OneSteel Steel & Tube’s Customer Newsletter Volume 3, March 2010
c nnect In this edition
CLEM7 Canopies QLD State Equestrian Centre Innovations in sustainable steelmaking and more... BUILDING AUSTRALIA WITH YOU
Volume 3, March 2010
3
READING THE SIGNS
4
Safety
5
Customer Connection
6
Project Feature
9
Product Update AS1163: Setting the Standards
10
Project Feature
12
Sustainable future
A message from Vik Bansal Load Restraint
Wetherill Park on show for Analyst Visit Clem 7 Canopies
Queensland State Equestrian Centre Innovations in sustainable steelmaking Connect with..All Metal Solutions
14
Supply chain innovations Improvements in movements
Connect with...Maitland Fabrications
16
striving for excellence Whatever the goal
Front Cover image: CLEM7 Canopies See Project Feature, pg 6 Courtesy of LBBJV.
Welcome to the third issue of Connect, OneSteel Steel & Tube’s customer newsletter. To create the various forms of printed and electronic communication published by OneSteel Steel & Tube we rely heavily upon our customers to become engaged with our programs. Connect is no exception and it is only through the contribution of our customers and industry partners that we are able to publish regularly. Connect provides a great opportunity for customers to not only tell us about their success with specific projects, but also profile their business to potential industry partners. The ‘Connect With’ articles, just like the project stories are available to all of our customers. It’s easy to get involved and become a part of the next edition of Connect. To contribute simply contact our Editor, Lisa Wilson: wilsonlj@onesteel.com OneSteel Steel & Tube distributes over 4,000 copies of Connect around the country bi-annually, and through email and the web reaches an even larger audience. Regards, Warren Stewart National Marketing Manager STMarketing@OneSteel.com
Subscribe to our e-services! Global Steel Production Cuts
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CHINESE STEEL MILLS SHIPMENT PRICE & PRODUCTION COSTS
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LWOSST001 © Copyright 2010 OneSteel Trading Pty Limited. Not to be reproduced in any form.
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This publication has been prepared by OneSteel Steel & Tube, an operating business group of OneSteel Distribution, OneSteel Trading Pty Limited ABN 50 007 519 646. Please note that any specifications or technical data referred to in this publication are subject to change and/or variation or improvement without notice and no warranty as to their suitability for any use is made. The views and opinions of third parties published herein are not necessarily the views and opinions of OneSteel Steel & Tube and no warranty or guarantee is provided in relation to the truth or accuracy of any such content. Users of this publication – to ensure accuracy and adequacy for their purposes – are requested to check the information provided in this publication to satisfy themselves as to its appropriateness and not to rely on the information without first doing so. Unless required by law, the company does not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence resulting from the use of or reliance upon this publication. This publication is not an offer to trade and shall not form any part of the trading terms in any transaction. OneSteel Steel & Tube is a registered trademark of OneSteel Trading Pty Ltd ACN 007519646
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Quarterly Market Updates Want to keep up to date with information about the Australian steel market and the global steel industry? We can email you our quarterly Market Updates, so you can continue to be informed.
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”Fabricators form a key plank in our strategy and I am proud to remind our fabricator communities that we
building Australia with you and not around you”
remain committed to
Reading the signs Dear Customers, Welcome to Edition 3 of the OneSteel Steel & Tube Connect newsletter. We often hear that the world is in a volatile state, but I wonder if the commentators understand the extent of volatility in specific industries. Who would have guessed 18 months ago we would see the record peaks and troughs of steel pricing and availability that we have witnessed. No doubt we have seen tough times, but the perseverance of the steel industry has been truly inspiring. At Steel & Tube we have increased our efforts manifold during these times to ensure we have the best market offer available for our customers by focusing on improving our systems and processes. This is matched by a substantial increase in our stock levels to ensure we can service the changing demands of our customers. While stock levels have lowered in the market, we have intentionally increased ours’ to ensure supply in an environment where our customers have been cash pressed. This initiative has paid dividends which are visible in the return of many of our old friends who value the consistent service offer more than the few dollars per tonne from opportunistic suppliers. A recent win for Steel & Tube has been working in partnership with fabricators and free issuing steel to them for the Victoria Desalination Plant. This is an indication of our ability to match our service offer and stock with project capability.
