Transforming WA marine services through local capability investment
Dongara Marine is a Western Australian marine services company specialising in vessel construction, aluminium fabrication, composite moulding, and engineering design.
Seeking to improve operational efficiency and strengthen its competitiveness, the company identified an opportunity through DEED’s Local Capability Fund’s (LCF) Digital Transformation Round 2023–24. With funding from the DEED grant, Dongara Marine invested in project and finance management software, and complementary digital tools to modernise workflows, enhance reporting accuracy, and support long-term growth in a rapidly evolving industry.
On-time delivery without compromising quality
Operating in a fast paced, highly technical sector, Dongara Marine faced growing pressure to deliver projects efficiently while maintaining quality, safety and traceability.
Manual processes slowed reporting and scheduling, with project updates taking months to compile. Timesheet and compliance tasks were labour intensive, pulling skilled staff away from production.
As the business expanded, including its move to a purpose-built Geraldton facility, scalable systems became essential.
The company needed digital tools to improve tender accuracy, streamline project management and cut administrative workload. Strengthening cyber security especially around supplier payments and financial controls was also critical. Without modern systems, Dongara Marine risked reduced competitiveness, slower turnaround times and limited capacity to grow its workforce and services.
Building world-class capability with DEED support
With support from the LCF Digital Transformation Round, Dongara Marine implemented project management software to enable real-time scheduling, reporting and workflow visibility. The company also adopted secure payment software to boost cyber resilience and protect supplier payments. It also integrated additional software that automated compliance and documentation processes.
These systems were rolled out across the business, supported by team-wide training to ensure consistent use and confidence in the new tools. The investment modernised core operations, reduced manual handling, and provided the data accuracy needed to respond to tenders more effectively. Overall, the digital upgrade strengthened industry competitiveness, enabled scalable growth, and reinforced a critical Western Australian manufacturing capability.
Driving industry growth and workforce expansion
The digital transformation delivered significant efficiency gains by– reducing reporting from months to weekly updates, providing a clearer view of work processes. Across the business, Dongara Marine saved around six hours per day through each staff member using improved timesheets.
Compliance reporting for R&D tax returns, previously taking weeks, can now be completed in hours across eight vessels. Cyber security was also strengthened with secure payment verification.
The investment also supported workforce expansion and skills development. Within 12 months, Dongara Marine hired four new employees and two apprentices, all trained in the new systems. While turnover remained steady, the business achieved clear cost savings, improved safety, and greater operational resilience.
Celebrating 50 years in 2025, Dongara Marine is now a future-ready, digitally enabled marine manufacturer, ready to scale and pursue new opportunities.
Explore how DEED programs can help your organisation build capability, diversify operations and create new opportunities across Western Australia.
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