Chair Solutions, the inaugural recipient of the Made in Queensland Round 5 funding, has been awarded $635,500 during Queensland Manufacturing Month to acquire new equipment and grow its business.
The Northgate manufacturer, which provides seating to offices, hospitals, waiting rooms, and schools right across Australia, said it will use the funding to purchase a moulding machine and plastic moulds to enhance its manufacturing capabilities.
The new equipment will allow Chair Solutions to bid for large-scale projects, reduce production costs, and shorten production time by up to 40 per cent, the government said in a media statement.
This expansion initiative is also expected to result in the employment of 12 new full-time staff over the next five years, increasing their workforce from 26 to 38.
The Queensland Government has invested $101.5 million in the MiQ grants program, which has created and supported over 5,900 jobs and generated more than $110 million in private sector investment.
Minister for Manufacturing, Glenn Butcher, expressed the government’s unwavering support for the manufacturing industry, emphasising its significant contribution to the state’s economy and the creation of secure job opportunities.
He highlighted the effectiveness of initiatives like Made in Queensland in providing practical and financial assistance to manufacturers like Chair Solutions.
“This is a local manufacturer who is embracing Industry 4.0 and growing the business to become even more competitive nationally and internationally,” Minister Butcher noted.
Member for Nudgee, Leanne Linard, acknowledged the transformative potential of the grant awarded to Chair Solutions.
She anticipated that it would catalyse an expansion of their workforce and services, underscoring the positive impact it would have on the local economy.
“I congratulate them on their grant funding and look forward to seeing the impact it has on their business and the local economy.”
Carl Davies, Chair Solutions Managing Director, highlighted the profound implications of the newly acquired equipment and staff training.
“This new equipment and training for staff will enable us to pursue larger contracts and continue our strong growth record,” he said.
He added, “We’ve had strong growth in hospitals recently, providing almost 25,000 chairs to the Sunshine Coast Hospital, Lady Cilento Hospital and the Gold Coast University Hospital.”
Additionally, it recently furnished soft seating and removable seating for Cowboys Stadium.
To learn more about the program, visit this website. Applications for Round 6 of MiQ are set to open in October.
