Twenty new full-time jobs will be created in Geelong with advanced  manufacturing firm Carbon Revolution partnering with the Victorian Government to deliver an $883,000 expansion.

Premier and Minister for Regional Cities Denis Napthine was joined by  Minister for Manufacturing David Hodgett in Geelong today (28 June 2013) to announce that  the Coalition Government would contribute $250,000 toward the project from  the Greater Geelong Industry Fund (GGIF).

"Carbon Revolution is an innovative company that has a bright future in  Geelong,” Dr Napthine said.

“It is the only company anywhere in the world which has been able to  successfully commercialise a single-piece wheel.

“Utilising cutting edge technology and design, these strong but  lightweight carbon fibre composite wheels are used in the automotive,  aerospace and commercial industries.

“The Coalition Government is pleased to support this expansion project  which will see the workforce at Carbon Revolution increase from about 25  to 45 staff while production will ramp up from approximately 1400 wheels  per year to almost 4000 per year,” Dr Napthine said.

Mr Hodgett said around 70 per cent of the expansion project’s budget would  be spent with suppliers and contractors from the Geelong region.

“This project is an example of the enormous potential of Geelong’s  advanced manufacturing industries,” Mr Hodgett said.

“To have the world’s only supplier of single-piece carbon fibre composite  wheels located right here in Geelong is a positive reflection of the  region’s highly skilled workforce and manufacturing capability.”

The company will work with the new Coalition Government-supported carbon  fibre manufacturing facility, Australian Future Fibres Research and  Innovation Centre, which is currently being built in Waurn Ponds.

The Coalition Government is contributing $10 million to the Australian  Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre through the Science Agenda  Strategic Project Fund.

With a number of funding allocations still yet to be made as part of round  one of the Greater Geelong Industry Fund, the Coalition Government has  already created more than 70 manufacturing jobs in the Geelong region.

G21 - Geelong Region Alliance, http://www.g21.com.au/news/new-jobs-geelong-leading-edge-carbon-manufacture