AAEC 2025 Site Tours
Join us on the last day of AAEC 2025, Thursday 17th July 2025, for site tours of Capral Aluminium and G James Extrusion.
Participation in the site tours is an optional extra available to conference delegates only.
The Australasian aluminium extrusion industry has developed substantially since the 2018 conference. The import of aluminium extrusion has created logistical issues and that together with the rising cost and limited availability of labour has created challenges for the industry. This ranges from the addition of automated equipment to existing plants (retrofit installations) though to the implementation for full new plants with high levels of automation.
Capral, Bremer Park
Bremer Park is Capral’s largest manufacturing site in Australia.
Capral Limited (CAA) is into manufacturing, marketing and distribution of fabricated and semi-fabricated aluminium related products. The Group produces a wide range of extruded aluminium products and systems. It distributes those manufactured products in addition to a small number of bought-in products through two distribution channels.
Spanning more than 130,000m2, this purpose-built facility is home to three operating extrusion presses (1 x 7 and 2 x 8 inch) and incorporates advanced manufacturing and automation, delivering exceptional efficiency and quality outcomes for their customers.
Bremer Park is also home to a vertical paint line, aluminium processing equipment and a comprehensive distribution facility servicing Queensland and beyond.
G James, Brisbane
The new Brisbane plant at Eagle Farm is considered the most advanced plant in the Southern Hemisphere.
The plant has evolved from the initial press installation to now being a fully automated two press operation installed by Presezzi. The project included die shop and automated storage and die transfer, die heating, automated log storage and heating, a 10-inch extrusion press and handling systems, high efficiency quenching, aging ovens and integration.
All the production processes are automated through a data management suite. An 8-inch press was also added together with storage and transfer for painting and anodising and ultimately to automated packing lines. Shipments are also scheduled and prepared via the automatic warehouse.
This plant handles a wide range of extrusion in architectural and structural alloys, as well as finishing integrated via advanced automation.
The video below highlights G James’ automation journey midway through. Other installed and commissioned equipment will be showcased on the site visit.
