STORIES
Orrcon Steel Manufacturing and Australian Steel Institute Announce Inaugural Scholarship Winner
About the Winner
Orrcon Steel Manufacturing, in collaboration with the Australian Steel Institute (ASI), is proud to announce the winner of the inaugural ASI Student Scholarship. This scholarship reflects a shared commitment to advancing education and a deeper understanding of steel’s capabilities for use in Australian construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors, now and into the future.
The first recipient of this prestigious scholarship is Julian Alber, a fourth-year student at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Julian, with a background in civil engineering and practical experience as an undergraduate structural engineer, has demonstrated a keen interest in contributing to the development of design guidelines and specifications for innovative steel products.
Julian’s scholarship thesis, titled Screw in Steel Piles (SiSP), focuses on a recent product developed by Orrcon Steel Manufacturing – ORR500®. ORR500® is a high-strength tubular pipe used in screw piling for foundations in residential and light commercial construction. The product was designed to meet customer demands for a minimum 500MPa yield strength, and Julian’s research is aimed at improving its performance, particularly in terms of addressing issues related to yield, tensile strength, and weld quality under torsional loads.
David Haynes, Technical & Product Development Manager at Orrcon Steel Manufacturing, praised Julian’s dedication and the quality of his work, stating, ““Impressive! What stands out most is that Julian approached it not so much as a Fourth Year thesis project, but with the commitment and effort you’d expect from a professional engineer.”
Julian’s scholarship not only recognises his academic excellence but also his can-do attitude and willingness to explore the steel industry further—qualities that both Orrcon Manufacturing and the ASI value highly.
Supporting Education and Innovation
Steel plays a pivotal role in Australia’s construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors, contributing significantly to employment and innovation in both urban and regional areas.
The ASI Board first proposed the idea of a student scholarship at its February 2023 meeting. After further discussion, it was decided to offer a fourth-year scholarship in conjunction with a thesis topic for a successful student. ASI National Education Manager John Gardner collaborated with QUT representatives to finalise the scholarship, which includes a $10,000 grant to the winner.
Tony Schreiber, General Manager of Orrcon Steel and Chair of the Australian Steel Institute, emphasised the importance of this scholarship for the future of the steel industry. “By providing scholarship grants to emerging engineers to work on real-life issues or opportunities, we are strengthening our industry’s intellectual capacity for the future. We hope that this annual scholarship will motivate and enthuse engineering students to be thinking steel both in terms of a research topic and as a career choice.”
This scholarship’s announcement underscores Orrcon Steel Manufacturing and the ASI’s shared dedication to representing and fostering the growth of the Australian steel industry, with the hope of inspiring the next generation of steel professionals.
DBM Vircon Cadets Explore the Future of Australian Infrastructure
Recently, Orrcon Steel Manufacturing hosted an engaging one-day tour and learning session for a group of 12 cadets and managers from DBM Vircon.
This visit provided the DBM Vircon team with valuable insights into the manufacturing process of RHS (Rectangular Hollow Sections), SHS (Square Hollow Sections), and other tube products they utilize in engineering and design projects.
DBM Vircon is an essential link in the infrastructure supply chain, working closely with fabricators to finalize precise drawings based on available steel sections and sizes. With Australia preparing for the 2032 Olympic Games, this collaboration will play a pivotal role in upcoming infrastructure projects. The visit also strengthened DBM Vircon’s connection with the Australian Steel Institute, following an ASI fabricator mill tour earlier this year.
This visit provided the DBM Vircon team with valuable insights into the manufacturing process of RHS (Rectangular Hollow Sections), SHS (Square Hollow Sections), and other tube products they utilize in engineering and design projects.
DBM Vircon is an essential link in the infrastructure supply chain, working closely with fabricators to finalize precise drawings based on available steel sections and sizes. With Australia preparing for the 2032 Olympic Games, this collaboration will play a pivotal role in upcoming infrastructure projects. The visit also strengthened DBM Vircon’s connection with the Australian Steel Institute, following an ASI fabricator mill tour earlier this year.
A highlight of the tour was a presentation led by David Haynes, Orrcon Technical and Product Development Manager, on Orrcon’s commitment to sustainability and ResponsibleSteel certification. David shared our vision for sustainable practices in manufacturing, emphasising Orrcon’s dedication to responsible production.
The day included a site safety briefing, an introduction to tube manufacturing, an immersive mill tour, and a Q&A session over refreshments.
Orrcon Steel Manufacturing was proud to partner with DBM Vircon, supporting the development of Australia’s future infrastructure leaders.
Orrcon Manufacturing Sets the Standard for Excellence
We proudly hosted members of the Vulcan Steel sales and account management team for a tour of our mills. Their visit provided an opportunity to showcase the exceptional standards we maintain across our facilities.
The Vulcan Steel team noted that our mills stood out for their cleanliness and overall condition. They were genuinely impressed by the tidy and well-maintained environment, highlighting how our dedication to excellence leaves a lasting impression.
This recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our teams at Orrcon Steel Manufacturing. Maintaining such high standards not only ensures a safe and efficient workplace but also allows us to confidently welcome customers at any time, knowing that our facilities will always shine.
A special shoutout to everyone involved for your continued efforts in upholding these standards. Your dedication reflects our shared commitment to quality and professionalism.
We extend our gratitude to everyone who made this visit a success.
Your hard work reinforces Orrcon Manufacturing’s reputation as a trusted and respected leader in the industry. Let’s continue setting the bar high for excellence!