30 jobs for engine room

By Shaun Inguanzo
A NOBLE Park automotive parts company will spend $6 million to expand its production in a bid to cater for a $70 million contract from General Motors.
Mett Pty Ltd will spend $6 million to build a new plant and install equipment to create 30 new jobs as it works to supply front engine cover assemblies for GM vehicles in the United States.
Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous said Mett’s investment would enable the company to meet the export contract’s requirements.
“Mett will supply HFV6 front engine cover assemblies for a range of GM vehicles in their US, Canadian and Port Melbourne manufacturing plants,” he said.
“The associated investment will involve installation of a new plant and equipment, with up to 30 jobs created in the first year.
“The order will double the turnover of the company and result in sales of up to $75 million, with exports accounting for two-thirds of the total.
“The project demonstrates how local automotive manufacturers can remain internationally competitive by modernising production equipment and plugging into global supply chains.”
Mett was established in 1983 and is Australia’s leading aluminium high pressure and gravity die caster, employing about 300 people.
The company is a four-time winner of the prestigious GM Supplier of the Year award recognising the quality of its automotive components.
Mr Theophanous said the new project would see Mett become a preferred GM global supplier for high-pressure assemblies of engines and transmissions.
The Mett project is in addition to $11.3 billion in manufacturing investment facilitated by the Victorian Government since October 1999, delivering more than 24,300 new jobs for the state.
Victoria’s $15 billion automotive industry is crucial to the Australian economy – it is the largest auto industry in the country generating around $2.8 billion a year in exports.