Mackay Rubber

EQUIPPED FOR EXPANSION

Mackay Rubber specialises in the production of high-quality engineered rubber products across Australia and to export markets. Graham Scull, CEO of the company, explains how recent developments have helped the business expand

Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

The Australian manufacturing industry looks to be in the best position it has been in for years, with substantial investment in defence capabilities and both federal and state infrastructure projects buoying several areas of industry around the country.”

The words of Graham Scull, CEO of Mackay Rubber (Mackay), sums up his thoughts on the manufacturing industry in the APAC region at present.

Mackay is a 100 percent Australianowned private company having been established in 1932 as a supplier of OEM automotive parts to Holden. From those early days, Mackay has grown to become one of Australia’s largest and most trusted designers, manufacturers, and distributors of engineered rubber; rubber-metal composite products for local and international clients servicing the automotive, defence, rail, marine, mining, infrastructure, and OEM markets.

The support from the family owners to see the business develop and stay up to date technically is highlighted through their commitment to the recent relocation of the business.

“The company has just relocated from our site of more than 65 years in Moorabbin, Melbourne to a Brown Field site in Dandenong with significant upgrades in all areas of manufacturing included in the project. This has us perfectly placed to take advantage of these opportunities,” Graham says proudly. “It has all come together at the exactly the right time for Mackay.

DESIGN AND APPLICATION From simple stress calculations, vibration analysis or fatigue-life design, Mackay are leaders in all types of rubber design. With over a quarter of a century of expertise in finite element analysis, we can find the right solution to your problem, off the shelf or a completely new design.

APAC OUTLOOK:

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY SETS MACKAY RUBBER APART IN THE INDUSTRY?

Graham Scull, CEO, Mackay

Rubber: “Our technical expertise across the entire business would be our biggest differentiator from other Australian rubber businesses.

“We deliver to world class standards and capabilities across all elements of our business, from our dedicated and knowledgeable sales and customer service teams to our cutting edge engineering team providing product and tooling design, our innovative laboratory team developing the most suitable material compound to meet the most rigorous product performance requirements, to our dedicated production team providing decades of expertise in manufacturing world class products, to our disciplined quality team auditing each product to confirm compliance to all product specific testing requirements including the highest defence level documentation standards.”

“Within each one of our market segments there is a vast range of clients, projects, and product specification and design requirements. Because of our diversification experience across so many markets we have developed a unique ability to manage the most complex range of projects, delivering world class solutions. The company designs and manufactures everything from automotive coolant hoses to primary springs mounts on passenger bogies to highly technical guided weapon system components.”

The company has recently received Defence Industry Security Programme (DISP) accreditation for its new facility. This accreditation is required by defence companies to engage in classified work which enables those such as Mackay to continue developing defence-related business.

“Over the next 10 years we will be heavily involved in the longterm sovereign capability focus of the Australian government with projects across defence, rail and infrastructure that will provide stability, growth, investment, and innovation across Australian manufacturing,” Graham informs us. “From concept to completion, our standards and commitment to quality and delivery ensure the customers’ product requirements are fulfilled reinforcing Mackay’s reputation as the benchmark for quality and reliability.”

A PAST IN THE INDUSTRY

Graham began his journey with Mackay in 2018 with a clear direction to relocate the business and build on its strengths to realise the shareholders’ aspirations and grow the business. Prior to working for the company, he had approximately 30 years of experience working in the engineering and manufacturing fields, with his last position being that of Regional President of Australia and Thailand for Chassis Brakes

Redline Engineering

Redline Engineering have provided Mackay with precision machined components for over 25 years, in areas such as defence, rail, and commercial industrial sectors. We continue to work closely on current and new projects.

Major projects include:

• Collins Class Submarine sustainment – critical components • QR 3700 class freight locomotive -

Primary spring components • Flexicurve Bogie, freight locomotives – Spherical bush and traction components • Oscar passenger fleet – Primary spring components • Land 400 Phase 3 – Track system components

Established in 1969, Redline Engineering is an Australian owned and operated business that has become a leading manufacturer of precision CNC machined components and assemblies. We service global and local markets in the defence, rail, aerospace, medical, transport, mining, and energy industries.

Our success is built on collaboration, innovation, and a deep understanding of our client’s needs. We engage across all levels of our client’s organisation to deliver the best possible outcome.

Redline Engineering offer special process and finishing services to provide a complete turnkey solution. This extensive capability is a key factor in positioning Redline at the forefront of the manufacturing industry.

