A new Manufacturing Hub to help businesses innovate and grow will be established in the Queensland city of Maryborough.
The $925 000 facility will be housed at the existing Manufacturing Skills Queensland’s Centre of Excellence.
It will be aimed at supporting more than 990 local manufacturers to improve and grow their businesses.
This will be done by linking manufacturers with the “expertise, connections and practical support needed to adopt new technologies, improve productivity, strengthen workforce capability and expand into new domestic and international markets”.
The Wide Bay Burnett region is a major centre for food and beverage production, agricultural manufacturing, metal fabrication, plastics, timber products and the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.
Other new hubs have been launched at Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast.
Queensland Manufacturing Minister Dale Last said the investment was designed to leverage Queensland’s competitive advantages.
“Regional Queensland is the engine room of our economy and this investment ensures manufacturers in the Wide Bay Burnett have every opportunity to grow, innovate and compete,” he said.
“We are backing industry with practical support that helps businesses expand, employ more Queenslanders and secure future investment.”
Member for Maryborough John Barounis said the new Manufacturing Hub was a major win for local businesses and workers.
“I have been working closely with local manufacturers who have told me they want practical support to grow their businesses, adopt new technologies and attract the skilled workers they need,”’ he said.
“This hub delivers exactly that.”
Director of Allweld Manufacturing Josh Linwood said the new Manufacturing Hub would help build on Maryborough’s strong manufacturing heritage.
“By bringing together industry, training providers and government, we can create a stronger manufacturing ecosystem that supports local supply chains, creates jobs and keeps advanced manufacturing capability right here in regional Queensland,” he said.
