$14m investment brings ‘high-tech’ jobs to Geelong

A $14 MILLION investment will create 20 high-tech Geelong jobs when a manufacturer relocates research and development functions from Germany, State Government has announced.
Quickstep Holdings’ new R&D centre would provide employment opportunities for Deakin University students, Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said.
Quickstep’s new Waurn Ponds operations would develop composite materials for the automotive industry and seek additional work in the defence sector, she said.
Quickstep recently secured a niche order from a “global vehicle manufacturer” for up to 1000 lightweight carbon fibre engine parts, with production expected to begin early next year, she said.
The Government helped lure Quickstep’s R&D to Geelong with “support” from a $200 million Future Industries Fund.
In October the company announced it had secured $1.76 million from a Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund to develop an automotive division at Waurn Ponds.
Quickstep chairman Tony Quick welcomed the latest government assistance.
“We are grateful to the Victorian Government for their support which has enabled us to consolidate our research and development activity in Geelong, building on over a decade of collaboration with Deakin University.”
Ms Pulford said the R&D operations would operate alongside Quiskstep’s new automotive division at Deakin’s Geelong Technology Precinct.
The R&D centre would “create 20 highly skilled research and development jobs over four years along with job opportunities for Deakin University PhD students”, she said.
The new facility would leverage equipment and expertise from other tenants of the technology precinct, such as Carbon Nexus.
“Securing Quickstep’s R&D operations confirms our reputation as a global leader and as a state ready to attract and accept investment from across our region,” Ms Pulford said.
“We’re working hard to make Geelong home to the high-skilled jobs and industries of the future.”
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said the relocation demonstrated the Labor Government was “creating jobs and generating investment in Geelong”.