Steeline GRP’s substantial investment in Territory jobs and capacity

A Territory company’s strategic investments have helped put us ahead of our interstate rivals. Read what they did.

Darwin company Steeline GRP has emerged as an Australian manufacturing leader with its multimillion-dollar investment in the nation’s longest-reach robot welder, largest aluminium router and a state-of-the art beamline for metal processing and manufacturing.

A collaboration between Steeline GRP, Territory-based industrial local robotics and automation company Diverseco and Charles Darwin University, the partnership will have the twin benefits of boosting the NT’s industrial self-reliance and skills base.

The purchases were supported by an $800,000 co-investment from the Northern Territory Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund.

The total investment pool of $3.5m consists of matching the $800,000 co-investment dollar-for-dollar, plus contributing an additional $1.9m through in-kind services, support and labour.

Steeline GRP’s Kawasakil Long-reach robotic welding system

Steeline’s facility features include advanced automated metal manufacturing technology, including a Kawasakil Long-reach robotic welding system with a 2.1m arm on an 8m track, a 14-axis ART metaltek XB1200 beamline fabrication machine and a true 2.5m x 11m ART Router Machine.

In addition to the support from the AMEF, Steeline has further advanced its manufacturing capability by complementing these pieces of equipment with a new 12000kw fibre laser machine, a 40m Ocean Steel Shot Blasting machine and an LVD Turret Punch Press, to enable end-to-end processing capacity.

Tony Halikos has invested hundreds-of-thousands in new machinery.

The partnership is intended to reduce supply risk for many of the region’s businesses and create a local source of high-quality processed products for critical industries such as defence, energy, gas, mining and construction.

Steeline conservatively estimates the project will lead to cumulative revenues of $7.25m and

create 10 new jobs within five years across the entire manufacturing value chain including apprentices, truck drivers, other skilled workers, engineers and administrative staff.

Four of the forecast new jobs do not currently exist in the NT, bringing a raft of new skills to the Top End.

Steeline GRP general manager Tony Halikos said the company was passionate about local manufacturing and processing.

“The new in-house advanced manufacturing capabilities we rival or match that of any manufacturer anywhere in Australia or South-East Asia and will complement all industries - defence, energy, gas, mining, maritime and construction, requiring the local capability for projects big or small,” he said.

“Based on the advanced capabilities we now have, Steeline GRP is now able to process some of the largest carbon steel, aluminium steel and stainless steel products in sizes currently unable to be handled elsewhere in many parts of Australia.

Steeline Darwin

“Our overall aim is to ensure that the critical industries in the Northern Territory and Australia have access to world-class capabilities, underpinned by advanced machinery developed by sovereign entities and world class staff.

“By doing so, Steeline GRP and the entire Top End manufacturing ecosystem can become more resilient, more prosperous and more capable as a result.

“Improving our sovereign capability and capacity to the benefit of our local industry and local manufacturing environment is the driver of the investment.”

Dr Jens Goennemann, managing director of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, said Steeline had shown the benefit of investing in manufacturing.

“It creates a ripple effect of increased local business activity,” Dr Goennemann said.

“The Territory government’s commitment to advancing its manufacturing ecosystem is yielding results with more mobs created and greater local spending retained within the Territory.

“The impact of the investment in this project alone will be significant for the Territory, which has a substantive list of companies looking for local manufacturing and supply of sovereign products such as large pieces of finished structural steel, aluminium plate and even composite panelling, normally bought in from interstate or overseas.

“This increased local capability reduces supply chain risks, lowers transport costs, increases efficiencies and cuts lead times.”