Frank Martino is well known to most in the Australian pipeline industry, having been involved in the industry over a number of years both as an individual and through Australian Portable Camps (APC). APC is experiencing massive growth and snaring an important role on the Gorgon LNG Development has only accelerated that.

APC is responsible for designing, constructing and operating a rapid deployment camp on Barrow Island. It’s the company’s largest contract ever and brings with it some of the most rigorous environmental requirements that it has faced to date.

To ensure that the environmentally sensitive Barrow Island ecosystem is not impacted, strict quarantine measures are in place. What that means in practice for the APC team is that all outgoing units are rodent and fumigation compliant and enclosed in a polyurethane protective film wrap before being transported from APC’s facilities in Monarto South, South Australia.

Frank explains that he was approached by someone who was interested in the fly camps they were doing for Nacap. It turned out to be the Gorgon proponents who said they needed a 300 man fly camp. He went to see them and during the discussion he was asked how long it took to install a camp that size.

“I said usually a week, maybe two or three at the most and they all looked at each other like I was talking stupid – they didn’t believe me. They asked when we were doing the next camp installation and if they could send someone to watch the install. I said on one condition – stay out of the way.”

The next install of a 250 man camp occurred in five days and obviously impressed, as APC won the Gorgon contract.

Frank explains that the APC method is successful because “my whole system is built to be delivered and we also do things outside the box”.

“A lot of work is done in the yard, but once we are in the field it is all plug and play. In the field you are limited to what you can get and when you can get it. Here in the yard you can overcome most of the field problems.”

At the time of the interview, Frank was about to head over to Gorgon to oversee the installation of the first batch of units. The units are unique as they are two storeys. Frank explains that APC had fine tuned its units to be the only BCA Class 3 standard compliant, two storey units in Australia.

“Gorgon is a project that will really put us on the map as a major player. It’s another project that no one else can supply except for us, unless they want to bring in units from overseas.

“We will do it – it isn’t easy, but with good planning it’s not hard. I can do it in one-quarter or one-tenth of the time of others because I have prepared it here.”

Preparing the camps

All the work is being done at APC’s new site in Monarto South. The 25 acre facility is home to 18,500 square metres of manufacturing spread over six production sheds. The production facility manufactures a vast array of components for the units from scratch.

“I design everything, all the profiles. Someone once asked me, what about engineering? I said that engineering comes after the idea. We always do ‘reverse’ engineering, I think of the idea then I get our engineers to fulfil those ideas,” says Frank.

“What we do is very different. I am going to pull out of here six buildings a day, without any problems, with a very small workforce. We are self sufficient, so what we need we don’t have to wait on. The only thing we need to buy is coils of steel – we do all the rest here.”

At the facility, all roll forming and fabrication machinery has been custom built. In addition, a wide range of skilled tradesmen work onsite from cabinet makers to plumbers to electricians.

Frank holds a number of patents, with the APC boardroom wall filled with them. Frank suggests that this innovation is what keeps APC ahead of the rest.

Automation though, is the next step for APC. “I have three robots now [used in welding operations at the current stage] and another 21 being commissioned. We are doing less and less manually; the welding is automatic and the roll forming is all automatic. I hope I come here one day and press the button and it all starts working.”

Frank also says that the demands of clients are changing with the times.

“When we started the VIP shower suite was the Rolls Royce model. From next year I want all my accommodation to be full ensuite, that’s now what the market demands.” Frank mentions that perhaps some of the shower suite units might end up in PNG on ExxonMobil’s PNG LNG Project.

Aside from pipelines, mining and exploration are growing areas for APC, with two different chassis now in production to accommodate those units that move frequently and those that don’t.

Branching out

Looking to the future, Frank says that APC is looking to become involved in housing.

“We now have Graeme Tait with us who is moving forward with the housing division. I see housing as the future.

“The housing division will be able to provide finished housing for $50,000. You will be able to put it up yourself in three or four days with some friends because the components will be made here and designed to be erected step by step. It will be done with all of our current systems.”

APC has plans to showcase its housing units on its Monarto South, unique fully sustainable purpose built site and will be architecturally renovating a heritage listed building that is on the site. The site will also showcase sustainability in areas such as water usage and native landscaping

The addition of Graeme Tait, well known to many in the pipeline industry, has increased APC’s capabilities in project management, compliance, strategic planning and in due diligence – areas in which Graeme’s credentials from his pipeline and property development experiences are unquestioned. These have been invaluable with the Gorgon contract.

On pipelines

While there are many exciting new opportunities for APC, Frank’s heart remains with the pipeline industry.

“Pipelines are really what I enjoy the most. I love pipelines. The pipeline industry is a relatively small market so you know most of the people and that’s what I love.

“With pipelines every day is a different day, a new day and a new challenge. Pipelining is in my blood – moving all the time is what I like and I enjoy the freedom of the bush.”

“My son Gino is in pipelines now. He has become well known in the industry himself and works hard to make sure our clients are happy.

“Pipeline people are very soft-hearted people, because if you look wherever a pipeline is built, they always leave their mark. In Padthaway we built a skate facility. Wherever we go we do things for the community. The spirit of pipelines people is a very good spirit.”

Like any successful entrepreneur, Frank’s mind seems to work overtime with his most productive hours sometimes when he is sleeping. Frank says he often wakes at night to jot down new designs or email his ideas.

“You know when I prepare things? Night time, when I am asleep. When I sleep I build: screw by screw, step by step. When I have a problem, I work it out when I sleep, because my mind is not near phones or other distractions like the rest of the day.”

Frank finished by discussing the philosophy that underpins the way he does business and lives his life.

“Everything I do here is common sense; water, sewage, everything. We tried a lot of things, we experimented a lot but we keep trying. We keep persevering, we don’t give up.

“I am a very proud person. You have to live with yourself; if you can’t live with yourself or sleep at night then the next morning go and see the person where the problem is and say ‘I messed up, I’m sorry, what can I do to rectify it?’ That’s the most important thing in life, to be able to live with yourself. In the end, if you are lying to people you are lying to yourself.

“That is the essence of life, being able to live with yourself, you might be a larrikin but never hurt people intentionally.” These simple principles are the cornerstones to success that Frank applies to his business dealings on a daily basis.