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Local Business Takes Up Offer To Learn About China

Morwell based, steel detailing company, FABCAD Drafting is one of a group of Latrobe City businesses which are about to leave for China as part of a sister-city

By Latrobe City - 28th March 2007 - Back to News

delegation aimed at learning about possible business opportunities in China.

As part of its China sister city strategy, Latrobe City’s economic development unit will lead the business delegation to Taizhou in May.

Fabcad produces workshop drawings for the structural steel fabrication industry both locally and nationally. The company’s growth in the commercial and industrial steel detailing industry now sees 90% of their clients based in Melbourne.

According to joint owner, Gareth Lancaster, there has always been an interest in overseas markets, particularly Asia, and the opportunity to be part of the Latrobe City delegation to China and their sister-city, Taizhou, is a chance not to be missed.

"We use STRUCAD computer software in our work. Being the first company in Victoria to use this software gives our company a leading edge," Mr Lancaster explained.

"This stand-alone 3D modelling package has allowed our clients more flexibility at the drafting and workshop stages; this in turn allows us to service larger projects more efficiently allowing for a quicker turnaround on projects.

"Therefore, I am interested to see the extent to which computer assisted design is used in China and the type of technology being used. Perhaps, there are common drafting practices which may lead to further dialogue in the future."

FABCAD Drafting was established in January 1999. Joint owners Gareth Lancaster and Peter Polson have established a successful small business, which now employs five full-time staff, and two part-time contractors plus a trainee. Recent research has shown that FABCAD’s employees are the most experienced team in Victoria, with both Mr Lancaster and Mr Polson having over a combined 70 years of experience in the industry.

"Our business is keen to obtain a general understanding of the Chinese business culture. There are also massive building projects in China such as construction of a terminal in Shanghai to receive liquefied natural gas shipments from Malaysia as part of a plan to help increase reliance on clean fuels. Our forthcoming trip, in May, will include visits to Taizhou and Shanghai therefore enabling us to evaluate what we may do in the future as far as the Asian market is concerned," Mr Lancaster said.

Latrobe City’s acting manager economic development, Leo Billington, said FABCAD Drafting is a member of the Australian Steel Institute and the Victorian Institute of Steel Detailers. "Being located outside of metropolitan Melbourne does not inhibit growth in business. Continual upgrading of modern technology allows for information and data to be transferred electronically to clients anywhere in Australia, and overseas if required," Mr Billington explained.

Examples of FABCAD’s recent work include adding four levels to the West Wing of the Royal Children’s Hospital. Upon initial inspection of the existing building, consultants discovered a slight lean in the structure. FABCAD corrected this problem by re-aligning the column cap plates to bring the building back into alignment, allowing them to proceed in adding levels 6 – 10 to the west wing. This was a twelve month project for FABCAD, which has just concluded.

FABCAD was also involved in the Yarra’s Edge project on tower-five, located at Southbank Melbourne. This project was a follow on from tower-one. FABCAD detailed the decorative screening panels for the lower level car parks, which at some points proved difficult to do due to the in and out curves of the building. The project is now complete and the developers commended FABCAD for their work.

"China is a huge and varied market and I am sure each business and industry has its own quirks. Our trip is the first stage of doing the proper homework before making any definitive plans," Mr Lancaster added.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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