This business includes Lysaght and BlueScope Water. Both operate in high-value steel markets that demand advanced products and a strong customer focus. Our iconic LYSAGHT® range of steel building solutions inspires Australia's architects and builders, while BlueScope Water offers imaginative solutions for a changing world. Our logistics business brings our steel products and solutions to customers around the world.

BLUESCOPE LYSAGHT

BlueScope Lysaght Australia manufactures and distributes LYSAGHT® brand steel products and services to the building and construction sectors. The brand is almost 100 years old, and holds an enviable reputation for quality. Lysaght products are made primarily made from COLORBOND®, ZINCALUME®, DECKFORM® and GALVASPAN® steels. These are purchased from our upstream business and rollformed to make roofing and walling, structural, formwork, framing, fencing and home improvement products. LYSAGHT® branded products are manufactured and marketed through 34 BlueScope Lysaght sites across Australia.

CONTINUOUS PRODUCT INNOVATION, STRONG BRANDS AND RAPID RESPONSE KEPT US AHEAD IN A TIGHT MARKET.

In 2004/05, BlueScope Lysaght continued to boost its manufacturing, sales and marketing capabilities. In December 2004, we acquired Ranbuild, a successful designer and distributor of prefabricated steel garages, barns and farm sheds, with a comprehensive re-seller network across Australia. Ranbuild has been operating since 1948, and has a longstanding commercial relationship with BlueScope Steel. The acquisition is meeting expectations.

During the year, we launched a number of new products and services, including Mobile Roll Forming which offers customers on-site manufacture of long roof sheeting; W-Dek, an economical structural decking system; and Quikform, a load-bearing concrete walling system that enables fast multi-storey construction.

We also opened several sites during the year. Our new Home Improvement Centres are capitalising on rapid growth in Sydney's west and Melbourne's southeast, while new Trade Distribution Centres have been well received in Queensland and Victoria.

BLUESCOPE WATER

Water shortages and water quality continue to be a significant issue for many communities. The BlueScope Water business complements an increased emphasis on water conservation across all BlueScope Steel's operations.

During 2004/05, BlueScope Water developed both manufacturing and retail capabilities in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to service the growing urban market for tanks and rainwater harvesting systems. While rainwater tanks are common in rural Australia, they are becoming more prevalent in cities, in response to urban Australians' greater awareness of water scarcity. The acquisition of Perth-based Pioneer Water Tanks in May has further expanded the product and geographic footprint of BlueScope Water. Our product portfolio now includes rural, industrial and commercial water storage tanks up to 2.5 million litres. We service Australian markets as well as a growing export market that covers some 20 countries.

Along with the recently established product brands HYDRORIB® drainage pipes, WATERPOINT CLASSIC® and WATERPOINT SLIMLINE® rainwater tanks, several new brands were added through the year. These include AGRIRIB® low pressure irrigation pipe and GALAXY™ water tanks from Pioneer Water Tanks. BlueScope Water is well positioned for growth in this emerging market.

LOGISTICS

BlueScope Steel is one of Australia's largest users of domestic road and rail services, and a major customer of international shipping services. Strong logistics capability is essential to the success of our operations. In 2004/05, our Company faced significant increases in marine freight costs. However, our longer-term contracts partly offset the effect of spot price movements, with iron ore import freight costs remaining substantially below prevailing market rates. Nevertheless, our marine freight costs increased by $70 million during the year.

To ensure our Company's new markets are fully serviced, we developed a number of key logistics partnerships across our Asian business in 2004/05. In Australia, strategic improvements continued, including a significant review of our rail contracts, as well as a number of marine and road-based contracts.