UP TO 150 new jobs will be generated at Deakin University’s new-tech Carbon Revolution centre at Waurn Ponds.
A $5 million injection by federal and state governments, along with Ford, will see as many as 150 new jobs involved in making new carbon fibre wheels in Geelong.
Premier Denis Napthine, Industry Minister Senator Ian Macfarlane, Victorian Minister for Manufacturing David Hodgett, Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons, Deakin vice chancellor Jane den Hollander and Corangamite MHR Sarah Henderson were all on hand for the announcement, a welcome upbeat note for Geelong’s manufacturing sector following closures announced by Ford and Alcoa and union fears about Shell refinery jobs at Corio following the oilco’s sale.
While they said the deal would see 108 jobs initially, Ms Henderson tipped up to 150 could be generated.
The grant will allow Carbon Revolution to undertake a $23.8 million project for a carbon wheel manufacturing facility that will supply the global automotive industry. It is the first of five projects to be funded under GRIIF, a tripartite agreement between the Commonwealth, Victoria and Ford.
Carbon Rev has been expected to seal a deal with a big international car-maker to fit its wheels as standard equipment on some models but has yet to name the brand.
Carbon Revolution is the world’s first commercial maker of carbon fibre automotive wheels, including the award-winning ‘one-piece’ wheel, an engineered product that represents the cutting edge in design and manufacturing with composite materials.
“We are partnering with both Victoria and Ford to help entrepreneurial local businesses like Carbon Revolution undertake new projects that will create jobs and opportunities over the next few years while this transition occurs,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“The Australian Government knows that industry is the driver of business and a fundamental building block of our five-pillar economy. Our role is to provide a framework that will give Australian manufacturers, businesses and innovators the environment and the confidence to grow, create new opportunities and supply new domestic and global markets.”
Dr Napthine said that Carbon Revolution was one of Geelong’s many success stories with the local innovative business going from strength to strength.
“Carbon Revolution has a bright future here in Geelong making quality carbon fibre products for the automotive industry,” Dr Napthine said.
“This strategic partnership builds on the positive work my Government has already undertaken in providing Carbon Revolution with a previous grant of $250,000 leading to the creation of 20 new full-time jobs.
“These new investments in manufacturing show Victoria’s capabilities in driving innovation in advanced manufacturing, food processing and services, and a wide range of industrial and consumer products,” Dr Napthine said.
Mr Hodgett said that this was the first of a number of projects which would help grow manufacturing jobs in the region.
“This investment in the company’s new facility is the first project to be supported by the Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund, which will assist local businesses as they seek new opportunities and build on the state’s strengths,” Mr Hodgett said.
Ford Australia President Bob Graziano supported the announcement and said “Ford is absolutely committed to transforming our Australian business, including supporting employees directly affected by our changes.”
Ms Henderson said the project was “a perfect example of the sort of work that the Geelong region can excel in as our economy transitions and modernises”.
Carbon Rev, as the company is better known, is a world leader in carbon-fibre car wheels, utilised by prestige marques such as Lamborghini, Porsche and Audi. The new technology also boasts aerospace applications as well.
Carbon fibre research has been widely cited as paving the way for new-breed manufacturing jobs in Geelong
Prof den Hollander has plumped Geelong and Deakin as global leaders in carbon fibre composites, which could be applied to automotive and aviation industries around the world.
“If you think of Ford, the downstream of Ford, there were a lot of small support industries that helped Ford be Ford,” she said recently.
“With carbon fibre, if we do get a big manufacturer to Geelong – and while I can’t speak about that, we have high hopes for that and it is looking very good – what of the small-to-medium enterprises who are the smart thinkers in Australia who are going to locate to Geelong?”