Our relationships within the fabricator community have been built on trust and personal bonds which run deep. Our strategy to service the Australian industry with fabricators and not around them has been integral to the way we do business here at OneSteel Steel & Tube. Fabricators form a key plank in our strategy and I am proud to remind our fabricator communities that “we remain committed to building Australia with you and not around you”. Moving forward we will endeavor to increase our efforts to ensure the local market remains an attractive proposition for all projects, to avoid losses like the recent Gorgon Project. Though we do live in a global world, it should not deter us in doing whatever legally and ethically possible to ensure the projects are awarded and fabricated locally. In this edition, you will read about innovations in sustainable steel making, Australian Standards, customer profiles, as well as some exciting projects we are working on around the country. We remain passionate to service you and make the journey a winning one through these interesting times.
Regards, Vik Bansal General Manager, OneSteel Steel & Tube BansalVik@OneSteel.com
3
Safety
load restraints Everyday, somewhere near you, there is a chance that something has fallen off a vehicle and possibly injured someone. Road transport statistics reveal that these incidents are a direct cause of many road accidents. Keeping loads securely tied down, is a very important part of being a responsible road user. Some years ago Federal Parliament passed laws called ‘Chain of Responsibility’. Put simply this means that any party having something to do with the loading, transport or delivery of product is a link in the chain. Here at OneSteel Steel & Tube we take our responsibility very seriously. The steel we transport comes in all shapes and sizes, and keeping product on our trucks until it is safely delivered is crucial. Load restraint affects not only every OneSteel employee but also many others’ including suppliers, contractors and our customers. National Transport laws and regulations give us specific guidelines on correct procedures for restraining our loads and delivering them safely to our customer. In recent months Steel &
Tube have rolled out training packages to help our employees and contractors understand how correct loading can be accomplished. Much of OneSteel’s training material has been developed in conjunction with BlueScope Steel, and together with them, OneSteel is now recognised as a National Leader in steel transport and load restraint. Load Restraint Guidelines are freely available, and cover a wide range of transport information such as: -types of delivery vehicles -how to load product on a truck safely -types of restraint {eg. chains, binders etc} -correct number of chains to be used For a copy of the Load Restraint Guidelines please contact your account manager. The next time you see a load of OneSteel Steel & Tube product being transported via road, appreciate the fact that comprehensive employee training has gone into arranging the load as we care for your safety.
KNOW YOUR STEEL 2010 The updated Know Your Steel book (KYS), brought to you by OneSteel Steel & Tube, is available now. This easy to use steel reference guide has a long history in the Australian steel industry, dating back to when it was released by Tubemakers and Packer Bros. As well as a thorough update of all of the technical data in the reference guide, many new sections have been added.
