Tell us about the business.
Waterways of Singleton is a HDPE fabrication specialist and supplier of poly pipe, fittings and associated products. We carry a large range of stock including poly fittings, gal and SS backing rings, fasteners, valves, pipe floats and more, allowing us to support urgent site requirements with minimal downtime.
We also specialise in custom poly fabrications and spools, with a well-equipped workshop and purpose-built machinery not commonly found elsewhere in Australia. This allows us to take on complex jobs and deliver practical, site-ready solutions for mining and agricultural clients.
Poly runs in our veins!
How long have you been in business?
The business was established in 1980.
How many people work for the business?
We have six full-time staff.
Describe a typical day at ‘the office’
Most days are spent solving problems for our clients, whether that’s fabricating custom pipework, getting urgent fittings out the door, or helping someone on site find a better solution. We focus on fast turnaround, practical advice and getting people back to the job as quickly as possible.
What are the biggest challenges facing your business?
Like most trade-based businesses, finding good people is the biggest challenge. Poly welding itself is easy to learn, but good fabrication takes skill, problem-solving and pride in workmanship. That experience is hard to find and takes time to teach.
What are the biggest opportunities for your business right now?
Water is critical to mining and agriculture, whether it’s dewatering, coal washing, dust suppression or irrigation. Demand for reliable water infrastructure isn’t slowing down. Holding large stocks of poly fittings, pipe, valves and more, combined with strong fabrication capability and local service, puts us in a good position to support mines and farms across the East Coast.
What is the business most proud of?
We’re most proud of our history. Starting in 1980, Waterways was there at the early stages of poly in the mining and agricultural industries. The foundations laid by the original owners set a strong platform, and the current team continues to build on that today.
We’re also proud of our workshop, machinery and welding capabilities. There’s not much we can’t do when it comes to poly, and having the right equipment and experience allows us to take on complex fabrications that others can’t. Being able to help our customers solve problems and keep their operations moving when they’re under pressure is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Four of our six employees are over 50 – loyal, highly experienced people who know the industry inside out. We’re family owned and operated and proud to still be a local business after more than four decades.
Community or causes close to its heart?
We support local netball and touch football clubs and like to give back to the community that supports us.
Any employees that deserve a shout-out?
All our team deserve credit; it’s a solid crew.
But it’s hard to go past Steven Murphy. Steve is coming up on 30 years with Waterways and is known as the “Poly Welding King.” There’s not much he can’t fabricate. He has a great attitude, sets the standard in the workshop, and is usually the first one to arrive each morning.
