A Truck of Steel: BW Fabrication

Transporting heavy loads around Sydney is a key part of the business of BW Fabrication, with several tons of steel needing to be ferried from their workshop to third party processors and then on to construction sites around the city.

The family company was founded 21 years ago by managing director Brett Kassissieh, who has been joined at the business by his two sons, final-year steel fabrication apprentice Joshua Kassissieh and Jeremy Kassissieh, the company’s production manager.

Jeremy attributes the success and longevity of the BW Fabrication to its culture of dedication to quality assurance and quality control, and the ‘one-stop-shop’ service it provides.

One-Stop-Shop

“We take our time doing the job, we get the job done right, and we have facilities to make sure that whatever the job is, no matter how complicated it is, we can get it done.

“If you come to us with a design or anything in mind, we have all the machinery to get that job done.”

BW Fabrication is also committed to environmental sustainability, Jeremy said.

“We are ISO 14001 certified and also a proud member of the Environmental Sustainability Charter, underneath the Australian Steel Institute.”

When the family-run company needed a new vehicle in 2018, it was essential they got something sturdy, dependable and work-ready.

“We're trusting our business in the truck's hands, really,” Jeremy. “If we didn't have a reliable truck, our business would fall apart.”

“We've worked with high profile clients from tier one builders, John Holland, Downer Group, all the way to the New South Wales government and even the Australian Defence Force. Our clients justify our reputation.

“Our business is like a one-stop turnkey workshop. Whatever the project is, we'll get it done, whatever it may be - hand rails, balustrades, steel stairs, structural steel fabrication, onsite welding, or high security metal works.”

Tool for the Job

Jeremy said the company chose the Isuzu NPR 45-155 Tradepack because they needed something they could drive out of a dealership and put straight to work.

“We’re steel fabricators and usually we’d fabricate our own tray,” Jeremy said.

“But because there was no time, we just bought the Ready-to-Work model and we haven't changed it since. There’s been no need.”

The Tradepack’s four-cylinder engine (providing 114 kW @ 2,600 rpm of power and torque of 419 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,600 rpm) copes well with the heavy loads BW Fabrication needs to transport. Jeremy said the truck works hard, running up to 10 hours a day.

“We had to find a vehicle that was suitable for carrying heavy objects and we also wanted a truck that could be driven on a car license.” ​

With a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4,500 kg, and a Gross Combined Mass (GCM) of 9,000 kg, the BW Fabrication NPR can be operated on a standard car drivers’ licence, which meant the business did not have to rely on employees with specific heavy vehicle licenses.

Access Abound

“I enjoy driving it,” Jeremy said. “I find it comfortable, and our workers do too!

“The AMT (automated manual transmission) is honestly the best thing.”

Isuzu’s two-pedal AMT offers a stress-free, car-like operating experience, which is further enhanced by the truck’s tight turning circle.

Jeremy said the NPR was “nimble” in traffic, which was another benefit for the company, based in the southwestern Sydney suburb of Ingleburn. So far, the truck has done 160,000 kilometres and counting.

Jeremy said BW Fabrication may upgrade its truck as the business continues to expand.

“We're researching which truck it’s going to be,” Jeremy said. “We want to stick with Isuzu.

“Purchasing a truck and relying on a brand that has such a reputation is obviously the way to go, especially for our business, which is still rapidly growing and very versatile.”

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