NEPEAN turns up the H.E.A.T with new Makino wire EDM

NEPEAN Engineering & Innovation recently upgraded its capabilities with the purchase of a Makino U6 H.E.A.T wire EDM machine, supplied by Headland Machinery. Based in in Narellan, NSW, NEPEAN’s General Manager Peter Buckley spoke about the new machine and the general direction of the business post-COVID.

AMT: How long has NEPEAN Engineering & Innovation been in business? Peter Buckley: NEPEAN first opened its doors in 1974. Today we are now one of Australia’s largest, privately owned engineering service providers. Our capacity and capabilities have expanded over the years. Our original site and workshop facilities was less than 600sqm. Today, we have grown to have over 50,000sqm of high-tech manufacturing space, running multiple shifts to ensure we can deliver to our clients on time, every time. We now employ over 120 full-time employees at our facilities in Narellan, NSW. We have employed five new team members in the past year alone. AMT: What industries do you service and what is your specialty? PB: NEPEAN has the depth, diversity, capability and experience to successfully deliver on the largest and most complex engineering projects. We service the construction, infrastructure, mining, defence, civil works, pharmaceutical, scientific and aerospace industries. AMT: How you do remain ahead of the competition? PB: NEPEAN has the capability to provide complete turn-key project solutions. We listen and respond to client needs to provide a specialist solution for manufacture, installation and commissioning to enable asset optimisation. We have proven products operating across multiple industries. Our competitive advantage is the ability to leverage our deep engineering domain expertise and unique capabilities. This includes our heavy machining, CNC and high-precision toolroom, along with Design for Manufacture, installation and commissioning of complex components, products and structures. AMT: When you purchased the Makino U6 H.E.A.T, what problems were you trying to resolve? PB: Our intent was to expand our capabilities and invest in the newest technology. We believe we are providing additional value to our customers by increasing our capabilities and speed of service. AMT: Why did you purchase this equipment over the competition? PB: NEPEAN values the service and commitment from Headland, and after a market review of machines we decided upon the Makino for its reliability and capability. AMT: What other equipment capabilities can NEPEAN offer? PB: NEPEAN has a complete in-house manufacturing capability, by operating: • The latest in three, four, and five-axis CNC machining centres and CNC turning. • Cylindrical, surface and jig grinding. • Wire cutting and EDM. • Profile and Laser cutting, sheet metal and fabrication, including large rolling and pressing capabilities. • Sand blasting, painting and powder coating. • Laser cutting. AMT: What’s the real value of the machinery you have in your factory? PB: NEPEAN has over $50m of assets and equipment in our facility at Narellan. We continue to strive to be a world-class engineering and manufacturing facility. We focus on continual development and

NEPEAN’s General Manager Peter Buckley.

evolution, which means we need to invest in the latest technologies and our people. We are proud of our expertise to deliver complex and difficult projects; whether this is intricate CNC machined items, large cantilevered beams for highrise buildings, mine site infrastructure, or as a key partner for the defence sector supply chain. AMT: Would you recommend working with Headland Machinery, has it been a pleasant experience? PB: NEPEAN has a long and valuable relationship with Headland, dating back to the 1990s. We have purchased many machines over the years. We are proud of our association and would recommend Headland as a strategic partner. NEPEAN recognises that the service from Headland has been first-rate, including the delivery, installation, and training of our employees. We’re really happy with their continued support and we certainly hit the ground running with our new technology purchase. AMT: What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry? PB: We believe there are many opportunities for the engineering and manufacturing sector in Australia, with COVID-19 providing a resurgence for locally manufactured and supplied items. We are poised for growth with increased government investment, Australian-made campaigns and the focus for locally sourced content for large infrastructure projects.

www.headland.com.au www.nepeanengineering.com.au

The new machine in NEPEAN’s workshop.