Flow Tech Australia Defends Its Brand with New Certification

Flow Tech Australia has over 30 years’ experience working with the defence industry, marine vessels, industrial systems, and water industry equipment. The team is made up of highly experienced pipe fabricators and mechanical fitters, who are recognised for their technical expertise and engineering solutions on complex projects. The company boasts four sites across New South Wales, Western Australia, Cairns, and the Northern Territory. Through their recent certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, Flow Tech Australia is well positioned to build their investments and grow their company as a leader in the defence welding space.

Chris Jaques (Director, Flow Tech Australia) explained the company has been involved in many major projects for the defence industry, commercial and industrial works, and cruise ships. “We’re a maintenance company that conducts pipe, pump, valve, mechanical welding repairs, and fabrication to all classes of vessels right across Australia. For the past 13 years or so we have been primarily supporting defence.”

“We conduct various maintenance from minor defects and pipe repairs to complete system upgrades and configuration changes. We’ve been involved in some pretty major projects for over a decade,” Jaques said.

Flow Tech Australia’s mechanical team and engineers also work with other welding professionals to develop solutions for the mining, water, and marine industry projects. Some of their work includes pipe fabrication; protection coating; chemical cleaning; electric motor testing, removal, and overhaul; and inspection and analysis of hydraulic systems.

“We even help to maintain and look after the firefighting systems on board the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHDs) and Air Warfare Destroyer (AWDs).”

“As much as I would like to, I can’t go into too much further detail about our work on defence vessels for obvious reasons. However, it is particularly important and dynamic,” Jaques said.

Across the company’s four facilities, Flow Tech Australia’s 40 staff are well-equipped to service a range of clients, including the likes of the Australian Government Department of Defence, CSL Group, P&O Cruises Australia, Thales, and BAE Systems.

“Our Perth branch is the flagship of the business, we’ve got a 1,000m2 industrial factory over there, with two 10 tonne overhead cranes. Sydney, Darwin and Cairns are slightly smaller, but we’ve still got quite a bit of workshop space across the business,”Jaques said.

“Sydney and Perth also boast CFC equipment, like plasma cutters that are used for our bespoke work,” Jaques said.

“In all, we have just shy of 2,000m2 of workshop spread around the country. We’ve also got about a dozen certified welders spread out across the business – so we’re really well-equipped to take on these big jobs.”

Internationally Recognised Capabilities According to Jaques, Flow Tech Australia’s vast experience allows the team to operate with confidence, which gives customers access to broad technical capabilities. The team prides itself on being

“We provide unbeatable expertise, which means that our services are often sought after by industry and governments alike.”

In March 2018, Swagelok Eastern Australia – one of the world’s leaders in the design and manufacture of systems across the land, sea, and air forces – acknowledged Flow Tech Australia as their preferred source for providing maritime and naval solutions. “Swagelok Eastern Australia is one of the world’s most respected companies, so to acknowledge and support us, it’s a pretty big deal,” Jaques said.

Jaques’ team also works with Varivane, a worldwide defence equipment provider for naval, commercial marine, and land-based clients. In addition, Metaline is also a key company partner. Metaline has over 50 years’ experience in repairing, protecting, and maintaining stressed equipment.

Jaques explained that vessels and marine equipment will continue to evolve with new technology, and it is up to each company to move with the times. “We know that the new Hunter Class vessels are going to play out fairly substantially with certification, which is the legacy left behind from the AWD. It’s really a customer-based push to meet the high standards required for the maintenance and manufacture of these important vessels.”

Achieving Certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Flow Tech Australia recently achieved certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834. “I think we initially underestimated what was required for this certification. However, Weld Australia was excellent to work with. Paolo Corronca (National Manager Engineering) who was our main point of contact, was fantastic in giving us the direction that we needed,” Jaques said. “Other than a couple of milestone achievements with upskilling staff, it was just all about time and dedication. There was nothing that was really too ambitious.”

Jaques explained how the AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification allows his company to remain competitive in a global market.

“Coming into March or April this year, we’ll see some of our competitors that haven’t been able to reach this goal of certification fall by the wayside. That’s just purely because of how the rules have evolved. The Commonwealth gave everyone 12 months to catch up and become certified, so that will play out in the early part of this year.”

The internal upskilling process took Flow Tech Australia around 16 months to complete. Jaques said that other welding companies should still consider attaining AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification.

“It really comes down to the individual company and what their requirements are. It’s a substantial investment, and maintenance of the annual audits is definitely a great way to keep the business on track.”

For companies considering certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834, Jaques said there are several benefits, which have already come to fruition at Flow Tech Australia. “The main thing would be to understand what the benefits are and decide whether you have the internal structure to support certification. In regard to the cost that’s associated, you get a fair return on your investment,” Jaques said.

For further information, visit: flowtec.net.au