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Categories: Architecture | Case Studies | General | Mining | Quarrying

Whatever the job, Meshstore has you covered.

October 30, 2017May 14, 2018 by Cassandra

Meshstore’s fast shipping benefits even the smallest contracts

Picture, if you will, the following: You’re installing woven wire flooring in a recently built shearing shed. Being a professional, you made adequate preparations for materials and time – yet something odd has happened. Despite your infinite wisdom, you have miscalculated the number of panels you need and have come up short. Unfortunately, you’ve travelled a bit off the grid for this job and getting additional supplies will be difficult. What do you do? Who can you trust?

We understand your needs

Of course, the anecdote above won’t be a common occurrence, but it does illustrate the fact that it’s not always possible to pop into Meshstore and grab what you need. Not all jobs take place in centralised locations, and unfortunately these are usually where you find the highest density of materials and equipment. While sometimes you may find yourself in driving distance of a branch, this will not always be the case.

A lot of our customers work in remote locations, and many on projects that are heavily time reliant. Outside of this, we understand that timely completion of a job is vital to your success as a contractor. In this sense, timing is always a big issue, and sacrificing quality (in terms of either workmanship or materials) is not an adequate tradeoff for completing a job on schedule. Meshstore knows that you need the best, and that you need it ASAP.

A range for all applications

Meshstore stock a range of perforated, expanded and woven metal sheets, as well as planking, welded metal wire and handrail solutions. We have a long history in the production of perforated metal and wire products, and as such we’ve had plenty of time to perfect manufacturing practices to ensure we are producing only the highest quality product.

Our extensive range of metal products cater to a huge range of applications, from safety and security to screening and decorative – the only limit is your imagination. The good news is, you are not limited to buying these products in our physical branches. Meshstore offers our entire range online, and with our dedication to fast shipping, there has never been an easier way to stock up.

Quick dispatch & fast shipping

In most cases, when you place an order it will be dispatched the next working day. In order to get your goods to you as soon as possible, we prefer to ship from your closest branch. However, if they don’t currently stock the items you are looking for, we can source them from any of our branches. We know you don’t have time to waste, and that’s why we ship our orders as quickly as we can – so you can finish the job, collect your paycheck, and move onto the next one.

For more information about our product range or our shipping options, contact Meshstore today.

in General Industrial 0 comments

October 30, 2017July 4, 2019 by Cassandra

Gold on the ceiling: A case study of PwC Sydney, by Futurespace & Civardi Furniture

Global accounting and consultancy firm PwC recognised that business is changing. Their clients were implementing new technologies and processes that eclipsed those that came before, and PwC realised that in order to meet the demands of this changing landscape, they needed to change too. Looking to make a fresh start, PwC worked to establish new premises that would integrate technology and modern, sustainable design to create a space that is less business, and more destination. The goal was to provide an environment that lent itself to creativity and collaboration, one that could boost efficient workflow while retaining the flexibility to support the working processes of a multitude of different clients.

Project background

While PwC developed new premises in many of their locations, it's the Sydney office that utilised Locker Group's woven wire. Situated west of the CBD in the multi-award winning Barangaroo development, PwC is situated at One International Towers, Watermans Quay. Their clients will find the new customer experience centre over four levels, beginning at the welcoming centre on level 17.

PwC brought in Futurespace for the interior design. As a forward thinking architecture and interior design agency, Futurespace had the passion and approach to create a truly unique design. Inspired by the emergence of companies introducing disruptive business models, PwC hoped to to change the way their business operated, and this needed to begin with where the business was operating. Dedicated to many of the same principles that PwC hoped to integrate into the design, Futurespace was the best agency for the job.

Futurespace Design Director, Gavin Harris, explained that moving away from a more traditional consultancy layout was essential. It was important to design a space that had multiple settings, that would foster collaboration and greater results for PwC's client base. Harris described how the Futurespace team looked at hospitality, branded airport lounges, and other types of co-creation spaces to inform the way that the PwC customer experience would need to function.

Of course, it was more than simply function that PwC required. The customer experience centre also needed to look and feel unique – the multiple interactive elements had to come together as a cohesive whole. This is where the gold ceiling comes in. Locker Groups Planar 441 woven wire was used as a ribbon that winds its way through the space and connects everything together. The wire is visually striking, particularly where it dips and becomes a shield for the window of the foyer. This feature, coupled with the unique viewing portal, makes an immediate impression as soon as clients step out of the lift.

PWC Sydney foyer The foyer of PwC's client experience level.

Why Locker Group's Planar 441?

