Victorian manufacturing Minister David Hodgett and Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh visited Swan Hill manufacturers Polymaster and CJM Attachments on Wednesday, commending the companies for thriving in the midst of the challenges the sector is facing.
Family-owned Polymaster has been building process vessels, bulk storage, rainwater tanks and animal care products in Swan Hill since 1994. Meanwhile, CJM manufactures custom made truck bodies, metal fabrication, custom made trailers and specialised hydraulic and engineering projects, and has been in Swan Hill for 12 years.
“Thanks to this focus on innovation and customer needs, Polymaster now employs 35 people at Swan Hill and a further 25 in four other locations across Australia,” Mr. Hodgett said in a media release.
“It has expanded while introducing processes to recycle water and excess materials to maximise sustainable operations.”
“CJM has been operating at its current Swan Hill site for the past decade and a further 12 years elsewhere; 22 years in total. It provides clients in local government and the farming, transport, car racing and cleaning industries with products developed in house from paper to production.”
According to Mr. Hodgett, the Victorian manufacturing sector employs 290,000 people or 10 percent of the state’s workforce, contributing over $27 billion annually to the local economy.
“Many outstanding manufacturers are based in regional Victoria and are thriving despite the challenges that many in the sector are facing.”
Mr. Hodgett attributes the growth of both Polymaster and CJM Attachments to the combination of investment in new technologies, innovation in design and a clear focus on customer needs.
“Regardless of where Victorian manufacturers are located, they can become industry leaders in their fields as Polymaster and CJM Attachments demonstrate,” Mr. Hodgett said.
“The Victorian Coalition Government’s Manufacturing Strategy is delivering a range of programs to help more companies across the state lift productivity and promote growth through investment in new technologies, industry networks and developing new export markets.”
