Grants give NQ manufacturing a tech edge

The State Government is investing more than $840,000 in three North Queensland manufacturers to help them adopt new world-leading technology and processes, support growth in the region and create jobs. Speaking at Engineering Industries Australia (EIA), Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said EIA was one of three North Queensland companies share in the most recent funding awarded under the Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program. “A first-class manufacturer in rail, construction, mining, maintenance and infrastructure, EIA received $347,475 to install a modified Xpert Pro 250/3100 computer-controlled metal press and Artec Leo 3D Scanner,” Mr Butcher said. “This allows heavy metals to be efficiently fabricated here in regional Queensland, coupled with 3D scanning equipment it provides automation and will create three new local jobs. “It is exciting to see the practical application of the Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program being accessed by businesses such as EIA to invest in technologies and strengthen their domestic and global competitiveness.” Engineering Industries Australia co-director Jason Rowe said it had been provided with the opportunity to obtain new equipment that would help the company to grow and meet current manufacturing demand by providing products that had not been previously manufactured in the region. “With this growth we will be able to employ additional staff, as well as provide current employees with the tools and training to be on the front line of technology in manufacturing,” Mr Rowe said. The Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program funding is also supporting Townsville’s TEi Services and Ingham Manufacturers – trading as Moduline. TEi Services was awarded $447,000 to purchase and implement a robotic welding solution to manufacture equipment for the mining industry. TEi Services has been operating in Townsville since 1968, providing engineering services to multiple sectors including construction, sugar and mining, as well as manufacturing steel products. “One of the company’s key manufactured products is the steel trommel, a rotary sieve used to separate materials, mainly in the mineral and solid-waste processing industries,” Mr Butcher said. “TEi Services’ new robotic equipment includes state-of-the-art artificial intelligence software programming to meet growing demand. “TEi Services is a great example of a company that’s equipping itself with the best technology on its journey towards becoming a smart factory. “And in true Queensland spirit, TEi Services is purchasing the equipment from SSS Manufacturing on the Gold Coast, so we’re seeing one grant help two manufacturers.” TEi Services general anager Richard Parker said the new robotic equipment would reduce the time it took to manufacture steel trommels from about 10 days to just 12 hours. Kitchen and cabinet designer and manufacturer, Moduline will receive $49,256 to develop a national flatpack channel and Industry 4.0 web application that will improve their ability to service domestic and international customers via an enhanced digital design and manufacturing service.

Grants give NQ manufacturing a tech edge

Industry Queensland

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