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Company Chooses Toowoomba for New Plant
Major polypipe systems manufacturer Vinidex, has signed on as one of Toowoomba's newest industrial residents, adding to a list of national companies choosing to establish major operations in the Garden City.
At the end of 2011 Australia Pacific LNG awarded Vinidex the contract to supply more than 3200km of HDPE interconnecting pipe on the CSG to LNG project located in the Surat to Bowen Basins.
To cater for this mammoth project Vinidex are in the process of constructing the 7000m2 manufacturing plant which will be located within the multi - million dollar Witmack Industry Park on the outskirts of Toowoomba with the construction works carried out by the developers FK Gardner and Sons. The total value of the project equals $28million, including the factory fitout which will be managed by Vinidex.
Vinidex Chief Executive Officer Marian Johnston thanked APLNG for the opportunity and said the company was honoured to be chosen as the major supplier to a project of such magnitude.
"This contract is not only good news for Vinidex but also for regional Queensland. Building a new manufacturing facility involves significant investment and will generate a number of local jobs during the construction phase", said Mr Johnston.
"Apart from the direct jobs Vinidex will create to operate this facility there will also be opportunities for local businesses to support this operation through the provision of transport, general services and maintenance".
The company produces a variety of thermoplastics pipes and fittings used in a wide variety of applications from agriculture to mining. One of their most notable projects was supplying the pipeline for the Townsville Wastewater upgrade which included 20km of pipeline.
APLNG Chief Executive Officer, Page Maxson has expressed how pleased he is to award a Queensland based company with such an important contract.
"The HDPE pipe is a key component of the project which will transport gas and water from its source to treatment plants and the main Australia Pacific LNG Project pipeline" said Mr Maxson.
"We've worked hard to ensure local businesses have every opportunity to participate where possible. Vinidex is now one of the growing number of home grown companies contributing to the delivery of this major project".
FK Gardner and Sons Development Manager Mr Dallas Hunter agrees with Marian and Page, saying that the advantages of having the company on board will add to Toowoomba's economy and create additional flow on effects.
"By Vinidex choosing to base their plant in Toowoomba there will be added employment opportunities in the region with 60-70 jobs initially available with a significant employment flow on effect, especially in transport operations" Mr Hunter said.
The plant is the second major company confirmed to be part of the Industry Park with a number of other international companies in final negotiations.
The 75 hectare estate is well under construction with 300,000m2 due for completion in May 2012 with some 240,000m2 already committed. FKG expects to commence stage 4 in approximately 12 months.
The advantages of the estate are that there is no black soil, infrastructure charges are paid and having FKG as both builder and developer means the delivery of the estate and buildings can be completed simultaneously.
On the 20 January 2012, FKG along with APLNG and Vinidex held a 'First Foundation Pour' ceremony at the Vinidex site, to mark the start of major construction works.
In attendance were APLNG Chief Executive Officer, Page Maxson, Vinidex Chief Executive Officer, Marian Johnston, and a number of council delegates and FKG staff, including Company Director Gary Gardner to share the occasion.
The event not only allowed the audience to view progress on the site but provided a chance for Toowoomba Regional Council members to speak with the two CEO's about opportunities for the city that will come out of the completed plant.
The Vinidex plant will be delivered at the same time as the roads and services in the estate saving a year in construction time.
