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Operating in some of Australia’s most remote and demanding environments, manufacturers in the Northern Territory face a unique combination of logistical complexity, labour constraints, and uncompromising quality expectations. For Darwin Sheetmetal (DSM), scaling production while maintaining precision and consistency was not simply a growth challenge; it was a strategic necessity.
As demand increased for modular, flat-pack stainless steel solutions across construction, defence, and remote housing projects, DSM needed to significantly increase throughput, reduce manual handling, and shorten lead times without compromising quality. Achieving this required more than incremental improvement it required a fundamental shift toward automation, supported by the right technology partner.
About Darwin Sheetmetal: Darwin Sheetmetal is an advanced sheet metal manufacturing company based in the Northern Territory, specialising in precision fabrication, laser processing, and modular stainless-steel solutions. Serving industries including construction, defence, resources, and remote housing, DSM has built a strong reputation for delivering engineered solutions in some of Australia’s most challenging operating conditions.
With a team of more than 20 skilled professionals across production, drafting, engineering, and administration, DSM continues to invest in advanced manufacturing capability to stay ahead of market demands. More about DSM
The business is led by Owner and General Manager Ashton Simpson, who drives strategy, automation adoption, and operational performance across the organisation.
Ashton Simpson identified a clear opportunity to scale the production of precision flat-pack stainless steel kitchens for projects across the Northern Territory. However, traditional fabrication methods were increasingly labour-intensive and relied heavily on secondary manual processes, creating bottlenecks and limiting speed to market.
The challenge was clear: Increase output and consistency while reducing labour dependency, manual handling, and lead times, all without sacrificing the quality DSM is known for.
After evaluating the market, Ashton selected us as its technology partner based on our strong industry reputation, proven TRUMPF integration expertise, and reliable local support capability.
The solution was the implementation of a TRUMPF TruLaser Tube 7000 fiber processing system with automatic tapping and threading. This technology enabled Darwin Sheetmetal to automate multiple tube processing steps within a single cycle, cutting, drilling, tapping, and threading, eliminating time-consuming and error-prone secondary operations.
TRUMPF’s precision, reliability, depth of automation, and digital integration clearly differentiated it from alternative solutions. Combined with Headland’s application knowledge and ongoing support, the investment delivered the lowest total cost per part over the long term.
Rather than adopting a staged or cautious rollout, DSM committed fully to automation from day one. CAD/CAM workflows were aligned early, operators were trained ahead of production, and the new technology was integrated directly into existing production planning systems.
The focus was on immediate utilisation ensuring the machine was productive from commissioning, not months later.
Since implementing the TRUMPF tube processing solution, DSM has achieved significant operational gains, including:
One standout result is the production of complete kitchen frame components, which now move from raw tube to finished, tapped assemblies in a single automated cycle. This has eliminated multiple manual steps, dramatically reduced lead times, and improved overall production flow.
The investment has positioned Darwin Sheetmetal as one of the most automated and capable tube processing manufacturers in Northern Australia. DSM can now deliver faster, more consistently, and at a scale that traditional fabrication models struggle to achieve, providing a clear competitive advantage in demanding markets.
For DSM, reliable service support is critical. Advanced automation only delivers value when uptime is protected, and Headland’s local service capability plays a direct role in maintaining production continuity.
This partnership enables DSM to operate high-performance automation in a remote region with confidence, without compromising responsiveness or reliability.
Over the next five years, DSM plans to expand its modular manufacturing capability across remote housing, defence, and infrastructure sectors. Continued investment in automation, smart manufacturing integration, and advanced production technologies will be central to this growth.
For manufacturers considering a similar transition, DSM’s advice is clear: Commit fully to your automation strategy, invest in training early, and partner with suppliers who understand production not just machines.
What DSM values most in its partnership with Headland is the combination of deep technical expertise, honest advice, and strong after-sales support. When recommending Headland to others, DSM highlights their ability to support premium technology with genuine local service and real manufacturing knowledge.
In Ashton Simpson’s words:
“Headland helped us move from fabrication to true advanced manufacturing.”
Automation doesn’t have to be complex or disruptive when it’s done right. Headland partners with manufacturers to assess production challenges, identify opportunities, and implement automation that delivers measurable results.
Whether you’re after a machine, spare part, power tool, or need to book a service call Headland will help you find the right solution in a timely manner.
Fill out the form below and the relevant expert will be in touch with you shortly.
