Manufacturing site visit - InfraBuild recap

On Tuesday May 28 a successful field trip for members was held to InfraBuild Wire (previously known as Onesteel). InfraBuild is Australia's largest manufacturer of wire for rural, construction & manufacturing industries, and recently celebrated 104 years of continuous manufacturing at the Mayfield site in Newcastle, having been part of the former fully integrated BHP steel works. We were given a very good guided inspection of various parts of the plant.

This plant takes feedstock steel sourced from the Sydney electric arc furnace (from recycled steel), and from the fully vertically integrated iron ore mine & steel mill in Whyalla. Around 200,000 tonnes of product per year are produced, with a core workforce of around 140. Some parts of the plant including the gas fired galvanising furnace operate on a 24/7 basis. The company competes on quality, against cheap imports. The plant site also functions as a structural steel distribution centre for the broader company group.

Within the company, products are categorised as rural or industrial. Rural products include fencing wire and mesh, barbed wire, and galvanised & painted steel fence posts. Rural product brand names include Cyclone and Waratah. Industrial products include wire for springs, cars, coat hangers, nails, and wire rope for draglines used in open-cut mining.

Whilst photos were not allowed inside the plant, the complex machinery for drawing the wire, making wire mesh and barbed wire, were particularly fascinating. 

Thanks to committee member Kate Bevan for organising this event.