At a time when the general impression is that manufacturing in Australia is on the wane, Sydney-based manufacturers CST Composites is expanding to a second factory site.
The advanced carbon fibre filament winder and pultruder is expanding into 1350 square metres of factory space in Ingleburn’s massive industrial area.
The industry that started in the backyard of CEO and founder Clive Watt’s rented Sydney home now employs 31 people and moving to the additional site will allow more growth.
The pultrusion sector of the business will be moved, with three pultrusion machines to be located at Ingleburn, which again means more room for growth. Volume production is being relocated, so industrial products and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) products will also be fabricated at Ingleburn.
Filament winding machines, grinders and saws to run the production line are in the process of being installed. Additional mandrels will be needed to allow both sites to manufacture at full capacity.
Earlier this year, CST secured a $1.4 million Manufacturing Transition Programme grant from the Australian Government.
The Programme provides assistance to help manufacturing businesses become more competitive and sustainable, enabling a move or expansion into higher value or niche manufacturing activities.
“We have invested heavily over many years to develop our filament winding technology and automation, and this grant support and investment enables us to take the next step in growing our business,” Clive Watts says. “This second, larger, production facility will allow us to achieve greater economies of scale and gives us increased capacity. This will enable the company to continue its push into new larger markets including Automotive, Oil & Gas, Mining and Defence.”