Our Journey
John Lysaght is given a small galvanising works in Bristol, England and selected ORB as the brand his product would carry.
In the early years, John Lysaght exported galvanised corrugated, ORB-branded iron to Australia.
Lysaght has reached the major milestone of 100 years of local manufacturing, an impressive achievement that goes against the trend of offshoring which has prevailed in Australia during recent decades. While not all LYSAGHT® products are immediately known to everyone, one surely is – it’s the corrugated galvanised steel sheet seen on buildings around the country. This steel building product has been used on everything from the roofs and bull-nose verandas of heritage homes, through to shearing sheds and outback dunnies, and more recently in en vogue architectural building projects.
The product’s journey to becoming a national icon can be traced back to Britain, where entrepreneurial Irishman, John Lysaght, began galvanising corrugated steel sheeting in Bristol during 1857. He registered the product under the ‘ORB’ trademark, which remains in use to this day.
The next challenge that the company encountered was World War I which saw compulsory redirection of production capacity to assist the war effort, this devastated local supply and highlighted the need for a local production presence in Australia. Within three months of the war commencing, the company (under the direction of John Lysaght’s nephew Herbert Royse Lysaght) was making arrangements to purchase 24 acres of land in Newcastle, NSW adjacent to a site already owned by Broken Hill Pty. Co. (BHP).
By the following year in 1917, John Lysaght (Australia) Pty Ltd was formed with the intent of establishing a manufacturing site in Australia, and approximately four years later in April 1921, the new Lysaght company commenced manufacturing at its purpose-built site in Newcastle.
At this point, the popular ORB corrugated profile began its Australian-made journey and 100 years on, the company has never looked back, increasing its product range, while further strengthening its outstanding reputation in the construction industry.
Today, LYSAGHT® products help build everything from garden sheds, carports and new homes, to large commercial and industrial projects. And, in addition to roofing, our product range now also includes walling, gutters and downpipes, purlins, fences, structural formwork and home improvement products.
The Lysaght Timeline
1857
1880
John Lysaght established a Central Selling Agency in Melbourne, Australia through which all Australian sales were made. Other branches followed in other Australian states.
1897
The first Lysaght Referee published – published as ‘The Metal Trades’ Referee and Storekeeper’s Guide’.
1918
John Lysaght (Australia) Pty Ltd (commonly referred to as Lysaght’s) founded. The head office was transferred from Melbourne to Sydney.
1921
First Australian Lysaght manufacturing plant opened in Newcastle, NSW. The first Australian sheet was rolled and galvanised.
1936
Lysaght purchased The Australian Iron & Steel (AIS) plant at Port Kembla. John Lysaght Australia technical department opened in Newcastle.
1939
Lysaght plant at Springhill (Port Kembla, NSW) completed Commonwealth Rolling Mills (CRM) established in Port Kembla as a joint venture between Lysaght and American Rolling Mills.
1947
Lysaght purchased American Rolling Mills share of CRM.
1961
Lysaght became a public company by issuing 3 million shares (20%) to the Australian public.
1969
BHP obtained a 24% share in John Lysaght Australia.
1970
BHP-GKN Holdings Ltd established to hold 50/50 ownership of Lysaght.
1971
Lysaght acquired the steel building products division of Brownbuilt and renamed as Lysaght Brownbuilt Industries.
1979
Lysaght became a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP.
1987-99
Lysaght renamed Lysaght Building Industries, then Lysaght Building Products, then BHP Building Products, then BHP Steel Lysaght.
2002
BHP Steel listed on the ASX when BHP spun off its steel operations.
2003
BHP Steel rebranded to BlueScope Steel; BHP Steel Lysaght rebranded to BlueScope Lysaght.
2004
Acquired Metalform, a structural steel manufacturer in Melbourne, Victoria.
2006
Acquired Kiteleys, a roof installation business in New South Wales.
2007
BlueScope Lysaght celebrated its 150th anniversary.
2008
Acquired The Roofing Centre, a steel distributor in Tasmania.
2011
BlueScope Lysaght celebrated its 90th anniversary of manufacturing in Australia.
2013
BlueScope Lysaght rebranded as Lysaght.
2021
Lysaght celebrates its 100th anniversary of manufacturing in Australia.