Perth-based railcar manufacturing company Gemco Rail is building 100 iron ore railcar wagons for mining giant Rio Tinto, marking a significant milestone for the local manufacturing industry.
Under the project, Gemco Rail will initially deliver 40 wagons, and another 10 per year over the next six years. The wagons will be manufactured, maintained, and serviced at Gemco’s Forrestfield facility and at the upcoming new manufacturing site in Karratha.
The first railcar is slated for delivery in mid-2024, while the Karratha-based facility is expected to be finished by the end of 2024.
The company received a $6.9 million grant from the Cook Government under the Local Manufacturing Investment Fund (LMIF). The funding will be used to upgrade the Forrestfield facility and establish the new Karratha site.
The WA government’s LMIF initiative is part of an election commitment aimed at supporting local companies to enhance their competitiveness.
“Not only will the agreement create jobs and diversify the economy, it will help revitalise and future-proof local manufacturing in WA, including in the Pilbara. It will also reduce WA’s reliance on overseas suppliers and helps our State become more self-sufficient,” said Premier Roger Cook.
“It’s a win for jobs, a win for the economy and another step towards a stronger manufacturing sector in WA,” he added.
