A Rockhampton herbicide manufacturer been awarded $914,541 from Round 3 of the Palaszczuk Government’s Made in Queensland (MiQ) grants program to increase local production processes.
Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said MiQ provides matched funding to Queensland manufacturers looking to increase internationally competitiveness, adopt innovative processes and technologies and create high-skilled jobs of the future.
“Local company Cirrus Ag is investing almost $2.5 million to introduce automated manufacturing production techniques to Australia that will enhance the quality of its products and reduce Queensland’s reliance on interstate resources,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“The project will improve supply chain control which will reduce production, freight and logistics costs and open up export opportunities.
“The project will support manufacturing at scale alongside building capacity for Cirrus Ag to offer toll manufacturing services to local industry creating eight new local jobs.”
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the Queensland manufacturing sector and its ability to respond to and address supply chain challenges.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to the ongoing transformation of the state’s manufacturing industry as it transitions to advanced manufacturing,” he said.
“This is just another example of how we’re delivering Queensland’s economic plan to recover from COVID-19 and build our state back better.”
Cirrus Ag spokesman Paul Hubbard said adopting the latest automated granular manufacturing technology for the end-to-end production of products will drive innovation, reduce costs, and increase job security for regional employees.
“Becoming more self-sufficient makes a lot of sense,” Mr Hubbard said.
“This grant will introduce flexible manufacturing capability to our Rockhampton facility supporting just in time manufacturing in response to seasonal needs and to offer local manufacturing services not currently available in Queensland.”
Over two rounds of MiQ, 65 of the 75 projects have already been completed. Manufacturers have retained over 3,400 existing jobs and already created more than 380 new jobs through these projects.
More than 900 new jobs are expected to be created over five years through the Made in Queensland program as productivity, quality improvements, onshoring and waste reduction benefits are maximised.
Made in Queensland complements the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, which sets out a vision for an innovative, sustainable and globally recognised advanced manufacturing sector in Queensland by 2026.
Visit the Made in Queensland website at dsdmip.qld.gov.au/industry/priority-industries/advanced-manufacturing/made-in-qld.html