In bringing Planar 441 to PwC, Futurespace teamed up with Civardi Furniture, a specialist joinery manufacturer dedicated to pushing the boundaries of materials and design. Civardi have their own extensive portfolio of innovative and visually pleasing solutions, and this is what drew the team at Futurespace to collaborate with them.

Gavin and his team had an idea early in the design process about using a material that would render the ceiling a transparent gold. The downward curve of the wire against the foyer window was something the team had hoped to implement early on, believing it to be a strong welcoming statement that was both interesting and inviting. While trialing possible materials, tone, colour and profile were taken into consideration as the designers weighed up the strengths of different types of metal to see if their vision was possible.

Gavin explained that finding the right woven wire product is what brought the idea to fruition. Locker Group's Planar 441 offered the right amount of reflectivity and transparency without sacrificing lighting, sound, or aesthetics. It was ideally suited as the consistent texture between the shielding in the foyer and the ceiling panels, lighting the way for PwC clients.

Implementing the woven wire

While Gavin and the Futurespace team had hoped to implement a feature like the woven wire ceiling, it was not without it's challenges. Initially there was some concern around how it would be mounted, and whether this would negatively impact the lighting, sprinklers and fire alarms, and that optimal acoustics would remain intact. In turn, it was also important that these essential fixtures didn't detract from the metal's beauty. With proof of concept coming from Civardi, the panels were able to be installed via a supporting spring line.

The final product

Ultimately, Gavin, the Futurespace design team and the specialists from Civardi created a wonderfully vibrant and engaging environment. Locker Group's Planar 441 woven mesh panels create a strong impression from the very moment a client enters the building. This new space will change the way PwC interact with their clients, and it was all achieved by a winning combination of creative minds, skilled hands, and top quality materials. For more information about Locker Group products, or to find out what materials we have that will suit your next project, get in touch today.

They said "never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn." We say otherwise.

October 30, 2017 by Cassandra

Locker Group vs. Skynet: How T2 should have ended

Spoilers ahead: We shouldn't have to do this for a movie released in 1991, but don't say you weren't warned.

As far as automated killing machines go, you could find worse than Skynet. They have an army of unfeeling androids, time travel capabilities, and just whatever it is that the T-1000 is made of. If you're like most reasonable people, you'll probably be pretending that James Cameron's Terminator franchise ended with the second installment.

While this film is unquestionably the greatest of all time (citation needed), we can't help but wonder if that final climactic scene could have gone differently if the factory in question had some semblance of health and safety measures. Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor was the hero of the day, but the overwhelming abundance of safety hazards surely played a role in the defeat of Skynet.

Flooring

There was certainly no shortage of metal grating covering the ample staircases and catwalks of the steel mill in the film. We can't fault the mill there, the flooring was probably strong enough to handle most human equivalent loads. Did the designers of the factory skimp on materials, opting for something that looked strong but wasn't really? Or was it a matter of poor installation?

Either way, we can promise you that it is not supposed to bend and buckle at the slightest point of stress. Locker Group's range of industrial flooring solutions would hold up against this kind of pressure. In fact, we guarantee there is not an artificially intelligent death-bot on Earth that could inflict that kind of damage on our products.

Railing

This may come as a surprise to the T-800's and T-1000's of the world, but good safety railing doesn't come loose when you pull or push on it. In fact, safety railing is generally designed to do the opposite. How do we know? Well, we've been manufacturing products like this for decades.

General housekeeping

Safety in manufacturing isn't just about "doing your best" but whoever is in charge of the steel mill in Terminator 2 isn't really even trying. To start with, there are too many angles in this scene that show off seemingly random bits of equipment emitting sparks. If your factory has something dangling from the ceiling spitting sparks everywhere, you should probably sort that out.

Further, if you have an enormous churning gear that an Arnold Schwarzenegger can merrily ride on – put a safety barrier or even a wire mesh enclosure around it. Finally, Locker Group would like to advise against an unrailed platform that hangs over a pool of molten steel like a diving board. This might be the very definition of workplace hazard, and recent studies have found that having employees who are consistently alive is the first step towards creating a safe and effective working environment.

No one wants a Terminator in their factory, but poor materials might be just as dangerous. If the steel mill in question was geared more towards health and safety, John Connor might have got to keep his socially awkward mechanical friend. For more information on how our perforated metal products can contribute towards health and safety, or if you want to talk about robots for a while, contact Locker Group today.

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Automating manufacturing will not affect the need for quality industrial materials.

