Industry
Manufacturing & Innovation
3M Smithfield
Location
3M Smithfield, NSW
Company size
Approx. 93,000 employees worldwide
Service
Line Marking
Overview
3M is a global science and innovation company known for producing a diverse portfolio of industrial, safety, healthcare, and consumer products that improve daily life worldwide. With a strong presence in Australia, 3M serves a broad range of industries including manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, and construction. To support growing market demand and maintain its commitment to safety and quality, 3M continues to expand and upgrade its operational sites across the country, focusing on efficiency, compliance, and innovation in manufacturing and distribution.
Challenges
3M has recently completed construction of a new site and required urgent external line marking to ensure the car park and external areas/yard were compliant, clearly defined, and safe for incoming staff and visitors. While the traffic management plan and layout had been finalised, line marking inside the factory had been completed, but external line marking was still outstanding, posing a key barrier to progressing operational readiness.
This particular project required a broad range of markings, including walkways, pedestrian safety zones, vehicle bays, directional arrows, and safety signage around key access points like roller doors. The challenge wasn't just the variety of markings needed, but ensuring they all worked together to create clear traffic flow patterns that would prevent conflicts between pedestrians, cars, and delivery vehicles.
Timing was critical - final works needed to be completed promptly and without interfering with staff and operations on site. Our marking work was carefully scheduled around weather conditions and the movement of heavy machinery. We completed the job on a Friday afternoon, after the shift ended and before the site closed for the weekend, to avoid disrupting operations and ensuring no impact on staff or workflow.
The site posed some challenges, including the need for durable, slip-resistant finishes in high-traffic areas. The anti-slip requirement for pedestrian zones was essential, as 3M needed to ensure worker safety in all weather conditions from day one of operations. Our solution ensured the markings were both compliant and practical, aligning with their existing designs and operational requirements.
Solutions
After an initial site walkthrough and inspection with the 3M team, we determined the line marking layout and ensured it was both compliant and practical, aligning perfectly with their existing designs and operational requirements.
Surface preparation was carefully completed to ensure proper adhesion, especially in areas with loose dust or new concrete. We used Australian Standard Dulux Roadmaster Line Marking Paint to deliver a professional, long-lasting finish across all marked areas.
Our approach included installing eight distinct safety and traffic elements in a single, coordinated installation:
- Yellow Pedestrian Crossing (PDX) with anti-slip finish - providing secure foot traffic zones with enhanced traction
- Yellow Walkway Outer Lines with walking feet stencils - clearly guiding pedestrian movement and reinforcing safe walking areas
- White Standard Car Bays - organised parking that maximises space efficiency
- Red Truck Stopping Bay - designated heavy vehicle zones for safe loading operations
- Directional Arrows (White/Yellow) - positioned strategically throughout the yard to guide traffic flow
- Red Stop lines at Roller Door Access Points - preventing vehicle conflicts at critical building entry points
- "Authorised Persons Only" Stencils - applied near roller doors to restrict access to operational areas
- Kerbing at the Accessible Bay Area - painted solid yellow for enhanced visibility and compliance
Our communication with 3M remained consistent throughout, with regular progress updates and check-ins. The anti-slip finish in the pedestrian zones added an additional layer of safety, meeting the site's strict operational guidelines and demonstrating our commitment to worker protection.
Zero disruption to site operations during installation.
Urgent timeline met - responded to their need for rapid installation.
8 distinct safety and traffic elements completed in one coordinated project.
100+ lineal metres of precision line marking completed.
50LM of walkways, plus arrows, stop lines, and car bay outlines.
Results
Staff and visitors now benefit from clearly marked walkways, accessible parking, vehicle flow guidance, and clearly defined restricted zones, all contributing to a safer and more navigable site from day one. The anti-slip pedestrian crossing provides secure footing in wet conditions, while directional arrows and stop lines create intuitive traffic patterns that prevent confusion.
By delivering a fast-tracked, professional finish, we helped 3M maintain momentum during their site opening phase. The project was completed without disrupting site activities.
The line marking now supports efficient daily operations. Car parking is organised to maximise capacity, truck stopping areas allow safe loading operations, and pedestrian routes are clearly separated from vehicle traffic. The professional finish creates a positive impression for visitors and reinforces 3M's workplace safety standards.
"The customer service was excellent, work was completed on time as promised. Overall experience was great, the tradespeople were great to work with, and they had good knowledge of what the requirements were. Very easy to work with James to schedule and complete the job successfully and on time."- Munsamy Gounder, 3M Team.
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