Forming & Fabrication

ANCA, an Australian leader in advanced manufacturing, proudly announces that its co-founders, Patrick Boland and Patrick McCluskey, have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List. Known as ‘The Two Pats,’ their visionary leadership has propelled ANCA to the forefront of global technology. They have demonstrated that advanced manufacturing can thrive in Australia and contribute to high-value products, international competitiveness, meaningful careers, and sovereign industrial capabilities. A lifetime of innovation and dedication Boland and McCluskey's dynamic partnership, combining academic expertise and practical ingenuity, has driven ANCA’s success for over 50 years. Their passion for innovation and engineering excellence has led to the development of world-first technologies that have revolutionised the cutting-tool industry. Notable innovations include groundbreaking in-machine measurement, which disrupted and shaped the market and set new standards in precision manufacturing. Success didn’t come overnight. Long before the internet era, ANCA brought its ambitious vision to life by targeting a niche global market, adopting robotics, and applying innovative solutions to the machine world. Today, ANCA continues to…

The Australian Aluminium Council has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of a production credit for the aluminium smelting sector as part of its Future Made in Australia plan. This marks a globally significant step towards securing the future of Australia’s aluminium industry and strengthening Australia’s role as a leader in the energy transition. “Until now, we have seen many other countries take decisive action to support their domestic manufacturing industries while Australia has been less proactive in comparison,” the Council’s CEO, Marghanita Johnson, said. “Competitive energy is the critical foundation that enables Australian businesses to compete internationally. [This] announcement is an important step in support of the industry’s transition to the competitive, reliable, lower-carbon energy needed for the aluminium industry to secure a sustainable future.” The Climate Council, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Australian Workers Union also endorsed the move. AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow said the announcement showed the government understood the magnitude of the industry’s potential. “Abundant renewable energy, access to raw materials, and skilled workers – Australia has every advantage necessary to…

Performatec Australia's journey involves innovation, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to supporting Australian manufacturers and fabricators. Established in 2004 as Performance Cutting Supplies, the company initially focused on supplying high-quality abrasive garnet to the manufacturing sector. Just before 2007, it recognised opportunities for growth and diversification and rebranded as Performance Waterjet. This pivotal shift reflected its growing expertise in waterjet technology and its ambition to address more complex manufacturing challenges. Around this time, Performance Waterjet achieved its first significant technological milestone by developing the abrasive sludge removal system (ASR). This groundbreaking solution demonstrated its commitment to solving industry-specific problems. In 2008, Performance Waterjet expanded into the waterjet parts market, further consolidating its position as a comprehensive solutions provider. By 2009, strategic partnerships with global leaders such as H2OJET and KMT Waterjet enabled Performance Waterjet to strengthen its expertise and market presence in waterjet technology. These collaborations enhanced its product offerings and underscored its reputation for delivering innovative and reliable solutions tailored to the needs of Australian manufacturers. The sale of Performance Waterjet’s first waterjet system in 2013…

In recent years, Porsche Werkzeugbau GmbH in Schwarzenberg, Germany, has advanced its mechanical machining to the highest technical level. Two large Starrag HSC machining centres, Droop+Rein FOGS, play a major role in this. The machines finish press tools for moulding skin parts of vehicle bodies with the utmost precision and produce surfaces with grinding quality. A premium car manufacturer should have a premium engineering plant. To ensure that the Porsche Werkzeugbau GmbH Schwarzenberg plant fulfils all of the preconditions for this, €40million was invested over the last five years to develop the tool-engineering plant to the highest possible level following the transition from KUKA. Among other things, the Schwarzenberg-based company used this money to set up two new production halls, purchase a new 25,000kN servo press for production-related tool try-outs and invest in retrofitting and new machine tools – including two Starrag HSC centres of the Droop+Rein FOGS 35 68 N40C type. In addition to this, mechanical production was completely overhauled and the production processes were restructured. All of these measures were based on a solid foundation. Beforehand, the whole…

