Several key contracts for the supply of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) utility poles throughout New South Wales and Queensland have solidified future growth for Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) and triggered expansion into larger profiles and green technology.
Wagners CFT General Manager, Ryan Leeson said the business had been poised ready to upscale for some time and is now well positioned to invest in future capital with increased business surety.
“Wagners CFT has had a long and strong relationship with electricity network operators throughout Australia, manufacturing more than 1.4-million FRP crossarms throughout the past 20-years,” Ryan Leeson said.
“Those FRP crossarms have helped networks to significantly reduce maintenance and replacement costs while at the same increasing network reliability and sustainability.”
“So, it was only natural that Wagners CFT would play a significant part in network uptake of FRP utility poles as operators transition away from more traditional materials like timber and concrete.”
“It’s exciting to think what we are going to achieve in the next 20-years, and we look forward to further enhancing and maximising network security and sustainability through the supply of FRP utility poles to network operators throughout Australia.”
Pictured – Installing FRP utility poles in regional New South Wales
As production ramps up to meet increased demand for FRP utility poles there will be flow-on effects to employment and training opportunities as well as the local economy.
“There will be increased employment and training opportunities for apprentices in the wake of these contracts but there will also be a flow-on effect to local businesses in the greater Toowoomba area especially in freight and logistics,” Ryan Leeson said.
“In supply chain manufacturing you’ll often see growth and expansion stimulates and accelerates opportunities elsewhere so Wagners CFT is ready to further scale and take on new contracts nationally and even internationally for our FRP utility poles.”
“Wagners CFT is also looking to invest in developing larger profiles for electrical networks and marine infrastructure that will allow us to take on longer lengths and greater loads; so our production, testing and research and development teams will be ramping up efforts and focus there.”
Pictured – Skilled in-house tradesmen at Wagners CFT install a new die in the pultrusion machine
Opportunities in green technology are also on the agenda with Wagners CFT recently working with NSW network operator Essential Energy to trial Australia’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) charger in an FRP light pole column.
“The EV charger in a light pole column trial in Port Macquarie was a huge success and everyone involved learnt a lot,” Ryan Leeson said.
“There’s obviously key benefits in incorporating FRP solutions into EV charger design, whether that be a street light column, a bollard or even a utility pole; including significantly improved durability, better and safer installation outcomes for crews on the ground and increased ongoing safety for users given FRP’s non-conductive advantage.”
“With 2030 targets looming and a commitment from the Australian Government to make EV charges more accessible this is a product development and growth space for Wagners CFT.”
“Plus with Wagners CFT’s Environmental Product Declaration, it’s a space we’ve positioned ourselves to excel in and really leverage off the natural attributes of FRP which outperform traditional materials in regards to decarbonisation owing to the lightweight nature and 100-year design life.”
To find out more about the EV Charger in a Street Light Column trail in Port Macquarie and discover what is next for the technology visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELtDIpVFEfY
Pictured – Recharging an electric vehicle during the EV Charger in a light pole column trial in Port Macquarie
Next steps, Wagners CFT will be further refining the light pole column design and working with Essential Energy to do a longer term second trail with a view to permanent outcomes.
“We’re very fortunate to have a world-class, in-house Research and Development team at Wagners CFT headed up by our Technical Lead Dr Ali Mohammed, and Lab Manager Dr Usama Al Fakher,” Ryan Leeson said.
“Because of those incredible in-house resources that we have at our fingertips, Wagners CFT is looking to further refine our trial design of the EV charger in a street light column and go for a second longer trial along with our partners Essential Energy, with the view of making the infrastructure permanent.”
“We’re also about to start trials flying FRP utility poles into mountainous and hard to access areas with the view of improving outcomes for remote communities, especially following natural disasters like bushfires.”
“The future is certainly very bright for Wagners CFT and what a great success story for an Australian manufacturer, producing Australian made products for solutions that will benefit everyday Australians!”
For more information on the current sizes available in Wagners CFT Utility Poles and performance advantages visit https://www.wagnerscft.com.au/app/uploads/2024/05/wagners-cft-utility-pole-brochure.pdf
To get your copy of Wagners CFT’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) visit sp10246-wagners-epd-pultruded-gfrp_nov23-1.pdf (wagnerscft.com.au)
And to watch the on demand on how to use the EPD visit https://youtu.be/KJZQOwF89RA
To get in contact with Wagners CFT Utility Products Lead, James Lorrimer phone +61 (0) 418 830 857 or email james.lorrimer@wagner.com.au