September 11, 2017 by Cassandra

How Locker Group will aid the Industry 4.0 evolution

Industry 4.0 is coming. The next logical step in the evolution of manufacturing from a human labour-based industry to one that's technologically automated, the changes ahead will reshape the very factory space itself. Industry 4.0 will also change the sector's job structure from a significant proportion of low-skilled blue collar labourers to highly skilled interpersonal workers.

Indeed, Mr Jeff Connolly, Chair of the Prime Minister's Industry 4.0 Taskforce, said in a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia 'it [Industry 4.0] need not be seen as a threat to manufacturing jobs – even though the jobs will definitely evolve. Indeed, Australia should see the fourth industrial revolution as an opportunity.'

Industry 4.0 need not be seen as a threat to manufacturing jobs – indeed, Australia should see it as an opportunity

Although Industry 4.0 will undoubtedly have a huge affect on industry, there will always remain a need for quality industrial products that guarantee the efficient operation of your production line and ensures your workers can operate in the work space safely. Locker Group has more than 60 years of experience in developing quality industrial products and these reliable industrial products will be much-needed in the changes to come.

Improving efficiency

With Industry 4.0, basic jobs previously reserved for manual labour will be completed by machines and human managers working together. This will ensure processes are completed quicker and more effectively, while still retaining adequate quality control. Efficiency in production will also be achieved by working with effective industrial products that will make the manufacturing process more streamlined.

Locker's industrial range, including perforated metal, Expanded wire mesh and woven wire fabric are durable and tough, designed to stand up to the rigours of rapid production. While automation will change the infrastructure of production, Locker Group 's range is guaranteed to be up to the challenge.

Guaranteeing safety

Industry 4.0's evolutionary changes will remove the need for human involvement in the more dangerous mechanical processes. However, maintaining and repairing malfunctioning equipment will remain a very human role, while access to all areas of the manufacturing space will still be required. Locker Group have a range of safety products, like Safe T Perf, designed to ensure that equipment operators and managers are able to safely navigate the workspace.

Even after automating basic manufacturing roles, durable industrial materials will still be essential.

Grating products like Gridwalk and Gripspan are steel flooring options designed to ensure maximum grip for pedestrian access and prevent dangerous conditions underfoot. We also have a range of walkway kits, prefabricated and ready for installation, that enable workers to navigate heights safely. Ensuring safe human management is vital to making the operation of automated machinery more effective.

Industry 4.0 will bring a lot of changes to bear on the workings of Australian manufacturing – but what will not change is the need for quality products that bring optimal production quality and guarantee safety for workers. Locker Group's range of products are industry-noted, so go on and contact us today – prepare for the future!

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Finding the right architectural products to blend with nature can be challenging.

August 25, 2017 by Cassandra

3 Locker Group products that blend industrial and green

Sydney Park marks one of the city's most visually distinctive open spaces, due to its post-industrial brick kilns towering over the north-western corner and recently revitalised wetland areas.

In 2014, the City of Sydney metropolitan council launched an ongoing park management strategy for the coming years which will redevelop the area. The council put communicating the cultural heritage of the area and increasing public amenities high on the agenda, with a specification towards architectural designs in keeping with the area's industrial history.

What better way to embrace the industrial history of the the Sydney Park area than with art installations and innovative architectural structures that blend visual appeal with a durable industrial edge? Locker Group have a range of architectural products that would suit.

Our range

Locker Group have a range of products that provide a striking architectural look, and have a history of use in integrating green spaces into an urban environment:

Perforated metal – one of our most popular products, perforated metal offers users an innovative architectural look. Perforations can be adapted to client specification, taking into account shape, size and profile. Their design allows for water run-off, which prevents rusting, and the sheets come in a variety of surface treatment options to ensure minimised natural wear-and-tear. Available in a variety of metal substrates, they add a rugged industrial edge to sun shading canopies or art installations.

Perforated metal allows ample light and airflow.

Hi Light louvres – these colourful products are ideal for sun shading, vital in a park space that will draw the public to stroll in the sunshine. With treatments available to reflect glare and prevent sun damage, Hi Light louvres are available in a range of bright and bold colours that truly make your space stand out. The aluminium grating is also perfect for screening private spaces and parking areas from view.
Expanded metal mesh – a truly multifunctional product, this metal mesh fabric is customisable to client needs and easily installable, instantly providing a distinct architectural look that also functional. The metal mesh can provide sun shading on hot days while still encouraging air flow. Additionally, creeper plants growing through the perforations perfectly blend the industrial with the natural, a visual best serving the history of Sydney Park.

