Ash Bolt
A Geelong-based medical device manufacturer has received a boost from the state government, allowing it to create 100 new jobs and expand its business.
Regional development minister Mary-Anne Thomas and Lara MP John Eren visited Care Essentials’ headquarters last week to announce the investment through the government’s Regional Jobs Fund.
Through the investment, the company will be able to install state-of-the-art machinery to manufacture up to six million warming blankets, which are used on patients undergoing surgeries, per year.
Ms Thomas said the project would create 100 new full-time jobs over three years across engineering, maintenance, finance and payroll and result in $6.7 million extra in the Geelong economy through wages.
“This project will boost Geelong’s economy, create highly skilled jobs and showcase world-class medical manufacturing products at a critical time during the pandemic,” she said.
“Care Essentials is a pioneer in the medical manufacturing space in Geelong – its innovation has been recognised throughout the world. This is a regional jobs success story and I am pleased to see that the company is choosing to base its operations locally.”
Last year, Care Essentials played an important role during the pandemic, as it pivoted its operations to produce face masks.
Now with 10 machines, the company supplied three million single-use masks for the community and healthcare workers across the state.
The pivot saw the business recognised at Victoria’s National Export Awards recently.
Mr Eren said it was pleasing to see the government support manufacturing in Geelong.
“Geelong is home to some of Victoria’s best manufacturers and we’ll do all we can to support them,” he said.
“I’m pleased to see the entrepreneurship of Care Essentials and look forward to seeing what it achieves next.”
The Regional Jobs Fund is part of the government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, which aims to help businesses create jobs in regional Victoria, support community projects and back councils to build the infrastructure that locals and visitors need.
