Thursday 20 December 2007

New contract creating local jobs

Dalby Herald
Friday 14/12/2007 Page: 1

Major Metals is growing, thanks to a new contract to create wind towers. They are hiring 45 new staff, spending $20 million to expand their workshops, and will start creating pipes as long as football fields. The increased number of staff, from their current 30 workshop workers and six office staff, will include at least 35 new workshop workers with skills ranging from welding, crane operation, blasting and coating, rolling steel plates and cable connection. Six or seven senior staff will be appointed by Major Metals parent company RPG Australia, an integrated steel solutions company.

RPG Australia managing director Barry Cox said the lucrative contract to manufacture 43 wind towers for the Capital Wind Farm in New South Wales was a project that will provide a major boost to Dalby's economy, as well as increase Major Metals' percentage of output for RPG Australia, which has offices in Brisbane and Adelaide, to one-third of all national production.

Mr Cox said the expansion was set to begin in January next year,"be in fully fledged major production" by mid-year, and was progressing quickly, thanks in part to a very supportive Dalby Town Council. Mayor Cr Warwick Geisel, who was onsite for the official media announcement on Wednesday, was full of praise for the massive project. The wind towers being created will be made in four 65 tonne sections, and when assembled will be as long as football field, 80 metres high and 4.5 metres in diameter.

Each tower will be fully blasted, painted, coated, fitted with platforms, cables and ladders before they are transported to New South Wales. Addressing the skills shortage has been identified as potentially challenged and Major Metals have asked interested workers to call Ina Hirovanaa on 4662 5561 to find out more about possible positions. "We encourage anyone from experienced tradesmen to young locals looking to establish a career in an exciting new industry to make contact with us now." Mr Cox said.

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