Bowhill Engineering Invests In Robotics Technology For Steel Manufacturing

We’re investing in world-leading robotic technology and the people who will operate it. Recently, CEO Jodie Hawkes and Director of Business Development Jeremy Hawkes travelled to Europe to visit robotics manufacturers IGM Robotersysteme AG and see firsthand the technology that will help us deliver our next major project.

Learning From The Best In Europe

At a factory just outside Vienna, Austria, we learned about the technology Bowhill Engineering will use to help make components for the next stage of the state government’s South Road upgrade – a contract worth tens of millions of dollars for our metal fabrication team.

The seven-axis welding robots we’re investing in won’t replace our boilermaker welder specialists and metal fabricator experts. Instead, they’ll complete the most repetitive parts of the structural steel fabrication process in partnership with our expert welders, machine operators, programmers, and project managers.

“We needed to go to Europe to learn from the best,” Jodie said. “It opens your eyes when you realise how far you can go.”

During our European trip, we visited several factories where IGM robots had been successfully implemented to increase production capacity.

Liebherr – We visited their crane and construction machinery facility an hour and a half away in Gyor, Hungary, seeing how they handle big, heavy steel fabrication projects similar to our own structural steel engineering work.

Doppelmayr – This Austrian ski lift manufacturer showed us precision metal fabrication techniques that we can apply to our infrastructure projects.

The tour gave us a clear picture of what’s possible here in the Murraylands. “The size and magnitude of the places we visited were impressive, but not that far from what we’re doing either, not beyond our reach,” Jodie explained. “Machines were placed specifically to complete a certain process, but the rest of the factory was just like ours.”

Gassner – Austrian contractors demonstrating how medium-sized structural steel fabricators like ours can successfully integrate robotics technology.

We know that technology alone can’t drive success. That’s why we’ve invested in comprehensive training for our team to ensure the smooth integration of robotics into our production process.

Before the robots arrive at our Murraylands facility, our staff will complete training at an IGM/Protube facility in Adelaide. This gave our team the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to program, operate, and maintain the robots, minimising disruption while maximising the benefits of automation.

The training also emphasises human oversight. Our employees learn to identify and correct errors, assess the quality of welded components, and manage workflows between manual and robotic processes. This ensures a seamless partnership between human expertise and robotic precision.

Our investment in robotics is perfectly timed to support our involvement in large-scale infrastructure projects. Projects like the Torrens to Darlington upgrade demand both precision and efficiency, alongside strict safety and quality standards.

With the new robotic systems, we can manufacture structural steel components more efficiently while maintaining our high standards. Robots handle the repetitive welding tasks, and our skilled team members focus on critical decisions, quality control, and complex assembly. This synergy allows us to deliver world-class results while keeping to project timelines and budgets.

Our robotics investment reflects our commitment not only to technological advancement but also to regional development. By bringing world-class manufacturing technology to the Murraylands, we’re demonstrating that high-tech innovation can thrive outside metropolitan areas.

This investment also benefits our community. It creates high-skilled employment opportunities, encourages knowledge transfer, and contributes to economic growth in South Australia. Through our work, we’re setting a benchmark for other regional manufacturers and inspiring the next generation of engineers and tradespeople.

Our investment in robotics is more than a technological upgrade; it’s a strategic move to enhance our people’s skills, improve efficiency, and deliver superior quality on complex structural steel projects. By learning from industry leaders in Europe, training our workforce, and integrating world-class robotic systems, we’re positioning Bowhill Engineering as a leader in both Australian and global manufacturing.

Our journey demonstrates that global innovation can inspire local excellence. With the right combination of leadership, technology, and skilled people, regional manufacturers like us can achieve world-class outcomes.

Through this initiative, we’re strengthening our capabilities while contributing to the growth and innovation of South Australia’s manufacturing sector. Bowhill Engineering proves that vision, investment, and collaboration can allow regional companies to compete with the world’s best.

If you’re interested in working with cutting-edge robotics technology in structural steel fabrication, we’d like to hear from you. Visit boweng.com.au/our-vacancies to see our current opportunities.

This is an exciting time to join Bowhill Engineering as we combine the best of European manufacturing technology with our proven expertise in delivering complex structural steel projects.