Subs contract helps float Port Adelaide company’s new vision

A SIGNIFICANT maiden contract on board the Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines has helped a Port Adelaide industrial systems manufacturer bring to the surface its own depth of expertise.

A SIGNIFICANT maiden contract onboard the Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines has helped a Port Adelaide industrial systems manufacturer bring to the surface its own depth of expertise.

Cooling and refrigeration systems specialist Cold Logic recently won a contract with ASC to upgrade the engineering, supply and installation of modifications to the food storage facilities onboard the six submarines.

“After working with major food, wine and beer industry giants, this Defence contract was a first for us and exciting because of the challenges and what it means for us as a business going forward,” said Cold Logic partner Eddie Lane.

“So far, we have finished upgrading the systems on two submarines for ASC, which included installing new equipment and improving the performance of the systems while maintaining existing power use.”

ASC is the prime contractor delivering the Federal Government’s ongoing sustainment and capability upgrade programs for the six Collins Class submarines, which were built in the 1990s and 2000s and will remain in service until the 2040s.

More submarines will be upgraded in line with the scheduled deep cycle maintenance activities by ASC. The value of the contract was not disclosed.

“What we discovered through the process was also the critical need for heat removal, given the electronics on these Defence vessels, so it’s a new area that we will look to grow into,” Mr Lane said.

“It’s an opportunity to broaden our horizons further and become an Australian expert in this area,” he said.

After 30 years in business, Cold Logic has now set up a new defence division headed up by Dr Michael Riese, with the aim to grow partnerships in the Defence industry.

Mr Lane said that the group had already met with Defence companies and suppliers on existing naval projects as well as those vying for a share of the proposed multi-billion dollar investment in shipbuilding work over the next few decades.

Cold Logic, which now employs 65 staff in South Australia and Victoria – including 13 apprentices and 19 skilled trades people – is pushing past the $20 million mark in its annual turnover.

Cold Logic partner Eddie Lane at their Port Adelaide factory. Picture: Calum Robertson.

It has grown strongly in recent years thanks to new contracts, including the installation of the $3.5 million refrigeration plant at Coopers Brewery’s Regency Park malting facility and installing a customised system to cool the desalinated water being supplied to Sundrop Farms’ landmark greenhouse project in Port Augusta.

Other clients include Thomas Foods International, Arnotts, Pernod Ricard Winemakers and Aldi.

New projects include the proposed craft brewery by Pirate Life Brewing at Port Adelaide and a winery in Mildura, Victoria.

Cold Logic manufactures all of its refrigeration equipment on-site at its Port Adelaide headquarters, where it has a full fabrication workshop and design facility as well as a national service division.