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VICTORIAN-based New Age Caravans has received a $1 million join government
and industry
handout which will help boost production and create new jobs.
The grant was the first under the joint Melbourne’s
North Innovation and Investment Fund, a tripartite Federal and Victorian
governments and
Ford Australia initiative.
It will allow New Age Caravans, owned by husband and wife team Joe and
Gabby Barrasso, to undertake a $3.7 million project to
establish an advanced robotic manufacturing centre to improve the
productivity and quality of its caravan and mining accommodation unit
manufacturing activities to meet rising demand.
Federal Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane and Victorian Minister for
Manufacturing David Hodgett said more than 65 new manufacturing jobs would be created at the New Age
Caravans' Epping factory.
Mr Macfarlane said the robotic project was "a great example
of an innovative company in a growing market that is driving real
improvements in productivity for the business".
The new jobs created would be suitable for ex-Ford and automotive supply
chain workers, with only minimal retraining required.
"Australian manufacturing is repositioning to take advantage of new
markets and new jobs," Mr Macfarlane said.
"Using the existing skills base and knowledge of local workers is a
priority in this process as we move into a new era for Australian
industry."
Mr Hodgett said that it was the first of a number of projects which would
help grow manufacturing jobs in the region.
"This investment in the company's new facility is the first project to be
supported by the Melbourne’s North Innovation and Investment Fund, which
will assist local businesses as they seek new opportunities and build on
the state’s strengths," he said.
"Melbourne’s north is a hub of engineering, aerospace and defence,
electronics and print packaging industries, which are thriving in a global
market.
"New Age Caravans is a terrific example of innovation in manufacturing –
smart manufacturing that is helping to create new jobs in Victoria.
"We are partnering with both the Commonwealth and Ford Australia to help
entrepreneurial local businesses like New Age Caravans to undertake
projects that will create jobs and opportunities over the next few years
as Ford prepares to stop local vehicle manufacturing by 2016."
A request by Caravanning News to New Age Caravans for a comment
went unanswered.
