28 June 2021

$2.375 million in Government grants to help local manufacturers modernise in Adelaide’s northeast

The Morrison Government is providing three local companies – Nova Farms, Tindo Operations Co, and Bickford’s Australia – in Adelaide’s north eastern suburbs with grants of a combined $2,375,000 to increase their competitiveness and productivity, while also helping to grow local jobs.

These grants are being delivered under round two of the Government’s Manufacturing Modernisation Fund (MMF), which is providing grants totaling $55 million to 86 projects around Australia.

Within Adelaide’s north eastern suburbs:

• Nova Farms Pty Ltd awarded $375,000 for its project to transform the medicinal usage of honey, using robotics and AI V2.0.
• Tindo Operations Co Pty Ltd awarded $1,000,000 for its solar panel manufacturing project: ‘leadership, value and innovation’.
• Bickford’s Australia Pty Ltd awarded $1,000,000 for its project to create a highly flexible automated intrinsically safe bottling line.

The grants are to help small and medium sized manufacturers invest in capital equipment and new technologies, while improving the skills of their workers.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the grants are a central element of the Government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy and will help drive growth in the Australian manufacturing sector.

“This new MMF funding round underlines the Government’s commitment to increasing the competitiveness and productivity of Australian manufacturers,” Minister Porter said.

“By encouraging businesses to enhance their operations through investment in cutting-edge technologies we’re also supporting them to create new job opportunities, boost economic growth and build a highly skilled manufacturing workforce.”

Senator Fawcett welcomed this grant success and said the funding would help the three businesses innovate and harness new technology to expand existing industries, and develop new ones.

“These funds will help Nova Farms, Tindo Operations and Bickford’s to modernise their businesses and potentially create new opportunities, including local jobs,” Senator Fawcett said.

“The adoption of new technologies encourages innovation, improves productivity, creates and sustains local jobs, and further develops Australia’s competitiveness in manufacturing.

“Complementing our Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy, more than $475 million was invested through the 2021/22 Federal Budget to drive industry growth and scientific development, helping to create high paying, sustainable jobs for Australian workers.

“This Budget investment underpins the Government’s economic recovery plan.”

Businesses which receive MMF grants are required to match government funding on a three-to-one basis, with government grants funding up to 25 per cent of eligible project expenditure.

MMF round two was a competitive merit-based grants program, with applications assessed by a committee of independent industry experts. Projects must be completed within two years.

The six National Manufacturing Priorities of the Strategy are: Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing, Food and Beverage, Medical Products, Recycling and Clean Energy, Defence and Space.

For a full list of successful recipients under the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund round two, visit www.business.gov.au/MMF.

Ends.