporting transportable buildings for some of the larger multinational companies.”As transport demand surged, the business made a pivotal decision. “The transport was getting busy, so Dad sold off the panel beating and spray-painting business.” That decision would open the door to the next major chapter — one that would redefine the company.

By the early 2000s, M&P Services wasn’t just moving buildings — they were installing entire mine camps.

“We went from transporting them to transporting and installing them as well. We were doing turnkey solutions.”

It was during this period that the business made its boldest move.

“In 2005. We built our first six-metre office block, sold it… and worked out two months later it cost us more to build than the sell price,” Max laughs. “So, we were off to a good start.”

Sink-or-swim became the company’s defining mindset.

“Dad’s old school. If something needs to get done or you have a problem, you roll your sleeves up and work through it.”

Manufacturing capability matured rapidly — supported by real-time job costing, labour tracking and a relentless focus on efficiency.

“We needed to know our costs in real time… the ability identify very early job costing problems as they occur is paramount in the highly competitive cost-plus margin manufacturing process” 

Today, M&P Services’ point of difference lies in its mobile, off-grid and wheeled products — innovations designed directly from on-site experience.

“Some products that set us apart are our mobile products… toilets, crib rooms, fully off-grid units that offer rapid deployment and excellent relocation function. These units deliver real outcomes for our client base. It really takes the facilities to the guys,” Max explains. “That creates significant savings in fuel, safety and heavy-vehicle interactions.” Some mobile crib units become cost-neutral in as little as 14 months. The innovation also aligns with carbon footprint reduction and workforce wellbeing. Our aphorism in our wheeled product range has for a long time been increased safety, productivity and superior employee comfort”

That innovation recently earned M&P Services a Manufacturing Excellence Award at the Resource Industry Network awards —

recognition that marked a turning point for a business that had long worked quietly behind the scenes.

“For many years we have essentially flown under the radar- and happy to,” Max says. “Now off the back of this market specific award we are fielding enquiries from a much broader audience than previously. “

The award recognised the company’s mobile and wheeled product range — innovations superior to anything else including those of multi-national competitors throughout Australia.”

“The award signifies what we’ve been doing is working.”

Despite national and international reach, M&P Services remains fiercely local, with a brand that’s been carried through generations of regional work.

“Maintaining that name has been very important. It’s very recognisable in the northern and central Queensland across all industries. Clients don’t deal with layered admin & management- they deal directly with the operations team.  They can pick up the phone and talk to the team directly involved with their project, including myself”  

That accessibility, combined with local manufacturing, has driven strong repeat business and strong organic growth. “They can come in here, see their product being built, and track progress in real time.” Looking forward, Max sees the next decade as an opportunity to tackle one of Australia’s biggest challenges. “Residential is the next market segment growth for us – granny flats, second dwellings.”

Beyond housing, M&P Services is exploring emergency response infrastructure.

“We’re looking at emergency respite centres, cyclone response, even portable hospital-style facilities.”

For Max, diversification has never been about chasing trends — it’s about staying useful, relevant and solutions-focused.

“It’s about innovative solutions designed to solve client’s challenges. 

When asked what advice he’d give other regional businesses, Max doesn’t sugarcoat it.

“Don’t do it unless you’re comfortable with it.” “Don’t do it unless you’re comfortable with it.”

“We didn’t go from 1986 to 2026 without lots of small steps along the way.”

The lesson is simple:

“Have a crack. But understand the risk. You must be able to self-reflect and call your own foul.”  

From a rented shed to award-winning manufacturing, M&P Services represents what’s possible when regional businesses are built on grit, adaptability and long-term vision.

“We’ve been around for 40 years,” Max says. “We plan to be around for another 40.” And in doing so, they continue to prove that some of Australia’s most powerful innovation stories don’t come from capital cities — they come from regions willing to back themselves.