Professionals Tamborine Mountain 
Regardless of where you live, even if it’s a beautiful location like Tamborine, the fact of the matter is that things break. Especially in these rural areas, it can sometimes be hard to find someone able to help you in those moments of need. It’s a good thing B.J. Barnard of Beez Kneez Engineering is here to help Tamborine residents with exactly that. Since September of 2020, B.J. has been attending to the manufacturing and repairing needs of the area and surrounds both big and small, and he’s more than happy to share what he’s learned about both the trade and the area in the process.
by Kyle Hitchmough
What was your original inspiration to start Beez Kneez Engineering?
I moved from a job of 10 years which I was very passionate about, but I got bored. I went to another company at Acacia Ridge and I was there for 8 months, but the travel was too much and it wasn’t really what I was looking for. That was the catalyst to start my own business.
Where did the name come from?
My wife nicknamed me Bee, so in New Zealand we had a rental property, and we named the business Beez Kneez Properties. So we thought “What about Beez Kneez Engineering?” It’s good, because a lot of people know of it and have heard of it, which is great. A lot of people think I’m a beekeeper, though!
For those who might not be familiar, can you explain what it is you do?
General engineering; machining, which involves turning and milling; and light fabrication, things like steel frames, trailer repairs, and horse float repairs. We’re more focused now on machining with the new machine we’ve just purchased. It’s a CNC lathe, which is a fully automated, computerised turning machine. You put a program in via a computer or on the screen, and it will machine you a completed product with very high precision.
What kinds of things do you usually find you’re making or repairing?
One of the products I have been doing for a while is gas bottle cages for service stations for one of the family-owned gas companies in Brisbane. Also, repairs for mining undercarriage industry, which is one of my bigger clients. It’s mainly repair, so if someone’s got something that’s worn out, I can reengineer it back to original. It’s good being a jobbing shop, because every day is different. That’s what I love about it. You’re not doing the same old thing every day.
Are there any particular trends in your clientele?
Probably about 30% would be local people, which are the small jobs that I’m happy to do. I don’t have a minimum charge. A lot of other companies will charge a minimum of $120 to do a job that takes two minutes. I don’t agree with that, it’s not right. The little jobs lead to bigger jobs, they’ll always come back to you. I have a few regular locals now, which is great.
Given you work with many different kinds of equipment, are there any brands of machinery you recommend?
My first few machines I bought cheaper models, as we weren’t very financial at the time. The new machine, being a Doosan, is one of the top performers in the market. It did cost a small fortune, but it will give me the next-level of where I want to take the business. I don’t think there’s any of these machines in this area. What I can do with this is small production runs of high-precision manufacturing work. If someone needs 200 pieces of one part, high-precision, I can do that.
What is the average scale of jobs you work on?
It could go from a job of $20 to a job that’s $25,000. It just depends on what comes across my desk, from working on and repairing small parts to manufacturing large parts for bigger suppliers. Every day is different. The largest thing I’ve ever worked on would be large gas bottle racks that would hold 75 9-kilo gas bottles. I just fit it in the door! I’ve had horse floats in here… I sponsored a showjumping day at the Waterford Pony Club! I did a job for a lady there and I got to meet a couple of people, and they asked me to sponsor a prize. I ended up getting about 2 days’ work out there. It was good networking.
As a local, what’s your opinion on the Tamborine area and community?
I love it. We’ve been here now for five years, and we feel it’s a great community. I’ve also joined the volunteer fire brigade as well, something to give back to the community for supporting my business these years. I’ve just started my training! It’s good for your business as well, because you’re networking with different people, because a lot of the volunteers are professionals as well, different professions.
Is there anything you personally like to do in the area?
We like to walk up on the mountain, around the falls and that. It’s very nice. I love the lifestyle of working from home. I don’t have to travel anywhere. I try and buy local everywhere I can, I buy a lot of stuff from Tamborine Village Traders. I try and support locals and small businesses wherever possible. If a customer calls me and wants me to come and have a look at a job, if they need me to have a look at something, I’ll travel. I’ve got a few clients in Yatala.
What do you think Beez Kneez Engineering really provides to the area?
Quality engineering service at a fair price.
What do you enjoy most about doing this?
Working with my hands. That’s why I got out of my old job. I was in management for maybe 15 years, and I’m happiest working with my hands, being creative.
What’s been your most memorable moment in your time doing this?
Working with a company modifying shipping containers. I had to cut the whole side out of a 40-foot container by myself. It was learning about procedure and safety. It was fairly nerve-wracking, you only get one shot working with all that sheer weight. What else have I worked on…? I built a 60-square meter stable for a friend, which I built from scratch and erected myself. That’s probably the most memorable one.
Beez Kneez Engineering
204-214 PALOMINO RD, TAMBORINE, QLD 4270
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