Sydney Park can be the model of innovative architectural products meeting nature.

Sydney Park's rich heritage deserves distinctive architectural concepts that beautifies the park for public access and embraces the area's industrial past. Locker Group have a range of products to suit, blending visual appeal with industrial durability. If you have an architectural project with a similar specification, speak to our friendly team today and we can figure out what's best for you.

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The mining job boom means new workers will need the best products possible.

July 27, 2017 by Cassandra

How Locker Group’s range is kind to new mining workers

As activity and commodity prices continue to surge across the mining industry, so too has the availability in employment. The number of vacancies listed on job site Seek rose by 70 per cent in the three months from February 2017, according to a press release from the company, suggesting the approaching expansion of new mining operations across the country and the rapid induction of novice workers into the industry.

While these newer workers are learning the ropes, mining operations will struggle to maintain optimal productivity without compromising worker safety due to inexperience. Luckily, Locker Group's range of mining products are custom designed to meet industry standards, making your operations safer and more efficient.

New miners in the industry should be working with the best equipment possible.

Poly

Polyurethane screening comes in modular tiles for open cast or cross tensioned mats, as well as for fixing systems and trommel screen panels. Our poly products are precisely tailored to your specifications, with technicians analysing your screening process to assess the required aperture dimensions and the polyurethane mixture that will work to maximum efficiency and durability. Injection moulds are then used to ensure the consistent construction of each item.

This technology means that surface features can be incorporated into the tiles' design rather than attached later, giving a stronger product. These individual parts can be removed with ease, with like-for-like replacements manufactured to order.

Tufflex

Tufflex poly-coated screens are our latest innovation in screening. Made from incredibly durable polyurethane coated wire and synthetic rope, they are welded at every fifth crosspoint to provide industry-leading flexibility. The strands are also maneuverable during screening, to ensure consistent flow and to avoid pegging issues. Light and easy to remove, the screens aid in improving workplace health and safety compliance, and have formidable wear life if used correctly.

They are ideal in maintaining productivity, with their flexibility and abrasion-resistance essential in minimising equipment down time and maintenance. Now widely used in our poly screening range, Tufflex can be customisable to a variety of dimensions and aperture sizes to suit customer specifications.

Mining operations require products that can deliver durability and do the job.

Industry Accessories

Mining operations require hundreds of pieces of equipment, all with unique and important functions. From the largest piece of machinery to the smallest rubber capping, each item is needed for success. Locker Group manufacture a range of Extractive screening accessories to cover an operator's smallest problems, so that managers and workers can focus on the big things.

From capping rubber to poly spray nozzles, our range of durable and abrasion-resistant products will ensure your screening operations can work to full capacity without the need for constant replacement and renewal. These accessories are designed to specification, and can be made from a choice of materials to best suit the operation.

Mining operations will struggle to maintain productivity without compromising health and safety due to worker inexperience.

Going forward

More immediate employment opportunities in mining means an expansion in operations to match ambitious federal and state support. Over $75 billion was invested in mining in 2015-2016 according to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, showing a real desire to encourage new workers to continue to join. An expansion means new industry products are needed that are safe, functional and easy to operate, especially as they come into the hands of novice workers.

Locker Group has a storied reputation for bringing the best to the industry since 1956, and are still proud to work with operators and managers in delivering simple solutions to improve enterprise. Contact our team today for more information on our mining and quarrying products.

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Faulty construction products can be dangerous. Use Locker Group solutions instead!

July 13, 2017July 14, 2017 by Cassandra

Why cheap construction materials can be deadly

There is now an increasing tendency to forgo using quality construction products in order to save money and time. This may reflect well on a budget sheet, but the consequences can be deadly. Last month, the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in the U.K claimed the lives of dozens of people, with cheap, combustible building cladding the culprit.

Cutting corners also extends to Australia, with a series of spontaneously exploding glass balconies in Melbourne apartments highlighting the rising tide of cheap imported construction materials. In an effort to address this, the Australian Building Codes Board recently launch a new website to help people understand the building code and the importance of product safety, according to a Housing Industry Association release.

”A national webpage like this is important for everyone in the building product supply chain,” said HIA Chief Executive of Industry Policy Kristin Brookfield.

”It is vital, now more than ever, to take action and ensure that builders are not the only people responsible for checking product quality.”

It is important to ensure that builders are not the only people responsible for checking product quality.

At Locker Group, we create architectural solutions that are carefully designed, rigorously tested and meet stringent Australian safety and quality standards. The cost of using inferior products in your next construction project could prove calamitous, so have a look at why Locker Group products are the way to go.

