The post Ex-HMAS Tobruk Dive Site Open appeared first on Birdon.

Every year the Australian Defence Magazine conducts a survey to snapshot what the Australian defence industry looks like in terms of turnover, workforce, Australian Industry Capability (AIC), research and development (R&D), exports, female workforce participation and Indigenous engagement policies. The results are a reflection on the year that was, and an insight into the year ahead.

The cut-off figure for making the Top 20 SME list rose to $13.5million for 2018, up from $9.5million in 2017. Birdon was listed as having the fourth highest revenue from exports of the Top 20 SMEs.

Birdon’s Australian defence contracts throughout 2018 included the Bridge Erection Propulsion Boat Life of Type Extension; the disposal, scrapping and recycling of Ex-HMAS Sydney; modifications to Army Utility Workboats (AUW); ongoing support for Birdon-built vessels including BEPBs and Regional Patrol Craft; and disposals work at the Royal Australian Navy base.

This achievement is only possible because of the hard work of our entire team of project managers, foremen, supervisors, fitters, boilermakers, shipwrights, dredge operators, electricians, painters, tradespeople and labourers. We are proud to have been recognised as one of the Top 20 SMEs and are working hard to build upon this success in the year to come.

Information from Australian Defence Magazine, December 2018/January 2019 Top 40 Defence Contractors/Top 20 Defence SMEs surveys.

The post Birdon recognised as one of Australia’s Top 20 SMEs appeared first on Birdon.

Denver City Councilman Christopher Herndon, US Army Product Manager Steven Rienstra and CEO of Birdon Jamie Bruce addressed the audience of over 250 people. Special guests in attendance included representatives from the City of Denver, the Australian Embassy and US Government agencies including MSCOE, TACOM, and DCMA.

After being awarded the US Army contract in 2013, Birdon and NAMJet began production of the first BEB and propulsion systems in the summer of 2014 in their new factory in northeast Denver. The first BEB was delivered to the US Army for testing in the spring of 2015.

Since then, the Birdon team in the United States has grown from 10 employees to over 100 employees, who complete an average of 3 BEBs and 10 water jet propulsion systems each month. In November of 2018, the US Army awarded Birdon an additional contract that will see production of the BEBs double in 2019 and 2020.

As a result of Birdon’s successful performance throughout this contract, they have received enquiries for BEBs both domestically and internationally. In April of 2018, Birdon demonstrated the capabilities of their BEB for the US Marine Corp at Camp Lejeune, NC and are now working to develop the requirements to replace their aging fleet of over 120 BEBs.

Earlier this year, Birdon signed a marketing agreement with General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) allowing GDELS to market the Birdon BEB as part of their overall bridging system solution on an international scale.  As a result, delegations from the Canadian Defence Force have visited Birdon’s US headquarters on multiple occasions. Birdon is also responding to enquiries from Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Brazil – with whom an order has been signed.

In its primary mission mode, the BEB provides propulsion, thrust and stabilisation to support worldwide tactical float bridging and rafting operations. It is specifically designed to provide high thrust and operate in high particulate matter environments including in fresh, brackish and seawater.  All functions of the BEB can be performed by no more than a two-person crew. The unique and flexible design of the BEB means it can integrate with most customer specific transport systems. Birdon has also developed remote autonomous control systems for its BEBs.

The post Birdon Delivers its 100th Bridge Erection Boat to the United States Army appeared first on Birdon.

The Australian Marine Industry Awards reflect on-going quality and competitiveness and are an opportunity to recognise excellence both in the Australian and international markets.

A total of 12 awards were presented this year. Birdon’s General Manager, Peter Besseling, proudly accepted the award for the Commercial Marine Service Provider of the Year.

Birdon is proud to have been recognised for our contribution to the marine sector and we look forward to continuing this success in the years to come.

The post Australian Marine Industry Awards 2018 appeared first on Birdon.

Throughout the day Birdon raised close to $1000 for the Jim Bruce Urology and Prostate Cancer Trust.

The Trust was established in honour of Birdon’s founder, Jim Bruce, and works tirelessly in the Hastings community to enhance urological and prostate cancer health outcomes.

To date the Trust has raised over $500,000 and with this money has hosted free health forums, purchased  vital medical equipment for use by local specialists, funded Nurse Scholarships and employed a community urology nurse that travels to patients who are less mobile.

The Jim Bruce Memorial Golf Day is a great day for everyone involved, held in support of a very worthy cause.

The post Jim Bruce Memorial Golf Day appeared first on Birdon.

Cover image credit: Newcastle Herald. 

The post Hunter Ferry ready for the Newcastle 500 appeared first on Birdon.

If a marine spill were to occur at Birdon’s shipyard our team is trained to follow the 3 Cs Plan:

1. Control the spill;
2. Contain the spill;
3. Clean up the spill.

Birdon has specialised kits located for easy access in the event of an emergency. Each of these kits contains marine and land-based spill management products including booms, absorbent pads, personal protective equipment and a variety of absorbent agents.

Birdon’s proactive approach and IMS Certification is evidence of our commitment to quality and the environment.

The post Marine Spill Safety appeared first on Birdon.

Every year the Jim Bruce Trust works with local businesses to put on a spectacular day at the races, with all funds raised going to improve the support for cancer patients around the Mid North Coast.

This year, the Jim Bruce Trust Marquee was located in prime position, on the inside track, with an unrivalled view of the race course and finish line. The Marquee was a sold out event and with the help of sponsors and guests the Trust raised close to $25,000.

The Jim Bruce Trust community gave thanks to their major sponsors, Fujitsu and Coolcene Air Conditioning, and local businesses Mid North Coast Weddings, The Stunned Mullet, Settlers Inn, Ella Bache, The Style Vibe, Coates Hire, Men at Work and Mount Seaview Spring Water. Without their generosity and support the day would not have been such a success.

The Jim Bruce Trust was established in honour of the late Jim Bruce, the founder of Birdon, after prostate cancer took him too early, in 2008. The Trust is committed to finding a cure for prostate cancer and supporting the people in our community who are living with cancer. To date, the Trust has raised over $500,000.

With the money raised, the Trust has funded the purchase of vital medical equipment, trained specialist urology nurses and employed a community urology nurse that travels to patients who are less mobile.

To make a donation, or to find out more about the Jim Bruce Trust, visit their website at:

www.jimbrucetrust.org.au

The post Jim Bruce Trust Marquee 2018 appeared first on Birdon.

Our commitment to worker health and safety, the environment, quality of product and service was recently reinforced by re-certification of International Standards, including the addition of ‘Disposals’ and ‘Shipping’ to our Scope.

These respected certification standards recognise Birdon’s OHS, Environmental and Quality Management Systems and are a testament to the Birdon team’s hard work and commitment to continuous improvement.

The post Re-Certification of International Standards appeared first on Birdon.

NBN News came to Birdon’s Port Macquarie shipyard to have a look at the upgrades taking place on the Hunter ferry. You can view the news report here.

The post Hunter Ferry refurbishment taking place at Birdon appeared first on Birdon.