Innovative manufacturer Nordon localises services for mining sector

AUSTRALIA’s  manufacturing sector was given a boost recently when Nordon Cylinders’ innovative new manufacturing facility was officially opened in Brisbane.

Operating under the banner Friction Welding Australia, Nordon’s new plant is the first to make available locally a friction welding service for products including hydraulic cylinder shafts and drill rods. These products are heavily utilised in machinery for the resources sectors. 

The core of the plant’s efficiency is $2.5 million in new friction welding machinery which can weld components together in under five minutes. This process used to take up to four hours using traditional welding methods to complete the same job with the same quality.

“While the manufacturing sector is facing challenges and is undergoing a transformation, we continue to see innovative Australian manufacturers like Nordon Cylinders find new ways in which to grow their business,” Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Bob Baldwin said.

Mr Baldwin officially opened the site on behalf of the Prime Minister, saying the new plant would build on what was already a $30 million operation in Queensland and NSW, currently employing 54 people.

“This plant’s opening is good news for Australia’s mining companies,” Mr Baldwin said.

“This service, which ensures machinery needing repair is again safe and compliant with engineering standards, is now available locally, where previously it has only been offered overseas.

“The government, through its National Industry Investment and Competiveness Agenda, is working with the manufacturing industry to develop better policy frameworks to assist Australian industry as it moves to take advantage of new global opportunities.”

Co-owner of Nordon Cylinders, Fay Vogelzang said manufacturing in Australia was tough but in no way dead and there were many opportunities still available if companies were willing to innovate, invest and believe in their operations. 

“Last year we were able to rescue Australia’s oldest cylinder manufacturing operation located in Dubbo (NSW) and save everyone’s jobs because we saw what no one else saw – quality local services, that needed to better promoted,” Ms Vogelzang said.

“The opening of Friction Welding Australia represents two years of planning and the next stage of growth for Nordon Cylinders. Over the next few years we expect our operations will expand to other areas Australia, creating more jobs.

“This new service we offer to the mining sector is a huge opportunity for us to contribute locally to the growth of the resources sector and create Australian jobs.”

Nordon Cylinders was founded by Norm Johnson on October 13, 1972, at Geebung in Brisbane.

The business was conceived as a hydraulic service business originally in the mobile equipment field with earthmoving equipment and later embracing industrial hydraulics across a variety of industries. The repair of cylinders exposed Nordon to a wide range of designs and their corresponding strengths.

With the knowledge gained from repairing and servicing cylinders, Nordon developed quality cylinder manufacturing. That side of the business gained momentum, which led to the decision in the early 1990s to make the transition from service and manufacture to full time manufacturing.

Now located at Brendale, since 2006 Nordon has developed the industry-leading and internationally-known NI Industrial range of cylinders. This range is the only industrial roundline welded cylinder product that offers a complete range of standard mounting and accessories to provide clients with limitless range options.

Nordon Cylinders is an alumni member of  Queensland Leaders, the organisation developing the next generation of leading companies in Queensland.

www.nordoncyl.com.au

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