It all began in 1979...
PKF, originally known as Peter Kelly Flooring, began in 1979 when Sid Kelly and his wife Carolyn set out to build something of their own — a family business grounded in integrity, dedication, and quality workmanship. The name “Peter Kelly Flooring” came from Sid’s middle name, Peter, chosen because he believed it gave the company a more fitting identity. That decision would mark the beginning of a brand that quickly became recognised across Australia for its quality and reliability.
Sid’s experience at Armstrong Nylex Flooring gave him a strong foundation and the industry connections that helped launch the business. These early relationships proved invaluable, giving the fledgling company its first opportunities and allowing it to establish a foothold in a competitive industry. Peter Kelly Flooring soon earned a reputation for dependable workmanship and integrity — traits that became the hallmark of the business.
From day one, it was a true family venture. Sid and Carolyn worked side by side — Sid led operations, while Carolyn managed the books, administration and logistics. Carolyn’s sharp organisational skills and attention to detail were instrumental in running the growing company smoothly. Together, they built a partnership that set the tone for how PKF would operate for decades to come.
Operations began modestly, with the Kelly family’s garage in Glenorie, NSW, serving as the office and a small shed in Granville belonging to Sid's father as their first warehouse. Sid & Carolyn's young son, Peter, was already deeply involved — helping to load and unload rolls of flooring and learning the trade firsthand. Those early years were filled with long hours and steady progress, driven by a work ethic that became central to PKF’s identity.
The company’s first major milestone came in the late 1980s with the St George Hospital redevelopment. It was a pivotal project that marked PKF’s entry into large-scale healthcare work — a sector that would remain one of its strongest to this day. Peter personally delivered vinyl rolls in the back of a ute, working side by side with installers to ensure deadlines were met and quality never compromised. That hands-on, practical approach became a defining part of the company’s culture.
As PKF grew, new challenges followed. Managing labour, warehousing, and logistics required constant attention, and the company often found itself outgrowing its facilities. But its reputation for reliability and quality helped attract skilled tradespeople and long-term partners, fuelling steady growth throughout the 1990s.
A major turning point came in 1995, when Sid retired from day-to-day operations and Peter stepped into a leadership role. Under his direction, PKF expanded its footprint into Queensland, further extending its capacity to service clients nationwide. This period also saw PKF undertake multiple large-scale hospital projects simultaneously — including Adelaide, Wagga, Bega, Blacktown, and Sunshine Coast Hospitals — managing over 290 subcontractors simultaneously at its peak. These landmark projects cemented PKF’s standing as one of Australia’s most capable and trusted commercial flooring contractors.
The move to a larger facility in Castle Hill represented another key milestone. The new premises provided the infrastructure and space required to support larger operations, improve logistics, and streamline processes. It marked the start of a new chapter — blending operational scale with the hands-on, personal approach that has always defined PKF’s way of doing business.
Left: Sid Kelly, Right: Carolyn Kelly
