Holcim has opened the cement plant at Swanbank Enterprise Park in Ipswich, in southern Queensland. Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale said it was tremendous to see a company that had been delivering construction materials since 1901 starting the next chapter of its future in Ipswich.
“There was three options,” Cr Pisasale said. “The collaborative efforts between Holcim Australia and council to deliver this project have been phenomenal and it just goes to show what all levels of government and businesses can do when they work together.
“I often talk about creating opportunities for more jobs in our region and this new facility is the direct result of turning those words into actions. Jobs are the heart of every community and with 14 industry parks across our city, Ipswich is well and truly open for business.”
Bob Baldwin, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister for Industry joined the Mayor for a tour of the plant and said it had already injected $100 million into the region.
“This new state of the art plant is good news for Australia’s manufacturing industry and shows companies like Holcim are still investing and have confidence in Australia’s economy,” Baldwin said. “While the sector is facing challenges and is undergoing a transformation, there are fundamental strengths in Australian industry.”
The plant is expected to deliver 130 permanent jobs after creating more than 200 during construction. It will manufacture concrete pipe, products and structural pre-cast for the construction market.
Holcim Australia chief executive Mark Campbell said the new plant was an important part of Holcim’s investment in Australia. He said the Ipswich plant brought Holcim’s investments in new Australian facilities to about $400 million since late 2009, when Holcim acquired the business known as Readymix.
Source: The Queensland Times