More than 110 years of steel manufacturing in Newcastle

Manufacturing has been part of Newcastle’s identity for generations. It has shaped industries, supported communities and helped build Australia.

For InfraBuild, that story began in 1915, when our heritage brand opened Australia’s first large-scale steelworks in Newcastle. Over the following 110 years, the site has continually evolved alongside Australia’s manufacturing industry, adapting to evolving technologies, changing markets and growing customer needs.

Today, our Newcastle site is one of the largest steelmaking facilities in the country. It employs approximately 1,000 people, servicing customers in a range of industries across Australia through products including reinforcing bar, mesh, rod and wire including our iconic fencing brands.

The site continues to grow to service Australia’s infrastructure boom, including the rapid growth in Queensland, with $117 billion expected to be invested over the next five years.

“Manufacturing isn’t just part of our history in Newcastle. It’s part of our future,” said InfraBuild CEO Francisco Irazusta.

“For more than 110 years, this site has adapted and evolved to meet Australia’s changing needs, and today it continues to play an important role in supporting our customers with locally manufactured steel products.”

Steel manufactured in Newcastle is holding up some of Australia’s most iconic venues, from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Suncorp Stadium as well as homes, schools and hospitals to transport infrastructure, renewable energy developments, commercial buildings and farms.

Building Australia’s industrial capability

When the Newcastle site opened in 1915, Australia was strengthening its industrial capability and investing in local manufacturing to support a growing nation.

Just four years later, in 1919, the first coil of wire was drawn in Newcastle, marking the beginning of a manufacturing capability that continues today through the Newcastle Wire Mill.

The original steelworks operated for 84 years, playing a significant role in Australia’s industrial development. As the needs of the nation changed, so too did the operation, continually adapting to meet the evolving requirements of Australian construction and manufacturing.

Generations of employees have built careers at the site, passing on skills, knowledge and pride in manufacturing from one generation to the next.

Continually evolving

Manufacturing today looks very different than it did more than a century ago.

Advances in technology, automation, quality systems and safety have transformed the way steel products are made. Throughout those changes, the Newcastle site has continued to invest, innovate and modernise, ensuring it remains an important part of Australia’s manufacturing capability.

The Newcastle Wire Mill manufactures wire coil used in reinforcing products supplied to construction projects across Australia. We also manufacture industry-leading Rural Wire solutions used across Australia and exported to global markets, supporting agricultural customers with trusted, locally manufactured products.

The site is also home to our new mesh manufacturing operations, including the production of SENSE TrenchMesh®, helping customers improve productivity through innovative reinforcing solutions.

It also includes a ContiStretch manufacturing facility, where advanced reinforcing technologies support more efficient construction methods and help customers meet the demands of modern projects.

Together, these operations reflect how the site has continually evolved, combining more than a century of manufacturing expertise with modern technology, innovative products and customer-focused solutions.

Manufacturing these products locally supports skilled jobs, strengthens Australian supply chains and provides customers with confidence in the quality, reliability and availability of Australian-made steel products.

“The Newcastle site has never stood still,” Francisco said.” From its beginnings as a steelworks to today’s wire mill and advanced manufacturing operations, we’ve continued to invest in the site’s future. Our recent investment in a new mesh manufacturing facility reflects our long-term commitment to Newcastle, strengthening local manufacturing capability and supporting Australian industry for years to come.”

Looking to the future

While our history stretches back more than 110 years, our focus remains firmly on the future.

InfraBuild continues to invest in modern manufacturing capability, innovative reinforcing solutions and the people who keep Australian manufacturing strong.

As construction continues to evolve, so too will our Newcastle operations, building on more than a century of manufacturing expertise while supporting Australia’s future infrastructure.

“Our history gives us perspective, but it’s our commitment to the future that drives us,” Francisco said.

“By continuing to invest in our people, our operations and our manufacturing capability, we’re helping ensure Newcastle remains an important part of Australia’s manufacturing story for generations to come.”

More than a century after the site first opened, manufacturing continues in Newcastle.

From Australia’s first large-scale steelworks to today’s advanced wire, mesh and reinforcing solutions, the site has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of our customers and our country.

It is a story of resilience, innovation and continuous improvement, and one that InfraBuild is proud to continue as we help build Australia’s future with locally manufactured steel.

Did you know?

• Australia’s first large-scale steelworks opened in Newcastle in 1915
• The first coil of wire was drawn in 1919
• Steel wire manufactured in Newcastle has been supplied to Sealy Australia since the 1970s
• Today, our Newcastle site manufactures innovative products including SENSE TrenchMesh® and operates the ContiStretch manufacturing facility
• In Newcastle, we also manufacture industry-leading Rural Wire solutions used across Australia and exported to global markets.