Caringbah-based specialist plumbing company Enware has secured the contract to equip what will be Australia’s largest prison.
Ravenhall Prison in Victoria will be a 1000-bed facility in Melbourne’s west which is due to be completed in late 2017.
Enware beat several large overseas companies to secure the contract.
Enware managing director Adam Degnan said securing such a big contract is a major credit for a shire company.
“This is the biggest prison built in Australia in a very long time and the single biggest contract our company has had, ” Mr Degnan said.
Enware is working with the Department of Justice Victoria on the project.
“It’s a new way of constructing a building,’’ Adam said.
“All the cells are pods that are manufactured on site at the prison.
“The system we are installing is pretty much cutting-edge for a prison water management system.
“Every tap, shower and basin is connected to the Smart Flow Management System which we designed and patented.
“This monitors the water temperature on thermostatic mixing valves for safety.
“The prison’s water management system gives remote access control of the entire system, over 1000 showers, basins and toilets.
“It’s been the culmination of the evolution of our company from a standard tapware basis to building fully networked water management systems.’’
Enware’s products can be found as far afield as the Dubai Central Prison in the United Arab Emirates, the University of Singapore, the Shell Refinery in Papua New Guinea and Nestle Indonesia.
Closer to home, its equipment is used in McDonald’s restaurants, Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, Qantas catering, Hungry Jack and Boost Juice.
It is the manufacture of specially crafted bespoke tapware and computerised water systems which Enware chief executive officer Paul Degnan said is one of the secrets of its success.
‘’We have always competed against more cheaper imported tapware but be focus on whole-of-life and bespoke equipment,” Paul said.
“There is too much focus on now-ism and not whole-of-life which is costing the economy.’’
The company was started in 1937 by the Gill family based in Punchbowl.
Paul Degnan bought the company in 1987 and moved it to Caringbah.
Since then it has grown from nine to 195 employees.
His son, Adam said Enware’s development of its Smart Flow Monitoring System has seen it moving into new markets.
This helped Enware to secure the tapware and plumbing contract for the new Adelaide Hospital.
“This was an order to provide a completely computerised network of fixtures and fittings.’’
Adam said.
Enware is also building a research and development team, partnering them with engineers in studying microbiology and quality of water in health institutions.
Their research and development team will participate with universities including Wollongong.
The company is also working with Monash University’s Design and Architecture School working on hand hygiene measures to reduce cross infection.
Enware plans to further development its Smart Flow Monitoring System.
“This effectively monitors the activity and performance of warm water delivery systems in a health care facilities,” Adam said.
“The system has been implemented in some 40 hospitals in Australia. We are now adding additional monitoring, hence the focus on microbiology.
‘’This is the way the company is going.
“We are moving on from simply supplying brass tapware.”
