STEELFORT Engineering in Palmerston North recently completed a large specialised job lot of stainless steel heat exchangers for the Melbourne Aquarium. The mainly glycol coils were all stainless steel tube, epoxy-coated fins with stainless steel panel work. They were destined for the penguin area at the aquarium as part of a $20.6 million expansion project and delivery took place in December 2007. "Steelfort worked with consultants here and refrigeration engineers in Australia to meet the tight delivery schedule," explains company spokesperson James Cameron. "Our company was successful in securing this contract because we could meet the delivery deadline, supply at a reasonable price, but most of all we have the specialist technology to size and build in stainless steel." Cameron says heat exchangers are a major part of Steelfort’s business and the company offers a high degree of customisation for its clients. He says the marketplace for heat exchangers in New Zealand is split. "We compete in a very robust refrigeration market which is all about volume and low prices as well as the more lucrative ‘specials’ market. "Unfortunately some people will always buy [solely] on price, we believe you get what you pay for." Cameron says export opportunities are currently very good – mostly to Australia, capitalising on their primary products expansion. Their high value specialist work is also in demand in Asian markets.