Architectural

Locker Group’s architectural solutions have been widely used in installations and buildings nationwide, notably at the Float Art Project in Sydney and the La Trobe University Dining Hall in Melbourne. Our designs combine innovative visual appeal with unrivaled architectural functionality.

Our variety of metal facade sheets are ideal in making your building exterior striking while also providing screening from the sun and maintaining air flow. The internal facade options are custom designed and easily installable to enhance visual appeal while creating spaces you can re-design endlessly. All products are made from strengthened steel, copper and aluminum substrates, coupling beauty with brawn – and all are meticulously tested to meet Australian standards.

The effects of poor construction materials can be deadly.

Industrial

Working in heavy industry throws up the threat of numerous costly breakdowns and worker injuries as a result of substandard materials. Locker Group’s industrial range is one of the largest in Australia, with everything from grip-designed and durable metal flooring to robust conveyor belts and roof walkway kits for safety working at heights.

Our products, including the characteristic variety of metal sheets and wire meshes definitive of Locker Group, can be custom designed to user specifications and are able to resist the extreme temperatures of industry, meaning your production will be able for full efficiency in no time.

It is important to factor in the cost of replacing inferior building products later on.

Mining & Quarrying

Locker Group have been supporting Australian mines and quarrying for years with quality products that are rigorously tested to meet extreme conditions. Roaring heat, high pressure and constant abrasion are just some of the tests that construction products face here, so we have designed ours to be as strong as they are functional.

Our screen meshes and machine accessories are made from a variety of materials, including mild steel, rubber and other durable materials requiring minimal need for maintenance or cleaning. Failure to meet safety standards for equipment and products in mining and quarrying can be catastrophic and deadly, so make sure you use reputable products with a history of supporting the industry.

Using construction products that meet Australian standards will be less costly in the long run, after considering the time-consuming maintenance and repair of inferior construction products. Locker Group are industry-certified and Standards compliant, and have been since 1956. For more information on any of our construction solutions, or for assistance picking out the superior Australian-made product you need for your next project, contact the team.

in Architecture / General Industrial / Mining / Quarrying 0 comments

Winter blues can lower work productivity. But architectural materials could have a solution.

July 11, 2017July 14, 2017 by Cassandra

How Locker Group’s architectural solutions can help winter blues

Winter has arrived, meaning the days are growing darker earlier and more people are feeling the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a widespread condition in which mentally-healthy people experience mild depressive symptoms over winter due to less daily sunlight, having some negative effect on workforce productivity and social interaction.

A July 2015 McCrindle survey of 1,000 people indicated 33 per cent felt under-motivated at their workplace during winter, while 27 per cent felt generally less productive. Many commercial buildings exacerbate this problem with closed-off office spaces and dark decor, ill-fitting to capture the natural sunlight needed to boost our mood during the dark winter months.

Locker Group are leaders in introducing innovative architecture materials to enhance the visual appeal of commercial buildings to suit any concept or conditions. Below, we explore how three of our architectural products can help banish those winter blues by adding more sunlight to your office space.

Woven Wire

Woven Wire can be used on building facades for a sun-streaming effect, allowing maximum sunlight exposure. It is built in a variety of durable metal substrates to resist harsh winter weather and wearing, and are customisable to exact client specifications.

Woven Wire can also be used internally for a delicate textural finish over light shades, lowering the harsh artificial glare of lights. This function is particularly important, as the increased use of artificial light to compensate for shorter daylight hours during winter contributes to SAD symptoms.

Woven Wire can also be used internally for a delicate textural finish over light shades.

Perforated Metal

One of our most popular and enduring items, Perforated Metal is typically used on building facades to add visual texture without sacrificing function – indeed, sporadic facade installations around a building result in little loss of warmth insulation, keeping your building warm and dry. It also contributes to encouraging natural sunlight flow through the metal sheet’s holes.

We are able to perforate a range of of materials, and would recommend darker-coloured metals like copper and brass, rather than cold grey and silver metals, to give your office visual warmth during winter months. These sheets can also be customised with an imprinted image in the perforation pattern, displaying a company’s logo or as an architecturally-integrated alternative to an art piece.

Perforated Metal helped Porsche achieve their distinct brand look, while keeping the building sunny.

Curtains

Locker Group’s Transit Curtains are the ideal solution for office spaces that you want to customise and re-shape easily. These wire mesh screens are widely used in modern commercial and retail spaces for their ability to allow light and airflow through seamlessly while still maintaining privacy between separate areas.

