Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries
More than 60 new Tasmanian jobs have been created by Elphinstone Group with the assistance of a $591,000 Advanced Manufacturing Fund grant from the Hodgman Liberal Government.
Now ready for export, the company’s new WR810 Underground Mining Support Vehicles, designed and manufactured locally, are a testament to the North West’s manufacturing industry and Elphinstone’s desire to grow and thrive on the global stage.
Initially developed by Specialised Vehicle Solutions (which has since joined the broader Elphinstone Group) the low-profile, narrow carriers act as a platform for a range of service utility vehicles used for underground hard rock mining.
The WR810 cost more than $1.5 million to develop, of which our Government contributed $591,000 as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Transition Fund.
Sixty-six new full-time equivalent jobs have been created by this project alone, demonstrating the tangible outcomes delivered by the Taskforce.
Elphinstone itself has continued to grow during this time and now employs 320 people.
Tasmania and the North West has a proud manufacturing history, and the Hodgman Liberal Government will continue to work hard to ensure it has a bright future by supporting local manufacturers.
It was a pleasure to visit Elphinstone Pty Ltd in Burnie today, witnessing firsthand the innovative and world-leading manufacturing work this local company performs here in Tasmania’s North West.
Established in 2015 in response to Caterpillar’s plans to move its manufacturing from Burnie to Thailand, the Advanced Manufacturing Transition Taskforce worked with industry and the broader community to identify and deliver a range of activities to support the sector and retain jobs.
With a continued focus on innovation and developing new products to meet international market demand, Elphinstone is a fantastic example of what can be achieved with the right people and highlights the highly skilled and exciting career opportunities that exist in our local manufacturing industry.
