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Union of expertise
During the late 80’s, two unrelated
Queensland companies were fine tuning two independent
developments. The Megami Corporation
had designed and built machinery that could fold complex
profiles without stressing the metal. Mining giant M.I.M.
Holdings Limited has perfected the process of
“growing” copper sheets to predetermined thickness
in an extension of their ISA copper refining operation.
Circumstances brought these two firms together and the
idea of folding 0.55mm copper sheeting into profiled roofing
was born.
In late 1991, following significant
market research, the preliminary work to establish a company
to fold, form, fabricate and install copper roofing, walling
and rainwater goods was commissioned. No doubt a significant
contribution to the company came from four of Australia’s
leading architects who provided input on the system design
and promotional material.
The formal launch of the company,
Copperform Pty Ltd, by the Premier of Queensland, Mr Wayne
Goss, occurred in June 1992. The initial focus was on
architects on the east coast of Australia.
International profile of
excellence
The first two projects were installed
around March 1993, a residence at Camp Cove in Sydney
and a historic restoration of St Matthew’s Church
at Windsor in New South Wales.
Very soon projects were specified in
Victoria and Queensland and the volume of business in
rainwater goods and custom fabrication increased.
Copperform’s unique ability to
form copper sheeting and its “copper only”
strategy, has led to many architectural design challenges
and innovations. For example, the specially designed shingles
on the two serpent-shaped tourism pavilions at Ayres Rock
(Uluru) replicate the scale-like nature of snake’s
skin.
Subsequent architectural challenges
have led to various dome designs, finials, spires, and
the evolution of a range of rainwater products. Copperform’s
flexible manufacturing ability allows production of cost-effective
“one-off” products and designs. This is particularly
attractive to architects who wish to present innovative
and unique concepts to prestigious clients.
In 1993, enquires from Singapore and
Malaysia increased to the level where some market research
was undertaken and participation in a Singapore building
exhibition endorsed the growing interest in South East
Asia.
The market research indicated that a
patinated product is required in the majority of specifications
and the available patination methods were deficient in
various respects. The challenge of creating a patina which
pleased the market, and dealt with the deficiencies in
available products was taken up by Copperform in 1994
with the help of the University of Queensland.
The new product, “Copperform Heritage
Patina” is manufactured in a separate factory devoted
entirely to patina finish.
In 1997, Copperform reached a milestone
in it’s growth in achieving it’s 100th copper
installation placing it high in the world order of copper
roofing and walling specialists.
No less than four Copperform projects
have achieved major Architectural Awards in Australia
and Singapore.
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