- Gladstone business, Berg Engineering, received almost $140,000 through the Manufacturing Hubs Grants Program (MHGP)
- Almost $52 million in grant funding to help manufacturers thrive in 2024-25 budget
- Berg Engineering encouraging manufacturers to take advantage of funding
Gladstone business, Berg Engineering, received almost $140,000 through the MHGP and is encouraging other manufacturers to take advantage of the funding available thanks to the Miles Government's continued investment in manufacturing.
Berg Engineering was able to purchase a new 3D scanner and material analyser with the funding. This new equipment will enable the business to do on-site, real-time scanning, and also material analysis. The project enabled the business to retain 55 employees and hire two full-time apprentices.
Crucially, the new equipment will also help reduce production lead times significantly for reverse engineered parts. This will increase the capacity and lead to higher volume orders from customers. Since installing the new equipment the business has already received new work opportunities from customers in overseas markets.
Queensland remains the place to be for manufacturing thanks to $52 million in new and existing grant programs announced in the 2024-25 Queensland Budget.
The MHGP will be boosted by $5 million in new funding to help regional, small-to-medium sized manufacturers to become productive, build their advanced manufacturing capabilities and create the jobs of the future. This takes the total funding for MHGP to $33.5 million.
These grants have been provided to manufacturers in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Rockhampton, and Gold Coast regions, enabling them to become more productive and to build advanced manufacturing capabilities. Importantly, hundreds of additional manufacturing jobs have been created in regional Queensland off the back of this important program.
The highly successful Made in Queensland program received $20 million in new funding, increasing total investment in the program to $121.5 million. This funding will help small to medium manufacturers increase international competitiveness, productivity and innovation via the adoption of new technologies, systems and processes and to generate high-skilled jobs for the future.
Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher visited the business today and said the company's success demonstrates that the Miles Government's commitment to the industry is paying dividends.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher:
"If we can make it here, we absolutely should – and only the Miles Government will back this crucial job-generating industry.
"Our Manufacturing Hubs Grant program and Made in Queensland program have provided funding for 200 manufacturing projects, creating and supporting more than 7,800 good jobs and generating more than $140 million in private sector investment – that's what good government support is all about.
"This is a stark contrast to the LNP, who when last in government, cut industry support programs, which resulted in thousands of job losses."
As stated by Berg Engineering Gladstone Operations Manager, Frederik Stander:
"This funding has been helpful in purchasing a new 3D scanner and analyser, and this equipment has led to increased capacity in our Gladstone factory.
"It's been instrumental in cutting lead times and enabled us to expand and grow our customer base. We've also trained staff, giving them additional skills that improve their employability."
