A 5000kW boiler installation designed for reliability, efficiency, and long-term performance.
Overview
When Tabro Meat needed a steam system that could keep pace with its growing operations, the team turned to O’Brien. The site had outgrown its existing setup and required a more robust, efficient, and integrated solution — one that could meet strict performance requirements without compromising reliability.
O’Brien supplied and commissioned a 5000kW OBYTRICE steam boiler, complete with smart controls, adaptive load response, and energy-saving technologies. The result was a future-ready upgrade that delivers on thermal performance, system integration, and long-term operational confidence.
About the Site
Located in Victoria, Tabro Meat is a key player in Australia’s meat processing industry, with supply reaching both domestic and export markets. The site operates with high thermal demand and tight production schedules, which meant that consistency, durability, and energy efficiency were non-negotiable.
The Project Brief
Tabro Meat was looking for more than just a boiler. They needed a system that could handle variable load conditions, tolerate less-than-ideal feedwater quality, integrate with plant-wide controls, and be simple to maintain. Above all, they needed a partner that could deliver the job from start to finish, with accountability and clarity at every step.
What We Delivered
Reliable Steam Supply
The OBYTRICE boiler’s 3-pass horizontal design with generous steam space ensures consistent pressure and quality, even during peak shifts or fluctuating loads.
Reduced Fuel Use and Emissions
Oxygen trim, economiser, and variable speed drives work together to reduce fuel consumption by up to 8%. That means lower energy bills and fewer emissions, without sacrificing output.
Smarter Load Control
With a high turndown ratio (up to 5:1) and modulating burner controls, the system adapts rapidly to demand changes, preventing energy waste and improving responsiveness.
Designed for Australian Conditions
Built to tolerate less-than-ideal feedwater, the boiler includes automated blowdown and accessible internals to protect performance and extend equipment life.
Integrated Plant Communication
OBYTRON controls come ready for Modbus and Profibus integration, streamlining connection to site-wide systems and simplifying monitoring and reporting.
End-to-End Delivery
O’Brien managed the entire project lifecycle — from initial scope definition through to commissioning, compliance, and documentation. One supplier and one accountable team.
The Result
- Up to 8% reduction in fuel use
- Fewer breakdowns and lower maintenance overheads
- High-quality steam on demand, under variable loads
- Improved load responsiveness and system visibility
- Enhanced safety, compliance, and recordkeeping
- Infrastructure that’s ready to support Tabro’s next decade of growth
This wasn’t just about ticking boxes. It was about giving the Tabro team something they could count on day in, day out. A system built with intelligence, delivered with care, and designed to work as hard as the people who run it.
Delivering Through Complexity
No major install comes without its challenges. From documentation control to last-minute scope adjustments, there were several moving parts that needed alignment.
We approached this through a structured delivery process — confirming approved drawings and specifications early, holding focused stakeholder meetings, and putting a change management plan in place to keep decisions clear and progress on track.
Strong collaboration across stakeholders, contractors, and vendors meant nothing was left to assumption and nothing was missed.
Looking Ahead
This project is a strong example of what happens when engineering clarity meets operational focus. It wasn’t about the biggest boiler or the flashiest controls — it was about the right solution, implemented well, and built to last.
Need to modernise your boiler infrastructure? Talk to the team at O’Brien. We make performance scalable.
