$6 million in funding to help manufacturers expand after Holden closes

ALMOST $6 million will be injected across five South Australian businesses that manufacture hi-tech and specialised products in a move to create more than 100 jobs, in the wake of Holden’s closure.

• ‘We’ll walk out of Holden with our heads held high’
• Don’t mention the car! Holden name banned
• Street parade for Holden’s last week in Adelaide
• How Holden’s workers are preparing for the final week
• The end of a glorious era: Holden’s last hurrah
• Podcast: Where it all went wrong for Holden

ALMOST $6 million will be injected across five South Australian firms that make hi-tech and specialised products — including dental implants — in a move creating more than 100 jobs.

Acting Federal Industry Minister Michaelia Cash will on Tuesday announce the first round of grants handed out under the Turnbull Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Fund.

The $100 million fund was announced in May to support advanced manufacturing businesses in SA, enabling them to expand and take on staff in the wake of the Holden closure. It builds on the existing $155 million Growth Fund, established to help industry adjust to the wind down of car manufacturing in SA and Victoria.

“Supporting these businesses transition and expand into advanced manufacturing activities will boost innovation, skills and employment opportunities for Australians,” Senator Cash said.

“The injection of funds ... will help transition Australia’s manufacturing sector from traditional, heavy industrial processes to knowledge based manufacturing of higher value products.”

Five SA businesses were handed between $500,000 and $2.5 million — totalling $5.78 million — under the first round while 15 Victorian businesses shared in $24.18 million.

Adelaide-based ATi Implants were given $1.5 million toward a $5.94 million project to establish the first Australian dental implant and prosthetics manufacturing hub, which requires specialist equipment and a highly skilled and trained workforce.

Gallery: Holden lovers’ dream run

VIEW GALLERY

Chief executive Brett Miller said he hoped to hire up to 30 more people under the expansion, establishing a new dental implant system which provides patients with a faster, low cost and less painful procedure.

Three of the other grants supported defence industries businesses to ensure they were capable of making the most of the Federal Government’s investment in that space. It comes as at least 20 workers from Holden’s stamping and general assembly plants will be re-employed by neighbouring engineering company Sonnex.

Sonnex received a $417,500 grant from the State Government’s automotive supplier diversification program to purchase a new laser cutting and robotic handling machine.

The family business began operating in the 1980s and had multiple contracts in the automotive industry, including contracts for the maintenance and installation of production lines. After Holden announced it would close, managing director Jano Tuchyna said he was “ready to give up” as demand for his services declined.

However, after accepting support from the State Government, it was now manufacturing for industries including defence, Department of Transport and Infrastructure and medical, moving its reliance on Holden from 98 per cent to 1 per cent.

Sonnex has already offered 12 former Holden workers full time positions for its contract to dismantle Holden’s production line until about June next year.