Australia’s richest man Anthony Pratt unveils 5000 Visy Australia manufacturing jobs

A MASSIVE manufacturing jobs boost will employ more than 5000 people across the country at Visy Australia, as part of a $2 billion expansion unveiled by the nation’s richest man.

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PAPER giant Visy Australia will create more than 5000 high paid manufacturing jobs under a bold 10-year expansion strategy worth more than $2 billion.

Executive chairman and Australia’s richest man, Anthony Pratt, will today unveil a blueprint for the company that will mirror a similar commitment he made in the United States in May.

It will include new or upgraded plants in every Australian state including Victoria, where 40 per cent of its workforce is based.

“We are doubling down,’’ Mr Pratt said.

“The best social program is a job ... (and) our Australian workers are among the most productive in the world.

Visy Australia workers Andrew Tancredi, Steve Cartwright, Daniel Heidrich, Jesse Oesch and Anthony Wade busy in the Campbellfield plant. Picture: Tony Gough

“We are one of the most environmentally-committed companies and much of the $2 billion will be spent on technologies that result in creation of those new 5000 high-paying manufacturing jobs, sustainability, energy security and supporting our customers and promoting Australian exports.”

The investment will include spending on the company’s manufacturing capabilities throughout Australia including clean energy, recycling infrastructure, paper mills, corrugated box plants and other forms of packaging.

Mr Pratt said another 13,000 permanent indirect jobs will be created, with another 14,000 construction positions also up for grabs.

The paper and recycling magnate earned praise from US President Donald Trump for locking in a similar deal for American workers earlier this year.

Visy Australia executive chairman Anthony Pratt is creating 5000 high-paying manufacturing jobs. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and American Ambassador Jim Carouso are expected to join Mr Pratt for the announcement at the opening of a mill expansion at Tumut, in NSW, today.

“This $100m expansion is a down payment on a $2b pledge to invest in Australia and create jobs,’’ Mr Pratt said.

The chairman said he was optimistic about the future of manufacturing even as major companies, particularly within the car industry, pulled the pin.

“At the end of the 10-year investment program, Visy’s total investment in Australia will be $8 billion in today’s terms and we will have created a total of almost 30,000 direct and indirect jobs,” he said.

Anthony Pratt says Visy Australia employees, like Campbellfield plant worker Daniel Wojtowyez, are among the world’s most productive. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Turnbull said the investment highlighted Visy’s long term commitment to regional jobs and to advanced manufacturing in Australia.

“Through our commitment to affordable and reliable energy and lower business taxes, the government is providing certainty and confidence for companies like Visy to employ more Australians and to invest and grow locally,’’ Mr Turnbull said.

He said lower electricity and gas prices were critical for Australian manufacturers such as Visy to remain competitive.

“That’s why the government’s so committed to delivering energy that’s affordable and reliable for households and businesses,’’ he said.

“I congratulate Visy on their pledge to invest an additional $2 billion in Australia and the thousands of local jobs this will create over the next decade.’’

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said Visy was a great Victorian company and a global success story.

“We welcome this significant investment and Visy’s commitment to manufacturing jobs,” Mr Andrews said.

Mr Pratt, who this year topped Australia’s rich list with a net worth of more than $5.9 billion, has doubled the size of the business since taking it over from his father Richard who died in 2009.

He now jointly owns Visy Australia with his two sisters Fiona and Heloise and owns and operates Visy USA solely.

The US branch is now the largest Australian employer in the US with more than 68 plants across 27 states.

President Trump gave Mr Pratt a glowing endorsement at a New York event in May.

“That’s peanuts for Anthony,’’ Mr Trump joked to the audience, which included Gina Rhinehart and Frank Lowy.

“C’mon you can do better than that.

“Thankyou very much, Anthony. It’s beautiful.’’

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