People are Bowhill Engineering’s greatest strength
Stronger than steel are the bonds between team members at this Murraylands fabrication company.
This sponsored story is brought to you by Bowhill Engineering.
When locals think of Bowhill Engineering, they often picture towering steel structures, roaring machinery and headline-making infrastructure, like South Australia’s Torrens to Darlington project.
Whether it’s robotic welding or the vast B5 fabrication shed – 34,000 square metres of industrial muscle – Bowhill is known as a regional powerhouse in steel fabrication.
But behind the steel and machinery, Bowhill’s true strength lies in its people, many of whom live just down the road at Mannum, Murray Bridge or in nearby Murraylands towns.
From welders and project managers to receptionists and quality control staff, their stories bring heart to the high-tech backbone of this proudly local enterprise.
Murray Bridge News visited as around 60 Bowhill staff gathered for a recent monthly Celebration Hour: a long-standing tradition of bonding over barbecue, laughter and, on this occasion, clay target shooting.
“We started Celebration Hour about 20 years ago,” director Jeremy Hawkes said.
“We needed to stop and smell the roses, to celebrate what went well each month instead of only focusing on what went wrong.”
That philosophy, shared by both Jeremy and his CEO partner Jodie Hawkes, is at the core of Bowhill’s culture: positivity, connection, and shared growth.
On this occasion, the team shifted to a shooting range for an energising round of clay target shooting.
For many, it was their first time holding a shotgun; for others, a familiar weekend hobby.
“Shooting helped me practice focus and calm, just like on the workshop floor,” said one staff member.
“Whether it’s a shotgun or a welding torch, steady hands and clear minds matter,” added another.
The day wasn’t about perfect scores, but team spirit: hitting targets while strengthening bonds.
As the sun set over the river, a few paint shop staff gathered to farewell a co-worker who had just retired.
With beers in hand and a handwritten card full of memories, they shared laughs and stories.
Values keep this diverse team together
HR manager Samantha Krollig, who has been with Bowhill for 18 years, believes the company’s community values are key to its loyalty and success.
“It’s about quality family time, staying close to home, and working with amazing people in a peaceful and calm countryside environment,” she said.
Samantha oversees many of the programs supporting staff wellbeing:
- A wellbeing calendar, with planned activities locked in advance
- One-on-one support sessions with team leaders
- Quarterly emerging leaders events to grow the team
- Quarterly social events like Beers Club, where families are invited for bowling, golf, go-karting or to the Bend Motorsport Park, among other activities
Bowhill’s staff come from all walks of life.
Munashe, a boilermaker from Zimbabwe, says the best thing about working at Bowhill is meeting beautiful people: “I feel respected and cherished.”
Rasadari, an accountant from Sri Lanka, praised the culture: “The leadership is very down-to-earth, and the workplace is so calm – it’s rare to find that.”
Paint shop crew member Nick says his favourite park of working at Bowhill is the great people.
“This is the first company I worked for that organises these types of events to bring people together,” he says.
Another worker appreciates that there is a company offering work to locals not far from home.
Values, vision and tough love start at the top
At the heart of Bowhill Engineering is CEO Jodie Hawkes.
With a big, infectious smile, she brings a bubbly and friendly energy that lights up the workplace. Her warmth is genuine; she’s approachable, easy to talk to, and her enthusiasm is contagious.
Jodie’s leadership style combines that bright personality with real backbone.
Having spent a decade in school administration in Mannum and grown up deeply rooted in the local community, she knows how to balance kindness with tough love.
“I’m like an onion: I’ve got many layers,” she says with a laugh.
Beneath the cheerful, bubbly public face lies a deeply thoughtful, multifaceted leader: one who balances roles as a mother, partner, and team leader, and isn’t afraid to peel back those layers to make hard decisions.
Her values aren’t just words; she lives them at home, too.
Her daughters Zoe and Molly both work part-time in reception at Bowhill while studying at Flinders University.
“(They) need to work hard and pay (their) way,” Jodie says.
“That’s how I live our values: by example.”
When asked what she’d say to someone considering a job at Bowhill, Jodie laughed.
“We make big cool s*** ... we transform people and our communities, making big cool s*** is just a bonus.”
On a more serious note, investing in internal talent is a hallmark of the company.
“We take real pride in growing talent from within,” Jodie says.
“Tom (Dennis) is a great example – he started as a metal worker 16 years ago and worked his way up to become our general manager.”
Another standout story is David Holland, who joined in 2015 straight out of university with a mechanical engineering degree.
“It started as a two-week work experience; now he’s our senior project manager,” Jodie says.
“Compared to big corporations, our structure lets people develop quicker.”
After eight years, David now leads major infrastructure projects, ensuring budgets, timelines, and teamwork align.
“The most enjoyable part is seeing everything come together,” he says.
“The challenging component is managing and collaboratively mentoring the team managing the projects whilst reminding everyone we’re one team, not just individuals.”
Quality manager Ben Quinn finds fulfillment in mentoring young workers, though he acknowledges the ongoing challenges faced in regional recruitment and retention.
“Mentoring new staff is incredibly rewarding,” he says.
“It’s great to see them grow and develop their skills.
“But recruitment and keeping people in regional areas is tough.
“There’s a lot of competition out there, and it’s something we constantly work on.”
Brother’s legacy has carried the company forward
For director Jeremy, Bowhill Engineering’s journey has been deeply personal.
Known among colleagues as a calm and steady presence, Jeremy speaks thoughtfully and deliberately, carrying the weight of responsibility with quiet strength.
“The biggest challenge for me was losing my brother Simon in 2002,” he says.
“He was the driver of the business.
“That loss changed everything … it taught me to rise above challenges and find ways when there seemed none.”
Despite his reserved nature, Jeremy’s commitment to Bowhill and its people shines through.
"We’re a bunch of people you’ll enjoy spending time with,” he says.
“Together we accomplish some pretty amazing things.
“People often overlook us just because of our geographic location, but honestly, it’s great fun here.
“Relationships and family come first – that’s what matters most.”
Jeremy’s leadership style may not be flashy, but it’s dependable — the quiet backbone of a company built on resilience, trust, and genuine care.
- Join the Bowhill Engineering team: boweng.com.au/our-vacancies.
Advertising to more than 20,000 highly engaged locals can do wonders for your business. Call Jane Intini on 0418 835 768 or email jane@murraybridge.news.
Peri Strathearn
