FRED HAIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR, OMNITECH PLAYGROUNDS

Q What are the future-proofing factors at play in your industry that will ensure resilience and longevity?

A The future for Australian playground manufacturers like us, is to be at the forefront of design, research and development. To design and build products to suit Australia’s ever-changing and diverse climate. This means keeping our finger on the pulse when researching new materials and being ready to adopt new technologies throughout the design and manufacturing process.

Through our commitment to being Australian made, Omnitech is keeping its manufacturing local as another way to gain control over the production of our end product, as well as staying ready to pivot in any new direction in which the industry could shift.

Q What eco-conscious initiatives is your industry considering or implementing to ensure environmental sustainability?

A Omnitech is already an eco-conscious business. We recycle materials where possible, and emphasise using recycled materials when developing new products. We are constantly assessing areas throughout our manufacturing and installation processes where we can minimise waste and make more socially responsible decisions. Often this starts at the design phase, where the materials we choose are assessed on what level of already-recycled materials they are composed of and what their level of reusability and recyclability looks like once the playground enters its end-of-life stage.

Creating robust playgrounds from high-quality materials ensures a maximum lifespan for Omnitech products. This means that the volume of energy and materials used in creating our play units provides a longer period of enjoyment for our end users, and ultimately ensures we get the maximum use out of the materials before they enter the next phase of their lifecycle.

Q Are there any technological innovations that are on the horizon that are set to revolutionise your industry?

A As Omnitech has large inhouse manufacturing capabilities, there have been several opportunities to adopt new technologies into our manufacturing systems. We are constantly assessing where new technologies can be adopted to better streamline all aspects of our manufacturing.

Omnitech has introduced robot welding into our steel and aluminium fabrication processes. This ensures high levels of accuracy and consistency in these components, as well as increasing production volumes. This, in combination with a state-of-the-art powdercoating system, provides a durable and dependable skeleton for our playgrounds

We also have a 3D CNC laser cutting machine that streamlines the production of both our standard and custom HDPE componentry. This has helped us to create more opportunities than ever for our clients to personalise their playgrounds, creating unique signage and customised play panels in a variety of different colours and styles. These technologies are backed up by state-of-the-art CAD and design software to ensure the whole process is streamlined from conception to delivery.

Q In what direction would you like to see your company move over the next five years?

A Our company is moving into using more recyclable materials and using technology to enhance both our design and manufacturing process. In doing so, we can continually innovate in the newproduct space and streamline our current manufacturing processes to become faster, smarter and less wasteful.

To expand our range of products and manufacturing capabilities means we are able to provide our clients with an outcome tailored more specifically to their individual needs — whether that be something that is created uniquely for them, or addressing more directly the needs and wants of the community.

Q What is unique to your company that is not being widely done by others in your industry, and why is it valuable?

A Omnitech prides itself on having inhouse design, manufacturing and installation teams. This gives us the capability to design and build custom projects on a large scale, and personalise units to suit the customer’s needs — this is something that is becoming increasingly valuable to our customers.

As each school, council or other pocket of Australia has its own personality traits and attributes, it is fantastic to be able to tie these into the design of our playgrounds. This is something that would otherwise not be possible if our team of designers, manufacturers and installers were not all working together inhouse.

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FRED HAIG

Fred has 30 years of experience within the metal finishing and playground industry and is looking to increase expansion of Omnitech Playgrounds Australia wide. He offers a unique combination of skills to his role, gained from vast experience in the manufacturing industry — everything from powdercoating, welding, designing and installing to sales and marketing.

Fred’s goal, as the managing director and owner of Omnitech, is to continue to promote growth within the industry, pushing innovative designs, increasing exports and building a new customer base, all while supporting the local industry.