Bowhill Engineering

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:25): I rise today to celebrate the opening of Bowhill Engineering's new fabrication hall, known as B5, an investment in regional South Australia that strengthens our economy, fosters innovation and creates new skilled employment opportunities.

The B5 building was originally designed as part of the French diesel submarine project. One of Bowhill Engineering's clients from Osborne mentioned they had an extra building, and it just so happened to be within one metre of the design they had in mind for their fabrication hall. After 18 months of negotiations, Bowhill Engineering was able to purchase the building, which even came equipped with 100-tonne crane with a hook height of 16 metres. The facility stands at an imposing 70 metres long, 20 metres wide and 23 metres high. Two additional 30-tonne cranes will soon join the team, significantly enhancing the company's heavy lifting capabilities.

The expansion is more than infrastructure: it is a testament to resilience, growth and regional potential. It is also a crucial step towards increasing their workforce from 60 to 75 employees and boosting productivity by 20 per cent. I congratulate Bowhill Engineering on their vision and dedication.

Bowhill Engineering started out as a small rural machinery maintenance repair and modification workshop run by Brendon and Averil Hawkes in the early 1970s. Their sons, Jeremy and Simon Hawkes, helped the business evolve into steel fabrication and construction in the 1990s and eventually into the impressive modern facility it is today. Bowhill Engineering plays a key role in a number of major projects across our state, including the Kangaroo Island ferry access and Light River rail bridge, along with construction jobs interstate such as the Beveridge to Albury inland rail project in Victoria.

The opening of B5 also provided Bowhill Engineering with the perfect opportunity to share the exciting news that they had secured the $32 million contract to deliver the cross-passage tunnel segments for the Torrens to Darlington tunnel project. This contract is a game changer and by far the biggest the company has won, requiring over 6,000 tonnes of structural steel components. This strengthens their position as a leader in tunnel segment fabrication in the Southern Hemisphere.

It will be a busy few years for the company, but I know it is something they are more than willing and capable of delivering. To support these initiatives, Bowhill Engineering is investing $5 million in automation, including robotic welding stations and advanced machining equipment. These innovations will enhance productivity while providing new skill development opportunities for their workforce, ensuring a sustainable future for regional employment.

Bowhill Engineering's commitment to sustainability is exemplary. Since 2020, they have reduced energy intensity by 15 per cent and emissions by 50 per cent. Through solar energy, underground power infrastructure and proactive social and governance initiatives, they set a benchmark for responsible manufacturing. I understand they even have plans to trial a carbon neutral biofuel developed from used cooking oil on some of their equipment. If successful, it is hoped their backup generator will be able to run carbon neutral.

Workforce development remains a priority with nearly half of their employees in formal training plans. Bowhill Engineering actively collaborates with local schools to inspire the next generation of engineers and tradespeople with their apprenticeship program leading to more than 35 successful completions over the years. This year alone has seen four apprentice startups, with 10 others part way through an apprenticeship.

The company also creates employment pathways for diverse workforce participation by building relationships with companies that help source and recruit people who are often overlooked by employers. This includes those who have been long-term unemployed, have a disability or are in the over-45 age bracket.

Bowhill Engineering is nationally recognised, earning the Australian Business Awards Employer of Choice in 2024 along with an array of community and other business awards over the past 15 years. This comes as no surprise for a company that values job security, work-life balance and community reinvestment. Their focus on workplace culture, leadership and wellbeing ensures employees feel valued and supported.

I would like to finish by congratulating Bowhill Engineering on their vision and dedication. It was a privilege to be invited to celebrate this fantastic achievement and I look forward to seeing this business continue to thrive into the future. I also look forward to the continued success of Jeremy and Jodie Hawkes and Bowhill Engineering as they drive into that future.