In The Mix At Cesco-Forbes

19 November 2003

Chances are, the last time you saw a concrete mixer, it was made by Cesco-Forbes.

Formed by the merger of two established Australian organisations, Cesco and Forbes, this successful company draws on the combined expertise that comes from over 30 years experience in the design and manufacture of concrete plants, concrete transit mixers, stationary mixers and associated products for the extractive and material handling industries.

Cesco-Forbes' commitment to technological innovation and continual improvement in production methods, means that it is Australia's No. 1 designer and manufacturer of concrete transit mixers.

With 60 employees based in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, the company produces a range of mixer designs, with capacities from 2.2 m³ up to 12 m³. The majority of the mixers are used to transport concrete, however, Cesco-Forbes also manufactures speciality mixers that can be used for such diverse purposes as mixing explosives, blending of animal feed, blending and cleaning of soils, and chilling and tanning leather hides.

The Brisbane-based company's products are designed and manufactured out of its head office in Hemmant. With major clients such as Boral, Pioneer, and Readymix, it's no wonder that Cesco-Forbes mixers are regarded as the best in the country.

A Cesco-Forbes mixer can weigh anything up to 3 or 4 tonnes. About 3 tonnes of steel is used to manufacture one of the larger concrete mixers. Reliability and performance are important factors when it comes to the manufacture of the mixers, which is why Cesco-Forbes use K1042 and 350 grade XLERPLATE® steel from BlueScope Steel. "We've been using their steel for 30 years," says Chris Cobb.

"Because of our process of manufacture we have to achieve a balance between very high wearing steel, that will last, and having malleable steel that can be rolled effectively into mixer barrels. High levels of chrome or carbon make the steel strong, but also make it brittle. The K1042 and 350 grade XLERPLATE® provides the best balance of strength and malleability for our purposes," he adds.

According to Chris Cobb, a good supplier makes all the difference. "A good supplier is critical to this business. We make everything to order - we don't produce stock items, every order is produced exactly to our customers' specifications. So, we need a supplier that can deliver quickly and efficiently in response to our requirements."

"Service and delivery have always been very good with BlueScope Steel - given the amount of steel we purchase from them annually, I'd have heard about it if there were any issues! And the quality is always good. In the whole time I've been in this position, we have never had a quality problem with any of the product supplied to us by BlueScope Steel," he adds.