- The Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub celebrates its one-year anniversary delivering more than 400 direct engagements with local manufacturers across Southwest Queensland.
- The Hub was delivered as part of the Crisafulli Government’s $10 million election commitment to expand the footprint of the State’s Manufacturing Hub network.
- The Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub is helping create and secure more jobs across the Darling Downs region, while backing industry and restoring confidence.
- The Crisafulli Government is reviving Queensland’s manufacturing industry and delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy, after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub is celebrating one year of delivering for local manufacturing businesses, helping to secure more jobs and promoting growth in the industry, after the former Labor Government deserted regional manufacturers.
The Hub, which was delivered as part of the Crisafulli Government’s election commitment to invest $10 million to expand the hub network, has delivered more than 400 direct engagements with local manufacturers in its first year of operation.
With a strong regional reach across the Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland, and as far south as Goondiwindi, the Hub has been working tirelessly to deliver programs to support jobs, productivity and competitiveness for local manufacturers.
The Toowoomba Hub continues to punch well above its weight, supporting the delivery of major local events and presenting information at key forums on the future skills and career training needs of industry across the region.
The impact of the Toowoomba Hub is evidence of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to revive one of Queensland’s largest industries and return heavy manufacturing capabilities to our State after the former Labor Government let opportunities to grow sovereign capability and bolster supply chains go offshore.
Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last said he was proud of the real, tangible difference the Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub was making to regional businesses.
“I’ve visited several Darling Downs manufacturers who have told me firsthand about the amazing work the Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub has been doing to help their business adopt new technology, grow workforce capability and pursue future growth opportunities, including advanced manufacturing,” Minister Last said.
“These Hubs are about delivering and securing jobs, along with boots-on-the-ground support to improve productivity and strengthen regional capabilities.
“We have an abundance of highly skilled manufactures across the Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland, from food and beverage to steel and agriculture, and the Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub is championing industry growth across the region.”
Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts said the Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub had delivered outstanding results in its first year of operation.
“With more than 1000 manufacturers here in Toowoomba alone and many more across Southwest Queensland, Toowoomba has the capability to become a critical hub for regional manufacturing,” Mr Watts said.
“We’re not just building for the local market — we’re a genuine gateway to the world. Our manufacturers produce everything from advanced composite materials to precision engineering and food products, supplying diverse sectors across the Asia, the US, and dozens of other countries. That export strength isn’t new either — this region has been supplying overseas markets for many decades.
“The Toowoomba Hub has made a real difference in our community over the past year, delivering tangible, on-ground support, whilst also providing a direct channel for regional manufacturers to inform government policy, programs and priorities.”
Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub Manager Natalie Gruenfeld said the Hub had been working closely with local manufacturers to deliver practical support and lift the region’s manufacturing capabilities.
“We have diverse and capable manufacturer sector based across the Darling Downs Southwest Region and through the Hub we have been able to support businesses as they look to grow, upskill staff and strengthen their competitiveness,” Ms Gruenfeld said.
“I am very proud of the Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub team and what we have been able to deliver over the past year as the ‘boots-on-the-ground’ through workshops, business improvement programs and one-on-one support across the region. We continue to see the far-reaching benefits of our engagement.”
White Industries Chief Executive Officer Mick Shelford said the business had taken advantage of the programs delivered through the Toowoomba Manufacturing Hub.
“The Hub’s Lean Manufacturing Program has helped our business to improve efficiency, productivity, company networking and has helped to direct resources to advancing our competitiveness and ability to upgrade machinery.”