Any company successfully operating for over 55 years has to recognise emerging market trends and adapt and evolve to meet those needs. Padstow-based D&D Smith Metal Pressers is one such company. The company was established by Dennis Smith and his business partner Bruce McEwan as McEwan & Smith. Their business began with just a couple of machines in Dennis’s father’s back shed, but after the first year of operation, they had grown enough to rent a property. Later that decade, they bought the premises, and Dennis built a new factory with his own hands on the site. The company took advantage of the boom in metal-stamping in Sydney during the 1980s and soon became an acknowledged expert and leader in the metal stamping industry. Dennis was passionate about improving quality and efficiency and, during this period, implemented a fully accredited quality system to ISO9002 standards. The current owner, Daniel Smith, son of Dennis, began working for the company in 1998 when he was 22, and the company was subsequently renamed D&D Smith Metal Pressers and Production Engineers P/L. In…

The New Zealand-based company Hayes International, was founded by Tom Hayes in 1960. In 1999, this private company became part of the Bradbury Group of Kansas, USA. Today, Hayes International is known as a market leader, with more than 1,820 Hayes machines exported to more than 90 countries worldwide. Hayes originally started producing corrugated sheet machines for roofing and cladding. However, products made by this fantastic 64-year-old New Zealand manufacturer today include Panel Mills, Purlin Mills, Stud Mills, Roll-Forming Accessories, Purlin Mill Accessories, Auto-Curvers, Folding Machines, Coil Handlers and more recently Finished Product Handling Equipment, including automated Purlin Stacking Equipment. “In purchasing a Hayes machine, our clients get the best in the industry in terms of reliability and performance, which also provides them with a competitive advantage with the whole-of-life cost, reduced machine downtime and waste minimisation,” noted Managing Director Nick Looijen. “90% of our business is repeat customers or direct referrals from existing customers, with our principal markets being Australia, UK, USA and New Zealand,” he said. Okuma has been an integral part of this advanced manufacturing business,…

Kanyana Engineering has followed a policy of providing unique sheet metal services at its Greenfields, WA manufacturing facility since its formation in 1997. They started this process with a 100-ton press capable of bending 6mm material when their competitors could only bend 3mm material. This policy is continuing and now the company has progressed from high tolerance plasma cutting to fibre laser cutting with a 15kW 1.5m x 3m Bystronic Bystar and the first Bystronic 20kW Penta laser with 2.5m x 6m bed in Western Australia. This machine can cut 50mm mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium, giving the company the largest job shop capacity in the region. The company's capabilities make it sought after for supplying civil, mining, industrial, construction and creative arts projects. The huge variety includes balustrades for the Kalbarri Skywalk, which soars 100m above the Murchison River Gorge, and mining refuge chambers designed to protect miners in an emergency. The Managing Director of Kanyana Engineering, Graham Dawe, understood that software and integrating the company’s systems was crucial to his plan. “I had experience from a previous computer business and…

Delahenty Machinery is a leading Australian provider of machinery, automation solutions, machine tools, bespoke tooling, and service to manufacturers across a wide range of industries. They offer complete support, including machinery sales, installation and training, servicing and maintenance, Macbend tube bending, machine lubricants, spare parts, and tooling, to meet customers' unique project needs. Since 1964, Delahenty Machinery has collaborated with world-leading, innovative partners to provide customers with the right metal fabrication machine solutions to expand their manufacturing capability and improve efficiencies in an ever-changing landscape. Pirtek Southern Highlands, based in Moss Vale, NSW, is dedicated to delivering exceptional fluid transfer solutions. The team serves a diverse customer base, specialising in mobile onsite service and replacing hydraulic and industrial hoses and fittings. Stephen Jones, Managing Director at Pirtek Southern Highlands, recently invested significantly in another YLM mandrel tube bending machine. This time, purchasing a state-of-the-art machine with CNC capabilities, a 37-degree flaring machine, and a deburring machine to enhance their production capabilities. Pirtek Centre Manager Fiona Martin shared they are very appreciative of the Delahenty personalised support, installation and training of…

