This year marks a major milestone for Bates Pipes & Products, a proudly Geelong-based, family-owned business that has been supplying high-quality precast concrete products to the civil infrastructure sector for three decades.
Founded in 1994 by father-and-son duo Bob and Ben Bates, the company began with humble roots. At the time, Ben had just completed his engineering degree and spent his graduate year helping bring the vision to life alongside his father.
From hand-shovelling cement into small pipe moulds to now operating multi-million-dollar automated equipment, the company has come a long way. Today, they manufacture industry-leading reinforced concrete pipes, box culverts, and crown units, supported by in-house structural engineering services.
Business highlights include the automation of their concrete batching plant in 2015 and a major upgrade to their pipe factory in 2019. These advancements have helped the business evolve into a leading manufacturer of complex civil infrastructure products with a growing footprint across Victoria and New South Wales
Despite ongoing industry challenges – such as workforce shortages, shifting market conditions, and regulatory red tape – the Bates team continues to grow.
The future looks bright, with plans to expand their product range and increase market share, all while staying true to their local roots.
As they celebrate 30 Years in the Making, Bates Pipes remains an inspiring example of what can be achieved through entrepreneurial grit, determination and local manufacturing.
Congratulations to the team.