Drilling equipment manufacturer Metzke has announced a $22 million investment in a new advanced manufacturing facility in East Rockingham, Western Australia, as the company said it seeks to expand its manufacturing capacity and support future growth.
According to Metzke, the new development will more than double the company’s current footprint, with the family-owned business planning to relocate from its long-standing Canning Vale base in 2027 after more than 40 years of operation at the site.
The new facility will be located on a 20,000sqm site – over 2.5 times larger than its existing operations—and will include a 3,500sqm purpose-built warehouse designed for fabrication, machining and assembly at scale.
Metzke chairman Sheldon Burt said the investment reflects the company’s need to expand its manufacturing capability as it reaches the limits of its current site.
“We’ve reached the limits of what we can do at our current site. This investment is about building a larger, more advanced operation that can support our next phase of growth,” Burt said.
Metzke, founded in 1978 by Bruce Metzke and now stewarded by the Burt family across three generations, manufactures reverse circulation drilling equipment used globally across Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australasia.
The new facility will be situated within the Western Trade Coast, a designated State Development Area that includes major projects such as Westport and the Henderson Defence Precinct.
While drilling equipment will remain central to the company’s operations, Burt said the expanded manufacturing footprint could enable diversification into new applications.
“Drilling will always be the heart and soul of what we do. That’s not changing,” he said.
“But this gives us the platform to do more. We’ll have the space, the capability and the infrastructure to potentially expand into new applications and new industries.”
Burt described the investment as a long-term commitment to local manufacturing.
“We’re investing here because we believe in the future of advanced manufacturing in this country,” he said.
“In an increasingly uncertain global environment, maintaining and growing Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability is critical. We’re proud to design and build our products here in Western Australia and export them to the world.”
Metzke is partnering with national construction, development and investment firm Commercial & General Group on the project. Fund manager Mitch Stone said the development reflects confidence in Western Australia’s industrial market.
“We are delighted to be supporting Western Australian industry in partnering with market-leader Metzke to expand its capabilities in what will be a cutting-edge facility,” Stone said.
“The Western Australian market continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals, and we are actively pursuing opportunities that align with our integrated delivery model and capital partnership capabilities across our vertically integrated platform.”
Operations at the new East Rockingham facility are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2027.
