Funding to snare contracts
SEVEN Townsville businesses will receive funding to help them compete for national and international defence and aerospace industry contracts.
The businesses will share in $134,000 from the State Government Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund. State Development Minister Kate Jones said Queensland’s defence and aircraft manufacturing and repair industries were major employers throughout the state, generating around $7.5 billion in revenue per year.
“Our state is home to 14 significant defence bases with more than 23,000 uniformed and civilian workers, many of whom are based in Townsville,” she said.
“Townsville hosts all three branches of the Australian Defence Force and their defence community is nearly 10 per cent of the city’s population.”
The successful Townsville businesses are Brazier Motti, Global Welding Supplies, NEM Group, Peak ARE, Taylor Builders, TEI Services and Townsville Services Group.
NEM Group general manager Aymon Vagulans said through this fund the company was able to strengthen their welding and fabrication capabilities.
“This is an amazing opportunity for not only us, but other Queensland manufacturers to access both the national and global markets,” Mr Vagulans said.
Peak ARE director Brad Swaffer said the funding gave them the chance to grow and provide security for its workforce. “The Townsville Defence Industry Hub has been supporting us through our journey to become part of the defence supply chain and linked us to upcoming regional defence opportunities,” he said.