Qld, Toowoomba firm Wagners calls on Energy Queensland to back locally-made utility power poles

One of the state’s largest public construction and manufacturing companies has called on Energy Queensland to start using its locally-made utility poles, arguing it would quadruple its workforce if a deal was done.

They’re specialised power poles made in Toowoomba and being installed in the United States, Britain and New South Wales — but not in Queensland.

One of the state’s largest publicly-listed construction materials and manufacturing companies has called on Energy Queensland to start using its specially-manufactured utility poles as part of its electricity network.

Toowoomba firm Wagners says it has already sold 5000 of its poles across the world since it started manufacturing them from its Wellcamp facility more than 12 months ago.

Showcasing the length of Wagners' new power poles, made from the company's composite-fibre technology, are CFT Australia and New Zealand general manager Ryan Leeson and president of North American operations Denis Wagner Jr.

While they are significantly more expensive than traditional poles, the longstanding Queensland company argues the product has three times the lifespan of timber, will not rust or rot, is more fire-resilient, is lighter to handle and more environmentally sustainable.

An example of Wagners' utility poles, made from composite-fibre technology in Toowoomba.

It is understood Energy Queensland is assessing the utility poles, which are made using Wagners’ pultrusion method that also makes crossarms for powerlines and public infrastructure like piers and boardwalks.

While the USA and New South Wales currently offer major opportunities, CFT Australia and New Zealand general manager Ryan Leeson said Wagners would immediately expand its manufacturing capacity and quadruple its workforce if it could service its own backyard.

“If we do 5000 poles currently, Queensland replaces 30,000 poles a year,” he said.

“We currently employ about 20 people in our utility pole process to do our 5000-10,000 a year.

“The potential jobs growth from having Queensland jump on board is significant.

“It would be four to fives times (the workforce needed) just to service Energy Queensland, if and when they do jump on board.”

Denis Wagner Jr, the company’s president of North American operations, said he wanted to see Energy Queensland support a homegrown company.

An example of Wagners' utility poles, made from composite-fibre technology in Toowoomba.

“There is significant opportunity for us to grow into the Queensland market — coming from a Queensland manufacturer, we’re quite proud it’s being made here,” he said.

“We would expect that Queensland utilities will adopt the technology really quickly once they see the quality and the results.”

It comes as Wagners continues to expand into the American market, thanks to the launch of its Texas manufacturing plant in 2022.

Showcasing the length of Wagners' new power poles, made from the company's composite-fibre technology, are CFT Australia and New Zealand general manager Ryan Leeson and president of North American operations Denis Wagner Jr.

Mr Wagner said he believed utility poles could make up half of the company’s CFT business in just a few years.

“It has the potential to be 50 per cent of what we do in both markets,” he said.

“The US is replacing about four million utility poles every year and regulations have come in to make it challenging to coat these timber poles with creosote (wood preservative).

“It’s now illegal in most states of the US and also in Europe.”

Energy Queensland was contacted for comment.