We continue to elevate our offerings by investing in the latest technologies. Most recently, a high-speed multipallet machining centre, offering greater flexibility and improved productivity.

Redline Engineering is proud to be a part of Mackay’s success story and looks forward to continuing our strong, collaborative working relationship into the future.

www.redline.com.au

International, a global manufacturer of automotive braking systems, created as a carve out from the Robert Bosch GmbH Foundation brake business.

“Leading up to the Regional President position I worked through several companies beginning with Nissan Motor Corporation Australia as an automotive brake engineer,” Graham continues. “My career followed the automotive braking theme until the car manufacturing industry in Australia ceased, ending my role at Chassis Brakes. Brakes are safety critical, requiring the rigorous execution of engineering and manufacturing disciplines to ensure product quality, this was a

COLLABORATION FOR SUCCESS

Mackay’s supply chain provides the company with a huge range of products, components, and materials: everything from natural rubber, hydraulic oils for its production equipment, through to precision metal components and the production tools that the company uses to manufacture the products. For Graham, the importance of the supply chain cannot be understated.

“We are very lucky to have such an amazing breadth of supply partners within Australia, and in many of these cases we have been working with our supply chain partners for decades,” he tells us. “We have over 400 companies supplying us with products, components, and materials across every aspect of our business. Without these strong supply partner relationships that we have built over many years, we wouldn’t be where we are today or have the capability to achieve our aspirations for the future.

“The strategy for our supply chain partnerships is simple, we look for ethical, quality, capability, reliability, and cost,” Graham explains. “Firstly, we start by auditing a company, then we look at their capability to produce components at the required level of specification, consistently meeting our requirements on time. Finally, we work through an agreeable cost structure that benefits both businesses.”

Around 90 percent of Mackay’s supply chain is based in Australia, supplying components for the company’s safety critical products; those destined for a diverse range of markets spanning defence, rail, mining, marine, OEM, infrastructure, construction and automotive.

Parish Engineering

Parish Engineering 75 Years Strong

When Parish Engineering was established in Moorabbin, Victoria 75 years ago, during WWII, it was contracted by the Australian government to supply vital munitions components.

The company began in 1932 as a family-owned business, but the demands of the war saw it expand into a proprietary limited company in 1944 and grow from eight employees in 1940 to over 40 six years later. After the war, the company was an integral part of Australia’s manufacturing boom, becoming a regional supplier of component parts to General Motors Holden.

In 1968 Bill Parish decided to sell the company. Graeme Sinclair was employed as an engineer at Parish and with a partner purchased the company in 1980. Graeme’s daughter Nicole Sinclair joined the business as an engineer in 2006, and Graeme’s business partner sold his shares to the Sinclair family in 2008, with Nicole now CEO.

Parish Engineering are respected Defence suppliers including Mackay Consolidated Industries and other specialised munition companies. Parish Engineering has expanded too, purchasing Heavy Vehicle air brake fittings manufacturer Longworth Engineering in 2016. In 2021 installed another Multi Spindle CNC machine due to increased growth. We want to ensure the company advances with technology and accommodate future manufacturing demands. Further plans are afoot for the company to invest heavily in technology, staff and equipment.

Parish continues to manufacture with the same innovative spirit and enthusiasm that Graeme Sinclair and Bill Parish have demonstrated over the past 75 years.

www.parishengineering.com.au

APAC OUTLOOK: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR

EMPLOYEES AND HOW YOU RECOGNISE THEIR EFFORTS?

Graham Scull, CEO, Mackay Rubber: “We share a great work environment at Mackay based on respect for each other which leads to a cooperative workplace for all leaves of staff and their unions. Since January this year we have started a structured growth programme employing and retaining all key personnel to meet our five-year corporate goals with new positions across sales, customer service, finance, engineering, quality and production.

“Two key words that we like to use to empower our team and our business are ‘ownership’ and ‘urgency’. Each employee is encouraged to bring ideas forward on ways to improve functions of their role, functions of the business, anything that could provide an improved or more efficient way to perform.

“We strive to keep staff motivated through key projects as teams, we encourage everyone to be a part of our internal social club which offers external functions and access to events in Melbourne. We also have a lot of team building events, monthly lunches, Mackay social golf club, and celebrate other key social events like Melbourne Cup and grand final day with companywide BBQs to keep people connected across all departments.

“Sometimes it’s the little things you do to show appreciation of our staff that makes a big difference. Having a motivated team is a huge benefit to productivity levels and increased innovation. It improves employee satisfaction, which leads directly to a more stable workforce.” great training ground from which to develop and move forward.

