Benmax to provide services for next generation AI Factory Campus in Tasmania
It’s a good day for regional Australia and the next generation of highly-skilled trade workers. We’re excited to announce that we will be providing the fabrication services to deploy Australia’s first green AI Factory Campus in Tasmania. The $2.1 billion infrastructure project will place Australia, and specifically Tasmania, on the global map for advanced AI infrastructure deployment. The project builds on over five years of collaboration with Firmus Technologies across the APAC region.
"To be trusted with a build of this size is a testament to the skills of our engineering and fabrication team. The project will deliver 50 direct jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs, boosting regional economies in Australia as well as creating pathways in advanced manufacturing and engineering that will deliver long-term benefits across the economy."
“This is an example of Made in Australia at the forefront of the next industrial revolution - Australian technology and infrastructure powering the country’s scaling AI industry. Supporting regions as we go, we’re proud to work with Benmax, who have been a core pillar of the Firmus AI Factory from the early stages through to international deployments.”
An AI Factory differs from a standard data centre. It is engineered specifically for powerful GPUs and accelerators, making it a complex HVAC challenge. Traditional air cooling is inadequate, requiring advanced solutions like direct liquid cooling or immersion cooling. These requirements drive a significant demand for skilled HVAC and plumbing professionals to design, install, and maintain the critical infrastructure that keeps these facilities running.
Firmus AI Factories are purpose-built for AI infrastructure. These facilities are equipped with liquid-cooled systems, which significantly reduce water usage and energy consumption. Throw in modular construction practices, and together, we’re looking at AI capabilities built to scale rapidly to support Australia’s sovereign rollout.
Our role as a regional delivery for Firmus’ AI factory
From our mechanical fabrication facility in Queanbeyan, we’re delivering specialised mechanical and cooling systems tailored to Firmus’ next-gen AI factories. Our approach delivers significant advantages in quality, safety and speed, to reduce on-site risk, minimising installation time, and allowing components to be pre-commissioned in controlled environments. Through the entire process, our goal is to ensure the scalability and repeatability of Firmus’ AI Factory components—manufactured and assembled right here in Australia.
To support this opportunity, we will be looking to add additional engineering, manufacturing and skilled tradespeople to the team. We'll also be working with TAFE providers and education partners to build skills pathways that connect local talent to long-term careers in advanced manufacturing, HVAC and mechanical systems, and infrastructure operations for AI and digital technologies.
