Northern Trade Solutions is expanding into specialty glass manufacturing through its new division, Northern Glass Solutions (NGS), with support from the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) and the Northern Territory Government.
The $5.4 million project will establish new manufacturing capability in the Territory for specialised glass products, including triple-glazed, quadruple-glazed, laminated, tempered, cyclone-resistant, and bulletproof glass.
The initiative is being supported by a $668,072 co-investment from the Northern Territory Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF), administered by AMGC.
AMGC said the investment represents a significant step in growing the Territory’s advanced manufacturing base by reducing reliance on imported glass products.
“This increased capability will address a yawning gap in the local market which Northern Trade Solutions understands better than just about anyone else,” said AMGC’s Northern Territory Director, Charmaine Phillips.
“This will provide a comprehensive range of specialised glass solutions, designed for our demanding climate and with great value outside of it as well.”
NGS will establish its new factory at East Arm Business Park, where it will deploy automated Industry 4.0-ready equipment and advanced traceability systems. The project is expected to generate $12.6 million in new revenues and 22 jobs within five years, with the company committing to upskilling existing staff and hiring 10 new workers.
The initiative also includes collaborations with the Australian Glass & Window Association, James Cook University, and RMIT University to develop and test products suited for Cooling Climate Zones, in line with the 2022 National Construction Code’s 7-star energy efficiency standards.
Jiayun Li, owner of Northern Glass Solutions, said the AMGC-backed project will strengthen the Territory’s economic resilience.
“Our management team is excited by the opportunities to strengthen and grow the glass processing industry through the support of the Northern Territory Government and AMGC,” Li said.
According to AMGC, NGS is the fifteenth business to receive support through the AMEF since its launch in 2021.
Projects funded through the initiative are forecast to create more than 276 new jobs and deliver over $147 million in new revenues to the Territory economy in their first five years, underscoring the role of manufacturing in driving long-term growth.
