Our story and 50-year history

Founded at Powers Road, Seven Hills: 1975
Years of continuous operations: 50
Of projects delivered since 1975: $2B+
Skilled staff: 500+

Where it started

Reinforced Plastic / Composites Pty Ltd commenced operations in Australia in 1975 with the original facility established by Enrico Piccioli at the Powers Road, Seven Hills facility for Transfield. The Head Office for RPC is still in Seven Hills, across the road from the original facility.

Enrico Piccioli was a pioneering force in the Australian composites industry. An Italian engineer born in South Africa, he earned his Doctorate in Composites from Milan University before being recruited by Transfield in the early 1970s. At just 25 years old he was tasked with building a company that would set the benchmark for reinforced composites in Australia. Under Piccioli’s leadership, RPC set new industry standards and laid the foundations in composites manufacturing and engineering in the infrastructure sector, a legacy that continues to shape the composite industry today.

Since 1975 RPC has delivered more than $2 billion worth of projects across Australia’s critical industries.

Our people

RPC is not simply a manufacturer; it is our people that sets us apart. As a company we work in partnership with our clients to deliver the best solutions and outcomes for their projects. RPC boasts a team of the most knowledgeable and innovative engineers from Australia and South East Asia that have an outstanding track record in supplying world-class solutions to complex engineering projects.

RPC understands success can only be achieved if we stay agile and forward thinking, and continue to partner with our clients to deliver the best engineered solutions for the future.

Timeline

50 years of RPC

1975
The beginning
Transfield RPC began operations as Reinforced Plastics/Composites Pty Ltd, with the original facility established by Enrico Piccioli at Powers Road, Seven Hills — establishing the foundations of what would become today's RPC Technologies group of companies.
1995
Batam Island
Manufacturing operations commenced on Batam Island, Indonesia, marking RPC's first major offshore manufacturing investment.
1996
Singapore
RPC established Singapore operations, strengthening its presence in South-East Asia.
1998
The largest GRP structures in Australia
Two 8.2m-diameter × 26m wet gas scrubbers and a 3.8m × 100m exhaust stack for BHP Whyalla — the largest GRP structures ever manufactured in Australia, made on RPC's large-diameter mobile winder, which is still in service at Corio.
2002
The modern RPC Group
Transfield RPC was acquired by investors including existing management and staff, forming the modern RPC Group structure.
2003
Collins Class
GRP acoustic windows supplied for the six Collins Class submarines at commissioning.
2004
Broadmeadow
RPC Technologies acquired Transform Rail Interiors (Broadmeadow), expanding the Group's capability and footprint within the transport sector.
2007
PermaGlass®
Acquired the PermaGlass® Bore Casing and Pump Column products and relocated production to RPC Indonesia – Batam.
2010
Corio
The RPC Corio facility became fully operational and achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification, completing ISO certification across all RPC manufacturing facilities. RPC also received the Hunter Manufacturing Excellence Award for Innovation for vacuum infusion of passenger train cab fronts.
2011
Renewables and pipe systems
RPC entered the renewable energy sector with the first Sea Urchin prototype, and formed a joint venture with Nuplex Industries (Australia) to establish RPC Pipe Systems.
2012
Engineering Excellence
RPC Technologies won three Engineering Excellence Awards (Newcastle Division) for the development of the Sea Urchin technology.
2013
Malaysia
The RPC Group expanded further into South-East Asia with the establishment of RPC International Sdn Bhd (Malaysia).
2014
RPC Pipe Systems
RPC Pipe Systems became a wholly owned subsidiary of RPC Technologies.
2015
Olympic Dam
RPC was awarded a site services and maintenance contract at BHP Olympic Dam.
2017
Batam expansion
RPC expanded manufacturing capacity at its Batam Island facility, and shipped the first re-engineered acoustic window set for the Collins Class LOTE program.
2019
India
RPC expanded into India, establishing RPC India operations and securing two new projects with Alstom Transport. RPC also signed its UltraAnalytix® licence with UTComp.
2020
Central Interceptor, NZ and Asset Services
RPC was awarded the Central Interceptor Cascade Shafts project, recognised as the largest diameter and deepest GRP shafts constructed globally. RPC established RPC Technologies (NZ) Ltd, launched Asset Services, and secured the exclusive UltraAnalytix® licence for Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia. RPC also received DISP accreditation.
2024
Focus and recognition
RPC Technologies sold RPC Pipe Systems to Amiblu Holdings Pty Ltd. RPC received an EcoVadis Bronze Medal, and Composites Australia recognised Tony Caristo (Leadership/Lifetime Achievement) and Virginie Murphy (Engineer of the Year).
2025
50 years
RPC celebrated 50 years. RPC India's standalone manufacturing facility commenced operations (October 2025), and Composites Australia awarded Simon Karpeles Engineer of the Year and the Central Interceptor project Engineering Excellence for Large Scale GRP Infrastructure Manufacturing.
2026
Engineered Solutions for the Future
A 50-year celebration in Sydney (March), a Lifetime Achievement award for Leigh Spencer, "Qualified" status for PT RPC Indonesia in an international customer's supply-chain audit, and a new Corporate Brochure.