By Casey Neill
Cash boost means it’s plain sailing…
A $1.44 million project will create 12 new jobs at a Dandenong South boat manufacturer.
Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan and Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams visited Bar Crusher Boats on Thursday 8 September to contribute $320,000 to the project.
The company’ managing director Peter Cleland said the Future Industries Manufacturing Program grant would contribute to a robotic processing line.
“Automation will allow us to increase capacity and keep a lid on costs – that’s going to make us more competitive to export markets,” he said.
“We feel that it’s a visionary for the Andrews government to provide this fund in light of the declining automotive industry.”
Mr Noonan said the program was helping businesses, small and large, to invest in new technologies and processes to transition Victoria towards an advanced manufacturing economy.
The upgrade will allow Bar Crusher Boats to take on 12 new workers, transition five existing staff members and increase its exports by more than $1 million.
The company is the largest manufacturer of plate aluminium trailer boats in Australia.
It supplies the recreational and fishing boat industries, which is worth $4.5 billion in Victoria.
In August last year, the Journal reported that then-Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson toured the factory with Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) members.
“With the pressure on the automotive industry, he’s looking to get a feel for what industries might be growth opportunities,” Mr Cleland said of Mr Billson at the time.
“We’ve got a good growth story.”
The family owned business has been running for 15 years, the past 10 or so in Dandenong South.
“Our five-year plan is to double the size of the business and potentially access export opportunities,” Mr Cleland said.
“One of the opportunities is to grow infrastructure to improve access to the waterways.
“There was also discussion about the great resources in Western Port and Port Phillip bay.
“There needs to be a strategy and policy and funding to develop that resource for its economic value.”