Attach the Curtains to tracks to effortlessly change the layout of your office whenever you want, or drape them from the ceiling to cover unsightly appliances – they have endless potential for a chic way of increasing natural light and breaking down stern dividing walls in office spaces. This is particularly helpful in addressing lowered levels of collaboration with work colleagues in winter months, a problem highlighted by 28 per cent of polled Australians in the McCrindle study.

Transit Curtains are used in retail to maintain lots of natural light and airflow.

Our range of architectural building solutions are built towards creating visually stunning and innovative spaces, designed to get the most from your environment. In the cold winter months, social isolation and depression in the workforce is going untreated, with dull commercial spaces dividing colleagues from one another and leaving them with little exposure to natural sunlight. Contact our friendly team today so we can shed a little light on how our simple architectural solutions could brighten up your winter blues.

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Rugby meets industrial architecture as Locker unpack their solutions to Australia's Super Rugby weaknesses.

June 29, 2017July 14, 2017 by Cassandra

Locker Group’s industrial fixes the envy of Australian Super Rugby

It has been a tough season of Super Rugby for the Australian franchises. The five sides have performed poorly on-field, only managing 18 wins between them over 14 rounds. Off-field, they have been contending with plummeting attendance, poor senior management and deteriorating revenues that will see one of the franchises – as of yet undecided – fold after the current season.

While Locker Group can’t fix the Australian sides’ numerous on-field problems, they certainly can provide efficient solutions for your business’ industrial architecture needs. These solutions include security strengthening and addressing conveying issues, problems the Super Rugby franchises would surely love to fix as well. Locker Group’s range of industrial building materials are industry-vaunted in providing lighter, stronger and more durable products for industrial use, giving your business a toughness, visual appeal, and unrivalled functionality.

The Australian franchises have lacked the toughness or durability of Locker’s industrial building range.

Expanded Security mesh

This season, Australian franchise sides have conceded nearly 2,000 points, a staggering statistic. If an industrial space had such regular breaches of security, they would contact Locker Group asking about Expanded Security metal mesh.

Traditionally, mesh sheets have been placed over doors and windows as fly screens, with one-way vision technology preventing outsiders from seeing in. Expanded Security operates with the same one-way vision, but set inside a reinforced frame to act as a lightweight but durable security fence.

Locker Group’s industrial building materials are industry-vaunted in providing lighter, stronger and more durable products.

Conveyer Belting

The mesh also comes in perforated metal, with its small holes impermeable to hot embers from bushfires and sheer impact from knives or other objects. Expanded Security has passed all the Australian standards for impact damage and security, making it the perfect option to secure a leaky defence or valuable industrial unit.

Tries have been rare for the Australian sides; only five bonus points have been secured for scoring four or more tries, pointing to an issue conveying the ball over the try line under tough conditions. Locker Group’s Conveyer Belt designs are made from a variety of metals and can operate under extreme temperature or pressure conditions, built with durability and towards customer-specification.

This customer focus provides you with belting truly fit-for-purpose. For lightweight products, we use Flexigrid parallel wiring to ensure no damage; for heavier products, we use strong steel mesh to counteract extreme conditions and heavy loads. The metal belts are all easily assembled and able to withstand a range of temperatures, from blast chilling at -250°C to heating and drying at 1200°C.

Their industrial strength will see your conveyor operations simplified, and could show the franchises a thing or two about efficient conveying.

A post shared by NSW Waratahs (@nswwaratahs) on

Jun 4, 2017 at 1:31am PDT

Gridwalk flooring

Even without poor performances on-field, Australian Super Rugby’s numerous off-field issues have prevented the franchises from finding any steady footing from which to improve. Maybe they should have contacted Locker Group to discuss stable flooring options.

Gridwalk is an expanded metal flooring range, designed to create industrially tough floors and walkways that’ll stand up to most conditions. Their expanded diamond pattern provides extra strength and grip for walking or transporting equipment, and they are hugely easy to install. Customers have the option to use removable fixing clips for adaptability, or weld them directly to a structure for increased strength.

They are virtually maintenance-free and durable through most industrial processes, making Gridwalk the perfect option for those looking for a strong and reliable base that won’t collapse beneath them.

Had the Australian franchises recognised their need for industrial strengthening early on, perhaps they would have had a more durable and long-lasting season. As for industrial customers looking for architectural solutions that have industry-noted success and functionality, look no further. Contact our friendly Locker team today to figure out how to improve your industrial problem with simple architectural solutions.

in Architecture / General Industrial 0 comments

Offices are moving to the suburbs, and with them a raft of innovative new design ideas!

