Queensland defence industry set for local manufacturing boost
Brisbane-based firm Ferra Engineering is gearing up to manufacture more precision parts for global defence giants.
Thanks to support from the Queensland Government, the company will further boost defence manufacturing capability for a range of upcoming projects including supporting Boeing’s autonomous MQ-28A Ghost Bat aircraft.
Purchase of a specially designed Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine will allow Ferra to manufacture larger components for a range of defence products.
Operating from Tingalpa, Ferra is already an industry leader in aerospace sub-systems and sub-assemblies, supplying components into the Joint Strike Fighters under the international F-35 program.
The Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Cameron Dick will visit Ferra’s India manufacturing facility in Bangalore, in March as part of an upcoming Trade Mission.
The Treasurer’s mission continues a long-term partnership between the Queensland Government and Ferra via Trade and Investment Queensland, which has assisted the company to achieve export outcomes in markets like the UK.
Quotes attributable to the Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment:
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a better example of our Government’s commitment to defence industry jobs than Ferra.
“We’re supporting Boeing to assemble the Ghost Bat in Queensland.
We’ve supported Ferra to install technology that allows them to build larger components for military aircraft systems.
And we’re supporting them to export their products to countries like India through Trade and Investment Queensland.
We want to keep strengthening Queensland’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, because that will further diversify our economy and build on our existing skills base.
Our Government’s support for the local production of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat will help deliver around 300 construction jobs and at least 70 high-skilled jobs once operational, bringing with it supply chain opportunities for local businesses.
Ferra’s export customers include Boeing, Dynamatic Technologies, Godrej Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, the Airbus Group, GE Aviation, Thales and Lockheed Martin.”
Quotes attributable to Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher:
“The Palaszczuk Government recognised the potential at Ferra some time ago, which is why we’ve done everything we can to help them fly into this next development.
The Department of Regional Development and Manufacturing provided the Ferra team a grant to ensure their manufacturing was brought onshore to Queensland.
Twenty good, new jobs are expected to be created in the next five years and the flow-on benefits of that are invaluable.”
Quotes attributable to Ferra Engineering Chief Financial Officer David Rogers:
“Ferra Engineering welcomes this collaboration with Boeing and the Queensland Government to manufacture precision aero-structures for the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, Chief Financial Officer, David Rogers. said.
“This further proves that Queensland businesses like Ferra can compete and be successful in manufacturing and supplying complex systems at a global level.”
Quote from Scott Carpendale, vice president and managing director, Boeing Defence Australia
“Ferra is a long-term supplier on a number of Boeing programs, and supporting advancement of their capabilities to produce at scale is good for Australian industry.”
