Published by The Advertiser, Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and the Courier Mail today, the State Government of South Australia announced their backing of Seeley International with a $5million commitment to support the company’s Climate Wizard Hybrid Scale-Up expansion. Targeting a rapid scale-up of exports to the massive US market, we will be extending and upgrading our Lonsdale plant with a plan to create more than 100 jobs over the next 3 years.
100 manufacturing jobs to hit Climate Wizard’s Lonsdale factory on back of US demand
Sweltering Californian summers are to thank for bringing at least 100 manufacturing jobs to one of the state’s best-known factories.
A South Australian manufacturer will create 100 ongoing jobs in Adelaide on the back of plans to push its air conditioners into the American market. Seeley International produces the Climate Wizard heating-cooling hybrid and is betting on increased demand for the technology in sunny western states like California.
The state government has backed it with $5 million through SA’s Economic Recovery Fund, promising to spend $122 million all up to export homegrown technologies. The money will be poured into Seeley’s Lonsdale factory and create 100 permanent roles over the next three years, according to group managing director Jon Seeley.
“It is tremendous to have the support of the South Australian government as it continues to empower Australian manufacturing and champion innovation,” Mr Seeley said. The company claims its technology can slash energy costs by up to 80% compared to conventional refrigerated systems and is five times more energy efficient.
It hopes to have the first units shipped to California by June, the start of the American summer. Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion said the Lonsdale upgrade will strengthen the state’s reputation as “an advanced manufacturing hub”.
“We want this state to be at the forefront of innovation and this a great example of South Australians developing world leading technology systems that can be exported to major international markets,” Mr Champion said.
The Department for Trade and Investment also pitched in $50,000 from its Global Expansion program, which specifically helps companies get a foot in the US market. Manufacturing is South Australia’s largest sector, accounting for around 17 per cent of the state’s production output and six per cent of all jobs.
Seeley International Managing Director, Jon Seeley.
Source: The Advertiser