June 27, 2017July 14, 2017 by Cassandra

3 ways to reinvent your office in suburban chic

As cities continue to expand and their centres becomes increasingly congested and expensive, investors are looking for office space in suburban and city-fringe areas. There, falling vacancies and rising rents are attracting these investors as part of a wider upswing in office relocation from the CBD to larger suburban spaces in search of better rental value. This gradual shift in prime office location has freed income for reinvestment and given businesses the opportunity to develop visually stunning commercial spaces operating in a variety of industries.

Businesses have been given the opportunity to develop visually stunning commercial spaces

Supporting this trend, Locker Group has a range of building materials and unique options for developing a bold, modern office space that will be highly sought after by investors and businesses alike.

Perforated metal sheets

Multi-functional and eye-catching Perforated metal sheets are primarily used as external facades on buildings, due to their durability and simplicity, and offer a distinct and signature look. Customisable in a variety of shapes and sizes, these sheets are a true shortcut to a striking visual. The holes can also be perforated to a unique shape, opening the door for creative displays of a company’s identifying graphics or logo that are integrated into the very design of the office.

A distinct feature in a reception area,which provides partial screening for privacy. Or it can be integrated into the structure of the building, including in staircases and alcoves, to carry a bespoke note through your commercial space.

The Porsche Showroom in Brighton, Melbourne is a perfect case study for achieving a signature look for your offices by using perforated metal.

The Porsche Centre used perforated metal for its signature look.

Transit Curtains

Transit Curtains are ideal for a chic way of subdividing spaces in an open-plan office. Unlike other partitions, they allow light and air flow through almost uninhibited, while still maintaining privacy between separate areas.

The curtains are also removable and adjustable, should you want to expand your spaces or change office layout. Alternatively, they can be fixed to a wall or the ceiling to hide unsightly ducts and electrical amenities, beautifying your space instantly. The chains can be made from a variety of metals to different lengths and thicknesses, giving the customer true control over how they want to use their space.

Transit Curtains have already been used to visually bold effect in Cara & Co in the Sydney CBD.

Cara & Co's Transit Curtains scream urban edginess

Expanded metal mesh

Using Expanded metal mesh is becoming increasingly popular with designers who want to give an inventive industrial edge to their commercial project. The mesh panels are designed with two specifications in mind – lighting and privacy.

Smaller mesh gaps block light, ideal for building facades or external areas to minimise sun glare and heat, while larger gaps allow more through, encouraging internal light-flooded spaces. Similarly, smaller gaps allow greater privacy between open spaces, while larger gaps encourage a transparent semi-open plan feel.

The mesh can be coloured to client specifications, and provides a burst of visual energy to give your office the visual dynamism of a city centre space.

Agilent Technologies laboratory and offices in suburban Melbourne have used this Expanded mesh to dynamic effect, giving their building a uniquely memorable look.

Expanded metal mesh provides a gritty industrial look.

Innovating my Office Space

Whatever the specifications, Locker Group has numerous options for your design needs in creating innovative and architecturally winning visuals. We are highly trained technical professionals who pride ourselves on working with clients to develop a durable product that fits their exact specifications. Give your suburban commercial space an elegant big-city treatment by contacting Locker Group today, and hear how we can create something truly memorable for you.

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Superheroes will be left stunned at their up-close encounters with Locker Group's innovative building designs!

June 23, 2017July 14, 2017 by Cassandra

How Locker Group can provide a superhero architectural revamp

Last year, the latest film in Marvel’s cinematic universe, “Thor: Ragnarok “, wrapped filming its Brisbane scenes, which saw portions of the CBD transformed into a mini-New York. The Big Apple is a frequent destructive stomping ground for Marvel superheroes, with regular revisits for rounds of bad-guy busting, building-breaking brawls. The caped crusaders excel at saving humanity from doom, but can certainly make a mess in the process.

Locker Group’s range of building materials and innovative designs have already delivered visually-stunning structures all over Australia. Below, we explore some the signature architecture range, and see how it can captivate even Marvel’s Avengers.

Woven Wire

The city’s people hide in buildings, watching on while the epic battle begins outside. Luckily, with Locker’s architectural woven wire, they can watch in peace.

The architecturally innovative design can be made from a variety of metals, and combines a delicate textural finish with a robust substrate for a striking look. This makes it ideal for sun shading, partial one-way screening, or just giving your building facade a funky edge. Woven wire is manufactured to individual specifications, and is guaranteed to impress any nearby superheroes.

