The Victorian Government says it is continuing to support local manufacturing, with sports surfacing manufacturer APT Asia Pacific completing a $10 million expansion of its production facility in Dandenong South.
Minister for Economic Growth Steve Dimopoulos visited the upgraded facility, where the investment has expanded the company’s manufacturing base and is expected to create 50 skilled jobs.
According to the Victorian Government, the expansion includes a new processing plant designed to increase APT’s manufacturing capacity, enabling the company to produce more than 1,000 hard court surfaces annually for professional and community sporting venues.
The investment also includes new technical equipment aimed at improving workplace safety and production efficiency.
APT Asia Pacific manufactures sports surfacing products from raw materials through to finished surfaces at its Dandenong South headquarters, supplying customers across Australia and international markets.
Its clients include the International Olympic Committee, the Australian Football League, the International Tennis Federation, the International Hockey Federation, the Australian Rugby League, FIFA, World Athletics and Cricket Australia.
Steve Dimopoulos said the expansion reflected broader investment in Victoria’s manufacturing sector.
“This is what economic growth looks like. Local businesses expanding, workers hired and Victorian-made products going out to the world,” Dimopoulos said.
Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams said supporting local manufacturers would help create employment opportunities in the region.
“We continue to boost local manufacturing by supporting local companies to grow and create more jobs in our community,” Williams said.
APT Asia Pacific General Manager Operations Michael Olsen said the investment marked an important step for the company.
“This expansion is a significant milestone for APT Asia Pacific,” Olsen said.
“The investment allows us to grow our team, increase production capacity and continue delivering innovative, Australian-made sports surfacing products to projects across Australia and around the world.”
The Victorian Government said manufacturing remains the state’s largest manufacturing sector nationally, employing more than 260,000 people and generating more than $29 billion in annual exports.
