Gold Coast PWR Performance Products to bring in more jobs after $1 million grant

A high performance Gold Coast manufacturing business aims to bring in more jobs for engineering and programming graduates after a significant government grant.

A GOLD Coast manufacturer is set to reach business top speed and create more jobs thanks to a government grant.

PWR Performance Products who makes high-performance cooling systems used in race cars and military vehicles will receive a $1.095 million grant from the Palaszczuk Government’s Made in Queensland Program.

PWR CEO Kees Weel said the investment would help the company strengthen its position as a premium supplier to industries, including high-end motorsport, aerospace, defence and electronics, and create jobs.

PWR Performance Products, which makes cooling systems for the fastest vehicles on earth, has received a $1.095 million government grant. Managing Director Kees Weel in the factory. Picture Glenn Hampson

PWR OPENS NEW CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ON GOLD COAST

“We have employed an additional 100 full-time employees since 2015 and currently have 185 full-time employees at the PWR facility at Ormeau,” Mr Weel said.

“With the purchase of the 3D CT scanner, we expect to employ a significant number of additional graduate engineers and programmers to further grow the business.”

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the funding will allow PWR to increase it’s productivity and international competitiveness.

“Off the back of this Made in Queensland investment, PWR expects to create 46 new jobs — driving increased output and new export opportunities,” he said.

PWR boss Kees Weel with a cooling system at his /ASX-listed company PWR Performance Products at Ormeau, which makes cooling systems for NASCAR. Picture Mike Batterham

PWR PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS RACES TO PROFIT

Member for Gaven and Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development Meaghan Scanlon said the Palaszczuk Government was proud to back manufacturers like PWR.

“PWR is a real Gold Coast success story, and this funding will ensure the company can employ more locals and extend their business reach further,” she said.

PWR Performance Products is a two-time recipient of the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards, in 2011 and 2012, and is successfully capturing niche markets for cooling systems in high-performance vehicles, including Formula 1, NASCAR and V8 Supercars.

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The $40 million Made in Queensland initiative saw the government invest $18.2 million in Queensland’s manufacturing sector in Round 1 and will allocate $17.62 million in Round 2.

Since January 2015, 186,400 jobs have been created in Queensland.

In December alone, 6000 jobs were created — three-quarters full-time — while 35,300 jobs have been created in Queensland in the past year.

Queensland’s manufacturing sector is worth $20 billion each year to the state economy and consistently employs more than 180,000 people.