Hi Light Louvres

Trapped indoors while humanity’s fate is decided outside, the hot sun is beating down hard and fast, making indoors an uncomfortably stuffy place to be. You could roll down a window, but that’s risky with the brawling outside. Locker’s Hi Light Louvres provide perfect sun shading and protection from glare, and the design also allows for natural airflow, keeping your building cool and breezy.

Available in a variety of finishes for different looks, our Hi Light Louvres are resistant to UV damage. The dazzling array of bright colours are industry-vaunted, and are perfect in brightening traditionally dull monochrome inner-city spaces (and standing out in your superhero fight).

Pic Perf Metal

With the bad guys defeated and the day saved, it seems only right to immortalise the faces of the victorious Avengers in the city’s architecture, as a reminder of their heroic work.

Locker’s Pic Perf perforated metal screens use durable and customisable facades to create long-lasting metallic images.

Locker’s Pic Perf perforated metal screens use durable and customisable facades to create long-lasting metallic images. Using an innovative three-dimensional crescent system, Pic Perf can be customised to variety of surfaces and sizes, adding eye-catching dimension in a variety of finishes. Maps, symbols, and even portraits can be brought to life in metal, giving a structure a truly unique character. The Avengers’ heroic mugs can be preserved in the city always, watching out for evildoing.

If well-meaning superheroes have wrecked your building and you need a jazzy revamp, or if you just want to explore some innovative building materials and styles to give your structure a visual edge, contact Locker Group today for information on how we can give your structure new architecturally heroic appeal.

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There are lots of reasons to use perforated metal.

June 21, 2017July 14, 2017 by Cassandra

Six reasons to use perforated metal in your architectural projects

Here at Locker Group, we’ve been delivering a range of quality perforated metal products on time and to a variety of specifications for years. Did you know that perforated metal has all sorts of different uses? Here are six reasons to use the product in your architectural designs.

1) Safety

If your project could do with more safety features, look no further than perforated metal. Its holes make it easy to see out of buildings but hard for those trying to look in, making it an ideal material to use in schools and car parks.

There’s also an anti-slip element to Locker Group perforated metal products. For instance, our Safe-T-Perf has raised elements surrounding each hole, providing a highly effective way to stop you slipping. The holes also allow water and other liquids to drain, while they’re still small enough to stop valuable tools and equipment from falling through.

Perforated metal allows you to mitigate some of the effects of Australia's harsh sun.

2) Protection

In Australia, the effects of climate change are becoming particularly obvious (2016 was Australia’s fourth-hottest year on record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology). This means architects need to continue to think of innovative solutions to the challenges that buildings face as a result of environmental issues. Perforated metal is one such solution.

Architects need to find a balance between sun and shade, natural light and protection from glare. As online architectural community Architonic point out, this is where the holes in perforated metal come in. They allow enough sunlight to enter into a building so that those inside can see, while still protecting them from harsh glare. Perforated metal also allows ventilation while mitigating the excessive warming effects of the sun, meaning tenants can reduce their air-conditioning usage. In winter, the holes will still allow sufficient sunlight to enter a building so that it can remain warm.

In very humid environments, our stainless steel products are the perfect material, as they are more rust resistant and won’t corrode easily.

3) Eco-friendly

If you take a look at our perforated metal brochure, you’ll see that we make the product in a variety of materials. This includes aluminium, which is 100 per cent recyclable. This means that, when the time comes, the materials used to build your project will be used again instead of simply going to landfill.

We make many of our products out of easy to recycle materials.

4) Sound Absorption

Perforated metal is excellent for use in buildings where noise is a problem – for instance in offices or schools. Perforated metal panels help to diffuse noise, for example by reducing echoes. They are also a commonly used element in acoustics.

5) As a partition

Perforated metal and Pic-Perf can be used to divide a room up while still allowing for ventilation and a sense of airiness that wouldn’t be possible with a traditional wall.

Architecture isn’t just about functionality, something that we recognise in our product designs.

6) Aesthetics

Architecture isn’t just about functionality, something that we recognise in our product designs. That’s why our perforated metal comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours – for instance, if you choose Aztec, the holes will be triangular in shape, while the champagne design replicates the look of different sized bubbles. For more patterns, download our product range brochure.

Don’t forget Pic-Perf either. This Locker Group innovation allows you to replicate pictures on to metal by punching holes in it – a great way to jazz up any building.

There are a lot of different applications for perforated metal. For more information on any of our products, please get in touch with the team today.

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