Latinka is also an accomplished professional who wears multiple hats as General Manager and Co-Owner of Catten Industries with her husband, Ian. Latinka found time to sit down with AMT editor Paul Hellard. AMT: Firstly, congratulations on the Victorian Female Manufacturer of the Year Award at the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards. Latinka Cubitt:  Oh, what a great night! Both Ian and I had arrived from overseas at around midnight on Sunday. We'd been to InnoTrans in Berlin, which was brilliant. It blew my mind how big it was. The Department of Transport and Planning invited us, and they organised this massive trip with several other companies in the rail supply chain. We caught up with many potential customers and had some excellent opportunities there. We were exhausted when we got back, but you hit the ground running by Monday and Tuesday because you've had a few weeks away from the business. Wednesday was the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards night in which I'd been nominated, which is an honour in itself.  Then…

Incat specialises in high-speed, lightweight aluminium passenger vehicle ferries and has become synonymous with innovation and sustainability. Using aluminium to construct its vessels is integral to Incat's design philosophy and operational strategy, and the business has had a long-standing partnership with Capral Aluminium. Robert Clifford founded Incat as a family business with small ferries across Hobart's Derwent River. This modest beginning ignited a passion for innovation, leading to the development of some of the world's largest passenger catamarans. Today, Incat's vessels are common across many continents, including Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Stephen Casey, CEO of Incat explained. "From really small, humble beginnings as a family business, Incat vessels now are all around the world," highlighting the company's expansive reach. Based in Derwent Park, Hobart, Incat boasts the largest covered shipyard in the southern hemisphere. The facility, comprising five large production halls, is strategically located on the waterfront of Prince of Wales Bay, facilitating the seamless launch and sea trials of its vessels. Incat is a business committed to innovation and sustainability, which…

The Albanese Government has taken another step towards rapidly establishing domestic manufacturing of missiles and munitions at scale under a plan that bolsters Australia’s defence capabilities while creating hundreds of jobs. The government has announced that Thales has been selected as the preferred tenderer to build a new domestic forging capability for 155mm M795 artillery ammunition. Australia, the United States, and other international partners use the 155mm M795 artillery ammunition for the M777A2 Light Towed Howitzer, which is critical for close-fire capability. Defence will work with Thales, the preferred company, to build, establish, and commission the forge at the Commonwealth-owned Benalla Munitions Facility. This project is expected to support at least 550 jobs. The forge will produce 15,000 rounds each year by 2028, with the capacity to produce up to 100,000 for global consumption. It will also be the first dedicated forge outside of the United States to manufacture 155mm M795 artillery ammunition. “Today’s announcement is another example of the Albanese Government’s commitment to developing a more capable military force while also supporting a future made in Australia,” said the Deputy Prime…

Blade Pile, a top supplier of screw piles for Australia’s residential construction, began in 2007 in Southeast Queensland, producing locally at their Burleigh Heads factory and have since grown steadily. The management team realised that their traditional fabrication processes incurred high costs and challenged their competitive advantage. In 2022, Blade Pile recognised the opportunity to automate its production processes in its new purpose-built Yatala site using a TRUMPF TruLaser Tube 5000, automated material handling, and robotic welding. The Blade Pile Group manufactures, supplies, and installs a wide array of steel piles and piling accessories for the construction industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Blade Pile is recognised as a leader in residential piling products and foundation systems. Our technical innovation and inventive approach to piling has provided our customers with a range of industry-leading products alongside our network of engineering and installation support services. Blade Pile encountered a pressing challenge: to differentiate their product in the market and control costs. Robotic welding was part of the solution. Robotic welding provides consistent welding results…

Auckland-based KANDO Innovation, headed by Keith Blenkinsopp, is a New Zealand manufacturing company that inspires innovation and success through world-leading design and technology. This has led to major export sales in the competitive international markets of America and Europe. KANDO Innovation began with the drive and objective of making New Zealand and international markets safer, more efficient, and more confident, leading to a safer workplace by developing and implementing the latest technology. Leveraging the latest in engineering, automation, machining, vision technologies and more, the idea was to maximise competitive advantage whilst meeting the challenges of safety, skilled labour shortages and minimising downtime and wastage in the industry. Advanced Okuma CNC machines and robotics today play an essential part in this strategy, with the first Okuma machine purchased in 2019 and now with an additional four machines following the Okuma Monozukuri philosophy in “The Art of Making Things Better”. KANDO’s Managing Director Keith Blenkinsopp commented, “The investment in Okuma is always the first we look at due to design, unparalleled service, robustness, precision and user-friendly programming.” KANDO Innovation is the home of the…