Meet Carl Hooton: Uniplan’s Agribusiness Specialist Helping Farmers Build Smarter

Born and raised on a working farm in regional New South Wales, Carl Hooton understands agriculture from the inside out. With over a decade of experience in agribusiness—first at Elders and now with Uniplan—Carl is no stranger to the unique challenges faced by farmers across Australia.

These days, you’ll find Carl on the road, meeting face-to-face with farmers across regional and remote areas. His mission? Helping agricultural businesses solve one of their biggest headaches: building quality, long-lasting infrastructure in hard-to-reach locations. And thanks to Uniplan’s modular building expertise, Carl is delivering practical, fast, and cost-effective solutions that are changing the game.

From Paddock to Profession

Carl’s journey into agribusiness started where many great stories do—on the family farm. Working alongside his father gave him firsthand insight into the operational pressures faced by landowners and managers. His career later took him to Elders, where he spent nearly 10 years helping farmers make smarter decisions about land, livestock, and infrastructure.

Now at Uniplan, Carl brings this deep understanding to a new frontier: modular building solutions tailored to the needs of agribusinesses.

“In remote areas, accessing qualified trades can be nearly impossible. Builders won’t travel, and local trades are often booked out for years. That’s where modular buildings shine—our clients get high-quality accommodation and infrastructure delivered ready to go,” says Carl.

 

Building Solutions for Regional Australia

Uniplan is known for delivering exceptional modular homes, lifestyle village accommodation, and holiday park buildings. But with Carl’s expertise, the company is now expanding its footprint into the agribusiness sector, offering everything from seasonal worker accommodation to manager residences and even fully customised office buildings.

“We’re seeing huge demand for motel-style worker accommodation and permanent staff housing,” Carl says. “There’s also a growing need for office spaces on farms—something we didn’t initially expect but have been able to deliver.”

Modular buildings make sense for agribusiness. With construction handled off-site in Uniplan’s Armidale factory, farms can bypass the delays and labour shortages plaguing rural builds. The result? Turnkey buildings that are quick to install, fully customisable, and designed for tough conditions.

Helping Farmers Keep Their Best People

Carl is passionate about helping clients attract and retain great people. That means going beyond basic housing and delivering accommodation that makes workers feel comfortable—and valued.

“Good people won’t stick around if they’re sleeping in swags or tin sheds. Our buildings are air-conditioned, self-contained, and built to last. Farmers who invest in quality accommodation are investing in their workforce—and it pays off.”

One standout example is P & J Harris, a broadacre farming business that uses Uniplan buildings to house its seasonal workforce. With motel-style units and even a cookhouse on site, the setup is not only functional but also a drawcard for repeat workers.

“They’ve created a place where people want to work,” says Carl. “And that translates into better productivity and a stronger business.”

Breaking the Misconceptions Around Modular Buildings

Despite the clear benefits, Carl often encounters skepticism about modular buildings.

“People still think ‘modular’ means cheap and nasty. But once they see the quality of our construction—either in person or in our factory—they realise we’re building something very different,” he says.

Uniplan’s buildings are permanent, durable, and tailored to meet Australian standards. Whether it’s a standard floorplan or a complex custom design, Carl and the team can deliver fast, high-quality results.

Ready to Build Smarter?

Whether you’re running a livestock operation, a fruit and vegetable farm, or a large-scale processing facility, Uniplan can help you design the right building for your needs—without the construction headaches.

“Just start the conversation,” says Carl. “We’ll visit your site, understand your business, and deliver a solution that works. Our job is to make life easier for farmers.”

To get started, reach out to Carl or the Uniplan team today—or drop by the Armidale factory for a tour and see the quality for yourself.