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PLUMBING CONNECTION
AUTUMN 2015
with the addition of a 3000 tonne
copper alloy extrusion press and
integrated cold drawing equipment.
PRODUCT INNOVATIONS & A GLOBAL
APPROACH
In more recent times, Crane Copper
Tube developed a global reputation
as an innovative, dependable and
high-quality producer. The company
manufactured copper tube to
Australian, New Zealand, British,
European and American standards for:
∫ Water supply
∫ Drainage and sanitation
∫ Gas reticulation
∫ Refrigeration
∫ Heating and Air Conditioning
∫ Electrical componentry
∫ Automotive Instrumentation
∫ Medical gases
∫ General engineering
Its focus on the global market
received a boost in 2006, when
Crane Copper Tube partnered with
the German-made Viega Group to
release Viega Propress – a press-fit
joining system for copper tube – to the
Australian market.
In recognition of its world-class
manufacturing, Crane Copper Tube
held the third party accreditation
to AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 quality
systems for production and
installation as well as Australian
Standards mark and other product
certification licences.
Further recognition of quality came
in 2005, when a number of employees
gained a Certificate III in Competitive
Manufacturing. This qualification
focused the company culture on
creating customer value.
PRESENT DAY
Parent company Fletcher Building
announced the closure of Crane Copper
Tube in September 2014 citing years of
unprofitability due to overcapacity of
copper tubing, increasing substitution
of copper tubing with other materials
such as plastic composites.
Fletcher Building Chief Executive
Mark Adamson said the decision to
cease trading was not made lightly.
“We would like to acknowledge all the
Crane Copper Tube employees whom
in recent years have been relentless
in their efforts to reduce operating
losses.”
Crane Copper Tube is currently
transitioning out of export trading.
Meanwhile, Fletcher Building has been
working with employees to help find
redeployment opportunities.
The Penrith site will remain in
Fletcher Building ownership once the
plant and other assets are sold or
removed. Mr Adamson thanked Crane
employees past and present for their
contribution to the business.
The Crane Copper Tube factory in Penrith ceased manufacturing and domestic
trading at the end of 2014 after nearly 150 years in operation. The closure marks
an end of a significant era in Australian manufacturing.
END OF AN ERA