To download your copy of Know Your Steel please visit www.onesteel.com or talk to your local Sales Account Manager to request a printed copy 4
On Show
Wetherill Park Analysts Visit OneSteel Steel & Tube Wetherill Park proudly hosted annual analyst visit. OneSteel Steel & Tube has a national footprint with 11 sites spread around the country. With around 300,000 tonnes per annum they are a major material supplier of Hot Rolled Structural, Merchant bar, Tubular and Plate as well as a National Processing provider to around 10,000 industrial customers. During September 2009 OneSteel Wetherill Park proudly hosted the annual visit of analysts from various investment houses. Investment and portfolio managers participated in a tour and presentation at OneSteel Sydney Steel Mill (Rooty Hill) before arriving at Wetherill Park for a visit of the Steel & Tube facilities. Steve Hamer (Chief Executive, OneSteel Distribution) and Vik Bansal (General Manager, Steel & Tube), along with Wetherill Park’s Lead Team hosted the visitors for the afternoon. During the visit the analysts interests were mainly focussed on Steel & Tube’s ability to execute objectives. They found the “Lean”
information boards very informative, along with Wetherill Park’s processing capacity and ability to successfully manage projects. One major project highlighted to the visitors was Latitude Building (World Square) in Sydney, and how our processing facilities, including two beam lines, helped Steel & Tube achieve such success. Ultimately the analyst visit was a great success and a great opportunity to highlight Steel & Tube’s functional and operational processes. Steel & Tube focuses on several major markets including the Construction Market in which Steel & Tube works with fabricators on availability, delivery schedules and processed material to meet site and project deadlines. This ensures projects such as, high-rise buildings, sports stadiums and warehouses, are delivered on time and on budget. Within the Mining Industry Steel & Tube work with project stakeholders, engineers, utility providers and fabricators to deliver on new projects in the mining and exploration industry. And in the Manufacturing Market Steel & Tube employ specialised processes to ensure the best possible supply of material for manufacturing customers’ finished components such as Main Top: Wetherill Park Warehouse fencing, shop fittings and mining equipment. Above Top: Oxy Profiler Above Middle: Wetherill Park at sunset Above: OneSteel employee
5
CLEM7 canopies
OneSteel Steel & Tube Geelong key customer GFab has been involved in one of Brisbane’s largest ever road infrastructure projects. South East Queensland’s new Clem Jones Tunnel (CLEM7), formerly know as the North-South Bypass Tunnel, is 6.8 km long connecting Woolloongabba in the South to Bowen Hills in Brisbane’s North with two parallel twin-lane tunnels 4.8km each. Once completed, motorists will be able to use the CLEM7 to bypass the CBD, the Brisbane River and 24 sets of traffic lights. The tunnel, which is being constructed by a joint venture between Leighton Contractors and Baulderstone Hornibrook Bilfinger Berger (LBB JV), will be the longest road tunnel in Australia. When complete, the CLEM7 tunnel will be a unique feature in Brisbane’s road grid, with three architecturally designed steelwork portal canopies covering the entrances and exits of the tunnel. Well renowned for their work on the Southern Cross Station Roof Trusses and the Montague Street Overpass in Melbourne, Geelong based GFab (Geelong Fabrications P/L) demonstrated they had the capacity and capability to fabricate the almost 400 tonne of plate and beams into the intricate design to create these elaborate canopies. Across all three canopies, GFab fabricated a total of 4,300 pieces of unique steelwork, with barely one straight piece among them. The largest piece is in the northern canopy which spans 45 metres and weighs 5 tonne. OneSteel Steel & Tube Geelong 6
supplied the steel to GFab, and Key Account Manager Simon Anderson was not surprised by the quality of the fabrication that GFab provided. “I was very familiar with the quality and standard of architectural fabrication GFab were able to achieve” Simon states. “They are well regarded within Victoria, and specialise in really interesting projects”. Both Geoff Blick, GFab’s Operations Manager, and Peter Kirby, Managing Director, were pleased to be involved in the CLEM7 portal canopy project, as they relished the opportunity to demonstrate GFab’s unique capabilities on a grand scale which relied on such intricate detail. Every piece of steelwork, roof and ceiling of the canopies is unique, so GFab, who specialise in architectural design fabrication, had their work cut out to create the structures. Each portal has a canopy which consists of curved steel, beautiful elliptical pods and curved voids. Russell Haywood, GFab’s Site Supervisor believes the “canopies were the most interesting and challenging steelwork structures to erect in [his] 30 years on the job, but it went together beautifully”.
Almost every piece of steel required a three coat paint system which of course had to be packaged to go from Geelong to Brisbane by truck and needed to arrive in pristine condition for erection.
