Brockman eyes move from tanks to, well, tanks

Geelong Victoria large tank manufacturer Brockman is hoping to utilise its Geelong connections to build on its sophisticated welding skills to move into the defence realm building the kind of tanks that feature on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Founded in 1922, Brockman is known for its bespoke bulk water and fuel storage tanks — some up to 70 metres in diameter — as well as pressure piping and engineering solutions.

Brockman recently completed the construction of two welded steel tanks at a defence base in the Northern Territory, each of which holds 3,500,000 litres of jet fuel.

This exposure to the defence supply chain and Brockman’s specialised welding capability has motivated CEO Dr Matthew Redmond to cultivate a relationship with a fellow Geelong Manufacturing Council (GMC) member, Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA).

Korea’s Hanwha has been contracted for project Land 8116, an up to $1.3 billion project which will see self-propelled artillery systems manufactured in a new facility at Avalon near Geelong, Victoria now under construction.

While it is early days in the development of the new plant, Brockman is confident there will be future opportunities.

Redmond said: “The engagement we have had with Hanwha, along with support from the GMC and the Office of Defence Industry Support, has been extremely helpful.”

Brockman, part of ASX-listed industrial group EVZ, is headquartered at Norlane and boasts a 4,000 square metre workshop housing specialist equipment for the prefabrication, rolling, pressing, and welding of steel.

“We have a skilled team in our workshop (that) deliver high quality fabrication for our oil and gas and water clients.

“We believe our capabilities put us in a good position to support Hanwha’s future requirements.”

While seeking further expansion into the defence sector, Brockman remains focused on its core business delivering liquid storage and transfer projects to customers including Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water and Southeast Water, as well as energy companies such as Viva Energy and Woodside Energy.

“Steel plate is rolled in our workshop into a curved sheet around three metres high and nine metres long, (and) the plates are then transported by truck to site and welded together.

“We use large, specialised welding machines to weld the plates…positioned on the tank using a crane.

“They weld around the circumference of the tank and the vertical seams between each plate. The floor of each tank is also constructed of steel plates, overlapped, and welded together.”

Brockman has around 170 staff Australia-wide, with around 60 located at Norlane.

Picture: Geelong Manufacturing Council