KEYSBOROUGH tech company Advanced Technology Testing and Research is earning an international name for innovation while making a healthy investment in its workforce.
ATTAR has developed a world-first method to stress test heavy train wheels and found a novel way of keeping the stress levels of its 20 employees in check.
The business offers $600 after tax to all employees to spend on their own health and wellbeing.
Managing director David Lake said workers couldn’t spend it on their families but had to treat themselves to bikes, massages, yoga, training shoes and anything else that was good for their health.
He said: “People are the most important part of the company – we have to look at their health and wellbeing.”
Employees have been invited to buy shares in the company Dr Gary Martin and Don McConville founded in 1986 – a shrewd move given its 30 per cent growth in the past five years.
ATTAR started out in Clayton in 1990, moved to Springvale in 1996 and set up in purpose-built offices and training facilities in Keysborough in 2001.
The most recent move followed requests from workers for more office windows.
ATTAR tests tanks for corrosion, welded joins for integrity, floors for slip and more.
Mr Lake said its testing technology provider wrote off its train wheel testing method, saying it “couldn’t be done”.
“We were a little terrified by that,” he said.
The method has been successfully used at BHP’s Port Hedland operation and is showing up deficiencies in new $60,000 wheels.
ATTAR was nominated for the Manufacturing, Small Business and Premier Regional Business awards.