Images reproduced with permission © LBBJV & GFab
Geoff Blick knows that GFab has a unique advantage in the steel fabrication industry as they “have tradespeople who have been with the company for over 40 years”. “These people are the backbone of GFab, many of them completed their apprenticeships here, which is experience you cannot buy”, Geoff states. It is this level of experience that contributes to GFab’s ability to undertake complex projects which an average fabricator would ignore. GFab applied a great deal of the knowledge that they acquired working on Spencer Street Station, but still faced challenges on the project due to the complexity of the twists and turns in the steel. “There were issues with shop detailing where cleats attached to the pipes”, Geoff states, which GFab overcame by “finding software to cope with the degree of difficulty so we could relate it to the workshop personnel and give them a clear picture.” “The first canopy required the nose section to be completely trial assembled in the workshop. This was an enormous task on its own, but by the time we got to the other canopies we were able to position the cleats on the pipes without a trial assembly”. Contributing to the challenges was a tight delivery and erection program. “In order to meet the critical timelines, we ramped up production and had an extra shift working for the duration of the project”, Geoff states. “We also rented another large workshop locally and had a separate full time crew working mainly on the pods for the canopies. This freed up our workshop enormously and enabled us to employ several new employees to assist with the welding and assembly”.
Above: One of the pods during construction at GFab Main Left: Up close and personal with one of the tunnel entrances Main Middle: The northern entrance during construction, demonstrating the complexity of the inner framework of the canopy & the elliptical pods Main Right: The blinds filter light to allow motorists eyes to adjust. EDAW AECOM, urban design consultants on the CLEM7, based the design concept on “South East Queensland’s expansive shade tress and the dappled light they create”. The dappled effect comes from the way the louvered blinds filter the light, demonstrating that the canopies are a stunning example of synergy between fabrication craftsmanship and functionality. The panel blinds within the pods filter sunlight to assist motorists as they enter and leave the tunnel. RiverCity Motorway Group CEO Flan Cleary said the canopies were an example of urban design and safety coming together. “The entrance canopies provide a transition between the light 7
Continued
Clem 7 Canopies inside and outside the tunnel, allowing the eyes of drivers to adjust to the driving environment,” Cleary said.
.
Images reproduced with permission © LBBJV & GFab
The end result is a stunning architectural feat, which will greet motorists as they enter the tunnel for the first time. Kevin Anderson, GFab’s Leading Hand on the project sums it up beautifully, “it certainly was a huge challenge, but we are all pretty proud of what we achieved”. The CLEM7 tunnel is still on schedule to open before April 2010.
Main Top: One of the tunnel entrances Left: From just inside the tunnel. The blinds filter light to allow motorists eyes to adjust. Above top: The north end of the tunnel nearing completion. Above: Inner framework of the canopy.
8
Setting the Standard .
New AS1163
Standards Australia have just released a new revision of AS/NZS 1163 on Structural Steel Hollow Sections. These revisions were triggered by industry and asset owner concerns on compliance of specified tubular products. The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) is also aware of situations of inferior or non-specified product substitution being used for critical applications resulting in product qualities not compliant with the Standard’s expectations and generating potentially significant safety risks. The changes in the Standard provides customers and specifiers with a higher degree of confidence that they will get the product they need to comply with all relevant codes. Products compliant with AS/NZS 1163, which are referenced by regulations, contract documents and via the steel design, fabrication and erection Standards listed in the Building Code of Australia (BCA), are used in many and various structural applications. The major changes to the Standard include: - In Australia, the mandatory individual length identification required on all ex-mill tube lengths - Mandatory minimum information required on test certificates - Mandatory requirement for testing to be performed by thirdparty accredited laboratories (e.g. NATA)
Standards Australia moves to tighten steel specifications such as AS/NZS 1163 - 2009 Structural Steel Hollow Sections in response to industry concerns. - Additional provisions on steelmaking, coil feed, chemistry, mechanical properties and tolerances. OneSteel Australian Tube Mills (ATM) have been a leader in the development and adoption of the new Standard and manufacture product complying with it . For further confidence that the product you purchase complies with the new Standard look for “AUSTRALIAN TUBE MILLS” and related traceability identifiers on your ex-mill lengths of tube. It should also be noted that the tubular product range and coatings offered by ATM to the Standard have not changed. The new edition of AS/NZS 1163 was published on 9 December 2009. The revisions to the Standard provide further confidence in product conformance of tubular products to AS/NZS 1163. The ASI strongly urges structural project delivery participants to specify and order AS/NZS 1163-2009 product to get the confidence that new Standard provides in mandating that the construction is in line with intended design. For further information e-mail info@austubemills.com or view the ATM website www.austubemills.com.
