Up to 300 Ford workers will have the chance at gainful employment even after the company shuts down its plants in 2016, with Power Systems Australia’s announcement that it plans to open a new factory in Geelong.
According to a report from ABC News, Power Systems Australia is exploring the prospect of producing gas-fired generators to export to markets in the Asia-Pacific and part of the generator company’s plans is to set up a facility in the port city.
Power Systems’ managing director Adrian Reedman says they are attracted to Geelong’s ready-made workforce.
“There is the opportunity to tap into a workforce of talented people without having to go through full retraining from the ground up and that’s the attraction,” Mr. Reedman said.
“They’re used to assembly work in a fast production line which, to be honest with you, we’re not geared up for that.”
Power Systems’ plan is to keep its 22 existing workers assembling the generators in Melbourne, while the Geelong workers will be used to make the engines.
The news was welcomed by the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.
“The Ford workers here have done it pretty tough for some time now, and for a company to have the confidence to come to Geelong and have the confidence in the skills that they can bring to his business is fantastic news,” said AMWU’s Dave Smith.
“You can never underestimate how important it is for these workers to have a job. We’re just really pleased that this is hopefully the start of job opportunities.”
Power Systems Australia is a privately-owned Australian company that designs and manufactures generators under the brand name Genforce. They also build in house acoustic enclosures, containerised solutions and rental spec generators.
Power Systems Australia serves clients in Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands with quality new and used generators.
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