17 Jul 2019

ARA has significantly expanded its manufacturing capability through the acquisition of Groundmaster Engineering (GME), a metal manufacturing business offering comprehensive design and engineering solutions.

"The acquisition of Groundmaster Engineering is a game changer for ARA Manufacture in Victoria," said Andrew Briggs, Operations Manager at ARA Manufacture (VIC).

metal fabrication capability

The ARA Group is pleased to announce that ARA Manufacture has expanded its metal fabrication capability through the acquisition of metal manufacturers Groundmaster Engineering (GME) effective 3rd June 2019.

Edward Federman, ARA’s Executive Chair and Managing Director, is pleased with the addition of Groundmaster to ARA Manufacture, stating "I am very proud that we are a manufacturing business in Australia and New Zealand. We have some great people producing terrific products. This addition gives us wonderful additional capabilities in metal parts manufacturing."

new facility

The large-scale painting facility will also enable ARA Manufacture to take on larger work

The ARA Manufacture team in Victoria has relocated to a significantly larger site, a 7,300m2 facility located in Melbourne’s west (67 Calarco Drive, Derrimut, VIC), which will add to existing capabilities.

The new facility contains two laser cutting machines, a water jet steel cutting machine that can cut up to 100mm thick steel, a turret punch, and two brake presses. The large-scale painting facility will also enable ARA Manufacture to take on larger work. 

excellent performance

General Manager of ARA Manufacture, Mark Pamula, looks forward to the opportunities presented to the business following the addition, stating "There will be many improvements that ARA Manufacture VIC will gain as a result of the Groundmaster acquisition, initially it will be just having the physical space to manage larger projects and by gaining the process efficiencies of having a structured and controlled manufacturing environment which will allow seamless workflow."

For Andrew Briggs, Operations Manager at ARA Manufacture in Victoria, the Groundmaster acquisition represents new and significant opportunities for the business, by bringing excellent performance in metal manufacturing and engineering and allowing access to superior cutting of larger and heavier materials.

space and infrastructure

Andrew Briggs said, "In addition, the existing client book and employees we have taken on as part of ARA have provided us with blue chip customers in the Automotive, Food and Beverage, and Defence market."

He adds, "We are particularly keen to become a supplier, fabricator, and installer for other ARA Group companies and divisions. We are happy to look at where we can assist with supply chain items and, based on solid commitment, we have the space and infrastructure to stock and supply on an ‘as required’ basis."