The BDS group was founded in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in 1964 as the Brisbane Drafting Service and was one of the first independent steel detailing firms in Australia and the world. As steel fabrication companies progressively outsourced their drafting needs, BDS grew, recruiting many of the detailers displaced from the steel companies.

In 1989, BDS, recognising the need to expand internationally, opened an office in the United States. Over the next few years offices were opened or acquired in Bangkok, Thailand, Oxford and Nottingham in the United Kingdom, Vancouver, Canada, Auckland in New Zealand, and most recently Chennai in India.

The Group now has a strong international presence, robust technology driven processes and a highly skilled and experienced workforce. It is one of the world’s major consultancies for large and complex steel projects in the US, Australian and UK markets. The BDS brand in detailing is synonymous with quality and is recognised worldwide as a preferred service provider on significant steel projects, including most recently the Palazzo Versace Casino in Las Vegas and the Cardinals Stadium in Phoenix.

BDS focuses primarily on detailing large, complex projects where technical competence, experience, and access to a large pool of well trained detailers are critical to success. Currently the group has more than 150 detailers working in its offices around the world and is continuing to grow. Through the establishment of quality systems and maximising the use of technology and the Tekla Structures software products, ( www.tekla.com ) BDS works on major projects across multiple time zones, allowing the Group to produce quality drawings and models on time and on budget.