NEWS

Quality Management Systems Critical for Defence

For an organisation with a 40-year track record as a trusted supplier to Australia’s defence forces, holding the latest quality management system certification is non-negotiable.

Not only is securing international quality management certifications critical to Able’s current business, but new certifications have the potential to open up whole new industries and business opportunities, according to Able Industries’ Managing Director, Stephen Martyn.

“Quality assurance matters a lot in our business, particularly with the clients we partner with and supply. We’re very pleased to be ahead of the game and to have successfully transitioned from the 2008 version of the ISO9001 Quality Management Standard to the 2015 version well ahead of the September deadline.”

Stephen Martyn said holding the ISO9001 standard was compulsory for organisations supplying the Australian defence forces and the biggest changes in the new standard focused on risk management processes.

“Under the new standard, our risk register and active management of risk plays an even bigger role in driving continuous improvement across our operations, including business continuity.”

In addition to this update standard, Able Industries has also successfully secured a new rigorous certification process to allow the company to begin to supply the aerospace industry.

“The process to secure the AS9100 quality management standard has been arduous, as you would expect when you are seeking to supply parts to the aviation industry.

“Securing this certification is a big deal for us. Implicit in this standard is the full management and traceability of all materials used in aerospace production.

“Under this standard we must be able to trace back to source every part and element that goes into materials that we could supply to, for example, an air force or airline.

While holding this certification gives our existing customers even greater assurance and confidence as to the controls and processes that underpin our operations, it also opens us up to supplying a whole new industry, which is promising for the future of our business,” he said.

“Holding this AS9100 certification is exciting for our business and our staff are rightly proud of the achievement.”

The AS9100 and ISO9001 certifications add to Able’s other certifications including ISO14001 (Environment), AS4801 (Occupational Health and Safety) and AS3834 (Welding).

A heavy job to deliver safer, smoother rail and road traffic

Sixty tonnes of structural steel, produced and delivered in a highly choreographed logistical exercise, has seen Able Industries contribute to safer, smoother traffic flows at Victoria’s Rosanna Station.

“Traffic flows in and around Rosanna Station, particularly the level rail crossings, have become a nightmare for the area,” said Able Industries’ Managaing Director, Stephen Martyn.

“As part of removing 50 levels crossings to enable traffic to flow more safely and smoothly, Able Industries has demonstrated its capability for large-scale heavy engineering, producing structural steel platform frames for the Lower Plenty Road rail station.

“This was a big piece of work that required absolute precision in both manufacturing and timing.

“As one of four suppliers, Able constructed four 14-metre-long welded steel platform frames, each weighing 15 tonnes and requiring two 10 tonne gantry cranes to move them inside our engineering factory.”

Stephen Martyn said Able committed a team of 10 full-time welders in the construction of the framing.

“We were doing 400 hours of full-strength butt welding per week on this project, with all welds reviewed both visually and with ultrasonic testing to assure integrity.

“Once each frame was completed they were craned onto a heavy truck and, under pilot vehicle, delivered to site. The timing of completion and the delivery of the frames had to be very carefully planned at every stage to minimise traffic disruption.

“We’re really pleased to have been able to contribute to this really important project. The new station is now open and is resulting in smoother, safer traffic flows.

“The project again shows Able’s flexibility and breadth of capability. From finely fabricated public art installations to literally constructing part of a railway station, we take huge pride in seeing our work installed and in use by the public.”

Able Industries Wins New Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Contract

Able Industries places significant pride in its service to Australia’s defence forces and is delighted to recently win a contract to equip new combat reconnaissance vehicles.

Produced by German Military Vehicle company Rheinmetall, the 225 new Land 400 combat reconnaissance vehicles will be assembled in Queensland using an Australia-wide supply chain.

“With the decision only made in March, details of the production and fabrication schedule are still being worked through, but these vehicles will be started in 2020,” said Able Industries’ Managing Director, Stephen Martyn.

“Able will be one of three metal fabrication suppliers on this project, producing high-spec military-grade components for these vehicles.

“Parts will be manufactured in our Melbourne fabrication factory, with the vehicles constructed in Queensland.”

Stephen Martyn said the Able team were delighted to secure the contract and pointed to the area of military vehicle fabrication as being a core function of the business.

The Land 400 project adds to Able’s history supplying fabricated parts for land military vehicles from Thales, Supacat and Mercedes.

“Projects like this are our bread and butter. We’ve built a trusted track record with the Australian military for quality and delivery and we take the responsibility of delivering products for our Australian armed forces very seriously indeed.”

