Gympie manufacturer Laminex will use $180,000 of state Government funding to increase its competitiveness and capture new domestic and export markets.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser told parliament on August 20 that the Laminex Group had been awarded the funding under the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives (BITI) Scheme.
“This company is a leader in manufacturing and distributing medium density fibreboard, or MDF, and the decorative surfaces Laminex and Formica, which are used in kitchens, vanity units, furniture and doors,” he said.
“Its wood panel products have a substantial domestic market and are also exported mainly to north and south-east Asia.”
Fraser said the Laminex Group would use the funding to introduce a new online quality control system to increase its efficiency, maintain competitiveness and develop new markets for its Toolara plant.
“The introduction of the new system will help predict and control the quality of MDF manufacturing, resulting in more consistent quality, less wastage and an increase in productivity,” he said.
“The company is estimating it can increase its output by 2.5% which will mean at least $2m in increased sales.”
Gympie Laminex plant manager Brian Bennett said the company would be the first board manufacturer in Australia to introduce the technology.
“Currently, online quality forecast systems are used by the world’s food and paper manufacturing industries,” Bennett said.
“This is a real first for our industry.
“We realise that we have to be innovative to attract new customers and stay ahead of our competitors.”
Fraser said the BITI Scheme was aimed at helping Queensland firms such as the Laminex Group.
“Businesses can apply for up to $250,000 for projects that have the potential to grow their business and their industry,” Fraser said.
“The BITI scheme supports projects that will ensure that businesses are well positioned to handle the challenges of changing market conditions and flourish in the times ahead.
“Now more than ever, businesses need to stand out by being innovative and efficient.”
