Townsville’s Global Welding Supplies (GWS) has won a contract to supply Rheinmetall’s new $170 million manufacturing facility in Ipswich.
Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the contract was a big win for Townsville and will see GWS supply welding machines and consumables for Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE).
“When the Queensland Government convinced Rheinmetall to come to Queensland to build their Boxer reconnaissance vehicles for the Australian Army, we knew they would be creating the high skilled, knowledge-based jobs of the future right through the supply chain,” Dick said. “The $5.2 billion Land 400 Phase 2 project will create up to 450 jobs with Rheinmetall and across the Queensland supply chain in the first 10 years, contributing up to $1 billion to the state’s economy.
“Congratulations to GWS on securing this big win for Queensland, and for Townsville.”
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said Townsville, as Australia’s largest garrison city, was well placed to secure more of the defence work coming Queensland’s way.
“With over 15,000 defence personnel and four major defence establishments calling Townsville home, it’s the ideal location for the $5 million defence industries hub, which will support local businesses to create regional employment opportunities,” Stewart said. “I know that GWS has already attended numerous events, workshops and activities put on by the Department of State Development, and I’m delighted to see their success in winning this contract with Rheinmetall.”
Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart also congratulated GWS on securing the contract to supply welding machines into the MILVEHCOE and looked forward to a long-term partnership.
“The welding machines supplied by GWS will be a critical part of the military vehicle manufacturing and sustainment activities we provide to our customer, the ADF.
“GWS delivered 26 Lorch welding machines to the MILVEHCOE once the doors of the facility were open to deliveries, and these machines are ready to go and will be the focus of testing in coming weeks.
“GWS secured the contract against very heavy competition and is a critical supplier to our manufacturing capability and I want to thank Ron, Kevin and the GWS team for taking the time to be at the handover of the production facility on Monday.”
GWS Business Development Manager Ron Barker said their locally owned business had already delivered 26 digital welding machines and associated consumables.
“We are really excited to be part of Rheinmetall’s supply chain and it is fantastic to see a North Queensland business assisting Rheinmetall’s delivery of projects like LAND 400,” Barker said.
“The Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning’s northern office provided support to connect with Rheinmetall and was pivotal in winning the contract. We’ll continue to work closely with the Defence Industry Hub in Townsville to stay on top of defence requirements to pitch for contracts on future projects.”