The Brumby Labor Government is supporting the creation of 125 new manufacturing jobs and securing 100 existing jobs in Ballarat and Horsham.
In Ballarat today, the Minister for Regional and Rural Development Jacinta Allan announced that CMI Industrial would invest $6.15 million to expand its operations.
“The Brumby Labor Government is supporting this investment through its Regional Industry Investment Program to both secure and create jobs for regional Victorians in Ballarat and Horsham,” Ms Allan said.
"The support will see the introduction of new research and design activities, precision machining centres, and robotic and CNC machining capabilities at the Ballarat and Horsham sites.
“CMI Industrial's investment will create 75 new jobs in Ballarat and 50 in Horsham.”
“Our support of companies like CMI Industrial, despite the challenges of the global financial crisis and increased competitiveness from countries likes India and China, is helping to ensure businesses continue to invest in Victoria.”
Ms Allan said CMI Industrial manufactured specialist metal and plastic products with an annual turnover of $105 million. It employees 556 staff in Australia and New Zealand with 350 of those in Victoria across its Ballarat, Horsham, Campbellfield, Kensington and Footscray sites.
“The company also supplies brake components and pressed and welded assemblies for Ford, Holden and automotive markets in the USA and Asia,” she said.
“CMI Industrial's investment will create 75 new jobs in Ballarat and 50 in Horsham while securing the future of 70 existing positions in Ballarat, and 30 in Horsham.
“This expansion will boost Ballarat’s manufacturing skills base, improve Victoria's competitiveness in global supply chains, and give local supply chains better access to state of the art metal and plastic component production capabilities.”
Member for Ballarat East, Geoff Howard, said the Brumby Labor Government's support for CMI Industrial would provide ongoing benefits to other regional businesses in the local supply chain.
“The increased production will ensure regional supply chain businesses share in an extra $15 million per annum in new business activity,” Mr Howard said. “This is terrific news for Ballarat and Horsham.”
Member for Ballarat West, Karen Overington, said the Brumby Labor Government’s was taking action to generate new jobs in Ballarat.
“We understand how important the prosperity of regional centres like Ballarat are to its liveability which is why our Government is taking action to boost jobs by supporting businesses like CMI Industrial which have shown their commitment to our regions,” Ms Overington said.
The Regional Industry Investment Program is part of the Brumby Labor Government’s successful Regional Infrastructure Development Fund which is driving jobs and investment across regional Victoria.