Coronavirus boosts business for Brisbane North company
Cash splash to help Brisbane manufacturing company continue expansion with new machines and staff amid coronavirus crisis.
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BUSINESS is booming for a small Brisbane North manufacturing company which has expanded its operations and continues to increase its orders during the coronavirus pandemic.
CNC Components has also received a boost from the Federal Government in the form of a $260,000 grant to buy new machines and employ up to three new staff.
The company specialises in manufacturing precision machined components for use in a range of applications and industries.
It was started by Tom and Maree Young at Geebung in 2003 but, with growing staff numbers and no room for new machines, moved to larger premises at Brendale on Friday.
Mrs Young said COVID-19 has had “extraordinarily little negative impact on our company at all”.
“With all our suppliers being able to supply us materials throughout the pandemic we have had no down time or any hindrances with supply to our customers,” she said.
“If anything, orders have increased. We are seeing more Australian companies turning to us for work that they would have perhaps sought from overseas previously.
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“Based upon last month’s figures, inquiries are up approximately 30 per cent and orders thus far are up approximately 20 per cent.
“Over the coming months I am anticipating orders will increase drastically, the reason being our new machines, increased capabilities, new location in Brendale, and increased marketing.
“I had a potential new customer arrive on my doorstep on Tuesday, our first day in the new shop. He has parts sitting overseas that he can’t import at present due to COVID-19.
“We can manufacture what he has been getting overseas and he’s turning to local suppliers again now. This is a win for everyone really.”
Mrs Young said they were also working closely with another company to help manufacture components that will go directly into ventilators for use by hospital patients suffering from COVID-19.
Last week the Federal Government announced CNC Components would receive $260,000 from a $50 million fund promised as part of a national plan to resuscitate the jobs market after the pandemic.
Mrs Young said the funding would go directly into new machines, robotics and assist with staff training.
“We are looking to employ more qualified tradesmen and apprentices to operate the fleet of machines we currently have and intend on purchasing soon,” she said.
The Youngs founded the company when, as owners of Kooler Car Air Conditioning, they sometimes found it difficult to source parts and decided to manufacture their own.
They started with two machines and one operator at the back of their workshop at Geebung.
“It was an exciting time,” Mrs Young said.
“Some of our first customers were in the medical industry and another was in refrigeration. We still manufacture components for these original customers today.
“As orders increased, we had a need to purchase more machinery, increase staff and expand our premises.”
That’s when they moved the engineering business to new premises next to their airconditioning shop (which they still own) on Newman Rd.
Nearly 17 years later, with 12 staff and no more room to fit their machines, CNC Components has moved to new premises at Kremzow Rd, Brendale.
“The expansion sees us moving from a 400 sqm building to our own 1300 sqm,” Mrs Young said.
“We have fully upgraded the workshop internally with insulation, cladding, epoxy coated flooring and a massive power upgrade to run our increasing number of CNC machines.
“Soon we plan to build a two-storey office complex on the front of the existing building to accommodate the future growth of the company.
“Our aim is to have one of the most technologically advanced precision machine shops in Australia.
“The new machines and technology allow us greater precision and capabilities.
“We pride ourselves on perfection. The latest technology in our new machines will enable us to supply more high-end intricate parts used in a diverse range of applications.”
Mrs Young said they were grateful for support from the Federal Government.
“Until now we have funded every aspect of our company and its growth personally,” she said.
“It is reassuring to know that the government is here for us in small business in Queensland.
“This will help generate employment for us and keep manufacturing in Australia where it should be.”
CNC Components customers range from mining/industrial, aviation, military, medical and communication.
Mrs Young said most of the components they manufactured were designed by the customer.
“However we do also design and manufacture parts when a customer presents to us with an idea.
“Our latest project has been the design and manufacture of an advanced automotive steering system for use in American vehicles.
“These cars are converted from left to right hand drive at SCD American Vehicles who are an Australian Car Conversion Company based in Brisbane.”
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