Adelaide Profile Services

09 December 2009

Twin-head high definition plasma machine, one of the profiling capabilities that Adelaide Profile Services offers.

The profiling of wind tower anchor rings is just one of the many diverse projects currently being undertaken by South Australian company, Adelaide Profile Services.

Placed at the base, anchor rings provide the main structural support for the wind tower. Concrete is poured over the ring in situ. Each ring is 4.2 metres in diameter and is made using 1.8 tonnes of Grade 350 XLERPLATE® steel.

It takes approximately three hours to profile each ring using a multi-head oxy cutter and six hours machining is required before they are ready to be transported for fabrication.

Since establishing the business in 1982, in a small shed with one machine, co-founders Alf DeRoma and Terry Stewart have grown Adelaide Profile Services to become one of the largest profile cutting businesses in South Australia.

The business now operates from a purposebuilt 6,000 square metre factory, situated on a six-acre site located at Lonsdale, approximately 25 kilometres south of Adelaide.

Meeting the needs of a diverse client base

With eight profile cutting machines, four surface grinders, and subsidiary drills and presses, Adelaide Profile Services is able to offer a vast range of profiling capabilities to meet the various needs of a very diverse client base.

"As a company we're committed to providing the highest standard of workmanship. For a project like wind towers, structural tolerance is critical in production, which we know we always get with XLERPLATE® steel," said Adelaide Profile Services Manager, Gordon Smith.

"XLERPLATE® steel has the consistency in quality, ensuring the exceptional quality of our products on which we have built our reputation, is maintained.

"We have a long relationship with BlueScope Steel which dates back to our inception," Gordon said. "And we have used XLERPLATE® steel in countless projects, which span across a range of industries."

Adelaide Profile Services is currently involved in projects for the Common Use Facility (CUF) at Techport Australia, Osborne, South Australia, the centrepiece of world-class shipbuilding facilities scheduled for completion in December 2009.

The CUF will be home to the state-of-the-art $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program. The AWD will provide air defence for ships, land forces and infrastructure in proximate coastal areas and protection against possible missile and aircraft attacks.

"There are many advantages in dealing with BlueScope Steel," Gordon said. "Especially when working on projects such as defence warehousing, government projects and the CUF.

"As a profiling company, there are great benefits sourcing from an Australian manufacturer.

"Having on-demand product availability with an average lead time of only four weeks for most XLERPLATE® steel products we require is a distinct advantage, especially when it comes to project efficiency and cost management," Gordon explained. "This assists in securing a project when short lead times and fast turnaround production schedules need to be met.

"BlueScope Steel also provides technical support and metallurgical assistance with regard to Australian Standards for different grades of steel."

Flexibility of Supply

Order flexibility is another benefit of dealing with BlueScope Steel. "Although we hold inventory of XLERPLATE® steel, we mainly order to a set delivery pattern. Sometimes we change our delivery priorities so if we need to alter our order in any way, it's as simple as making a phone call. You don't get that flexibility with offshore suppliers," Gordon added.

Profiling an Australian Icon

Adelaide Profile Services have been involved in a number of significant projects over the years. One of the more unique was the feed panel that was used in die cast tooling to manufacture the rear panel of the remodelled 2001 Holden Monaro.

"Using a CAD program, we processed a seven tonne 200 millimetre plate that was then machined into a die press tool. The precise dimensions and intricacy of the panelling made it a critical project, but definitely one we're very proud to have been involved with.

"Customer service is central to Adelaide Profile Services," says Gordon. "It's all about giving the best value to our clients. We focus on maintaining product availability and the delivery of quality finished products.

"To deliver quality products you need quality steel, that's where BlueScope Steel's XLERPLATE® steel comes in. We process about 8,000 tonnes of steel per year.

"The ongoing success of our business is due in part to the relationship we have built with BlueScope Steel and their understanding of our business needs," said Gordon.