“In the present, I am motivated by the fact that I am part of Mackay, a company with a strong leadership team committed to maintaining and growing 115 meaningful jobs that make a significant contribution to the defence, automotive and industrial sectors within Australia and internationally.”

Graham’s journey has led him to a position in which he can proudly oversee the operations of Mackay from start to finish, and ensure a high level of quality pertaining to the same notion of manufacturing importance and meaning that he has felt throughout his career.

Australia’s leading engineering firm for value added and specialised products and services

INNOVATION LAB ENGINEERING HUB MAINTENANCE HUB PROJECT MANAGEMENT

R&D Innovation Product Design Tool Design Reverse Engineering Injection Moulds Thermo Forming Machines & Fixtures Spare Parts

(03) 9706 4502 office@abu.com.au www.abu.com.au Repairs Refurbishments Tool Maintenance Diagnostic Examination Database Management Parts Storage Project Managament

93 Assembly Drive Dandenong South, VIC 3175

POST MOULDING From a simple matte black to a flexible rubber based paint, Mackay can finish your part whichever you choose.

FINAL INSPECTION Whether it’s an incoming component or a finished part, Mackay’s metrology department can measure it to make sure it’s right. 3D laser scanning is just one of the many tools used here.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Mackay has recently invested heavily in its defence business that includes increases to the production capability, capacity, efficiency, and overall security levels that has led to the company achieving DISP accreditation to secure Australian defence industry business. This project received grant funding from the Australian Government. According to Graham, the automotive industry OEMs used to set the manufacturing standards within Mackay, however this has now transferred over to the defence industry as defence OEMs introduce more stringent supplier expectations.

“A huge range of upgrades have been implemented to both our physical and cyber security,” he elaborates. “We now have full swipe door access control, secure restricted areas, and high-tech camera monitoring and alarm systems installed across the entire facility.

“Our cyber security has been considerably upgraded to achieve DISP accreditation. This has been a huge project across our entire digital footprint, and we have basically undertaken a complete digital overhaul. This overhaul spans the software we use, the network security protocols, dedicated protected servers, encrypted and secure stand-alone equipment and in depth companywide cyber training. This is all part of the defence DISP accreditation requirements.

“Safety remains our absolute priority for the business, we are constantly working to improve safety at our facility through our proactive and ongoing risk reduction programme.”

When it comes to Mackay’s production upgrades, the company invested in and installed a range of equipment at its new facility to meet the expected demands of production. Mackay has introduced a new dump mill, strip mill, cooling conveyor and skip conveyor; each critical pieces of equipment to provide a new level of reliability and control within the company’s compound mixing operations.

“We have also introduced additional strategically aligned pieces of equipment into our business targeting enhanced capability,” Graham continues. “Such as a dedicated silicone mill (increasing in-house silicone mixing capability and capacity), a silicone stuffer on

injection moulding (improving our silicone product production), one 500-tonne compression moulding machine (increasing production capacity within our clean room), another 200-tonne compression moulding machine (our second lab. production machine), and finally a larger 1,000-tonne compression moulding machine with vacuum and ejector systems.

“The latter is aimed at greatly improving our ability to meet increases in demand while providing improved usability and safety throughout operations.”

Along with all these upgrades and new pieces of production equipment, Mackay has also invested into everything from new office furniture to computers, phone systems, and even ergonomic desks to benefit the company’s employees and help drive efficiency and enjoyment throughout the business.

INTO 2022

At heart, Mackay is focused on offering world class services in design, material development, production and testing for all engineered rubber and rubber composite products for both the Australian and export markets. Moving forward, Mackay has plans to maximise results in both sites that makes up the company’s operations.

“Now that we have completed our move to our new facility and achieved DISP accreditation, our focus for the next 12 months is to realise all the efficiency goals we set for each area of our production facility,” Graham reveals. “We are also

MACKAY RUBBER

Tel: +61 3 9555 6500 info@mackayrubber.com.au www.mackayrubber.com.au

aiming to increase our capability and capacity of our engineering team through recruitment of new staff and implementation of cutting-edge new software allowing us to improve the predicted life cycle of our products.

“As demand continues to increase within our defence and rail business, and with very stringent product testing specifications, we are also looking at the potential to expand our current testing facilities with a new three axis test machine to meet design life fatigue testing requirements.

“This testing capability will be quite unique to the Australian market and will be made available to other businesses as we offer this service to industry.”