Our Vision
To advance sovereign capability in engineering and manufacturing, driven by innovation and sustainability, with a commitment to delivering exceptional value to all stakeholders.
Our Mission
To build a thriving local community by employing and empowering local talent, while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. We are committed to delivering high-quality products and services that exceed our customers’ expectations, while creating long-term value for our shareholders and contributing to the betterment of society.
Our History
Hephaestus Global was founded in 2023 by the Sardelis Family to bring together the strengths of its subsidiary companies under a unified brand. Although each subsidiary – Carr Components, Mitchell & Cheesman, Toolcraft Australia, and Sharman Sheetmetal & Fabrication – has its own distinct history, they all share a strong independent legacy, united by a shared commitment to local growth and employment.
Carr Fasteners has a long-standing history dating back to 1920 when it was established in Sydney. In 1928, as part of United Carr’s globalisation initiative, it moved to Adelaide. The company went through several changes, including being acquired by TRW Automotive in 1940 and renamed TRW Carr Fastener, before becoming 100% Australian-owned in 1998. In 2004, it was rebranded as Carr Components and received the GMH Supplier of the Year award in 2010. In 2014, Carr’s operations were consolidated with M&C and Sharman Sheetmetal & Fabrication as the first stage of building Hephaestus Global’s group manufacturing capabilities.
Mitchell and Cheesman was established in Adelaide in 1957 as a general tooling and engineering business. In 1993, M&C’s quality management system received ISO9001 certification, and in 1996, the company was awarded a critical Collins-class submarine tooling project. From the early 2000s Mitchell and Cheesman has invested heavily in welding and sheet metal equipment, expanding its manufacturing expertise and capabilities. In 2021, M&C was awarded a major multiyear manufacturing contract for the fabrication of advanced combat system modules for global maritime assets.
Toolcraft Australia was established in Adelaide in 1979 as a general tooling and machining business. The company received its first defence contracts with BAE and Sikorsky for precision mechanical assemblies in 1993 and became ISO9001 certified in 1999. In 2006, Toolcraft became the principal mechanical system supplier for the HIFIRE hypersonics program, and in 2008, the company pivoted its strategy to become an elite AS9100 certified aerospace manufacturing business. In 2014, Toolcraft was awarded GSC contracts for the joint strike fighter (F-35) program, and in 2019, it manufactured aerostructures for Boeing's Loyal Wingman R&D program. In 2020, Toolcraft established its R&D subsidiary, Toolcraft Defence Technologies (TDT), which was later renamed TDT Engineering in 2023 to provide in-house design and engineering capability for Hephaestus Global.
Sharman Sheetmetal & Fabrication was established in Adelaide in 1972 as a leading light gauge fabrication business. In 1995, the company registered Sharman Shelving, a business supplying commercial workbenches, cupboards, and shelving. Sharman entered local defence and general engineering supply chains in the late 1990s and expanded its fabrication and sheet metal capabilities in 2020.
At Hephaestus Global, we strive to achieve our vision of advanced sovereign capability in engineering and manufacturing while prioritising sustainability for all our stakeholders. Our mission is to build a robust local manufacturing industry by supporting and nurturing the growth of our subsidiaries and their employees. We believe that building, employing, and growing locally matters, and we are committed to delivering on this promise. We will continue to leverage the collective capabilities of our subsidiaries to create innovative and sustainable solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers and the broader community.