“Working here is for someone who wants freedom in their job. There’s challenge, variety, and opportunity to grow”
When Tim and his wife Louise started Smetec, they weren’t just chasing a business idea. They were building something deeply personal, a regional manufacturing company that combines world-class precision with a strong sense of community.
Both ex-defence personnel, the couple know what it means to contribute to something bigger than themselves. Today, their family-run business on the South Coast is doing just that. Specialising in material processing, engineering and fabrication services for a range of clients including Australia’s defence sector, this innovative South Coast business provides unique opportunities for local people to develop their advanced manufacturing skills and careers.
“For us, it’s quite personal. We’re both ex-defence, our daughter is in the military, and my brother’s still serving. There’s pride in knowing the parts we make are part of that bigger picture of defending Australia,” Louise said.
Like many regional businesses, Smetec started small. But Louise and Tim had a vision to grow a workplace that was more than just a job.
Today, they employ three staff – each with a very different background, and are looking to add an apprentice in the coming year.
One machinist joined with a trade apprenticeship under his belt, bringing specialist knowledge. Another had no prior industry experience, having spent two decades as a cement renderer before making a career change and relocating his family to the South Coast. He now operates high-tech laser machinery, learning quickly thanks to his determination and transferable skills.
“He came in with the willingness to learn, and we put the time in to teach him. That eagerness meant he picked things up in months, not years,” Tim explained.
Their current apprentice, Jayden, started out welding at school before joining Smetec after trying out a few shifts in the afternoons. What began as curiosity has grown into a career.
“We’re reaching out to local schools again because often young people don’t even know what opportunities exist until they see it up close,” Louise said.
Smetec’s success lies not only in people but also in technology. The business has recently invested in one of the largest folding machines of its kind between Wollongong and Victoria, sourced from Belgium.
It’s capable of bending high-tensile materials with precision and consistency, an essential capability when working with expensive, pre-paid materials for defence and industry clients.
“Our team might only ever be six people, but this technology means our output will match a business many times our size. It also makes the work safer, less physical, and far more rewarding and interesting.” Tim added.
Despite the high-tech equipment, at the heart of Smetec is its workplace culture. With a 9-day fortnight, the team enjoys their long weekends. They also love firing up one of the smokers Smetec is known for, sharing a meal together.
Everyone lives within 15 minutes of the workshop. There are no city commutes, no tolls, no packed trains, just meaningful work close to home.
“People’s ideas about work and life have changed since the pandemic. Our team enjoys that balance — time off, challenging work, and a sense of pride in what they’re making,” said Louise.
Variety also keeps the job engaging. Unlike larger companies where workers may spend all day pushing the same button, Smetec gives staff freedom to program and operate machinery, solve problems, and try new things.
“Working here is for someone who wants freedom in their job. There’s challenge, variety, and opportunity to grow,” Louise explained.
Though based in a regional community, Smetec is contributing to projects of national importance. Defence contracts are now a core part of the business, but they also continue to serve local customers – whether it’s a backyard project, an industrial order, or a precision defence component.
For Louise and her husband, the measure of success isn’t just in production numbers, but in what they’re building for their community and their people.
“We know that most people we hire won’t come in with the exact trade skills we need, and that’s fine. If they’re willing, enthusiastic, and want to upskill, that’s the key. The rest we can teach,” Tim said.
At its core, Smetec is a story about family, community, and pride. Louise and her husband have created a company where employees aren’t just workers, they’re learners, contributors, and part of something bigger.
And while their advanced machines are shaping the future of manufacturing, it’s the people behind them that matter most.
“Once we explain what we do, the team feels that sense of pride. They’re making parts that go into a supply chain defending Australia. That means something to all of us,” Louise said.
From the South Coast to the national stage, Smetec is showing that regional businesses can innovate, compete, and thrive while providing their teams with fulfilling long-term career opportunities.
