Emerging Exporter Award heralds company’s new direction
Published Wednesday, 14 November, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Being named as Central Queensland’s Emerging Exporter of the Year marks a new direction for Boyne Island’s Holcan Constructions.
The company, which began operations in 1982 providing mechanical support to the industries in the Gladstone area, is now going worldwide with its revolutionary welding system for aluminum smelters.
Company manager Dan Madden says Holcan’s anode rod stub welding system - labelled the Holcan Welding System - can outperform manual welding methods by up to 100 per cent.
“It’s a very effective alternative to hand, friction or flash butt welding of anode rod stubs, adding a degree of automation at a low capital cost,” he said.
“The quick repair also means less down time and greater productivity for the smelters.”
The company now has systems in operation in Brazil and Bahrain and with industry interest growing there a strong signs of greater take up in the Middle East.
Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said Holcan was a great example of a Smart firm.
“Here is a company with world-class expertise, exporting to the world and building the Queensland brand,” she said.
“Holcan is one firm certainly benefiting from the State Government’s Export Strategy and our Export Advisory Service now operating out of the Gladstone State Development Centre.”
Mr Madden said the project was a true Gladstone collaboration, with a number of local firms providing technical expertise and equipment to build the Holcan Welding System.
“We are part of Gladstone Engineering Alliance, a local consortium of manufacturers and are very supportive of the State Government’s Central Queensland Manufacturing Initiative – the partnerships, advice and support we’ve received have given us the knowledge and the confidence to really develop the innovation side of our business,” he said.
“We are also committed to building the capabilities of our local firms. If we can attract a greater share of global interest in what we do here in Gladstone we all benefit.”
A spirit of innovation runs across all aspects of Holcan’s operations with the company now rushing to meet Australia-wide orders for its WaterMiser Wash Down System.
“A key branch of the business is major equipment hire and staff have developed a “waterwise” way to clean equipment after each job,” Mr Madden said.
The WaterMiser Wash Down System is an expandable, easy to assemble high pressure system that washes, filters and recycles water, with the ability to collect oil and control bacteria in the one process.
“With our in-house expertise we were able to solve a problem being faced by equipment operators battling water shortages,” he said.
“There’s been unprecedented interest in the system from all across Australia, now the challenge is to keep up with the demand.”
Holcan Constructions is also a long time client of the local Gladstone State Development Centre. In recent times that relationship has led to the company becoming involved in the Manufacturing Microscope Program.
“Manufacturing Microscope helps you conduct a thorough diagnostic of your business, where your strengths lie and where you can improve,” Mr Madden said.
“It became clear to us that we could benefit from undertaking the Lean Manufacturing Program – and that’s enabled us to create a much more efficient operation.
“It’s been extremely important for us to have that help at the coalface.
“It’s also very reassuring to know that there are Government programs primarily focused on growing and supporting our industry.”
Minister Boyle said increasing Queensland exports was a priority under the Smart State Strategy.
“The opportunities are there for the taking – we want to make sure our Queensland firms have access to the support and expertise they need to succeed internationally,” she said.
“Holcan is destined to go from strength to strength and I wish the company every success.”
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
14 November 2007
The company, which began operations in 1982 providing mechanical support to the industries in the Gladstone area, is now going worldwide with its revolutionary welding system for aluminum smelters.
Company manager Dan Madden says Holcan’s anode rod stub welding system - labelled the Holcan Welding System - can outperform manual welding methods by up to 100 per cent.
“It’s a very effective alternative to hand, friction or flash butt welding of anode rod stubs, adding a degree of automation at a low capital cost,” he said.
“The quick repair also means less down time and greater productivity for the smelters.”
The company now has systems in operation in Brazil and Bahrain and with industry interest growing there a strong signs of greater take up in the Middle East.
Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said Holcan was a great example of a Smart firm.
“Here is a company with world-class expertise, exporting to the world and building the Queensland brand,” she said.
“Holcan is one firm certainly benefiting from the State Government’s Export Strategy and our Export Advisory Service now operating out of the Gladstone State Development Centre.”
Mr Madden said the project was a true Gladstone collaboration, with a number of local firms providing technical expertise and equipment to build the Holcan Welding System.
“We are part of Gladstone Engineering Alliance, a local consortium of manufacturers and are very supportive of the State Government’s Central Queensland Manufacturing Initiative – the partnerships, advice and support we’ve received have given us the knowledge and the confidence to really develop the innovation side of our business,” he said.
“We are also committed to building the capabilities of our local firms. If we can attract a greater share of global interest in what we do here in Gladstone we all benefit.”
A spirit of innovation runs across all aspects of Holcan’s operations with the company now rushing to meet Australia-wide orders for its WaterMiser Wash Down System.
“A key branch of the business is major equipment hire and staff have developed a “waterwise” way to clean equipment after each job,” Mr Madden said.
The WaterMiser Wash Down System is an expandable, easy to assemble high pressure system that washes, filters and recycles water, with the ability to collect oil and control bacteria in the one process.
“With our in-house expertise we were able to solve a problem being faced by equipment operators battling water shortages,” he said.
“There’s been unprecedented interest in the system from all across Australia, now the challenge is to keep up with the demand.”
Holcan Constructions is also a long time client of the local Gladstone State Development Centre. In recent times that relationship has led to the company becoming involved in the Manufacturing Microscope Program.
“Manufacturing Microscope helps you conduct a thorough diagnostic of your business, where your strengths lie and where you can improve,” Mr Madden said.
“It became clear to us that we could benefit from undertaking the Lean Manufacturing Program – and that’s enabled us to create a much more efficient operation.
“It’s been extremely important for us to have that help at the coalface.
“It’s also very reassuring to know that there are Government programs primarily focused on growing and supporting our industry.”
Minister Boyle said increasing Queensland exports was a priority under the Smart State Strategy.
“The opportunities are there for the taking – we want to make sure our Queensland firms have access to the support and expertise they need to succeed internationally,” she said.
“Holcan is destined to go from strength to strength and I wish the company every success.”
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
14 November 2007