Delphi Measurement sits in a modest workshop on Queensland’s Gold Coast, but its influence reaches far beyond the factory floor. Mike Leonard, Managing Director at Delphi Measurement, highlights the company’s unique position as one of the few load cell manufacturers remaining in the domestic market.
Established in the 1980s and acquired by its current owners in 2013, Delphi Measurement brings over four decades of expertise in load cell design and manufacturing. Specialising in load cells, load pins, tension cells, and force measurement systems, Delphi supports lifting, mining, and industrial applications. With strong exports to Australasia, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the USA, the company offers custom sensor solutions tailored to specific project needs, in addition to its standard range.
Its off-the-shelf 103 and 104 series tension cells now serve as a cornerstone of its partnership with the Global Lifting Group (GLG), a leading organisation in the lifting industry.
Formed in 1997, the Global Lifting Group currently has 15 rigging, lifting and height‑safety businesses operating across Australia. Members pool their knowledge, share compliance standards and meet three times a year to review market trends and new technology. The alliance represents the interests of many of Australasia’s leading lifting, rigging and height‑safety suppliers.
For Delphi, the partnership evolved organically. “Because many GLG members operate in the lifting space, and our products are purpose-built for that sector, the partnership feels like a natural fit,” Mike said. Over the past decade Delphi had supplied individual GLG outlets on an ad‑hoc basis; today the recently formalised, broader relationship is already paying off.
Ben Fitzgerald, co-director of GLG member Queensland Rigging Hire, underlines this point from the customer side. “When we started Queensland Rigging Hire, Delphi was there from day one. They gave us great pricing, solid advice, and went out of their way to support us – not just as a supplier, but as a partner. Nearly nine years on, we’ve got close to 80 of their load cells in our fleet, and we still work closely with them on custom builds and product development,” he said.
Competitive pricing through combined volume
The partnership of Delphi and GLG highlights the power of collective volume.
Mike said: “We’ve structured our pricing to support the group’s competitiveness – it’s a volume-driven model rather than a margin-led one.” – a scale effect that lets Delphi keep its Australian‑made sensors price‑competitive without compromising margin. “By consolidating supply through the GLG network, we’ve been able to keep pricing sharp without compromising on build quality or service.”
Exclusive products in the spotlight
The most visible outcome is the 104 TW wireless tension‑cell range, now sold exclusively through GLG members. Delphi still supports the 103 series through other distributors, but channel focus makes commercial sense: members such as Lifting Gear Hire & Sales (Perth), QLD Rigging (Brisbane), Dynamic Rigging Hire (Melbourne) and Sydney Lifting Services stock or hire the sensors nationally, ensuring quick delivery and local calibration support.
Demand driven by “Australian‑Made” confidence
End‑users increasingly want Australian‑made hardware for mission‑critical lifts. “Australian manufacturing still matters – customers value the fact that we can calibrate, repair, and support our equipment quickly and locally.” Mike said.
That trust is translating into sales. Aluminium wireless tension cells – particularly the 104 TW models – have seen significant take-up since being launched, driven by crane and rigging contractors seeking lighter gear without sacrificing safety margins.
Queensland Rigging Hire’s Ben highlights the practical payoff. “We used to import load cells from overseas, and any repair could take six to eight weeks and cost a fortune in freight. With Delphi, we get fast local service, technical advice when we need it, and reliable turnaround – it’s just a better experience. Supporting an Australian manufacturer like them isn’t just good for business, it’s good for the whole industry,” he said.
Early results
Although Delphi Measurement’s formal supply agreement with GLG is not decades old, it is already “seeing an uptick in enquiries and sales of the products that they are selling for us,” Mike said. By funnelling standard product through a single, well‑organised network, Delphi gains predictable volume, and GLG members gain a locally manufactured alternative to offshore sensors – one that can be turned around rapidly for calibration or repair.
A decade‑long foundation
Delphi’s connection with individual GLG outlets stretches back to 2013, when the company acquired its current facility and first supplied All‑Rig Lifting in Townsville. Regular business with QLD Rigging began in 2017, while Dynamic Rigging Hire and Alpha Rigging joined the customer list over the past few years. “By selling and hiring our equipment, GLG members extend our reach nationwide – without us having to expand our own distribution footprint,” Mike said.
With the GLG alliance in place, both parties will watch the numbers closely. If volume continues to grow, Delphi is ready to expand production of its aluminium and stainless‑steel sensor ranges. The group’s nationwide footprint also gives the manufacturer a launchpad for future wireless innovations and export opportunities in Southeast Asia.
“The relationship already shows benefits – more enquiries, more sales and more Australian‑made load cells out in the field,” Mike said. That combination of local manufacturing, industry‑wide cooperation and volume‑driven value is a lift that suits everyone. “By consolidating supply through the GLG network, we’ve been able to keep pricing sharp without compromising on build quality or service.”