Bar Crusher Boats, the largest manufacturer of “plate” aluminium trailer boats in Australia, has received a $320,000 funding boost from the Victorian state government to invest in new equipment and increase its exports by over $1 million.
Bar Crusher manufactures boats from 4.9m to 7.8m in length for the recreational and fishing boating industry, which is worth $4.5 billion in Victoria alone.
The Dandenong South based boat manufacturer will use the funding to purchase and implement the latest Robotic Processing Line, which will provide world-class production capability, and increase the capacity and competitiveness of its production facility.
Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan, who visited the company’s manufacturing facility in Dandenong South said the funding will enable the company to undertake a $1.44 million project, take on 12 new workers, transition five existing staff members and increase its exports by over $1 million.
“Our Future Industries Manufacturing Program is helping businesses, small and large, to invest in new technologies and processes that will transition Victoria towards an advanced manufacturing economy,” the Minister said.
“We are investing in the south-east to help businesses diversify into new markets, to help workers transition into new jobs and to help our local communities survive and grow.”
This grant award builds on the nine projects already underway as part of the Labor Government’s Future Industries Manufacturing Program, which provides companies with grants of up to $500,000 to invest in new manufacturing technologies and processes, and create jobs.
For more information about the Program, visit www.business.vic.gov.au/fimp.