- Mandatory ‘Product Conformity’ provisions to demonstrate compliance with the Standard by the manufacturer/supplier
Onesteel design services OneSteel offers several services free of charge to our customers to assist building owners, developers, builders, architects, engineers and fabricators with the development of economical steel framing solutions for multi-storey building projects. These services include: Preliminary Steel Design
Advice on Fire Protection Requirements for Structural Steelwork
Our design team has been successfully used by major builders and engineers to assist with the conceptual design of medium and high rise steel framed buildings throughout Australia. This service assists with the preliminary design phase. Full design & documentation is still undertaken by the respective Consulting Engineer appointed to the project.
Using OneSteel’s fire engineers at CESARE, Victoria University, we are able to provide a review of the deemed-to-satisfy requirements for fire protection of the building frame as well as advice on an alternative solution as allowed under the Building Code of Australia that may reduce or eliminate the need for passive fire protection on some or all elements of the steel frame. The purpose of this advice would be to provide assistance to the project Fire Engineer in the preparation of their Fire Engineering Assessment Report.
OneSteel Market Mills’ Business Development Managers Spiros Dallas VIC, TAS, SA, WA & NT DallasS@OneSteel.com or 0419 587 951
David Bell NSW, ACT & QLDBellD@OneSteel.com or 0407 357 120 9
QLD State Equestrian Centre An international standard Equestrian Centre is under development in Caboolture, South East Queensland, in what will eventually be a comprehensive complex with state-of-the art facilities for equestrian events. Three large sports fields, support buildings and permanent sand dressage arenas will accompany the new structure. Located on a 50 hectare site, the State Equestrian Centre will be completed in stages over a ten year period and is being built on existing facilities within the Caboolture Showgrounds. Stage 1 of the new development has seen the construction of the 4,000 seat capacity indoor main arena, which will take centre stage at the new complex. OneSteel Steel & Tube customer, idec, a leading Brisbane based supplier of custom engineered buildings, designed, fabricated, painted and erected the structural steel for the main arena. The steel structure was specifically designed by idec engineers in conjunction with the client’s architectural input. The huge open web truss with its clear span of 70 metres may have proved difficult for other building fabricators, but not for idec. idec’s Pre-Construction Manager, Colin Bourne, states that idec “were able to achieve the span providing the requested curved truss and following [their] trademark tapered look”.
idec were involved in the development of the main arena from the beginning, with the majority of the builders tendering using idec’s custom design. Colin attributes this to the unique service that idec can provide, as they have “the in-house skills to take the project efficiently and cost effectively from design to fabrication and ease of erection”. idec certainly delivered on their promise of easy erection on site, with the time on site to erect taking less than three weeks, 10
completing in early September 2009. Their ability to custom engineer each building allows idec to analyse the size of the sections and the style of connections maximising efficient manufacture and erection. idec’s Project Manager for the State Equestrian Centre, Justin Leitz, points out that “often engineers don’t consider the fabrication and erection process in their designs” whereas the design and manufacturing expertise of idec has allowed for standing structures quickly and easily, cutting down on time and site impact. In fact, the 15 metre high arena is so high, and idec’s footprint on site during erection was so light, that the grass is still growing under the structure! OneSteel Steel & Tube Brisbane supplied all of the steel, fully processed, to idec. The 130 tonnes was made up of 250 x 150 x 9 RHS for the bottom cord of the truss, 250 x 150 x 6 RHS for the top cord and 100 x 100 x 4 SHS for the web. The majority of the steel required mitre cuts and it was supplied fully processed to idec’s fabrication workshop within a five week lead time. The horizontal members all had to be rolled precisely to maintain the curve. idec manufactured specific fabrication templates for each section to enable consistency in shape. Although there were challenges on the project, idec were able to overcome many design issues that other steel fabricators may have struggled with due to their in-house design capabilities. “One of the areas we added the most value was our capacity to work with the architects to change the parameters as the design progressed,” Colin states. This included a rather important change to the eave heights which would have seen unfortunate spectators jostling for head space. Amendments were also made to bay spacing, both of which altered the structural design. “The importance of us having in-house drafting and engineering expertise is that we are able to move quickly with a project, and progress the changes that both
