We’re proud to announce that Bowhill Engineering and our CEO, Jodie Hawkes, have been featured in Okuma Australia & New Zealand’s recent article celebrating women in manufacturing across Australia and New Zealand.

The article highlights seven outstanding women who are reshaping the manufacturing industry from the factory floor to executive leadership and we’re honoured to be part of this important narrative about diversity, innovation, and the future of Australian manufacturing industry.

Jodie’s journey: From Tragedy To Triumph

Jodie’s journey into manufacturing wasn’t planned, it was born from necessity and determination. When tragedy struck our family and the founder of Bowhill Engineering was killed in a motor vehicle accident at just 30 years old, everything changed. Jeremy Hawkes became the Managing Director at 27, and Jodie stepped in to do whatever was necessary to ensure the survival of business.

What started as crisis management evolved into strategic leadership. Jodie’s skills significantly contributed to developing systems across administration, human resources, project management, quality, safety, environmental compliance, IT, marketing, and finance as Chief Financial Officer.

Today, Bowhill Engineering employs 67 personnel, including 15 apprentices, and we’re highly regarded as specialists in the fabrication of heavy and complex steel structures.

Okuma, Women In Manufacturing

Women Leading Change At Bowhill

“Whilst there is a perception that manufacturing is male dominated, our policy is having the best person for the job, irrespective of their gender, race, or ethnicity.” Jodie shared in the Okuma feature.

We have women playing vital roles throughout our company on the workshop floor as materials coordinator, in our project office, and across human resources, administration, and accounts. 

This diversity isn’t just about representation, it’s about bringing different perspectives, skills, and approaches that make us a stronger, smarter company. You can visit our website to learn more about us.

The Changing Face Of Manufacturing

We’ve seen firsthand how women contribute to smarter workplaces. Our female team members excel at systems and procedures, bring valuable perspectives on diversity, embrace multi-skilling, and champion clean, safe work environments.

“The industry is changing with more reliance on technology, which is an area in which more women can make a strong contribution,” Jodie shared. We are investing $6 million in equipment for the Torrens to Darlington Project, including robotic welding systems, CNC machines, and our new B5 workshop.

These technologies don’t just improve our capabilities; they make manufacturing more accessible to people from all backgrounds. Precision work, programming, quality control, and technical operations all benefit from diverse skill sets and perspectives.  

Beyond Bowhill – Regional Leadership

Jodie’s commitment extends beyond our company. As South Australian Deputy Chair of Regional Development Australia (RDA), she’s passionate about regional Australia and the opportunities we hold.

This dual role allows her to champion not just women in manufacturing, but the entire regional manufacturing sector advocating for policies, programs, and partnerships that strengthen our industry and communities.

Six Other Inspiring Leaders Featured In Okuma Article

The Okuma article features six other remarkable women alongside Jodie, each bringing unique perspectives to manufacturing:

  • Erin Wright (Maskill) serves as Chief Financial Officer for a company recognised as one of Australia’s fastest-growing private companies, with strong female representation at all levels, 50% board members, 40% senior management.
  • Elana Kolman (Facet Engineering, WA) has been running her family’s precision machining business for over 40 years, building it from nothing when they arrived from South Africa to a respected operation of 18 staff./div>
  • Chantelle Leeman (Hardman Brothers) is a qualified fitter and turner who chose hands-on engineering over office work, thriving in CNC engineering where technical skills and long-term opportunities abound.
  • Simone Kramer (Boss Tooling, Victoria) moved from her father’s jewellery manufacturing business to co-founding a specialised CNC engineering company, handling everything from financials to operations.
  • Narelle Crook (KH Equipment) spent 30 years rising from receptionist to General Manager, leading Australia’s only manufacturer of air starters with worldwide markets.
  • Dee Bourchier (Amiga Engineering) grew up around her father’s manufacturing business and now drives strategic leadership, industry development, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

What Makes Women Leaders Succeed in Manufacturing

Reading these stories alongside our own, several themes emerge:

  • Problem-Solving Mindset Women in manufacturing excel at asking questions, identifying inefficiencies, and driving continuous improvement. This approach leads to smarter systems and better outcomes.
  • Systems and Structure From quality management to workplace organisation, women bring structure to fast-paced environments creating frameworks that benefit entire teams.
  • Multi-Tasking and Coordination Manufacturing requires juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders. Strong organisational skills ensure that complex operations run smoothly.
  • Communication and Collaboration: Clear communication between design, production, quality, and clients is critical. Women’s collaborative approach strengthens these connections.
  • Safety and Wellbeing Focus Creating safe, clean, inclusive work environments benefits everyone and women often champion these improvements.
  • Long-Term Thinking From succession planning to skills development, strategic thinking ensures businesses don’t just survive but thrive for generations.

Changing Perceptions About Manufacturing

One consistent message across all seven stories: manufacturing today isn’t what many people imagine. Gone are the days when manufacturing meant only heavy, dirty, manual labour. Today’s manufacturing facilities feature:

  • Advanced robotics and automation
  • Clean, well-lit environments
  • Precision engineering and quality control
  • Strategic planning and project management
  • Design and innovation opportunities
Looking Forward – The Future Is Inclusive

We’re grateful to Okuma for shining a spotlight on women in manufacturing. This feature represents more than recognition, it’s part of a larger movement to transform perceptions about manufacturing and expand opportunities for all Australians.

Manufacturing faces critical skills shortages. By welcoming people from all backgrounds, we can dramatically expand our talent pool. If you’re inspired by these stories and interested in joining our team, we want to hear from you.

Bowhill Engineering offers opportunities in structural steel engineering across:

  • Metal fabrication roles
  • Boilermaker and welding positions
  • Project coordination and management roles
  • Production Manager roles
  • Material Handler roles
  • Administration and business support
  • Apprenticeships and traineeships

Visit our vacancies page to explore current opportunities.

Read the full Okuma article here Women’s Contribution to Successful Australian & New Zealand Manufacturing