The future of the Rockhampton manufacturing sector has been given a further boost with the Palaszczuk Government announcing permanent funding for the Rockhampton Manufacturing Hub, as part of a more than $17 million statewide boost for manufacturing.
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Minister for Water and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the Palaszczuk Government's investment in Manufacturing Hubs and Made in Queensland Grants has created and supported nearly 6000 jobs to date.
"The work done at these hubs is vital to building and strengthening Queensland's booming manufacturing sector.
"Manufacturing already contributes $20 billion a year, to the state's economy and employees and we want to see that grow even further," Minister Butcher said.
Yeppoon-based manufacturing business All Industries Group (AIG) has benefited from the work done by the Rocky Manufacturing Hub.
During an All Industries Group site tour, Minister Butcher announced a funding grant of $312,415 for the business, from the Palaszczuk Government's Manufacturing Hubs Grants Program.
Minister Butcher was joined by Keppel MP Brittany Lauga, in Yeppoon, to make the funding announcement.
Ms Lauga is confident the ongoing hub funding and associated grants will help local businesses be recognised as global leaders.
"This funding will ensure Queensland manufacturers continue to receive the services offered by the hubs, remain nationally and internationally competitive, and are in a position to take advantage of growth opportunities," she said.
"This grant of more than $312,000 has helped AIG to purchase a plasma profile table which will help the business diversify the products and services it offers.
"Since the flat steel drilling and profile machine was delivered and installed, All Industries Group has been able to reduce lead times and improve outputs from its facilities in Central Queensland."
Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke said the Rockhampton Manufacturing Hub has already shown great results.
"I know the team at the Rockhampton Manufacturing Hub has worked really hard to get support for local business and working with a group like AIG brings many rewards.
"Importantly, this investment will help to create employment within the local area, upskill and protect the current workforce, and future-proof the ongoing direction and growth of All Industries Group," he said.
All Industries Group is a product-supply specialist, producing turnkey solutions for local, national and international clients.
All Industries Group's Co-Director Trent Miles said the grant would allow the company to employ and keep highly-skilled workers in the region.
"The profile machine allows All Industries Group to make specialised products and support the local steel supply chain, instead of outsourcing the work to metropolitan areas," Mr. Miles said.
"The profiler will help create new specialist positions and allow the upskilling of some of our current workers to create new career paths.
"It can remotely integrate with our existing engineering design software, creating even more efficiencies and new products such as ballistic doors for the Australia Singapore Military Training Initiative."
Minister Butcher congratulated AIG on their success.
"All of our Hubs, including the Rockhampton Hub, are focused on modernising Queensland manufacturing practices, and increasing international competitiveness. To achieve this result for AIG is fantastic," Mr Butcher said.
Funding of $17.75 million will enable six Queensland hubs, including Rockhampton, to continue to support regional manufacturers to grow their businesses and create local jobs. Each hub has established itself to build on the current economic strengths of their regions.
"The Manufacturing Hubs are bringing together the industry partners, state and local governments, local businesses and educational institutions to collaborate and grow regional manufacturing," Mr Butcher said.
The Manufacturing Hubs build stronger and sustainable regional businesses and develop connected industry ecosystems to increase national and international competitiveness, lift productivity, stimulate sustainable job growth, and attract private sector investment.
