A PROUD ENGINEERING HERITAGE
Our History
Founded more than 60 years ago by Jack Smale OAM, the company was built on the back of successful ventures to equip huge brick-making factories in the US, Russia, Europe and South Africa.
Subsequently, J C Smale diversified into advanced technology areas where the company’s expertise in automation and robotics comes to the fore.
The entrepreneurial vision of the founder, Jack, established the basis of an entity providing a level of service that would never go out of fashion – customer focus, guaranteed delivery and technical know-how.
The company has now grown to be a mainstay of the Melbourne engineering community, an employer of choice, and the reliable and trusted business partner of key international technology enterprises.
- 1962
- 1972
- 1973
- 1978
- 1985
- 1991
- 1992
- 1995
- 1998
- 2001
- 2003
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2018
- 2022
1962
Fitter & turner Jack Smale rents a small factory on Dandenong Road in Oakleigh, south-eastern Melbourne, and J C Smale & Co. Pty Ltd opens for business on 11 October.-
1972
The company purchases a new premises on Commercial Road in Notting Hill, and the business relocates.
Two of Jack’s sons, Ross and Ken, join the business. -
1973–1976
Strategic acquisitions of H G Pettersson Design Engineers and W Anderson & Sons Pty Ltd. -
1978–1981
Three more of Jack’s children, Colin, Barbara and Gordon, join the business -
1985–1988
Commencement of key international partnerships with kilnmaker CERIC (of France) and manufacturing technology company NETZSCH (of Germany). -
1991
J C Smale opens a Malaysia office in Kuala Lumpur, with a factory at Shah Alam – initially to service the clay and masonry industry, before establishing palm fibre processing plants in Malaysia and Thailand. -
1992
A major contract to design, construct and commission a brickmaking plant in Orsk, Russia.
Ken Smale appointed Managing Director. -
1995
The first IsaMill grinding machines, developed with NETZSCH, are delivered to McArthur River mine for Mount Isa Mines Limited (now Glencore). -
1998–1999
The company becomes a licensed agent for Japanese robotics company FANUC, with a contract to design, manufacture, install and commission Australia’s first robotic setting system at Boral’s brickmaking facility in Traralgon. -
2001
J C Smale opens a US office in Dallas, Texas, formalising a presence in the country that had been established over a number of years throughout America’s ‘Clay Belt’. The office closed in 2009. -
2003
Production of two robotic thermoform fuel tank machines for BMW and Audi in Germany. -
2010
Passing of founder Jack Smale, aged 83, and Thelma Page, Jack’s sister and company bookkeeper for over 30 years. -
2011
Opening of manufacturing facility in Johor, Malaysia, principally producing steelwork for the local rubber industry to then coat components for the IsaMill. -
2012
Diversification into light rail manufacturing projects. -
2018
J C Smale undertakes a company strategy reset, and David Forsyth is appointed General Manager. -
2022
J C Smale celebrates its 60th Anniversary.
The company produces its largest brick processing machine to date, for Austral.
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS
An engaging illustrated history that chronicles the growth of the company from a fledgling operation to what it is today – a world-class engineering business with an international reputation.
