Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, has opened a new world-class manufacturing facility in Newstead, Brisbane.
Cochlear CEO Dig Howitt said the $15 million facility will manufacture cutting-edge medical devices that help restore hearing to people with severe-to-profound hearing loss around the world.
“Innovation has been essential to Cochlear’s success as an Australian headquartered, globally competitive exporter, and we are delighted this new facility provides us the opportunity to continue our investment locally,” Mr Howitt said.
“With Australia’s ageing population, finding solutions for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss is an increasingly important issue to address.”
“Cochlear looks forward to working with the Queensland Government, continuing our work to make hearing a national health priority and cement Australia as the world leader in hearing health.”
Qld Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, who attended the official opening ceremony alongside Minister for Education and Industrial Relations Grace Grace, described Cochlear as ‘the perfect example of Australian-headquartered, globally-competitive exporters choosing Queensland to base their manufacturing operations’.
“Cochlear has transformed the lives more than 475,000 people across 100 countries and now they will continue their great work with Queensland-built technology,” Mr Dick continued.
“This investment has enabled Cochlear to re-direct more than $20 million of work from overseas to Queensland, so not only is our state supporting people experiencing hearing loss but additional staff will be recruited as the facility ramps up.”
Mr Howitt welcomed the two Ministers to the company’s new facility, saying Cochlear plans to expand and take on more employees in early 2019.
“I am pleased to welcome Minister Dick and Minister Grace to our new facility,” he stated.
“We currently employ around 200 people here in Queensland, most of whom work in manufacturing, logistics and engineering.”
“We look forward to adding more skilled team members as we expand our advanced manufacturing operations here in Queensland.”
