A move towards on-shoring and long-term support of other local Australian manufacturers has stood Protective Fencing in good stead in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.
A family-owned manufacturing company, Protective Fencing is Australia’s trusted fencing partner. The company has been proudly manufacturing in Australia since 1975, using the highest quality locally sourced raw materials and the best machinery available.
A move towards on-shoring and long-term support of other local Australian manufacturers has stood Protective Fencing in good stead in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.
Protective Fencing
Protective Fencing was established in 1975 by Craig Gibbens as a new venture in the wire industry.
The company initially focused on both the supply and installation of chainwire security fencing for commercial, industrial and government fencing projects across New South Wales.
Protective Fencing was established in 1975 by Craig Gibbens as a new venture in the wire industry.
The company grew significantly in the 1980s and added the manufacture and hire of temporary fencing on the Central Coast of New South Wales to its repertoire.
In the 2000s, Protective Fencing shifted its strategy to exclusively supplying and distributing fencing products to the industry.
Further strategic expansion in 2005 saw Protective Fencing complete its purpose-built manufacturing facility at Somersby.
Today, this facility manufactures high-security mesh, steel mesh, palisade, and chainwire that sets the industry benchmark for quality.
Protective Fencing also operates interstate distribution centres in both Victoria and Queensland.
According to Samantha Swain (Director, Protective Fencing and Craig Gibbens’ daughter), their products can be found across a myriad of projects,
“Our high- security fencing is mainly supplied into infrastructure projects, including power utilities, desalination plants, correctional facilities, roads, bridges, airports and rail. We also supply a range of fencing to industrial projects and mining sites.”
Protective Fencing products can be found on some of Australia’s most high profile projects.
“Our products have been used right around Australia. For example, in Victoria, our fencing is installed on the West Gate Bridge. It was also used on the Gateway Motorway in Queensland, at Sydney Airport, and at the recent upgrade of the Melbourne Airport that was commenced just last year. The largest correctional centre in New South Wales at Clarence, near Grafton, also uses our mesh,” said Swain.
A Clear Purpose
The success of any Australian manufacturing company relies on several key ingredients. For Swain, a clear understanding of their purpose has been the secret to success.
“Protective Fencing is successful because we have a clear understanding of why we’re in business. We’re in business to deliver quality products to our clients when they need them. We’re in business for our customers—that’s the lynchpin to our success. We have the right products in stock, ready to go, and we manage our own logistics so that our customers can get our products when they need them. We are responsive and accessible to our customers,” said Swain.
Leading Edge local Manufacturing Capabilities
This crystal clear company purpose is bolstered by state-of-the-art local manufacturing capabilities and technology.
Protective Fencing relies upon automated advanced cross wire welding machines, roll-forming machines, 3D wire forming machines and a purpose-built powder coating facility.
Combined, these facilities can custom make just about any major component to support every fencing product the company manufactures.
“We are continually investing in our leading-edge manufacturing capabilities. We are continually expanding our range and evaluating our local capability,” said Swain.
As Swain explained, this continual evaluation has seen Protective Fencing bring specific manufacturing capabilities back in-house over the last few years.
“We’ve always been an Australian manufacturer. So, when I came on board about three years ago, I looked at our capabilities from a procurement perspective—my professional background. There were a few products and processes that were vulnerable from a supply chain perspective. We didn’t want that uncertainty in our business. So, we invested in machinery to bring the manufacturing capability in-house for previously outsourced products.”
“Our aim as a business is to produce most products in-house—we’ve made a conscious decision to control our process from end-to-end, so that we can deliver to customers. As a result, we now have the capacity to manage surges in production, particularly when we take on large infrastructure projects.”
Strengthening Local Supply Chains
A move towards onshoring has stood Protective Fencing in good stead in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, shipping delays and the instability of the Australian dollar have made companies more aware of potential supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly for critical products,” said Swain.
“We’ve been manufacturing in Australia since 1975, and have always been staunch supporters of sovereign manufacturing capability. Reliance on international supply chains is something every company needs to evaluate. It’s important to look at where you have redundancies, and where you have capacity. When you evaluate the time and cost of importing, it might not be worth it in the long run.”
Local Supporting Local
For Swain, supporting other local Australian businesses is essential to safeguarding the future of the local manufacturing industry.
“The success of our business is based on the successes of our local suppliers. By continuing to support local material suppliers, you’re building on Australia’s national resilience and perpetuating the Australian economy.”
“When I first started in the business, we were buying most of our raw materials locally. Our competitors were buying most of theirs internationally. As a result, we were paying approximately $200 to $300 per tonne more. We were losing out. But, my father said we have to support local Australian made suppliers – without them we’re at the beck and call of the importers,” said Swain.
“Australia needs to maintain its high quality, leading edge manufacturing capability. Listen to your customers. Deliver what they need when they need it. As a business, operate with integrity and a commitment to quality, and your customers will keep coming back,” said Swain.