Lifting the bar with space-age Australian Open seats

In a demonstration of its flexibility and breath of capability, Able Industries literally worked through last Christmas in the fabrication of 21 new umpire seats for the Australian Open Tennis.

Observers of one of the world’s greatest tennis tournaments this year couldn’t have helped but notice the brand-new, space-age umpires’ seating. Using pneumatic technology in a world-first, the seats smoothly lift the umpires into position and down again – see picture.

“Fabricating 21 of these seats based off the conceptual drawings called on the flexibility and professionalism of the Able team,” said Able Industries’ Managing Director, Stephen Martyn.

“This project represented a huge commitment to the customer, with a really challenging timeline. Starting in October, our team pulled all the stops, working through the Christmas holidays to get these seats built, tested and functioning to the highest standard in order to get them literally on the world stage in time.”

Stephen Martyn said the steel and aluminium seats required extensive testing to overcome multiple teething obstacles.

“As this was a world first, we started from scratch. We worked in partnership with the software developers and other contractors to ensure all of the wiring, control modules, safety systems and pneumatics flowed through the structure of the chair and worked safely.

“The feedback we received on this fabrication has been overwhelmingly positive, which is heartening given we had a few moments where the deadline was looking very tough indeed!”

Stephen Martyn said the project demonstrated the wide range of capabilities of the team at Able Industries as well as their commitment.

“From heavy fabrication for civil construction to critical components for armed forces to projects for sporting venues like the Aussie Open, our people have demonstrated our commitment to delivering, on-time and to the highest standard.

“These seats at the Melbourne Tennis Centre will see much more use over the years. Every time the team now see an umpire effortlessly float up into position, we reflect with pride on a fantastic project and the commitment of our team in delivering a slightly different project for another satisfied customer.”

More than 70 guests overlooked some of city’s most iconic landmarks built by Able Industries Engineering, at an event which celebrated their 40th birthday.

The Eureka 89 function room is where the celebration took place last month, as guests enjoyed views across to the MCG Southern Stand, Crown Towers and Federation Square - just three of many landmark projects this humble metal fabrication business can proudly put its name to.
Able, which employs over 60 experienced tradespeople, technical, project management, design and administrative staff - at its two facilities located in South Kingsville and Spotswood - is locally owned by the Martyn family.

Stephen Martyn, Managing Director said, “The company was founded by Charles Spiteri and Ray Hunter back in February 1976. My late father, Bryan Martyn joined Charlie and Ray shortly after.”

Today the company can say it has fabricated metal parts for everything ranging from the Lethal Weapon ride at Movie World on the Gold Coast, to solar farms, defence vehicles and ships, building facade work, to public transport signage and planter boxes you see around the city.

Able clients include Thales, Mercedes Benz, BAE, Land Rover, RAAF – and was recently awarded the contract to build components for Tasmania’s newest standout building – Parliament Square in Hobart.

Mr Martyn said “Our 40th anniversary celebration provides our family the opportunity to sincerely thank our employees, customers and suppliers.”

“Able and the Martyn family, have been part of the local Hobsons Bay community for more than 40 years, and have a proud tradition and heritage based upon the core values and culture from our father, Bryan Martyn.”

“My late father Bryan Martyn would generally open a meeting or conversation with, ‘How can we help you,’ which is generally how we like to do business.”

“I’m very proud of what has been achieved by our family business. Long term sustainability of any business is difficult, but to build a successful manufacturing business is even more difficult.”
“More importantly there has been a core group of people that have contributed to the success and I sincerely thank them for their hard work.” he said.

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Able Industries Engineering was commissioned to manufacture a water cooling system to operate in remote areas to create a source of chilled clean water. Mounted within a container which allows for ease of shipment via truck and trailer.

This modular system also allows for quick connection to the coolant system and open access for replacement of filters and general maintenance.

Able Industries Engineering located at South Kingsville in the inner western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, hopes to grow its business and employ more workers by supplying specialised metal fabricated components to Australia’s new submarines.

Supply of the Australian Navy’s new submarines is currently open to a Federal Government Competitive Evaluation Process (CEP). This is for the Federal Government and Department of Defence’s ‘SEA 1000 Future Submarine Program’. The Program is a high-value, high-skills national infrastructure project that can deliver substantial long-term benefits to the Australian economy.

Able has the right engineering credentials to participate given its 40 year defence manufacturing track-record.

Able is one of a select number of businesses which met with the German submarine manufacturer ThyssenKrupp during its recent supplier visit roadshow in Australia. These meetings were coordinated by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Australia (TKMSA) which is preparing its bid to supply new submarines to the Australian Navy.

TKMSA was keen to meet the team from Able given their earlier, and ongoing role, supplying the Australian Defence Force, notably the Navy’s frigates, and more recently Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) and a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD).