Images reproduced with permission © idec
clients and architects require – which are so common with projects requiring input from diverse stake holders”, Justin states, “Lots of things change, but for us that is never an issue.” The open web truss, pictured above, is the first building to be custom engineered, fabricated and erected by idec for Murphy Builders. The remaining developments included in Stage 1 are still currently under tender. By the time construction concludes, the recessed main equestrian arena will be surrounded by a variety of smaller warm up areas and stables of a similar profile and design. Although this is idec’s largest open truss design to date, Colin believes that idec’s designs using their tapered beam system could result in much wider clear spans. idec, who have provided custom engineered buildings for everything from schools and hospitals, to warehouses and towers, have their own engineering, drafting, fabricating, protective coating and erection teams. It is worthy to note that unlike some others in the industry, idec do not compete with their builder clients but provide conforming, and when appropriate, alternative economic and steel efficient designs for the structural steel to assist the builders in winning the job. They can do everything from complete design and supply to only structural steel supply and erection based on engineering by other parties. With Stage 1 of the landmark main arena now completed, the curved roof and clear span of the open trussed building are already drawing attention. The Moreton Bay Regional Council have big plans for the rest of the site, with horse trails and walking tracks likely to make it a drawcard for visitors from the greater Brisbane area and both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
Main and above: The 70 metre open web truss being erected on the Caboolture site. idec had quite a gallery of onlookers during erection due to the sheer size of clear span.
Above: Still green and growing. The building with its roof completed is now just awaiting inside fit out to finally turn it into the 4,000 seat strong main arena.
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Innovations in sustainable steelmaking Innovative Polymer Injection Technology is an exciting new patented process, which partially substitutes the use of coke with polymers, including rubber from car tyres, as an alternate carbon injectant to produce foaming slag in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel making. This concept was invented by Professor Veena Sahajwalla at the University of New South Wales and resulted in a three–year technology development and testing program conducted in partnership with OneSteel at its Sydney EAF facility. Substituting a proportion of coke used for EAF slag foaming with polymers, received regulatory approvals allowing its application at the Sydney Steel Mill in November 2008 and Laverton Steel Mill in July 2008. Implementation of this technology at OneSteel’s Sydney and Melbourne based EAF facilities achieved a number of benefits including improved slag foaming resulting in reduced energy consumption and therefore lower greenhouse gas emissions produced by coal–fired power stations; reduced quantity of injectant required; increased furnace productivity resulting from reduced power–on time; and reduced emission levels for NOx, CO and SO2. Inventor of the technology, Professor Veena Sahajwalla of the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, first developed the idea that polymers, including rubber, contain an essential source of carbon required for slag foaming in EAF steelmaking.
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This idea resulted in a three-year technology development and testing program conducted in partnership with OneSteel at its Sydney-based EAF facility. The technology involves replacing a proportion of coke traditionally used as a slag-foaming agent in EAF steel making with polymers, including rubber. This results in improved slag foaming, which is the driving force behind the benefits this technology can deliver. NewSouth Innovations Pty Ltd (NSi) Australia, a commercial arm of UNSW, holds a patent in the United States of America (USA) (and other countries) for the technology. NSi has granted OneSteel the exclusive right to sub-license this technology in key EAF steel making regions around the globe. This is just one of the many steps and technologies OneSteel is looking at to ensure it continues to improve the sustainability of steelmaking, and lessen its environmental footprint. Exciting innovations by Professor Veena Sahajwalla of UNSW have seen wastestream materials used in EAF steelmaking which reduce energy consumption and emissions levels. OneSteel now uses the technology at its Sydney and Melbourne EAFs as standard operating procedure and holds the exclusive right to sub-license this technology in key EAF steel making regions around the globe.
