Processing capability strengthened to help our customers within the transport manufacturing industry
BlueScope Distribution Melbourne is one of 16 branches across the BlueScope Distribution network that provides high-quality steel and aluminium products and processing for its local and broader customer base. In November 2021, BlueScope Distribution committed to an investment of $1.01m to install a custom-made routing machine which enables them to process aluminium plate and sheet products into custom sizes and componentry for our customers. They are delighted to announce the installation of the new CNC flatbed router at BlueScope Distribution’s Clayton South warehouse in Melbourne. Commissioned in February 2023, the addition of this new capability will complement our existing Aluminium routing capability which already exists at BlueScope Distribution in Perth and Brisbane. “BlueScope Distribution is nationally aligned to support the transport and manufacturing industries and we are proud to announce our increased capabilities to better serve customers across a wide range of manufacturing industry segments, such as marine, architectural façade, and leisure,” says Sam Gerovasilis, General Manager BlueScope Distribution.
As one of the largest of its kind in Victoria, this new machine has the ability to profile complex custom shapes with precision, ease and accuracy, from large format aluminium plate and sheet up to 12.5m long, 3.2m wide and 150mm thick. BlueScope Distribution are excited to offer this new product and service capability to customers across our broader branch networks in VIC, NSW, SA and TAS. The extra-large bed will be of particular interest to customers within the transport manufacturing industry as BlueScope Distribution can now supply a single processed 12-metre sheet, creating efficiencies by reducing the need for welding multiple sheets in their own production lines.
“Strategically we are committed to supporting our customers with their own growth journey. Our new router will no doubt play a sizable role in assisting our customers to deliver on their own manufacturing deadlines in a more efficient way. The installation of this new processing capability enables us to better support our customers over the next decade and beyond,” adds Gerovasilis.
The prime feature of the aluminium router is its ability to process aluminium products with high precision and accuracy. BlueScope Distribution’s experienced programmers work closely with customers to provide workable solutions that assist with design and nesting capabilities, ensuring minimal wastage.
The router’s processing capabilities include profiling simple or complex shapes, milling, hole cuts, material coding for identification and much more! BlueScope Distribution can also supply material to our customers in kit form, which provides significant efficiencies when assembling their end-user products. Kitting enables the grouping of various products and custom-cut aluminium components in the configurations required by customers.
“Our customers told us that labour shortages and a gap in aluminium processing of this kind have created inefficiencies in their own operation. It made a lot of sense for us to invest in state-of-the-art aluminium processing capability to enable us to better support our customers. The extra-large bed enables us to process significantly larger aluminium plate which is commonly used by transport and marine manufacturers. We look forward to working closely with them to help them realise new efficiencies this capability will provide,” adds Troy Gent, State Manager, BlueScope Distribution VIC/TAS.
Being one of Australia’s largest steel and aluminium distributors, the addition of our new CNC flatbed aluminium router will assist customers in manufacturing and fabricating transport products, including trucks, trailers, tippers and tankers by providing them with semi-finished components ready for assembly. The BlueScope Distribution team is committed to providing customers with efficient, high-quality aluminium processing options giving them the freedom to do what they do best.