FROM FABRICATION TO PRODUCT MANUFACTURING When Mal and Andrea Mead purchased Heatlie in 2004, they entered unfamiliar territory. Mead, B. explains, “Dad had a background in heavy metal fabrication as a boilermaker, but running a productbased business like Heatlie was a new challenge.” For Mal, the shift from a service-oriented company to a product-based business meant more time at home with his family, which resonated deeply with the couple, who had three young children. However, the transition wasn’t without its hurdles. “The business needed significant improvements in terms of efficiency,” says Mead, B. “When they bought it, the processes were outdated, and one of the first things they did was introduce new technologies to streamline production.” This initial phase of modernization set the stage for what would become the baseline of the company’s philosophy: continuous innovation. NEW MARKETS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES Although Heatlie’s reputation is built on its barbecues, its product offerings have diversified significantly. One of the most notable strategies was moving beyond barbecues and venturing into metal fabrication markets, including letterboxes and security doors. According to Mead, M., Heatlie’s engineering manager, this shift was a natural progression. “We stopped limiting ourselves to just making barbecues. Now, we say,‘We make things.’This mindset opened many opportunities for us to explore other products and acquire businesses that complement our skills.” The acquisitions of Adelaide Letterboxes and Iron Curtains (rebranded as Heatlie Letterboxes and Heatlie Doors) were central to this expansion. Integrating these companies under the Heatlie brand allowed for greater market reach and brought additional skills, machinery, and talented people into the business. Mead, M. adds, “These acquisitions have been instrumental in our growth, and they align perfectly with our expertise in metal fabrication. It’s all about finding complementary businesses to improve and 3 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 HEATLIE
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