- Central Queensland mining equipment supplier will be the first manufacturer to receive funding under new Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grant Program.
- 18 manufacturers awarded grants from $12.5 million inaugural round, including 11 based in regional Queensland.
- Grants for new advanced manufacturing equipment and software will empower Queensland's advanced manufacturing capabilities and supporting local jobs.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government has announced the first recipient of its $79.1 million Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grant Program with Yeppoon-based CQ Fiberglass Direct to receive up to $113,000 in funding.
The program, launched by the Crisafulli Government, will help grow Queensland's advanced manufacturing capabilities and skills, as well as support local jobs.
CQ Fiberglass Direct supplies high-performance ventilation products to underground coal mines and fiberglass products to the maritime industry.
The company will use the grant to install an automated advanced fibre composite manufacturing system, which will reduce waste, improve productivity and meet growing demand for its products.
The project is expected to create seven new jobs and lead the upskilling of CQ Fiberglass Direct's entire workforce.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
A total of $12.5 million has been awarded in the inaugural grant round to 18 manufacturers with 11 of those businesses based in regional Queensland. For the first time, more than half of the funding has been awarded exclusively to regional manufacturers.
Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last said the Crisafulli Government was committed to delivering for regional Queensland manufacturers.
"Some of our best innovators and hardest workers are based in regional Queensland and these grants are about giving them an opportunity to take their manufacturing businesses to the next stage," Minister Last said.
"We had an astounding 119 companies apply for the first round of grants. This is a major vote of confidence in the Crisafulli Government's vision to supercharge Queensland's manufacturing industry.
"All 18 grant recipients represent the variety of Queensland's manufacturing sector – from food and beverage to construction and resource companies, medical suppliers and skincare manufacturers – we've got it all here in Queensland.
"We want these grants to lift productivity, support export opportunities and create secure jobs right across Queensland. The successful projects are expected to create more than 300 new jobs and lead to the upskilling of more than 550 existing workers.
"Unlike Labor, the Crisafulli Government knows Queensland doesn't start and end in Brisbane which is why we have ensured that at least half of the funding was dedicated to regional manufacturers."
Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the grants would play an important role in growing manufacturing capabilities for regional hubs like Yeppoon.
"Labor failed to deliver for the Keppel region, and these grants are giving towns like Yeppoon the opportunity to progress ahead at the same speed as their southeast Queensland counterparts and future-proof their operations," Mr Hutton said.
"Regional Queensland is home to some of the most vital manufacturing businesses across our State – from agriculture to resources, transport, food supply and defence – these industries are critical.
"CQ Fiberglass Direct plays an important role in Queensland's coal mining industry and with this support they're ready to take the next step in meeting growing demand for their products."
CQ Fiberglass Direct co-owner Steven Trevor said the grant would be transformational for his regional manufacturing business.
"We are very honoured to be the first recipient of this new grant. Receiving this will allow us to upgrade our equipment and replace labour intensive manual batching with new advanced systems and equipment," Mr Trevor said.
"This funding has the power to transform the way we do business and with access to additional capital to upgrade our equipment, we will be able to redirect existing resources to advance other areas of our business.
"We are constantly looking for ways to advance our manufacturing technologies to lift productivity and strengthen the regional supply chain here in Yeppoon, and I am grateful the Queensland Government has awarded us this grant to support our ongoing efforts in this space."
The program will continue to be delivered over the next two and a half years with round two expected to open soon.
