With roots tracing back to 1979, CSF Industries has grown from a modest regional steel fabricator into one of northern Australia’s most innovative and vertically integrated construction partners. Headquartered in Cairns, this family-owned and operated company delivers end-to-end steel solutions across defence, mining and commercial—with reach that now spans Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.
At the helm of CSF Industries is Managing Director Sean Adams, a structural engineer by trade whose vision for the company is firmly focused on future-proofing Australian manufacturing. “We’ve never been content to stand still,” Adams said. “From the very beginning, our focus has been on doing things better—reinvesting, diversifying, and finding smarter ways to deliver for our clients.”
A history built on values—and vision
The story of CSF Industries began with Adams’ father-in-law, Mel Yelaska, a boilermaker who started fabricating steel in the back of a ute in Cairns. “Mel built a reputation based on quality and reliability, and by the late 1980s we were delivering major contracts like the $10 million Lavarack Barracks project in Townsville,” Adams recalled.
Over the past two decades, Adams has guided the company through a period of significant growth and diversification. Today, CSF Industries operates six fully integrated divisions—CSF Steel Fabricators Cairns, CSF Steel Fabricators Townsville, CSF Roofing, CSF Developments and sister companies Intrans Logistics, and Century Cranes — underpinned by a central philosophy of value-adding, vertical integration, and customer focus.
“Our structure means we can manage every aspect of a project in-house, from detailing and fabrication to painting, transport, crane hire to full turn-key design and construction,” Adams said. “It gives our clients peace of mind and helps us deliver faster, more accurately, and more efficiently.”
Technology that delivers
Operating from state-of-the-art facilities in Cairns and Townsville—with over 10,000m² of workshop space and the capacity to fabricate up to 150 tonnes of steel per week—CSF has made significant investments in robotic automation and digital workflows.
“We’re based in regional Queensland, and we don’t have the breadth of service providers that capital city fabricators do,” Adams explained. “So, we asked ourselves: what’s holding us back? Where are the bottlenecks? That’s where we invested.”
The result is a streamlined, future-ready production line. CSF’s manufacturing floor boasts some of the world’s most advanced robotics and CNC machinery, including a Zeman SBA fabrication robot, Zeman SPS cleat sorter, Ocean Challenger welding robot, Python X coping robot, Gietart post fabrication automatic blast line, and full StruMIS barcode and tracking integration. These tools not only improve quality and consistency but also address one of the biggest challenges facing the steel industry today—labour shortages.
“With skilled tradespeople becoming harder to find, automation lets us shift repetitive, time-consuming work to machines and free up our boilermakers and apprentices for higher-value tasks,” Adams said. “It’s about doing more with the team we have, while maintaining quality and shortening lead times for our clients.”
“In general, I think the industry needs to embrace technology and the robotics and automation options that are available. There aren’t enough
companies leveraging this technology at the moment. It will be our biggest growth asset moving forward. We can use our new technology to complete menial tasks, while our boilermakers and apprentices work on better, more valuable, more enjoyable tasks.”
“We’re always looking for ways to improve—constantly reinvesting in the business to become more efficient, more capable, and more competitive. Standing still isn’t an option in this industry—you get left behind. Our goal has always been to be market leaders, and that mindset drives everything we do. It’s all about strong client relationships and delivering great products.”
Whole-of-house project delivery
What truly sets CSF apart is its ability to deliver complete project packages—from design and construct to detailing and installation. This “whole-of-house” model has seen CSF deliver landmark infrastructure across regional and remote Australia, including defence projects, mines, airport upgrades, hospitals, bridges, and offshore galleries.
Recent highlights include the RAAF Base Tindal upgrade in the Northern Territory, where CSF detailed, fabricated, painted, and installed over 1,600 tonnes of structural steel for hangars and support buildings. “We delivered that project entirely in-house, including transport through our logistics division and installation using our own cranes,” Adams said.
CSF has also been instrumental in complex mining projects such as Ravenswood Gold and Abbot Point Coal Terminal, and major commercial works like the Cairns Domestic Airport expansion and Cairns Casino Dome.
“These projects require planning, precision, and coordination across multiple teams,” Adams said. “Our vertical integration means we’re in control of every moving part—so there’s no disconnect between fabrication, transportation, or install. That’s where the real value is for clients.”
Growing with the north
Despite its success on a national and international stage, CSF remains proudly regional. With over 150 employees and a strong apprenticeship program, the company is a major employer in north Queensland and a staunch advocate for reshoring Australian manufacturing.
“Being regional, we’ve had to be smarter and more self-sufficient—but we also have a responsibility to support our local workforce,” Adams said. “We’ve got team members who’ve been with us for decades. And we’re bringing through the next generation, with a strong focus on apprentices and skills development.”
This local-first approach also drives CSF’s advocacy work. As a new member of the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) Board, Adams is passionate about giving regional fabricators a voice. “So often, government policy is shaped by metro-based businesses. I saw joining the ASI Board as a way to champion the issues that matter to regional operators like us,” he said.
Looking to the future
For Adams, the future of Australian steel fabrication lies in responsiveness, integration, and embracing innovation.
“Offshoring continues to be a challenge—even medium-scale projects are going overseas,” he said. “But our biggest opportunity is speed. If we can deliver faster than offshore, with better quality and full accountability, that’s our edge.”
And with defence investment ramping up, Adams sees even greater potential. “We’ve already delivered some of Australia’s largest defence infrastructure in the north. With the right backing, companies like ours can play a major role in building sovereign capability.”
Above all, CSF Industries is driven by a clear purpose: to lead with innovation, deliver with precision, and make the construction process more enjoyable for its clients.
“Most of our clients are big players—they’re used to the stress and delays that are usually associated with construction and large projects,” Adams said. “Our goal is to change that experience. When they work with CSF, they know they’re in good hands. We make it smoother, simpler, and more successful.”
