Client: AkzoNobel
AkzoNobel is one of the world’s leading paints and coatings manufacturers, with a strong footprint in Australia. At their Sunshine North plant, aging mechanical infrastructure was limiting efficiency and reliability. To stay ahead of production demands, AkzoNobel needed a full mechanical upgrade — but they couldn’t afford to stop operations.
The company needed a partner who could plan, fabricate, and install complex mechanical systems inside a live production environment with absolute control over safety, timing, and quality. That’s where Baillie Industries came in.
Baillie Industries delivered a full mechanical and structural package for the powder plant expansion, starting with a site survey, verification of existing conditions, and in-house design/drafting to suit the client. Works covered equipment receipt and handling using Baillie’s own Franna and forklift, selective demolition (non-supporting column, workshop relocation, parts shed removal, brick penetrations) and relocation of the roll-over gate. New installations included access platforms, mezzanine reinforcement to engineer’s specs, support steel, lifting beams and a custom extraction hood. The team then installed the extruder and the complete powder mill system — including piping, ducting and chilled-water/compressed-air connections — with all welds tested and documented to AS 4041:2006. All works were completed under strict safety and engineering requirements and handed over for client sign-off.
The Challenge – Upgrading Without Stopping
From the start, this project demanded precision. The Sunshine site was active 24/7, and every hour of downtime would cost production. AkzoNobel’s engineering team also enforced global-level compliance under their HSE&S (Health, Safety, Environment & Security) framework — meaning every action on site had to meet or exceed international safety and environmental standards.
The works required coordination across multiple suppliers, detailed quality documentation, and milestone-based delivery under an EPC contract.
For Baillie Industries, the challenge wasn’t just to install equipment — it was to deliver world-class mechanical execution within tight operational, safety, and time constraints.
The Solution – In-House Strength and Systems at Work
Baillie Industries approached the project as a complete turnkey mechanical package. Every stage — from fabrication through installation and testing — was handled by our in-house team.
We drew on our fabrication shop to pre-build assemblies and minimise site time. Our own crane, EWP, and lifting gear meant fewer dependencies and faster mobilisation. Each weld, lift, and installation was logged through our QA/QC system and aligned with AkzoNobel’s engineering specifications.
By keeping all key functions internal — design interpretation, fabrication, site installation, and commissioning — we were able to maintain total control of safety and quality while adapting quickly to changing site conditions.
Communication was constant. Our supervisors coordinated daily with AkzoNobel’s engineers to plan access windows around live production and conduct ongoing risk reviews. This proactive approach built trust and kept the project flowing without incident.
The Results – Safe, On Time, and Seamless
The project was completed on schedule and within budget, with zero safety incidents recorded across the six-month program.
All mechanical systems were commissioned and handed over defect-free, meeting every requirement of AkzoNobel’s EPC specification and HSE framework.
For AkzoNobel, the outcome was more than a new installation — it was proof that complex mechanical upgrades can be done without interrupting production when the right systems and people are in place.
For Baillie Industries, it was another successful demonstration of our ability to deliver major industrial works with precision, reliability, and accountability.
Conclusion – Built on Capability, Delivered with Care
Projects like AkzoNobel Sunshine show what defines Baillie Industries: hands-on project management, in-house control, and a deep respect for safety and client operations.
From planning to handover, every decision was made to protect uptime, people, and performance.
It’s the kind of project that reminds us — success isn’t just about what we build, but how we build it.
