Bridon Bekaert is a steel wire rope manufacturer that has been operating in the heart of Newcastle for over a hundred years. The company exports its products all over the world, and its products are used in a variety of industries, including oil and gas, mining, fishing, tyre and construction.
Bridon Bekhart’s history is the perfect Australian tale, and their products are a perfect fit for Newcastle, which is commonly known as the “Steel City.” The company has provided local jobs in the region for over 100 years, and its products are used in many different industries all over the world. Bridon Bekaert’s story is a great example of how an Australian manufacturing company can be successful on a global scale.
On a tour of the facility, we were able to see first-hand how this wire is made. The process begins with large coils of steel being fed into a machine that straightens and cuts the metal into smaller pieces. These pieces are then fed into a furnace where they are heated to almost 2000 degrees Celsius. Once they are in the right temperature range, they are passed through a series of rollers that gradually reduce their thickness. Finally, they are cooled and coiled again so that they can be used to make rope or other products. Throughout the process, different types of steel are used to create wires of different gauges and strengths.
The fabrication of their steel wire ropes emits a significant amount of heat, with adequate cooling and ventilation essential for production. During the summer months, temperatures can rise to extremely high levels, especially with steel fabrication. This can pose a problem for manufacturers like Bridon Bekaert as the heat, smoke and fumes can impact employee productivity.
In order to keep their factory cool and comfortable, they utilise a number of different cooling and ventilation methods. For over a decade, Fanquip Mancoolers have been used to circulate air, cool equipment and create a cool breeze. Air circulators are also used to move air around the room, and trolley-mounted coolers are used to provide a steady supply of cool air, effectively reducing energy costs. By utilising these methods, they are able to keep their factory cool and adequately ventilated even during the summer months.
There’s a sense of pride to supply cooling and ventilation products to a company like Bridon Bekaert that in turn helps keep local jobs here in Newcastle, and many other businesses on the move.
