December Update

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LOAD 28!
Check out our 2024 Wrap Up Video Above

END OF YEAR WRAP UP

EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY TO BUILD A SMARTER,
STRONGER FUTURE IN CONSTRUCTION 

As we near the end of another year, and many businesses are slowing down, South Australia’s construction industry is busier than ever.

Whilst many building sites will close for a short period over the Christmas break, the magnitude of infrastructure projects on the agenda for 2025 and beyond means there will be very little time for our sector to rest.

The State Government’s agenda is infrastructure, and South Australia is building. Malinauskas and his team are thinking long term to shape the future of our state, and it is up to us to deliver. We are at a critical crossroad, and the pressure on the construction industry has never been greater.

I have voiced in recent communications about the challenges the industry will continue to face, with skills and labour shortages, building material supply shortages, rapidly rising building costs, and the securing of equipment for major projects at the forefront. Evidently, we will need to be innovative to tackle these issues.

Technology emerges as a key ally, offering groundbreaking and advanced solutions to bridge gaps and build smarter, more efficient worksites.

Embracing technology to build a smarter, stronger future in construction was a key topic in my recent presentation to the 2024 SA graduates of the Australian Institute of Building (AIB).

My presentation ‘Logistics Planning for Efficient Sites’ was well received by the alumni; the future leaders of South Australia’s construction industry. I spoke on how advancements in technology could transform traditional construction practices and provide greater opportunities to deliver vital infrastructure projects.

Modern construction technologies have the capacity to create safer, more automated workflows, enhance productivity and precision and make the industry more accessible to a broader range of workers. A great example of Load 28 embracing innovative technology is as follows:

Robo Rigger – One of the biggest challenges in facade installation is wind, which impacts our team’s ability to perform safely and efficiently, often resulting in precious time lost on site. A gentle fluctuating breeze can cause a panel that is unable to be held by tag lines due to the building’s structure to move uncontrollably.

Load 28 sought an innovative solution to this problem and introduced Robo Rigger to our fleet. This equipment allows us to pick up the panel and use stabilisation technology to control it from twisting in the wind, also restricting the ‘pendulum’ effect.

Using a remote control, the Tower Crane Rigger is able to adjust the position of the panel as it moves atop the building to ensure it faces the right way for installation. No more tag lines getting stuck in structural steelwork! Robo Rigger can also log GPS locations, windspeed, weight and camera recording.

Embracing technology is not just about improving efficiency, it’s about preparing for the future of construction. Our industry needs to appeal to younger generations, tech savvy individuals who are more open to innovative technologies, and adaptable to change.

Tonsley Technical College, set to open in 2026 at the Tonsley Innovation Precinct, will represent a step towards achieving this goal. With employment partners such as Master Builders SA, the students will get a skills-based education and be fast-tracked into secure and well-paid careers in construction. And Tonsley is just one of five Technical Colleges being built around the state.

The world-class manufacturing facility ‘Flinders University’s Factory of the Future’, which sits opposite Tonsley Technical College, is set for completion in 2025, focused on key sectors including defence and digital technologies. This puts South Australia at the forefront of innovative industry linked research, education and training and moves us closer to a smarter, stronger future in construction.

These initiatives, focused on innovation and advanced technology, help bridge the gap between today’s challenges and tomorrow’s possibilities, and create opportunities for growth and long-term resilience.

By embracing this future, we not only overcome the hurdles of skill and labour shortages, but also solidify South Australia’s reputation as a leader in innovative construction practices.

While it seems the construction industry doesn’t appear to slowing down, I hope that you find time to rest over the Christmas period with your family and friends. The Load 28 team thank you for your ongoing support this year and we look forward to a continued collaborative relationship in 2025.

Marcus Rigney
Managing Director
Load 28

RISE SITE PRESENTATION
WITH HANSEN YUNCKEN

Marcus, as a RISE Coach, highlighted the benefits of Master Builders SA’s RISE program at Hansen Yuncken’s Osborne Naval Shipyard project last week. Accompanied by RISE Projects Manager Chris Lipapis, they spoke on the programs mental health support services, including free mentoring and coaching. Partnered with Beyond Bank, the event included a yummy breakfast from Snag Wagon.

For more information on Master Builders SA’s RISE program, visit rise.mbasa.com.au.

SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER

Load 28 kept our tradition alive by joining the Port Adelaide Christmas Pageant again this year! Our amazing team and their kids paraded the streets with our tinsel-covered 25-ton crane, handing out lollies and spreading Christmas cheer. We love supporting our community!

LOAD 28 CAMEOS IN GUINNESS
WORLD RECORDS 

Load 28’s 20 ton City Crane got a cameo in the 2025 Guinness World Record book.

We can’t take all the credit though. That goes to Jordan ‘Biggie’ Steffens, who made a world record pulling the 20,300kg hydraulic crane using just his upper strength.

His feat also raised much needed funds for Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia.