Next steps forward

Chamroeun Kheung and Jim Gallagher at Aluminium Industries. 132952

By CASEY NEILL

THREE Greater Dandenong manufacturers will share $10.5 million to expand their operations.
Bombardier Transportation in Dandenong, Aluminium Industries in Dandenong South and Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Springvale have been successful in their applications to the Next Generation Manufacturing Investment Programme.
They’ll also each pitch in cash to make their projects a reality.
Bombardier received $3.2 million towards new assembly lines for robotic welding and electrical propulsion equipment, and extending its final assembly and testing facilities.
Aluminium Industries will use its $2.3 million grant to establish a new facility in Dandenong South to manufacture aluminium components for the light and heavy transportation industries.
It will include Australia’s largest linear computer numerical control (CNC) machinery.
Walkinshaw’s $5 million grant will establish facilities in Springvale for vehicle modifications.
Federal Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Christopher Pyne said the investment would help to attract private investment in the sector.
Victorian Industry Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said it was excellent to see that Victorian manufacturing firms are keen to invest in extending their capability to remain competitive and reach new markets.
“The programme will encourage the growth of advanced manufacturing operations including in the defence, transportation, pharmaceutical and medical device sectors,” she said.
The Australian, Victorian and South Australian Governments jointly fund the $60 million Next Generation Manufacturing Investment Programme.