Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher welcomes funding for Upton Engineering and other manufacturing businesses

Gladstone’s innovative industries are set to receive a boost from the state government following a $50m funding injection for manufacturing. See the full details.

Gladstone’s manufacturing industry is set to benefit from two funding projects targeted at job creation and innovation.

Regional Development and Manufacturing Minister, Glenn Butcher attended local business on Wednesday to endorse the funding programs in the Queensland Government’s new budget which he says will continue to support the growth of industry in Central Queensland.

Upton Engineering is a manufacturing and fabrication company based in Gladstone Central and benefited from a $635,000 investment from the state government as part of a Manufacturing Hub grant.

Managing Director, Mitch Upton said the investment allowed his business to purchase a Makino a500Z 5-axis machining centre which has boosted his capabilities and made their production more competitive internationally.

“To have this capability come to regional Queensland is really exciting, it’s a really high-end and advanced manufacturing which allows us to compete internationally and bring our costing down.

“Without the Queensland Government grant, that piece of machinery would not be a reality for us right now.”

Minister Butcher said the ‘Manufacturing Hub’ and ‘Made in Queensland’ grants had created or supported more than 5000 jobs to date.

The two grants have generated more than $100m for the private sector and are estimated to create or support more than 7000 jobs.

“We’ve heard a lot of talk about manufacturing in recent months, but it’s this government that’s doing the work, we are building on our long history of supporting the vital manufacturing sector and that’s something I am really proud of,” Mr Butcher said.

“The budget has allocated $40 million to continue the Made in Queensland grants program and $10 million so we can keep awarding Manufacturing Hub grants.”

Mr Butcher said the grants would enable businesses, like Upton Engineering to expand their capacity as well as enter new markets which would benefit the regional economy.