Project: Baiada Poultry Processing Facility
Owner: Baiada Poultry
Builder: Richard Crookes Constructions
Address: 1154 Gunnedah Road, Westdale NSW 2340

Overview:

Baiada’s $460 million poultry processing facility in Tamworth is a once-in-a-generation regional development, designed to process up to three million chickens per week and support more than 700 jobs. Constructed by Richard Crookes Construction and designed by SCP Engineers & Development Consultants, the facility demanded technically complex, high-tolerance concrete works across hygiene-critical processing areas, automated systems zones, temperature-controlled environments and heavy-duty external areas. Kraftur was engaged to deliver the concrete package, bringing the systems, technical capability and specialist experience needed to meet the facility’s operational, hygiene and long-term performance requirements.

Simon Camilleri said of Baiada's $460 million project "This is a once in a life time build for Tamworth."

Key Highlights:

• 25,600 m² of slab‑to‑falls concrete to Main Processing Areas
• 4.5 km of coved hobs and PIR protection kerbs
• 1.6 km of slot and trench drains plus 150 bucket trap drains
• 4,600 m² of fibre‑combi slabs to Cold Store Areas
• 1,000 m² of fibre‑combi slabs to ASRS Areas
• 2,900 m² of mezzanine slabs
• Electrical trenches, Marel Feather Pits, and a 6 m × 20 m × 4.5 m Trade Waste Drainage Pit
• 4,000 m² of rigid external pavement up to 210 mm thick

Local Partnership as a Performance Strategy

From the outset, Kraftur made a deliberate decision not to operate as a traditional fly‑in contractor. Instead, Kraftur utilised an approach that focused on regional collaboration, cooperation and development. Through a bespoke subcontracting partnership with a respected Tamworth‑based concrete contractor, Kraftur integrated its systems and technical leadership with strong local knowledge and established regional networks. This approach reduced delivery risk, minimised reliance on stressed interstate labour markets, and delivered a tailored solution aligned to project and programme demands.

The outcome extended well beyond project completion. Local concrete capability was uplifted, leaving the regional partner better resourced, more skilled, and positioned to undertake larger and more complex work into the future. For Kraftur, this reinforced a core belief: raising the benchmark means delivering A Concrete Advantage for clients and regions alike.

Key Delivery Challenges and Outcomes:

Scale, Complexity & Regional Constraints: The project represented a once‑in‑a‑generation build for the Tamworth region. The scale and complexity of the works exceeded existing local capacity, while frequent design amendments and lack of clarity introduced coordination challenges and gaps in aligning design updates with site execution.

Kraftur Outcome: By combining regional delivery capacity with Kraftur’s leadership, systems, and technical expertise, the project achieved delivery certainty without compromising quality or programme. Design changes were managed through Procore, with RFIs administered via Aconex to resolve ambiguities and clarify information, supporting smooth project delivery across all work fronts.

Precision Slab‑to‑Falls & Hygiene Performance: The design’s intricate, multi‑directional slab falls, dense RL networks, and varying gradients required absolute precision to avoid water ponding and ensure effective drainage.

Kraftur Outcome: Specialist slab‑to‑falls methodologies were deployed, including hand‑screeded placement and real‑time total station verification during pours, allowed precise control and strict compliance to precise tolerances. This delivered consistent falls and high‑quality finished surfaces across the most technically demanding areas of the facility.

“Kraftur offered Richard Crookes a unique local‑content partnering solution that was instrumental in achieving a successful outcome on a once‑in‑a‑lifetime build for Tamworth. The solution leveraged and uplifted local concrete construction capability, benefiting both the community and ongoing construction activity in Tamworth.” 

-  Glen O’Connor, Richard Crookes Construction Project Director