A $6 million investment by a Noble Park-based auto component manufacturer, facilitated by the Brumby Government, will create up to 30 new jobs in the south-eastern suburbs and boost Victorian exports.
Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous announced the investment from Mett Pty Ltd today at Noble Park and said it would enable the company to meet a significant export contract for General Motors Powertrain in the United States.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to create jobs and support local industries – Victoria is the engine room of Australia’s automotive industry, and we are working closely with the sector to help ensure its future and global competitiveness,” Mr Theophanous said.
“Mett will supply HFV6 front engine cover assemblies for a range of GM vehicles in their US, Canadian and Port Melbourne manufacturing plants. The associated investment will involve installation of a new plant and equipment with up to 30 jobs created in the first year.
“The order will double the turnover of the company and result in sales of between $57-75 million, with exports accounting for two-thirds of the total.
“The project demonstrates how local automotive manufacturers can remain internationally competitive by modernising production equipment and plugging into global supply chains.”
“The project demonstrates how local automotive manufacturers can remain internationally competitive by modernising production equipment."
Mett was established in 1983 and is Australia’s leading aluminium high pressure and gravity die caster, employing about 300 people. The company is a four-time winner of the prestigious GM Supplier of the Year award recognising the quality of its automotive componentry.
Mr Theophanous said the new project would see Mett become a preferred GM global supplier for high-pressure assemblies of engines and transmissions.
He said it would also add considerably to Victoria’s reputation as an accomplished supplier of high-quality die casting components and assemblies for the export market.
“It will boost Victoria’s credentials, and importantly, result in flow-on benefits for Footscray’s Simsmetal that will supply Mett with secondary aluminium and for a range of Victorian companies involved in tooling and robot installation.”
The Mett project is in addition to $11.3 billion in manufacturing investment facilitated by the Victorian Government since October 1999, delivering more than to 24,300 new jobs for the state.
Victoria’s $15 billion automotive industry is crucial to the Australian economy – it is the largest auto industry in the country generating around $2.8 billion a year in exports.