Media Release by BlueScope Distribution
BlueScope Distribution Albury is one of 16 branches across the BlueScope Distribution network that provides high-quality steel and aluminium products and processing for local customers. The Albury branch is delighted to announce a $2.2M investment in its new processing capability and site extension. The new capability will provide state-of-the-art steel plasma beamline processing.
The new plasma beamline, commissioned in February 2022, has been installed in the recently extended Albury warehouse. The warehouse extension, completed in November 2021, can house up to an additional 2,000 tonnes of steel and aluminium products to further support local manufacturing. The expansion has also created the opportunity to employ an additional 8 staff from the Albury/Wodonga region.
The installation of the plasma beamline now “enables us to even further support our local manufacturing customers with processing capability which enables them to find the freedom to do what they do best” says Krystal Storey, BlueScope Distribution Branch Manager. The plasma beamline is the first of its kind for BlueScope Distribution. It provides world-class processing for precise steel cutting, specifically for profiled tube and structural sections.
“Strategically we are committed to supporting our customers with their own growth journey. No doubt, there is significant focus on big infrastructure projects in Victoria and New South Wales over the next 10 years. We believe that the Albury/Wodonga region will play a big role in delivering these projects on the back of its existing manufacturing industry. The expansion of our Albury site and the installation of a new processing capability enables us to better support our customers over the next decade” says Sam Gerovasilis, General Manager BlueScope Distribution.
The prime feature and capability of the plasma beamline is its ability to process structural steel products with high accuracy and efficiency, increasing the speed of processing turnaround times. Processing capabilities include square cuts, mitre cuts, notching, bolt holes, slots, flange thinning and bevelling. Our investment in the plasma beamline means our customers can focus on fabrication and other key industry skills and expertise their businesses are renowned for, and we hope that by investing in this capability, we can help our customers continue to grow.
“Over the last 18 months, our customers have told us how difficult it is to find skilled labour and how complex steel supply chains can be, especially when both product and processing of material is required. We know steel and we pride ourselves on our technical know-how. It made sense for us to invest in a stateof-the-art steel processing capability which would make life easier for our customers and help streamline the supply chain associated with getting quality processed steel into the region even faster” adds Ms
Storey.
The increased capability of the Albury site will allow BlueScope Distribution to provide its local customers with high-quality steel processing as well as to continue developing the branch’s footprint in the NSW border region. The newest addition to the site will provide manufacturers with efficiency and flexibility helping them keep up with market demands and trends.
