After nearly a quarter of a century in the making, Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) is preparing to launch its Signature Series; a curated collection of its most trusted Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bridge and boardwalk designs, all in a convenient kit-style package.
Principal driver behind the initiative, Project Delivery Lead Mitch Kelly said Wagners’ Signature Series is designed to streamline project planning and simplify the construction process.
“Signature Series brings together years of expertise and innovation to offer pre-engineered solutions that deliver strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal,” Mitch Kelly said.
“The kit-style system of the Signature Series will make it easier for contractors and asset owners to bring high-performance FRP structures to life, quickly, confidently, and cost-effectively,” Mr Kelly said.
“As a Queensland manufacturer, Wagners CFT pultrudes all the FRP profiles used in our bridges and boardwalks right here in Wellcamp; so we already have lead time advantages over our imported competitors who are at the mercy of shipping schedules, weather and other import restrictions,” he said.
“By eliminating the need for a full custom design process with the soon to be released Signature Series, we can further build on this lead time advantage by offering Wagners’ best pedestrian bridge and boardwalk designs from the past 25 years and making them available for immediate order and flash installation in mere weeks, rather than months.”
“This streamlined approach not only reduces project timelines but also cuts down on costs for our clients.”
“With our simple ordering system, we will be able to respond faster to customer orders while maintaining the high quality that Wagners CFT projects are known for.”
Pictured – 18m x 3.8m FRP pedestrian bridge used as inspiration for the Signature Series.
The Signature Series will be able to be ordered through a simple step by step form, where you select the options you want and place an order, making it easier for asset owners and contractors to purchase FRP structures.
“The ordering process will be simple, with only five choices to make during the purchasing phase,” Mitch Kelly said.
“When placing an order, all you need to select is your bridge loading, bridge length, bridge width, decking and handrails and colours,” Mr Kelly said.
“All your options will be displayed in a brochure, so selection is easy and time efficient,” he said.
“Being able to choose from a range, seeing visuals and engineering details of the structures before placing an order, means you can spend your money with confidence knowing exactly what you are going to get, without the need to pay for a concept design or similar to find out.”
Pictured – 17m x 2.5m FRP pedestrian truss bridge used as inspiration for the Signature Series.
By reducing the time spent at the beginning of the purchasing phase, costs can also be reduced resulting in competitive pricing and cost-effective projects.
“Without the need for excessive detailed, custom design inputs from both our inhouse design team and external certifiers, Wagners can offer a reduced price for the structures that are part of the Signature Series range,” Mitch Kelly said.
“This efficiency translates into real value for our clients, particularly in sectors where budget and time constraints are critical,” Mr Kelly said.
“By simplifying the design and certification process, we’re able to pass on significant savings while still delivering durable, high-performance FRP structures that meet all relevant standards,” he said.
“In addition, the Signature Series range allows clients to confidently plan their projects with greater certainty around costs and timelines. It’s a smart solution for organisations looking to decrease costs and accelerate delivery, without compromising on safety or structural integrity.”
Pictured – 18m x 2m FRP pedestrian bridge used as inspiration for the Signature Series.
Behind the scenes, the Wagners engineering team has been trialling Signature Series solutions on projects throughout Australia.
“For the most part, Wagners Signature Series will offer a solution that is suitable for most applications that we see coming in from our customer base,” Mitch Kelly said.
“And during the process of developing the Signature Series as a team we challenged ourselves to resolve incoming projects with a Signature Series solution; and we proved to ourselves very effectively that 90% of our customer enquiries could be resolved with a pre-engineered offering,” Mr Kelly said.
“For example, we had a project, which was originally designed as a steel structure with FRP decking and the client wanted to transition to a full FRP composite bridge,” he said.
“The advantage of the Signature Series is in the reduction of lead time and simplification of the project delivery process, where the client knows what they are getting instantly, without going through a design process.”
Pictured – 30m x 3.6m FRP truss bridge used as inspiration for the Signature Series.
The Signature Series offers fully compliant, pre-engineered bridges of various lengths, all with customisable design options to suit any project and environment.
“The Signature Series is offering both girder and truss bridge styles that come in a range of design load criteria from a lightweight pedestrian bridge right up to a structure that has the capacity to be able to take a 4.5T emergency vehicle,” Mitch Kelly said.
“Customers will be able to choose from three metre short lightweight girder bridges, right up to 26 metre bolted truss bridges in either an outrigger or knee-brace design,” Mr Kelly said.
“There’ll be a variety of handrails to choose from as well as mesh or coverdeck and each customer will be able to customise the colour of their bridge or boardwalk to blend in with the surroundings of their project,” he said.
“We’ve spent a lot of time ensuring that all of the Australian Standard codes are met within the solutions offered through the Signature Series, so we’re confident our customers will find a pre-engineered boardwalk or bridge that will meet their needs.”
Pictured – 15m x 1.4m single span riveted truss bridge used as inspiration for the Signature Series.
The Signature Series bridges feature a forward-thinking design that allows load capacity to be increased without the need for a full replacement.
“A key feature of the Signature Series is that the bridges are designed so that the load capacity can be changed without needing to completely replace the structure,” Mitch Kelly said.
“The bearers used have allowed for a larger profile to be put in place down the track should the asset owner wish to increase the service loads,” Mr Kelly said.
“This can be advantageous for asset owners or contractors wanting to construct an FRP bridge with a restricted budget. You are still able to bring the FRP bridge to life straight away, and be able to make changes in the future,” he said.
“Infrastructure demands are constantly evolving, and this design ensures the Signature Series bridges can adapt to changes in load demand and vehicle types.”
“The Signature Series demonstrates how smarter engineering can deliver not just structural strength, but strategic advantages to asset owners.”
Pictured – 10m x 2.4m FRP pedestrian girder bridge used as inspiration for the Signature Series.
In addition to the benefits of the Signature Series pre-engineered solutions, these kit-style bridges and boardwalks will still boast all the normal performance advantages of a Wagners FRP structure.
“You’ve got to look at these structures based on their total cost of ownership; in other words what it costs you to design, construct and maintain that asset for the whole of its life. And like all Wagners FRP structures you will still enjoy reduced maintenance, and improved replacement cycles which translate into significant savings over the lifetime of the structure,” Mitch Kelly said.
“Because they are lightweight, they are safer to handle, transport and install and we’ve seen our installation partners’ bottom line benefit through savings made on onsite accommodation for staff during the installation phase not to mention savings on being able to utilise smaller equipment for the job or even have a completed bridge delivered and craned into place,” Mr Kelly said.
“The Signature Series, like all Wagners FRP structures, will still be modular by design so you can pre-assemble key parts of the project off-site and crane them into position to save on installation time and expenses and reduce impact to your project from weather,” he said.
“And as per all Wagners pultruded structural profiles, they are designed for a serviceable life of 100-years so when you choose the Signature Series, you will still enjoy this benefit.”
“These solutions will also be inert, fully resistant to termites and acid sulfate soils and not release harmful substances into the environment.”
The Wagners Signature Series is set to be launched within the next three months, but if you have key projects coming up and would like to see if there is a pre-engineered solution available, speak to your Business Development Manager today! https://www.wagnerscft.com.au/contact-us/
Alternatively complete the Project Deep Dive form and a Wagners BDM will get in touch with you to organise a time to discuss your project needs and how Wagners Signature Series could provide the solution https://www.wagnerscft.com.au/contact-deep-dive/
You can also complete a Contact Us form and register to receive the Signature Series brochure when it is launched, just put ‘Can I please have a Signature Series brochure’ in the message section https://www.wagnerscft.com.au/contact-us/
