Mackay business cashes in on Land 400 deal

Mackay business continues to talk to Rheinmettall on tank deal

DGH Engineering's Glen Lamb and Dave Hackett think they are in with a good chance of securing some work off Rheinmetall if the company wins the Land 400 contract. Picture: Campbell Gellie

THE ink on the $5billion Land 400 contract is barely dry but already the German defence contractor is looking at who it can work with in regional Queensland.

And one Mackay business in Paget has already sent a congratulatory email to the German-based defence manufacturer.

Defence work made up about five per cent of DGH Engineering's business last year, and manager David Hackett said he had a one-on-one discussion with Rheinmetall when it was in Mackay in September.

"When they did the road show and information sessions they seemed to be pretty keen on this area,” Mr Hackett said.

"And I don't see why not. We have some good businesses here and the facilities.”

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Rheinmetall sat down with 15 Mackay businesses last year and gave a briefing to a further 25 about how they could become part of that supply chain, should the company be successful in securing Stage 2 of the Land 400 contract from the federal government.

"We have had a couple of good (defence) projects last year that certainly helped (during the downturn),” Mr Hackett said.

Originally published as Mackay business cashes in on Land 400 deal