Fredon CEO Scott Olsen recently joined industry leaders at the ADM South Australian Defence Summit, participating in the Building Australia’s Defence Future panel.
The panel explored what Australia can learn from major infrastructure and Defence programs as it prepares to deliver AUKUS, including the need to build a specialised workforce, strengthen sovereign capability, and establish resilient and integrated supply chains.
Drawing on Fredon’s experience delivering complex Defence and critical infrastructure projects, Scott discussed how Early Contractor Involvement can help set major projects up for success.
Engaging contractors and key suppliers during the design stage allows their practical knowledge to inform buildability, construction sequencing and procurement. It also provides more time to secure specialist capability, plan workforce requirements, manage long-lead materials, and align delivery partners before construction begins.
Scott also highlighted the increasing importance of prefabrication, modular construction and design for manufacture and assembly. These approaches can simplify delivery, reduce pressure on constrained site workforces, improve quality, and support safer and more efficient construction.
AUKUS will require a highly specialised and security-cleared workforce capable of operating within complex Defence and nuclear environments. With Australia competing for skilled people across several major infrastructure programs, long-term workforce planning, training and retention will be critical.
Fredon understands the importance of creating a lasting industry capability, not only through the infrastructure being delivered, but through the people, businesses and supply chains that will support the sector for decades.
“With programs of this scale, we need to think beyond individual projects and annual business cycles. Early engagement gives contractors and suppliers the confidence and time to invest in their people, systems and capability, while helping project teams identify risks and improve delivery outcomes before work begins,” Scott said.
With a long-standing relationship supporting Australia’s Defence sector spanning decades, Fredon understands that successful project delivery relies on more than technical capability. It requires trusted partnerships, resilient supply chains, realistic planning, and collaboration from the earliest stages.
Today, Fredon delivers integrated electrical, HVAC, technology and infrastructure solutions across the Defence sector and other critical infrastructure markets, supporting clients throughout the full project lifecycle.
While much of Fredon’s Defence work remains confidential, opportunities such as the ADM South Australian Defence Summit allow us to share practical insights from our experience and contribute to the conversations shaping Australia’s future Defence capability.
To learn more about Fredon’s Defence capability, contact our team or visit our Defence sector page.
