WHEN you walk through the gates, it's apparent how busy people at Bendigo's Thales site have been during the pandemic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Almost every corner of spare parking space is being taken up by Hawkei vehicles - part of an 1100 vehicle order for the Australian army.
Far from slowing them down, the pandemic - combined with the ever evolving production line - has seen the teams behind the Hawkei productions become more flexible and creative with how they are able to produce their products.
Read more:
"Every day has been a new learning opportunity," she said. "What's really fascinating for me is how agile and how the team has come together more over COVID.
"Everyone came to make sure we could continue to support production.
"A lot of how we have managed COVID has come from the team here (in Bendigo).
"They are probably ahead of the pack compared to other Thales sites because they're the ones implementing things like works zones and different coloured vests for different parts of the building.
"We're still implementing things like masks and hand sanitiser (but) from the production on-site perspective it was about making sure people could stay apart but still having teams work in stations.
"We got more issues from our contractors and people who (visited) the site because they didn't have the same safety protocols as someone who works here.
"We did have a positive COVID case in an individual who was a contractor that visited the vending machines.
"We handled it quickly and had no issues. (But it was about) trying to minimise risk. If we did have a positive case (in a team member), then we might have had to shut down the entire site.
"That would mean 350 people get sent home."
The construction of a Hawkei sees the vehicle transferred to 17 different stations where teams are tasked with completing one aspect of the vehicle.
It takes about two days for a vehicle to travel through the production line with Thales having started work on about 900 of the 1100 Hawkeis it is set to deliver.
Ms Roberts said the ability for teams to split the work among themselves meant the Bendigo site has been as productive as ever despite the pandemic. The main difficulty Thales has faced related to supplier availability.
"You can't issue and edict and say 'run the line this way' it has to work for the team on site," Ms Roberts said.
"The biggest issue came from our suppliers. We had some who ended up with cancelled orders form other customers. We got calls saying 'we just had orders cancelled, you were next. Is there any chance we can bring the order forward?'
"Thales stepped up and did that to work with our suppliers to be able to keep them in cash through pandemic when a lot of other suppliers and partners were struggling.
"So we ended up warehousing a lot and purchasing in advance to make sure it didn't have an impact on the line."
Border closures also threatened to impact production.
"There was a lot of uncertainty with border closures and getting stuff from overseas," Ms Roberts said.
"With India having the delta outbreak, (we got) notification that lockdowns might last two or three months.
"So if we were not able to get stuff from India, had to get things issued from Peru to get stuff in the door that we knew we would need.
"It meant a huge outpouring of cash in 2020.
"This year is about working with suppliers to phase out what we could hold on site."
Related news:
Last month Thales delivered a batch of new Hawkeis to the 10th Lighthorse brigade. As the company edges closer to completing its contract for 1100 vehicles it is looking toward the future and providing for new customers.
"Ultimately we have to deliver to the army. They're keen to see these Hawkeis," Ms Roberts said. "That is what energises the team, knowing they are delivering the best Hawkeis - which are world leading to the army. And to do that in the time of COVID is icing on the cake.
"The Bendigo team has incredible reputation from a customer perspective.
"The vehicles have essentially been proven in service (through) the work the ADF has done from Afghanistan to the Middle East where they have stood up to being tested in mission.
"We haven't lost a soldiers life with a bushmaster since they have been in service.
"It is an incredible reputation Australia has, but in particular due to the great work the Bendigo team has done.
"There is a lot of emotional capital tied to that - the team is proud of the work they do, which keeps our soldiers safe and that's the capability that has evolved here."
Thales now hopes to secure future contracts for the second half of 2022.
"We're approaching vehicle 900 shortly - so only 200 to go," Ms Robert said.
"In May next year, we should be finished in producing the Hawkeis.
"The main line will be done by middle of next year.
"Australia is the first country to use the Hawkei but there is emerging interest in them as they move off the line and into service.
"Their initial capability was declared this year.
"We have a couple of opportunities we are working on including the New Zealand Bushmaster program, which is kicking off now with the steel being cut.
"(There is also) a UK opportunity for 250 vehicles, which are Bushmasters as well. We're hoping the UK makes a decision on that next year."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News