Tali Engineering delivered precision structural steelwork for ACMD, overcoming complex logistics on a live hospital site.

Tali Engineering

As Australia’s first hospital-based medical research facility of its kind, the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD) demanded nothing less than excellence, both in design and execution.

Supporting the structural backbone of this cutting-edge project was Tali Engineering, a South Australian-based steel fabrication and erection company with a national footprint and a reputation for precision. For over 38 years, Tali Engineering has specialised in structural steel fabrication, bringing expertise to large-scale commercial and industrial developments across South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.

John Tali, the Director of Tali Engineering, says “For our customers, we commit to delivering a standard of work that exceeds their expectations – extending beyond the norms of good service. We work closely with our customers to ensure an accurate determination of scope – and how best we can apply our decades of experience to facilitate the efficient delivery of high-quality steel in a cost-effective & timely manner with zero incidents”.

The ACMD project, built by Kane Constructions, offered the ideal platform for Tali’s capabilities and collaborative approach.

“Our team was responsible for the structural steel supply, fabrication, and erection—particularly the roof steel and external canopies,” said John. “These were key architectural features that needed to meet not only structural standards but also the aesthetic vision of the project.”

Delivering the steelwork on such a complex inner-city build came with its own set of challenges. The project required close coordination with other trades and teams, all operating within a tight footprint and compressed timeframes.

“Access was extremely limited, and we had to work within the constraints of a live site with active medical and university facilities,” John explained. “We relied heavily on tower crane logistics and precise sequencing to install the large canopy and roof sections.”

To meet the demands of the ACMD’s innovative architecture, Tali Engineering used special-grade steel plates, custom-fabricated to accommodate the building’s sleek structural profile. Their team of 50 professionals, including 30 dedicated to this project, were instrumental in ensuring smooth delivery, from shop drawing to final install.

Tali Engineering’s certified quality systems and rigorous internal standards were crucial in managing the complexity of the job. As a CC3 Certified Company, Tali is accredited to handle high-risk and structurally significant projects, including hospitals, education buildings, and large-scale infrastructure.

“Quality is not just a tick-box exercise for us. It’s at the centre of everything we do—from procurement through to weld integrity and installation,” said John. “On projects like ACMD, there’s no margin for error.”

Their commitment to excellence has earned them repeat business with top-tier builders and developers.

Alongside ACMD, the company is currently engaged in projects such as the Bulla Frozen Factory, Mount Barker RALC, and 88 O’Connell Street in North Adelaide, with recently completed works at the Jarvis Showroom adding to their impressive portfolio.

Tali Engineering were awarded the MVP award by Kane Constructions for their excellent performance on St Vincent’s Hospital Car Park project completed in 2024.

Yet what sets Tali Engineering apart isn’t just their technical capability—it’s their culture of collaboration. John emphasised that successful delivery at ACMD was the result of a shared vision and open communication with Kane Constructions and other subcontractors.

“Steelwork doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s the backbone that holds together services, finishes, and façades. That’s why coordination is everything,” John said. “We worked hard to integrate seamlessly into the broader construction program.”

For a company that started in 1987 and has grown steadily through its reputation for reliability, ACMD represents not only
a technical triumph but also a symbolic one—a structure that will house the next generation of medical discovery, quite literally supported by Tali’s steel.

“It’s always an honour to contribute to a project with this kind of legacy,” John concluded. “Knowing that our work will be part of a centre that changes lives through research and innovation—it’s something the whole team is proud of.”