The Tanderrum Bridge is a unique and complex bridge design not only for Australia but the world. Visually striking, a key feature of Tanderrum Bridge’s multi-angular design is the extensive steelwork employed for both structural and architectural purposes; steelwork whose demanding construction fell to leading local fabricators, Shearform Pty Ltd.

Situated on a 10-acre site in Dandenong, Victoria, Shearform is a leading steel processing company offering complete steel supply solutions to industry across Australia and have been operating since 1980. With their workshop home to some of the most impressive machinery available, and manned by skilled tradesmen, there is little Shearform cannot do. These facilities allow the majority of work to be completed in house, pointed out Sean Rumler, Managing Director of Shearform.

“BlueScope Distribution were fantastic with their ability to meet deadlines but also showed flexibility when required.” – Sean Rumler, Managing Director of Shearform

Shearform is renowned for their metal processing services and custom fabricated products – and their strong commitment to quality. Because of this commitment, Shearform source their steel plate requirements, comprising pattern plate and TRU-SPEC® coil plate steel, from BlueScope Distribution.

“We’ve enjoyed a strong relationship with Shearform over many years, and in recent times this partnership has grown further following a visit by Sean to BlueScope’s Port Kembla Steel Works,” said Alex Salins, Sales Manager for BlueScope Distribution. “During that visit we were able to demonstrate how we too are committed to the same high standards of quality and service excellence.”

The decision to partner more closely with BlueScope Distribution made good commercial sense for Shearform.

“There are many benefits when using locally made steel. We’re a proud Australian company and to be able to manufacture these iconic projects using Australian steel is something we should all be proud of,” Sean Rumler, Managing Director of Shearform said.

“Because the bridge would form an important part of helping spectators arrive and leave from the Australian Open, not meeting our deadline was never an option,” Sean stated.

“Having the bridge spanning out in three directions over 180 metres, there were many challenges and none more so than the manufacture and transportation of 45 metre-long sections. Weighing around 100 tonnes each, the 8 metre widths were split in halves to maximise the transport envelope around the tight accesses in and around Batman Avenue.

“The balustrades were fabricated from 9000 extruded tubes each requiring up to 5 CNC bends; with almost 45,000 individual bends controlling the dimensional tolerances whilst meeting the architectural expectations was very challenging,” Sean said. “That meant to hold to our production schedule we needed absolute certainty from our steel supplier – and of course, BlueScope Distribution delivered.”

Across the life of the project BlueScope Distribution supplied Shearform with over 400 tonnes of pattern plate, over staggered deliveries to work in line with strict delivery requirements.

“The fabricated components required feed plate sizes of up to 9.6 by 3.1m in a range of thicknesses, which we were able to supply direct from the mill in Port Kembla,” said Alex Salins.

“Delivery co-ordination needs a lot of patience and understanding by all parties involved, especially with the nature of the parts being oversized and long length; skills and experience are required to get the job done safely.”

Reflecting on the project, Sean said: “Sourcing Australian-made steel from BlueScope Distribution gave us confidence in meeting the critical requirements of this project – we knew we’d be getting quality product, delivered in full and on time.

“To be able to trust material quality and supply is something we are lucky to have here in Australia. BlueScope Distribution were fantastic with their ability to meet deadlines but also showed flexibility when required – which went a long way to helping us achieve project goals.”

Fortunately, the hard work has been worth it; since the bridge’s official opening in January in time to for the Australian Open, the structure has proven to be a popular addition to the sporting and cultural precinct.

With the Tanderrum Bridge completed, Shearform is now working on its next major project supplying Signal Gantries for the Citylink Tullamarine Widening project.