Cut Costs by Up to 45% — With AS/NZS Standards

Case Study

Why an End-to-End Solution Makes Sense?

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Handling the full process—from design to delivery—offers key benefits:

• Up to 70% savings on drafting/design costs by avoiding third-party markups.
• Optimised designs tailored for our fabrication process—reducing waste, errors, and rework.
• Faster turnaround through integrated workflows and direct coordination.
• Single point of contact, reducing risk and improving accountability.

This approach delivers better control, cost efficiency, and smoother execution.

Case Study - 1

Australia vs Malaysia – Design  and Drafting Cost Comparison

Parameter                                                  Australia                                               Malaysia

Hourly Rate                               AUD $90 – AUD 140                  AUD $25.00 – $65.00

Full 3D Tekla Model            AUD $4,000 – $10,000+           AUD 1,270.00 – $4,450.00      

+ Shop Drawings                      (for mid-sized jobs)      

Code Compliance                               High                             Medium to High(if guided clearly)(AS/NZS standards)
Communication Speed           Fast, same time zone            Time lag 2-3 hours behind
Rework Frequency                    Low to Moderate                   Moderate to High (if brief unclear)
Software Used                  Tekla, Revit, Advance Steel         Tekla, AutoCAD, SolidWorks

Output Format                   Usually DWG, IFC, PDF            Same (but verify)
Experience                                                                                           

with Local Standards        Native familiarity                          May require guidance/training      

Turnaround Time                    Medium                                       Fast to Medium (larger teams)

IP &  Confidentiality Risk         Low                                           Higher unless NDA enforced

Disclaimer: Each project has unique requirements. Quoted prices are for estimation purposes only.

Case study - 2
Real Example – Based on Recent Projects

From recent procurement quotes (from Australian builders and importers):

• A Malaysian supplier quoted AUD ~ $1,980/tonne/tonne all-in for fabrication +galvanizing + export packaging.
• Australian steel fabricators for the same design and finish were quoting AUD$3,600–$4,000/tonne.
• Even with $150/tonne freight cost, total landed cost = ~AUD $2,130, giving a ~41% cost saving.

And this doesn’t even include potential capacity or lead-time savings, which some firms are also valuing highly right now due to local backlog or labour shortages.

Note:

• Cost varies by steel complexity, tonnage, weld quantity, QC/testing requirements, and coating specs (e.g., zinc coating thickness), exchange rate, etc
• Malaysian fabricators are often export-ready and certified (ISO 9001, AS/NZS 5131, EN 1090).
• Galvanizers typically comply with ISO 1461 / AS 4680 standards — accepted in Australia.

Case Study - 3
Shifting Fabrication to Malaysia

Company Profile: An Australian mid-sized steel fabrication firm specializing in warehouse mezzanines and structural frames for industrial projects. 

Challenge:
They faced rising local fabrication costs, longer lead times, and a shortage of skilled labour.

Solution -  they outsourced: 

• Fabrication of primary steel members (cutting, welding, drilling)
• Hot-dip galvanizing
• Packaging for export

Malaysia Partner with:

• ISO 9001 certification
• AS/NZS 5131 welding compliance
• Experience exporting to Australia/NZ

Real-World Cost Comparison: Steel Fabrication & Galvanizing (AUD/tonne)

Item                                                                        Australia                                           Malaysia
Structural Steel  Fabrication                   AUD $3,000 –$4,500             AUD $1,540 – $2,420

Hot-Dip Galvanizing                                 AUD $800 – $1,100                 AUD $440 – $715

Packing & Containerization                   Included  or +$50–100           AUD   $110 – $165
Freight (Port Klang →Australia)                                                                  – AUD $110 – $275 per tonne

(depending on load/container size)                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                       
Net cost savings: ~37%–43% per tonne, even after accounting for shipping, documentation, and some buffer for delays or rework. 

Disclaimer: Each project has unique requirements. Quoted prices are for estimation purposes only.