Please note: Images in this article were taken before current COVID-19 safety measures were in place.
Surrounded by coastal wooded parkland, BlueScope’s Western Port steel works has reinvented itself to take advantage of the surge in demand for its steel products.
As the third largest manufacturer of painted and coated steel products globally, including brand names like COLORBOND®, BlueScope has adopted a ‘lean manufacturing’ philosophy to limit waste and fully engage the talents of its growing workforce at its Hastings site.
With Victorian steel manufacturing booming again thanks to a record infrastructure project roll-out and a buoyant construction industry, BlueScope has created around 150 jobs over the last three years and a previously dormant metal coating line has been reinstated to increase production.
Retiring after 40 years working at BlueScope and its predecessor companies, Western Port Manager, Jim Graham, is leaving the business in great shape and suggested the increased demand for steel was a nice problem to have.
“Local steel means more local jobs,” said Graham.
“Strong demand for BlueScope’s steel products in both domestic and export markets has seen a resurgence in production and employment at our Western Port plant.
“BlueScope is very pleased with the support the Victorian Government has provided to the steel supply chain in Victoria, including its use of locally made steel in major road and rail infrastructure projects.”
Watch the video to hear more from Jim.
