MaxiTRANS, a manufacturer of truck trailers, is closing its trailer manufacturing facility in Carole Park, Queensland, three years after its launch to centralise manufacturing capabilities in Regional Victoria.
According to MaxiTRANS, post-pandemic pressures, such as changes in the labour market and growing costs to run the 14,300-metre square facility meant that it was no longer viable to hold two large trailer manufacturing sites.
“This is to ensure that we can remain a viable Australian business to continue supporting our customers long into the future, as we have done so for over 75 years in the industry.”
In a media release, MaxiTRANS said Australian Trailer Solutions Group is preparing for the next phase of its expansion as it enters its third year of ownership of MaxiTRANS, with a significant investment to grow and develop the manufacturing site located in Ballarat.
“This investment is a demonstration of our total commitment to support local manufacturing, which will transform the trailer manufacturing industry in Australia to enable our business to continue delivering a high-quality product that continues to evolve with the changing needs of our industry,” L’Estrange said.
MaxiTRANS’ Carole Park facility was opened in February 2021. The facility primarily produced tipper products under the Lusty EMS, Hamelex White, and AZMEB brands. According to MaxiTRANS, post-pandemic pressures, such as changes in the labour market and growing costs to run the 14,300-metre square facility meant that it was no longer viable to hold two large trailer manufacturing sites.
The site will reach the end of its operation by the end of March 2024 and all existing and future orders will then be produced at the Ballarat facility.
“To ensure we retain as many people as possible and their experience, MaxiTRANS is in the process of discussions with reallocating roles to other areas of the business and supporting their relocation to other sites where applicable,” L’Estrange noted.
Ahead of the announcement, the company said it has been preparing to support the growth and expansion of its manufacturing capability at the Ballarat site, where it will now produce the full range of Lusty EMS, Hamelex White, and AZMEB products, along with Freighter and Max-CUBE.
