Our History

From Humble Beginnings to Becoming a Leading Australian
Steel Reinforcement Company

Early 1950s

The Foundations of AKZ

Among a collection of cherished photographs lies an intriguing image of four men seated on a porch – Cord Kuhlmann, and then two unidentified figures, and Bruno Zwierlein. This photo is believed to have been taken around 1952 at the Morwell Power Station and Briquette Factory, capturing a moment in time before AKZ was officially formed. Fred Ammann, Cord Kuhlmann, Bruno Zwierlein became the three founding Directors of AKZ.

1953

A business is born

During this period, Cord, Fred, and Bruno were working outside their usual roles at the open-cut coal mines, gaining hands-on experience in steel fixing. Their dedication and craftsmanship laid the groundwork for what would become AKZ, officially founded in 1953 as a company specialising in steel fixing.

Early 1960s

Expansion into Reinforcement Processing

By the early 1960s, AKZ expanded beyond steel placement to include the processing of reinforcing materials. A defining moment came during the official soil-turning ceremony for the Hazelwood Power Station. With support from prominent figures -including local member Jim Balfour, state Premier Henry Bolte, and Prime Minister Bob Menzies – Graeme Arthur, General Manager of BHP, was persuaded to open a supply account for AKZ. This pivotal decision secured a crucial supply chain, despite resistance from four national reinforcing bar suppliers.

1964 – 1998

Major Industrial Projects and Growth

From 1964 onward, AKZ broadened its scope to include steel fabrication, playing a key role in constructing local power stations. One of the company’s most significant contracts came during the construction of the Loy Yang Power Station, where AKZ supplied and placed approximately 26,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel for the Raw Coal Bunker – at the time, the largest single reinforcement order in Victoria.

1989

Leadership transition

In 1989, ownership transitioned to Bill Hemphill and Roger Zwierlein, who continued to uphold AKZ’s legacy. Under their leadership, the company maintained its three core operations: reinforcing supply, steel placement, and structural steel supply and erection.

Late 1990s – Present

Shifting Focus to Mesh Manufacturing

As the late 1990s approached, AKZ gradually phased out its steel fabrication operations, shifting its focus to mesh manufacturing. This transition positioned the company as a leading supplier of reinforcement solutions, adapting to the evolving needs of the construction and infrastructure industries.

2024

New leadership

In 2024, AKZ entered a new chapter under the leadership of Chris Johnstone, former General Manager and now Managing Director, ensuring continuity in our values and expertise.

From its humble beginnings in the 1950s to becoming a key player in Victoria’s industrial development, AKZ’s history is a testament to innovation, resilience, and a commitment to quality that continues to drive the company forward.

Meet some of the people leading AKZ and the capabilities we have today.