Even before the Covid-19 pandemic there were plenty of doom and gloom stories about Australian manufacturing.
But there are some great innovations taking place in the manufacturing sector as it once again sets about making things here in our country.
And in among the leaders of the pack pack is Holloway Group, a Minto injection moulding and innovation facilitator forging partnerships to produce a new product for the building industry.
Holloway Group is one of the few Australian based plastic injection moulding companies that can produce large goods.
So when Matthew Holloway, the managing director and owner of Holloway Group, pictured above, saw a concrete void filler product that was being imported from China, he contacted the owner to see if they could do business.
“As a growing organisation, we are always looking for new opportunities to expand into new industries and to form new business partnerships,’’ says Mr Holloway.
“I read about Biax Foundations’ concrete void filler product in an article on LinkedIn and knew straight away that it was something we could manufacture.’’
Up until that point, Smeaton Grange-based Biax Foundations, pictured below, were manufacturing their product in China and importing it into Australia.
The freight costs and blown out lead times made this difficult to sustain.
“Not only are we manufacturing the Biax product, but we’ve assisted with the improved design of the void filler and will be assisting with their supply chain and distribution,’’ Mr Holloway said.
“The second series design that will be supplied from Holloway Group is a much more innovative product, lighter and stronger than the incumbent design.
“By working with another local company we’re contributing to the local economy and creating jobs in the Australian manufacturing industry.’’
The Biax system is a new product that provides a framework and fills a void for concrete slabs in the construction industry.
Made from 100 per cent recycled polypropylene, it is connected using the keystone clips that form a grid.
Products made from polystyrene have been used in a similar way in the construction industry for many years.
“The larger of the two moulds for the Biax product weighs eight tons and is one metre by one metre by 900mm, which gives an idea of the scope of this product,’’ Mr Holloway said.
“That mould, which has just been commissioned, will be used in our largest injection moulding machine to produce the void fillers.
“The Biax system has several advantages over its polystyrene competitors, including its compact nesting ability for freight and storage, and it is not as lightweight so does not blow around on building sites.
“When foam is cut on site it also ends up in waterways and waste streams and the Biax system eliminates this issue,” said Holloway.
Environmental sustainability is another focus of Holloway Group – the Biax product is made of 100 per cent recycled plastic.
Using a void filler also ensures that less concrete is used in the construction process. It also easily nests together for transport, cutting down on transport costs. Each pod weighs less than 3kg.
The Holloway Group-manufactured Biax Foundations’ pods will begin rolling off the production line in a few weeks.
For more information visit https://www.biax.com.au/ and https://www.hollowaygroup.com.au/
