The impact of OMAX water jet technology in remote areas
Small businesses in remote and isolated areas in Australia encounter unique challenges when sourcing specialised materials and components for their manufacturing operations. One obstacle is the difficulty in accurately cutting steel plates that exceed a certain thickness. These robust metal plates are crucial for various industrial applications, such as mining equipment, construction projects, and heavy machinery repairs. BEZ Engineering connected with Headland Technology at AMTIL’s Australian Manufacturing Week, and their experts understood the challenges and presented the OMAX Maxiem 1530 water jet machine as a technology solution. Andrew Smith, Managing Director of BEZ Engineering, oversees all business operations and financial aspects.
Bez Engineering is a family-owned and operated business in the Pilbara since 2000. The company was initially opened to service the Oil & Gas, Mining and Marine industries in the Pilbara region. The business has undergone many transitions, with a change of directors in 2023. The vision of the business follows Henry Ford’s saying, “Quality means doing the right thing when no one is looking”. This mindset allowed Bez Engineering to be a leader in manufacturing quality products for fabrication, machining, design & engineering, coded welding & mechanical repairs in the Pilbara region. With 30 dedicated employees, the business has consistently prioritised quality, upholding the highest standards and ensuring exceptional client outcomes.
The Challenge
BEZ Engineering is in a small, remote city in WA, servicing the oil & gas, construction, government, marine & mining sectors. Their options to source accurately cut steel plates thicker than 20mm were limited, especially after their supplier, a local plate cutter, closed in mid-2023. Consequently, 90% of their CNC cut parts had to be sourced from Perth, 1,600 km away. This led to significant delays and increased costs for their projects. The vast distances and limited infrastructure in these remote regions create significant logistical obstacles, often resulting in delays, inaccuracies, or compromised quality in delivering these critical materials. This situation can severely impact small businesses like BEZ, impacting their productivity, timelines, and overall profitability.
The solution
The OMAX Maxiem 1530 water jet cutting machine proved to be a game-changing technology solution that addressed several challenges faced by their business and the broader Pilbara region. The OMAX water jet offered a comprehensive solution that filled a significant void in the regional market, providing exceptional cutting capabilities and versatility. The Maxiem 1530 displayed unparalleled cutting power and precision, allowing for the precise cutting of materials up to 200mm thick. The Maxiem 1530 water jet cutting machine tackles challenges such as power supply, precision, extreme temperatures, and dust mitigation, making it ideal for operations in remote areas like the Pilbara region and opening up new business growth opportunities by effectively addressing geographical and environmental constraints.
“We have had a great experience working with the Headland team from initial contact right through to after-sales support.” – Andrew Smith, BEZ Engineering.
The implementation
The integration of the new OMAX Maxiem water jet cutting machine into BEZ Engineering’s existing operations was seamless. The company already had a small CNC plasma cutter in operation, and introducing the waterjet technology aligned well with their established workflows.
With the opening of Headland Technology’s new office in Balcatta, Western Australia, led by Jacques Strauss and his service team, we have become a valuable asset for this area and our customers.
The water jet machine expanded BEZ’s cutting capabilities by a factor of 10, virtually eliminating any previous limitations. With the plasma and water jet cutter operating in tandem, the company can now take on a much wider array of jobs that require precise cutting of diverse materials.
Bez Engineering are very agile now and can promptly cut through various challenging materials like a 100mm thick GR 350 lugs, 40mm Bisalloy wear plates, and 10mm Teflon packers with high quality using the OMAX Maxiem 1530. Without this technology, the alternatives would have been less desirable – manual labour taking twice as long with lower quality or outsourcing to Perth with a substantial 5–7-day delay and cost involved.
Competitive advantage
Adopting the new technology allowed them to produce 90% of the needed cut parts. This makes them an industry leader and innovator, giving BEZ a competitive advantage by transforming them into a one-stop shop for CNC cutting services in the Pilbara region. Many customers value the local capabilities and choose BEZ for all their cutting needs.
“We are letting BEZ offer more competitive pricing since they no longer have to outsource this part of the manufacturing process. Adding self-service cutting capabilities that provide convenience and flexibility. Andrew also emphasised the significance of reliable support from technology partners, especially when operating a geographically remote manufacturing business.
“Headland Technology has delivered exceptional aftermarket support, ensuring our machines operate at peak capacity,” said Smith. “Their dedication to service has been indispensable in maintaining seamless operations, and we are grateful for their commitment to our continued success.”
“Over the next five years, I envision substantial growth and expansion for our business. Headland’s expertise and services could play a pivotal role in helping us achieve this vision. With our current waterjet machine operating at nearly full capacity, acquiring a second waterjet cutting system is a distinct possibility to meet the increasing demand. Headland’s guidance in evaluating the feasibility, timing, and implementation strategies for such an investment would be invaluable as we chart our course for the future.”