Bowhill Engineering thrives with opening of new workshop
A local engineering company is taking on a game-changing project that will boost our regional economy.
This sponsored story is brought to you by Bowhill Engineering.
“Together we thrive” is the motto the dedicated team at Bowhill Engineering follows as they transform their community and build structures that matter.
Thriving they are at the moment, as last Thursday Bowhill Engineering opened a massive new workshop which will expand the company’s capabilities, introduce innovative technologies and continue its dedication to sustainability.
As specialist fabricators of heavy and complex structural steel, Bowhill collaboratively builds structures, from design optimisation through to installation, that benefit many Australians.
The new B5 workshop includes a 16-metre crane which can lift up to 100 tonnes, giving the team more flexibility to turn large components quickly and safely.
Director of business development Jeremy Hawkes said the company had originally planned to knock down its B2 workshop to improve its overhead lifting capacity.
But its board members suggested a new building instead – then fate intervened.
“A client from Osbourne mentioned they had a surplus building that was originally for the diesel subs,” Mr Hawkes said.
“We didn’t have a tape to measure it, so we just stepped it out.
“Would you believe the length was within one metre of what we were going to build and the width was about the same – to me that's divine intervention.
“We were able to purchase the frame, cladding and crane at a substantially discounted amount.”
The creation of this workshop has allowed them to take on their biggest contract yet – around four times bigger than anything they’ve taken on in the past.
The project, yet to be announced, is a significant milestone for Bowhill Engineering and the region, bringing state-of-the-art manufacturing to South Australia while driving economic and social outcomes.
In order to complete this massive new project they have invested $5 million of equipment in three robotic welding stations.
“This project is a game-changer for Bowhill Engineering,” Mr Hawkes said.
“Not only is it the biggest project we have won, we’ve set ourselves up to be the only supplier of this product in the southern hemisphere.
“This builds Australia’s sovereign capability, right here from regional South Australia.”
At the B5 opening are Jess Williams, Ros Ackland and Liz and Chelsea Haby; Helen and Grant Spangenberg with Tom Bosman; and Stephen Canny, John Nicholls and Andrew Munckton. Photos: Liana Webster.
One of Bowhill Engineering’s core values is doing what they say they will do for their clients.
CEO Jodie Hawkes said its priorities also included providing security for family and staff, offering them a healthy work/life balance and giving back to the community.
“Over the next couple of years the goal is to build our current capacity of 60 staff to 75 staff and increase our productivity by 20 per cent,” she said.
Currently Bowhill Engineering employs 61 locals and has trained more than 30 apprentices, who are now fully qualified.
They will be seeking new staff in project management, on the production line, fitting and turning, deliveries and, as always, more boilermakers.
As the Bowhill Engineering’s founder, Brendon Hawkes, said: if you’ve got to work a third of your life, you might as well be happy doing it.
Perhaps you will end up thriving with Bowhill Engineering, too.
- More information: Visit boweng.com.au, call 8570 4208 or drop in at 68 Weber Road, Bowhill.
Advertising to more than 20,000 highly engaged locals can do wonders for your business. Call Murray Bridge News’ Jane Intini on 0418 835 768 or email jane@murraybridge.news.
