Heatlie

The Next Chapter in Family Innovation

Fabricating a custom approach to doing business

Heatlie Barbeques, a family-run business rooted in innovation and craftsmanship, has seen remarkable growth over the last two decades. Purchased by Mal and Andrea Mead in 2004, the company has become a leader in metal fabrication and custom-made products including security doors and barbecues, driven by the passionate involvement of their three children—Mitch, Alby, and Bek Mead. Heatlie’s evolution from a small fabrication shop to a multi-product company is a story of embracing new technologies while maintaining the tight-knit, family-centered culture that sets it apart.

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 product-based 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needed significant improvements in terms of efficiency,” says Mead, B. “When they bought it, the processes were outdated, and one of the first things they did was introduce new technologies to streamline production.”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 integrate into what we do best.”

Laser precision

Innovation at Heatlie isn’t just about expanding product lines; it’s deeply rooted in the company’s use of cutting-edge technology. From upgrading machinery to automating processes, Heatlie has always strongly emphasized staying competitive through technological advancements.

One of the most recent technological additions to the workshop is a laser welder, which has helped the company maintain competitive pricing while enhancing production efficiency. “We’ve had to raise our prices over the years, but the focus has always been on improving efficiencies to offset those increases,” explains Mead, M. “The laser welder allows us to produce stainless steel parts faster and with less cleanup, keeping labor costs down and keeping prices stable for our customers.”

With 95% of production processes handled in-house, including design, cutting, folding, welding, and assembly, Heatlie has complete control over quality and lead times. “By keeping everything in-house, we can ensure that if there’s an issue, it’s fixed immediately by the person who designed or worked on it,” notes Mead, M. “That direct accountability drives the high-quality standards we’re known for.”

Culture of respect and craftsmanship

As Heatlie has grown, one of the biggest challenges has been maintaining its strong company culture, built on family values, mutual respect, and a shared passion for craftsmanship. With 23 employees outside the Mead family, the company has intentionally hired individuals who fit into this unique culture.

“We have an amazing team of hardworking people who are genuinely passionate about what we do,” says Mead, B. “From the very start of the hiring process, we’re transparent about our culture and what we expect in terms of quality and collaboration.”

Heatlie has implemented regular one-on-one meetings between managers and staff to ensure employees feel valued. These meetings foster open communication and allow for feedback and development. “We’re working on making communication even more seamless,” says Mead, B. “Sometimes people in the factory might feel intimidated by formal meetings, so we make an effort to go out to them every day and just have casual chats to keep that connection strong.”

That sense of family extends beyond the immediate Mead clan. “We treat our employees like extended family,” explains Mead, B. “If someone needs time off for family reasons or is going through a tough time, we make it work. We’ve even connected employees with psychologists when they’ve needed support. It’s how we operate—our employees are part of the family, and we’ll always be there for them.”

Expanding with integrity

As Heatlie continues to expand, mainly through acquisitions, one of the company’s main challenges will be integrating new businesses without losing the core culture that has made it successful. “Every time we bring in a new business, we’re also bringing in a new culture,” says Mead, M. “We have to be careful to integrate them into our way of doing things while respecting their own identity.”

Another challenge is finding skilled labor. “It’s increasingly difficult to find skilled trades people,” explains Mead, B. “That’s why we’ve focused on incorporating technology to streamline repetitive tasks. This allows us to hire technical skilled employees who have assisted us to transition into advanced manufacturing, and that makes a big difference as we grow and that’s made a big difference.”

In the coming months, Heatlie plans to continue its growth through internal development and additional acquisitions. “We only acquired the security door business seven weeks ago, and we’re already looking at acquiring another business or two within the next six months,” reveals Mead, M. “It’s a controlled growth strategy that allows us to fix any issues before moving on to the next acquisition.”

The company’s dual focus on product development and acquisitions has proven effective. “Product-led growth is often slower, so we’re balancing that with acquisitions to grow in larger leaps,” Mead, M. explains.

New leadership, same vision

With Mal and Andrea Mead gradually stepping back from day-to-day operations, the next generation of the Mead family is fully engaged in taking Heatlie to new heights. Mitch, Bek, and Albie are all deeply involved in the business, each bringing their expertise and passion to the table.

As Mead, B. reflects, “Mum and Dad are getting closer to retirement, but we’re just as passionate—if not more—about taking the business to the next level. There’s a lot of room for growth, and we’re excited to see where we can take it.”

This generational shift brings new ideas and perspectives, but the core values remain unchanged. “We’re all very focused on maintaining the quality and culture that Heatlie is known for,” says Mead, M. “It’s not just about growth—it’s about growing in a way that aligns with our values.”

Investing in people and processes

As part of their commitment to continuous improvement, Heatlie has invested not only in technology but also in the professional development of its team. Mead, B. shares that a business coach has been brought in to work with the siblings and help them grow into managerial roles. “This also extends to our employees. We’ve had apprentices, and we’re always looking for ways to help them develop their skills and determine where they want to go within the company.”

Mead M. adds that the company’s focus on automating processes has been a game-changer. “We’ve managed to get our average order time down to just 16 hours from when we receive an order to when it’s dispatched, which is pretty incredible for a made-to-order company.”

A foundation for future success

With a solid foundation built on family values, a commitment to quality, and a relentless pursuit of innovation, Heatlie is well-positioned for continued growth and success. As the second generation of the Mead family steps into leadership roles, the company is prepared to expand its product offerings, embrace new technologies, and maintain the strong culture that has been its foundation for the last 20 years.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, but we know there’s so much more we can do,” says Mead, B. “The future is bright, and we’re ready to take Heatlie to the next level.”

AT A GLANCE

Heatlie

What: An Australian company that manufactures durable barbecues, letterboxes and security doors.

Where: Based in Australia, its headquarters and manufacturing operations are located in Adelaide, South Australia.

Website: https://heatlieletterboxes.com.au/

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