ARGENT acquired by OPIE Group

Argent provides updates on new products, new installations, design innovations and tips on security enclosures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6LnzfqMGWA

Opie Manufacturing Group Expands Reach with $6M Investment and Wilson & Gilkes Acquisition

Opie Manufacturing Group, Australia’s leading steel products manufacturer, proudly announces the successful merger and acquisition of Wilson & Gilkes, a distinguished provider of security enclosures and fabricated metal components. This strategic move enhances Opie Manufacturing Group’s industry standing and expands its capabilities in fabrication and contract manufacturing.

The amalgamation of Opie Manufacturing Group and Wilson & Gilkes unites two industry leaders with a shared commitment to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. With over 75 years of experience, Wilson & Gilkes brings extensive expertise in manufacturing security enclosures and innovative design solutions through collaboration with business partners. By combining their resources and capabilities, Opie Manufacturing Group and Wilson & Gilkes aim to provide customers with an even broader range of steel products and services.

This acquisition positions Opie Manufacturing Group to offer a comprehensive suite of solutions, including sheet metal fabrication, production design prototyping, and engineering services for industries such as Architecture, OEM, Government, and infrastructure projects. “We are thrilled to welcome Wilson & Gilkes to the Opie Manufacturing Group family,” said Tristan Opie, CEO at Opie Manufacturing Group. “This merger allows us to expand our product offerings and enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of our customers. We take pride in being a family-owned manufacturing business competing and growing successfully here in Australia, together, we will continue to deliver exceptional, precision quality, efficiency, and durability in our steel manufacturing solutions.”

Opie Manufacturing Group’s commitment to eco-friendly manufacturing and adherence to certification and standards aligns seamlessly with Wilson & Gilkes’ dedication to flexible manufacturing solutions and optimum results for customers. The acquisition will also enable Opie Manufacturing Group to support Australian manufacturing, contribute to the growth of local skills and supply chains, and satisfy the demand for precision with its state- of-the-art plant, programming, and production The Opie Group is increasing its employee headcount from 55 to 100 a clear testament to their success and commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology and talent.

With a dedicated 7-year capital purchase budget, the company is determined to stay at the forefront of metal fabrication capability. Wilson & Gilkes will transition to operate under the Opie Manufacturing Group brand, solidifying Opie Manufacturing Group’s reputation as a leading provider of steel products in Australia. The purchase includes the brands “Boscotek,” “Bosco” “Argent,” “Lectrum®,” and “Gilkon” further expanding Opie Manufacturing Group’s product offerings. Opie Manufacturing Group is expanding its manufacturing plant and relocating the Wilson & Gilkes headquarters to Penrith, New South Wales.

This move signifies Opie Manufacturing Group’s commitment to growth and providing enhanced services to its customers. The closure of the Moorebank facility will be part of the consolidation process, allowing for streamlined operations and improved efficiency. “We are excited about the expanded plant and the move to our new headquarters in Emu Plains in the Penrith region of New South Wales,” said James Hunt, General Manager of both Wilson & Gilkes and Opie Group. “This strategic decision will enable us to optimize our manufacturing processes and better serve our customers. The closure of the Moorebank facility is a necessary step in this acquisition, and we will ensure a smooth transition for all stakeholders involved.”

For more information about Opie Manufacturing Group and its expanded capabilities following the merger with Wilson & Gilkes, please visit

Opie Manufacturing Group’s Website or contact:

Opie Manufacturing Group:

• HQ: 109 Russel St, Emu Plains, NSW 2750

•PH: sales@opiegroup.com.au

• EML: sales@opiegroup.com.au Wilson & Gilkes:

• Relocated to: 109 Russel St, Emu Plains, NSW 2750

• PH: sales@opiegroup.com.au

• EML: sales@opiegroup.com.au

OPIE GROUP

Australia’s first Mobile Mission Operations Centre (MOC), unveiled by CSIRO at IAC 2025,

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Engineered for Motion

At the heart of the MOC are Argent’s custom-built server racks — designed to withstand vibration, shock, and rapid setup cycles.

“All of our server racks are designed to pull all the way out and spin so that you’ve got easy access to both the front and the rear,” Dunn noted.

Each rack can be fully removed to allow clients such as Southern Launch to install their own mission hardware, creating a secure, modular computing environment ready to run launch simulations, satellite operations, or payload control within an hour.

We took one of our existing, popular, and high-performance Argent rack designs and re-engineered it to create a bespoke version for CSIRO,” said Humberto Mesa, Senior Design Engineer at Opie Manufacturing Group.

The new rack features shock-absorbing mounts so it can be safely mounted on a truck, and we also improved the pull-out and rotation mechanism for smoother, more durable operation. It’s a small redesign — but one that makes a big difference in performance and reliability.

Seamless Integration with Varley’s Manufacturing Excellence

The MOC was built at Varley’s Brisbane facility, a project that exemplifies Australian collaboration across manufacturing, research, and advanced engineering. Argent’s precision-engineered rack systems were integrated into Varley’s structure to host critical compute, comms, and data systems — providing unmatched access, stability, and safety.

Through this partnership, local expertise from Opie Manufacturing Group and Varley has helped CSIRO establish a deployable mission control hub capable of supporting both commercial launches and STEM outreach for students across Australia.

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A Backbone for the Next Generation of Missions

With redundant 4G, 5G, UHF/VHF, and satellite communications, solar-backed power, and complete off-grid capability, the MOC is built for continuous uptime — and Argent’s robust rack systems are its backbone.

Whether operating in the desert, coastal environments, or at launch sites thousands of kilometres apart, these racks safeguard the systems that power flight telemetry, trajectory data, and secure communications.

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Conclusion:

Argent’s involvement in the CSIRO MOC highlights how precision metal fabrication and smart engineering make innovation possible. From the shop floor in Western Sydney to the frontier of space, Argent racks carry the weight of Australia’s most advanced missions.

Argent — Supporting Australia’s space ambitions, one rack at a time.

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📚 Sources: CSIRO News | Varley Group | EEVblog 1712 – CSIRO Mobile Mission Control Centre.

🔗 CSIRO Article | Varley News | YouTube Tour

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