c nnect with... All Metal Solutions Providing everything from the kitchen sink to systems for heavy industry, All Metal Solutions is well equipped with over 30 years of service to the local industry. Living up to their name, they deal with every type of job from sheet metal to large fabrication, All Metal Solutions, formerly Rollpress-Wrights, service the Mining, Marine & Sugar industries as well as supplying general jobbing to the public. All Metal Solutions moto is: no job is too small. All Metal Solutions have developed CNC plate & pipe cutting, plate rolling , bending of steel plate and section rolling to the stage of being leaders in the field, and supply specialist services to many other engineering fabricators. Most recently, All Metal Solutions have been fabricating all of the steelwork and stainless steel for the Mackay Sewerage upgrade. Currently, the Mackay fabrication and engineering company has been busy producing two new TLO (Train Load Out) bins for the Oakey Creek Coking coal mine. Each bin is 35 tonnes in weight.
“We have seen an improvement in our cost efficiency whilst making a positive impact on the environment. This technology is a win for steelmakers and a win for the environment”. David Knights, General Manager EAF & Casting, OneSteel
Directly servicing the North Queensland region, All Metal Solutions service all markets nationally through relationships with key partners. Utilising this effective network, All Metal Solutions have delivered products into Australia’s largest mines, and port authorities, utilised their expertise for sewerage upgrades in Wollongong, Brisbane Mackay and Townsville and have delivered floculant systems all over Australia and into New Zealand. With their modified design for sugar mill scrubbers, All Metal Solutions have also had success internationally, supplying their product into mills in India, Nicaragua and France. All Metal Solutions modified scrubbers minimise waste in both the sugar dust Scrubbers and Vaccum pans, increasing efficiency in the sugar refining process.
Left: Professor Veena Sahajwalla, FTSE, FIE Aust, CPEng, Director - Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology (SMaRT) Faculty of Science, The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
All Metal Solution’s 40 staff and their cutting, bending and rolling technology and skills allow their clients to more efficiently manage projects without the capital layout and allowing them to benefit from All Metal Solutions expertise.
Contact: All Metal Solutions T: +61 7 4952 2255 F: +61 7 4952 3864 E: sales@allmetal.com.au W: www.allmetal.com.au
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Improvements in movements
OneSteel Steel & Tube and Kings Transport are forging ahead and knew the importance of meeting our customer demands. with a partnership that has overhauled OneSteel Steel & Tube’s logistics reporting and delivery system to their western region “Kings also proved they were a business which understood a multi-drop distribution market. They were able to offer unique customers. technology system that would enable us to determine where A process to improve OneSteel Steel & Tube’s delivery an opportunity for efficiency gain was and allow for more cost performance and efficiency of their supply chain began in July effective distribution for our products”. 2008, when the contract for freight supply for South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory was due for review. “Kings Transport implemented a GPS tracking and job capturing system known as NetTrack which has been fully developed in “OneSteel decided to use an end of contract period as an house. It is a permanant vehicle tracking verification and audit opportunity to go to market, as traditionally we have always system that allows compelete visibility of OneSteel Steel & had difficulty working collaboratively with freight providers to Tube’s active jobs” states Aaron Cole, National General Manager meet our diverse requirements within these markets”, Steve for Kings Transport. McIntyre, National Freight and Logistics Manager for OneSteel Distribution. “PDA handsets are used in all vehicles to update real time data capture including on-site loading time, arrive / depart time “We have never had a level of detail around how much real at customer sites, travel time, delivery / pickup quantities time the product spent in our supply chain once the loading and proof of delivery,” National General Manager for Kings process began in our warehouses”. OneSteel Steel & Tube were Transport, Aaron Cole said. NetTrack provides OneSteel Steel & looking for a freight provider who would partner with them Tube visibility of KPI reporting that includes the total job value, to work towards a step change in supply chain performance, cost per drop and demurrage costs in dollar and percentage through better data analysis. amounts. “What we needed was an increase in the accuracy of the data available so we could begin finding the areas for improvement and begin delivering a more efficient supply chain”, Steve McIntyre said.
