Seeley International has announced expansion plans which involve relocating its existing Albury manufacturing plant to a larger $20 million purpose-built facility to be constructed at nearby Wodonga, Victoria.
Seeley International founder and executive chair, Frank Seeley, said the move is partly funded by a grant from the Victorian Premier’s Job and Investment Fund, which aims to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub which will produce a range of innovative products to be sold in Australian and international markets.
“As a long-standing employer within the Albury-Wodonga community, Seeley International is pleased that this investment
accommodates our expansion needs and positions the company for significant jobs growth and success in the years
ahead," Seeley said.
Seeley has forecast 64 per cent growth in new local employment opportunities over the next five years.
“Our local manufacturing facility continues to play a critical role in our overall operations, and as well as continuing to fully
manufacture award-winning Braemar heating products, the Climate Wizard metal range and the entire AIRA product range, we have also recently welcomed a dozen new engineers and other team members to the plant,” he said.
“One of the biggest challenges we now face is that we have outgrown the existing factory, and with space at a premium it has fast-tracked the need for relocation plans. Establishing a new and larger facility at nearby Wodonga allows us to retain and grow local employee numbers and maintain a strong employer presence within the local community.”
Acknowledging the financial contribution from the Victorian government, Seeley said it was critical that all levels of government assist manufacturers to develop new products and production facilities.
“Seeley International continues to commit high annual expenditure on research and development of new manufacturing techniques, and to create innovative products that are the most energy efficient, necessitating state-of-the-art facilities to enable this to happen,” he said.
“Seeley International is living proof that there is a bright future for the Australian manufacturing industry, and we have been able to compensate for the higher costs within Australia by focusing on innovation, world class technology and high levels of automation, while many others are closing doors or downsizing.
“We are bucking the trend and ramping up employment growth at our Albury manufacturing plant which is expected to grow over the coming months."
As the home of Braemar gas heaters and air-conditioners, Seeley said the Albury-based plant has established a vertically integrated manufacturing and assembly operation that employs more than 80 permanent people.
Seeley International has been a major employer in the region for more than 20 years. While a construction site and plans are yet to be finalised, Seeley said the new Wodonga manufacturing facility will be operational in early 2019.