Global Manufacturing Group Certified to EN 15085

Global Manufacturing Group (GMG) is a leader in the metal fabrication industry. GMG is a turn-key operation, with highly skilled personnel working around-the-clock to cover all parts of metal manufacturing. Across their 30 year tenure, GMG has worked on a range of projects across land and sea – from rail improvement works to marine safety. The company operates two sites across a 7,000m2 workshop space, including one in Maryborough and another in Gladstone, Queensland. Together, they drive the state’s laser cutting and metal fabrication force to deliver a range of high-level projects. GMG’s Maryborough facility recently achieved certification to EN 15085 Railway applications – Welding of railway vehicles and components.

GMG’s services cover the entire lifecycle of metal manufacturing. From a world-leading 10kW fibre laser and plasma cutting facilities, to robotic and semi-automatic welding systems, as well as comprehensive machining capabilities with 12 CNC machining centres and lathes – GMG can deliver advanced quality that is not matched by other companies in the welding and fabrication sector.

The company also offers protective coating services like powder coating and spray painting. In all, the company works across a variety of industries like construction, infrastructure, engineering, rail, oil, mining, marine and gas.

As the company’s Quality and IT Systems Manager, David Hyland explains, GMG’s recent EN 15085 certification was a crucial step towards attracting new clients. “Our decision to become certified to EN 15085 was client driven, more than anything else. We deal with some of the largest manufacturers of rolling stock and rail, including Downer EDI and Bombardier, which is now Alstom.”

“Initially, these companies came to us and said that a lot of their trains were being designed overseas, calling up international standards. They had drawings being submitted in which the fabrication had to comply with EN 15085. This meant that they had to find fabricators in Australia with EN 15085 certification,” he explained.

EN 15085 certifications focus on the design, manufacturing, testing and quality assurance of welded components, and assembly of railway vehicles. The certification also has performance qualifications for individual personnel, which helps welders grow professionally.

“Certification also looks good when we’re heading towards work with the Australian Defence Force, Rheinmetall and the Federal Government. We’ll be starting work on the process of defence-specific certification soon,” Hyland said. The certification process followed Bombardier – a rail industry partner in Australia for over 70 years and with 1,000 employees – conducted a gap analysis in GMG’s operations. The analysis focused on any gaps that would exist if GMG were certified.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Bombardier all over the country, and always go above and beyond,” Hyland said.

GMG discovered that they would be unable to manufacture local train components in the future without EN 15085 certification, prompting Hyland and the team to embark on the certification journey.

“This certification is going to help us win a lot of work – Global Manufacturing Group is one of only about five companies in Australia to hold it. When I say that there are only five companies in Australia that hold this certification, two of those are Bombardier and Downer EDI themselves – it’s not a large pool of fabricators. So, I guess you could say, our decision to become certified to EN 15085 was about planning for the future, with a little tip from our clients,” Hyland said.

In addition to Bombardier and Downer EDI, GMG also deals with a range of other rail industry partners. “All these companies are looking for certified partners—certification definitely attracts new clients,” Hyland said.

GMG’s expertise is also evident in their advanced marine solutions like engines, hydraulics, plumbing, fabrication, hold cleaning, electrical, refrigeration, and complete overhaul. The company also designs, drafts, and manufactures components for a range of ship classes and small watercrafts. Above all, safety remains a key priority for GMG staff. Occupational health and safety management systems are integrated into the company’s software, which allows real-time traceability and accountability for all aspects of a project’s lifecycle.

Complementing Existing Certifications GMG’s Maryborough and Gladstone facilities are also certified to AS/NZS ISO 3834 – Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials.

“Since our Gladstone facility was certified to AS/NZS ISO 3834 a few years ago, we’ve had a number of new clients and projects come through. In Maryborough, the certification has gone a long way to raising eyebrows in other industries. We’ve got our fingers in a lot of pies – transport, medical, electrical. More and more, all these industries are looking for certified fabricators,” Hyland said.

“We were the first company to take on certification to both standards simultaneously. Normally, companies will complete the AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification first, and then take on EN 15085.”

Hyland worked with the experienced Weld Australia team to complete the certification process.

“As it was a dual audit, it was very intense. I had Paolo Corronca (National Manager – Engineering, Weld Australia) in the workshop asking questions for AS/NZS ISO 3834, and a representative from the Italian Institute of Welding on Zoom asking questions for EN 15085,” he said.

Image: Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits GMG’s Maryborough facilities.

Aside from the pressure-cooker scenario of attaining two certifications within the same timeframe, Hyland explained that Weld Australia’s assistance was highly valuable.

“The process itself was made very easy by Paolo. He liaised between me and the Italian Institute of Welding. If I had been dealing directly with Italy, it would have been very difficult. The process was made much better as a result of Paolo’s input.”

Hyland also offered some advice to other companies who are seeking an EN 15085 certification in their workplace. “While it’s a long and costly journey, if you hang in there, the benefits are worth it. Australia is way behind the rest of world when it comes to manufacturing – you only have to look at Rheinmetall and what they’re doing in Germany to see just how far behind. These certifications are becoming more abundant and in ten years’ time will be mainstream. I’m a big supporter of manufacturing in Australia – I’d much rather see things manufactured here than overseas. I believe that certifications can only benefit Australian manufacturing as a whole,” Hyland concluded.

For further information, visit: gmqld.com.au