Heath Woodland is the National Production Manager at A&G Engineering. His three-decade journey through the ranks of this family-owned engineering and manufacturing business tells a story of personal progression, and a Company committed to the value of excellence in everything they do, from custom tanks for the wine industry through to complex industrial pressure vessels.
A Legacy Forged in Steel and Family
Founded over 60 years ago, A&G Engineering is a multigenerational, family-owned manufacturer of stainless-steel tanks and pressure vessels. Originally focused on serving the Australian wine industry, A&G has since grown to supply critical infrastructure across dairy, ethanol, food, beverage, edible oils, water, and other high-spec industries.
With manufacturing operations across multiple locations, A&G is as comfortable producing tanks for boutique wineries as it is for large industrial facilities. The company blends family values with corporate discipline, supported by a strong safety culture, deep technical capability, and an unshakable customer-first mindset.
From Shop Floor to Strategy
Heath Woodland’s first steps into A&G’s workshop came at age 12, trailing behind his father, Peter Woodland. Peter started as pay clerk, before later becoming the Sales Manager and also for a time, a Director and Shareholder of the business. This meant that by the age of 14, Heath was helping in the machine shop during school holidays. By 1996, he was signed on as an apprentice, quickly transitioning into the drawing office before rising to become Drawing Office Manager in 2008.
After a short hiatus with another manufacturer, Heath returned to A&G, bringing a renewed perspective and a broader network that would prove invaluable in the years to come. Today, as National Production Manager, Heath is responsible for orchestrating complex schedules across workshops, aligning sales commitments with impressive production capacity, and ensuring each custom build (no two tanks are the same) is delivered with precision and care.
Leading by Doing
Heath’s leadership style is quietly effective. He begins his week with production planning meetings, collaborating with foremen, senior leadership, and sales teams to ensure the right designs, materials, people, and production capability are aligned for the week ahead. No two days look the same. One day he’s sourcing components through his vast industry network, the next, he’s advising on builds, resolving logistics, or reviewing designs.
His deep knowledge, developed by working with every phase of production, makes him a key go-to problem solver.
“Our job is to have the right designs, drawings, materials, and people on site at the right time, every time,” he says with the calm resolve that defines his approach.
Tanks that Reach Millions of People in their Everyday Lives
A&G Engineering’s products are essential to every part of society, although largely out of sight. The company’s tanks hold the beer you crack open on a Friday, the milk in your cereal, the ethanol in your fuel, and even the shampoo on your bathroom shelf.
One standout example is the 3,000,000-litre ethanol tanks built for Manildra, fabricated in massive pieces and assembled on-site. A feat requiring design ingenuity, logistical precision, and deep collaboration and trust from the client.
“There were a lot of moving parts: engineering, freight, site requirements. But that’s the kind of challenge we thrive on at A&G,”
A&G Engineering tanks are not mass-produced items. They are custom-engineered vessels meeting stringent hygiene, pressure, and compliance standards. And they’re delivered in a way that keeps clients coming back.
A Culture of Trust and Tenure
“It’s a flat structure. Doors are always open. There’s genuine interest in how people are doing, not just what they’re doing.”
The company’s history of long-serving employees – many with 10, 20, even 30 years of service under their belts – speaks volumes. This team loyalty is matched by a willingness to evolve. As industries shift, so too has A&G, expanding from wine into dairy, edible oils, petrochemical and other sectors. Consultants and corporate procurement teams have emerged alongside the winemakers and maintenance crews, requiring new communication styles and enhanced documentation. But the values remain unchanged; quality workmanship, safe processes, and long-term partnerships.
Engineering the Future
Looking ahead, Heath sees automation as both a necessity and an opportunity. It’s not about replacing people, it’s about evolving methods.
“The skills shortage is real. If we can refine our workflows and incorporate automation without compromising our quality, we’ll be better placed to meet demand without overextending our team.”
A&G – A Great Place to Be
For Heath, A&G isn’t just a workplace. It’s a second home. One he’s known since childhood. From sweeping floors to managing National Production, his story is a testament to the kind of place A&G is; a business where people grow, where quality matters, and where values aren’t just written on the wall, they’re lived every day.
For clients looking for a trusted partner, particularly those ready to expand operation, A&G Engineering offers a compelling proposition; family-owned, corporate-capability, and custom designed tanks, pressure and storage vessels that quietly contribute to the enjoyment and quality of millions of lives, every day.
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A&G Engineering have been manufacturing stainless steel storage tanks and pressure vessels for 60 years. The unmatched combination of experience, flexibility, expertise, and technology combine for every A&G project to minimise production and operational risk and ensure on-time, on-budget, and as-specified delivery.
If you have a technical query or want to find out how A&G can help you with your next project, talk to our expert team by calling us on (02) 6964 3422 or email sales@agengineering.com.au with your inquiry.
We look forward to hearing from you
