Having marked 30 years in business, Kerfab plans to continue growing while retaining the dedication behind the family-owned manufacturer’s success
Attachments manufacturer Kerfab reached its 30th anniversary of operations last year, one of a series of both milestones and achievements the company continues to rack up.
While today Kerfab’s product line is big enough to cover a variety of attachments needed on Australian farms, the company’s bale forks remain its bread and butter.
And it was the popularity of these bale forks that led Kerfab to build a second factory next to its existing base in Kerang, a town in Victoria’s north.
The second factory was a big investment for Kerfab, but has allowed for a doubling of its manufacturing capacity.
Such a step shows the success being experienced by Kerfab, and the continual growth within its core product, with a doubling of staff numbers in the past five years being further evidence of the company’s positive momentum.
Beyond just increasing its production volume, Kerfab’s second facility has enabled an expansion into using robots and automation during the production process.
This naturally helps to increase its efficiency, and general manager Jay Chirnside says quality control is a significant part of the production process.
“Our head engineer has been very particular to make sure it’s solid, but it’s also got to look right,” he says.
“Quality checks can be done to ensure that it’s 100 per cent right.
“Obviously, technology has increased and enhanced out of sight, so we need to be at the top of our game,” he adds.
“I think it’s very important that we continue to use cutting edge technology and a good team, which we have got.
“It’s great to be able to manufacture in Australia using predominantly Australian-produced raw materials.”
Its sales team work directly with customers to determine the specific applications and requirements, backed by the knowledge its engineering team are capable of meeting any challenge.
“It starts with the sales team getting their specifics right with the customer and the application,” Kerfab director Keith Chirnside says.
“We’ll customise whatever that product is to suit that specific application.
“We delve deeply into the engineering side of things to ensure that the structural capacity is adequate for the demand.”
The Kerfab story is one which shows the benefits of local manufacturing, skilled engineering, a growth mindset and commitment to customers – all underpinned by the care and dedication that comes from being a family-owned business.
With its Kerang base supported by staff and warehouse facilities in the Perth suburb of Canning Vale to facilitate quick product delivery in Western Australia, Kerfab enjoys a position where it can offer products that suit all needs, plus providing quick and accurate lead times when doing so.
Kerfab does sell directly to end users, along with providing after-sales service, however it is also backed up by a wide dealer network around the country.
Kerfab’s factory and head office is located at 11 Tate Drive in the Victorian town of Kerang, with its full product range online at www.kerfab.com.au
