At the request of the Commonwealth’s Department of Supply and Shipping, the Allied Works Council let contracts for the construction of a drum manufacturing plant to be operated by Rheem. It was apparently known as the Bulimba Barrel Plant.

The plant was built on reclaimed land along the riverbank at Hawthorne. The plant included its own electricity sub-station and water supply. The substantial factory was of steel-framed, brick construction, with concrete floors. It had an administration building and a stores building as well as a cafeteria, mess and change rooms.