Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz toured MaxiTRANS’ new trailer manufacturing facility in Carole Park, Ipswich, which commenced operations late last year and officially opened last week.
Buchholz said this new facility will be a huge boost to the heavy vehicle industry and place Queensland businesses in the box seat to take advantage of the federal government’s instant asset write-off and temporary expensing stimulus measures.
“It was fantastic to tour MaxiTRANS impressive, new manufacturing hub with CEO Dean Jenkins and hear their story in successfully managing the recent COVID-19 pandemic,” said Buchholz.
“Through measures like Job Keeper and our Budget Stimulus we have been able to keep businesses like MaxiTRANS going, Australians in jobs and the economy pumping.
“I congratulate Dean Jenkins and the team at MaxiTRANS on the opening of their new facility and wish them great success into the future.”
Dean Jenkins, CEO of MaxiTRANS, said the freight industry has fundamentally changed since the pandemic and the company has developed with that change.
“In March when the pandemic started, business slowed, and we faced the prospect of extended shutdowns and the possible retrenchment of a large number of staff,” he said.
“Thanks to the federal government and the JobKeeper program we have been able to keep the doors open and employees in work, and now we are in a position to expand and open our new manufacturing facility here in Carole Park.
“Our new facility will increase MaxiTRANS capacity and capability to deliver a wider range of products across the industry.”
Joining Buchholz and Jenkins for the tour of the new trailer facility was Heavy Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA) CEO, Todd Hacking.
“This is not only a proud day for MaxiTRANS but it is an important day for the heavy vehicle manufacturing industry more broadly,” said Hacking.
“It is a really positive indication of the confidence MaxiTRANS has in the market, on the back of an uncertain and turbulent year.
“As the industry embarks on economic recovery, post-pandemic, these types of investments cannot be under-estimated.”