Managing Director at Able, Stephen Martyn, said, “Defence manufacturing has been a major source of business for us since the mid-80's. Our first naval project was at Williamstown Victoria working on the The Royal Australian Navy Guided Missile Frigate build program. In the 1990’s, we again worked on frigates at Williamstown supporting the Navy’s Anzac Ships Project (ASP) as well as complex parts for the Huon class Mine Hunter Coastal (MHC) SEA 1555. The 2000’s included the manufacture of the FFG upgrade (guided missile frigate) followed by the recent AWD and LHD build program. Since then we have been awarded a range of other Australian land defence contracts.

“Importantly for our business, working in the defence industry has brought three major benefits."

"First: Credibility. Working for prime defence customers, Able invested in highly disciplined quality systems, Engineering Support, CAD design and project management. Having a quality system which meets the highest standard has provided Able with the opportunities and experience to utilise in other defence industry segments.

“Second: Technology. Able became early adopters with international standards and technologies required by defence programs. This has led to other opportunities outside defence, for example, new projects in the renewable energy sector.

“Third: Jobs. Since commencing operations in 1975, we’ve grown to now employ over 60 full-time staff. We invest in research and development, best-practice systems and procedures, advanced engineering technologies and most importantly, our people. Our aim is to develop skills, and challenge and reward our staff and deliver the best results possible to our clients.

“Should TKMSA be successful, Able look forward to being a supplier to Australia’s Future Submarine Program and working with TKMSA, especially via its proposed partnering and technology-sharing program in Australia. Our objective and focus is to partner with TKMSA to supply the world-class engineering these new submarines will require,” Stephen Martyn said.

Dr John White, Chairman of TKMSA, said, “We were keen to meet with the Able team during our roadshow given their capability and track-record in supplying specialised welding and engineering to other Australian defence contracts. Able’s great track-record working with other Defence Prime contractors in Australia over the years, also provides a great template for how we will actively partner with local manufacturers and service suppliers should our submarine bid be successful.”

Dr White noted, “As the most experienced designer and builder of conventional submarines, we have been very impressed with the calibre and track record of Able Industries and other potential suppliers we’ve met recently. We base this evaluation on delivering more than 160 submarines across 20 different navies.

“We have partnered to build some 50 submarines in our customer’s home country.

“Importantly, we provide the world’s largest submarine industrial support base for diesel-electric submarines and will replicate that naval industry capability in Australia,”

Dr White concluded.“We are committed to establish a naval service centre in Australia to serve the APAC region. Indeed, we have already demonstrated our ability to transfer naval vessel design and production technology with around 70% local industry participation; notably locally with the ANZAC Frigate program.

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More about Able Industries Engineering: see- http://www.ableind.com.au/projects-gallery/

About ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems
TKMS is the world’s largest submarine manufacturer and has designed and built submarines for some 160 countries. The company is actively engaged in programs across a number of countries to design, build and maintain submarines and continues to develop the most technologically advanced hardware available to meet changing defence requirements.
Read more at https://www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com

Able Industries Engineering supplied components for the award-winning, Northern Oil Re-finery (NOR), which opened in March 2014 – turning waste lube oil into re-usable base oil.

Located at Yarwun, near Gladstone, the NOR just won the ‘Innovation in Sustainable Technologies’ title in the 2015 Queensland Premier’s Sustainability Awards.

The re-refinery contracted Able Industries Engineering to construct a range of components back in 2011, and since it started operating last year, the NOR has been delivering positive environmental solutions.

A $65 million venture between Southern Oil Refining and J.J. Richards & Sons- it has already produced 30 million litres of base oil – which could run four million cars in Australia for a whole year.

As Queensland’s only facility that recycles waste lube oil, it’s also the world’s most advanced plant of its kind – capable of re-refining up to 100 million litres a year.

An economic and environmental success, it has created a new industry and jobs for the area, and has already reduced CO2 emissions by more than 130,000 tonnes compared to that waste oil burning.

Southern Oil currently re-refines about 8% of Australia’s annual waste lube oil through its Wagga Wagga plant in NSW, where it has managed the collection and transportation of waste lube oil from across the country since 2001.
The re-refining process in Yarwun, removes all contaminants and restores the oil to its original condition.

The contaminants, such as dirt, water, fuel and used additives, are removed through vacuum distillation and the oil is then further treated to remove remaining chemicals to provide consistent oil quality to international standard.

Southern Oil manufactures two grades of base oil for hydraulic and lubrication oil-blending applications, as well as four grades of fuel oil for applications including agricultural product drying and industrial boilers.