The GPS tracking feature adds transparency to the OneSteel fleet. Each vehicle can be individually or collectively tracked and isolated via Kings’ online system. NetTrack’s key features have allowed Kings to assist OneSteel Steel & Tube in achieving crucial efficiencies by reducing time on site, capturing off site “Instead of choosing to go with freight providers who have delays and increasing vehicle productivity. traditionally serviced the steel industry, we decided to partner with Kings because they came with a customer service focus LCD screens have been fitted in the dispatch offices in WA, 14
c nnect with... Maitland Fabrications Ltd Maitland Fabrications is a private company providing structural steel fabrication and onsite installation services. The company has been operating since 1983, servicing the greater Sydney and Hunter Region. In August 2007 Maitland Fabrications was purchased by two engineers – Caven and Champika. Caven started his career in Ship Repair/Ship building then moved on to McDermott Inc – a large offshore construction company. Prior to the purchase of Maitland Fabrications Cavan was Engineering Manager for the capital works and Maintenance of a bulk liquid storage facility at Port Botany for over ten years, where he handled major capital work projects to fabricate and erect vertical storage tanks/pumping stations and associated works.
SA and NT to optimise utilisation of Kings’ technology and enhance transparency. Kings Transport is currently merging its NetTrack technology with OneSteel’s SAP software. This will add depth to the current system allowing for added features which will result in a reduction in costs, paperwork handling and administrative requirements.
Champika comes from a project management background having managed infrastructure projects exceeding $50 million in the field of Telecommunications.
The integration will include direct links between both Kings and OneSteel’s current systems allowing for SAP shipments to be uploaded live to the PDA’s, real-time vehicle checks/safety audits, live meal fatigue break capture, OneSteel specific automated KPI’s and load restraint verifications. “Kings see this as a significant advancement in regards to Chain of Responsibility as the transparent nature will ensure accountability”, states Aaron Cole.
Maitland Fabrications provide steel fabrication and installation services for a range of clients, from SME’s to large construction companies. They have their own fully equipped workshop and an on site installation team equipped with their own cranes.
Most importantly, the partnership and introduction of the technology has already allowed OneSteel Steel & Tube to make improvements in their supply chain. “Before we began using Kings as our freight provider, we could only assume our success rate against many of our metrics”, Steve McIntyre said. “For example, we were under the assumption that at some sites the vehicles spent approximately 19 per cent of every day at our locations. After we began measuring it with Kings, we found the accurate figure was closer to 30 per cent”. “You can only manage what you can measure, so now we are able to analyse ways to overhaul our approach to our delivery system to improve our performance to the customer”. Both OneSteel Steel & Tube and Kings see the improvement thus far as only the beginning to long term efficiency improvements in the steel supply chain. Information provided by Kings Transport
Together they plan to expand the company further including the building of a state of the art workshop with CNC machinery, painting booths etc.
A team of Engineering Project Managers work with their clients from start to completion. Maitland Fabrications have their own drafting and 3D modelling software which is used extensively for 3D modelling for preparation of shop drawings. The models are then used in workshop and in site installations. The availability of the 3D models minimises fabrication errors and results in a shorter erection phase. This software is also beneficial in coordinating with engineers and architects to facilitate drawing approvals. The company places emphasis on project planning and has made all tools such as Microsoft Project available to the project managers. A recent project that Maitland Fabrications have been involved in is the Aircraft Rinse Facility in RAAF Base in Williamstown, which included a structure with a 54m span consisting of CHS of approximately 350mm diameter and weight of around 17 tonnes, that was supported on two end columns. Contact: Maitland Fabrications T: +61 2 4932 2500 F: +61 2 4932 4227 E: sales@maitlandfabrications.com.au W: www.maitlandfabrications.com.au 15
Striving for excellence Whatever the goal.
With steel playing such an important role in the everyday In January Steel & Tube proudly sponsored the “Hottest lives of all Australians, its important to OneSteel Steel 7s” world Rugby tournament held in Darwin and & Tube to be actively involved in supporting the local supported the players striving for excellence! communities in which it operates.
Photographer: Tam Nguyen
Sydney’s Randwick taking on Darwin’s Mozzies in the Hottest 7s Rugby Competition in Darwin.
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