Roofing company to reach new heights with advanced manufacturing

29 May 2023

The Territory Labor Government is backing local businesses and creating jobs with the Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF).

Darwin business, Steeline GRP is the latest recipient to be awarded co-investment under AMEF.

The company is collaborating with Charles Darwin University, Diverseco, and local business Custom Works to integrate new manufacturing equipment to scale up its operations.

Steeline’s project will commit $3.5 million in total to grow the capability and capacity of the Northern Territory manufacturing ecosystem.

This includes an $800,000 investment from the AMEF and a further $1.9M investment by Steeline through in-kind services, support and labour.

This will not only upskill existing staff - but create 10 new Territory-first manufacturing jobs which will remove the need to outsource work from interstate and overseas.

The project is forecast to generate $7.25 million in additional revenue over five years.

Steeline is the largest Territory owned steel roll former.

Investment from the AMEF will support the scale up of capabilities with new manufacturing equipment – including machines that can cut longer and heavier pieces of aluminium and steel and the ability to weld into formation.

Steeline is the sixth Northern Territory business to receive investment through the AMEF, which is administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC).

The AMEF is part of a five-year, $8.75 million partnership between the Northern Territory Government and the AMGC, and it provides grants to industry-led advanced manufacturing projects in the Territory across priority sectors.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Advanced Manufacturing, Nicole Manison:

“The AMEF has begun to transform the Territory’s manufacturing ecosystem in a short amount of time.

“The co-investment fund is achieving exactly what it was set out to do – generate jobs, increase local capability and drive growth across the Territory, with Steeline playing a pivotal role in boosting local jobs, innovation and opportunities.”

Quotes attributable to NT Major Projects Commissioner Jason Schoolmeester:

“The AMEF has a significant and complementary role to play in underpinning a variety of major projects across the Top End.

“Steeline’s new capabilities will arrive at a time of major infrastructure, investment and innovation, projects for the Territory.”

Quotes attributable to AMGC NT Director Charmaine Phillips:

“Steeline’s project represents an important lift in the ability of the NT’s manufacturing ecosystem to supply important economic development and major projects across the region – precisely what the AMEF was designed to achieve.”

Quotes attributable to Steeline General Manager, Tony Halikos:

“Our advanced manufacturing facility will house state of the art automated metal manufacturing technology and will be supported by skilled staff possessing STEM capabilities that do not currently exist in the NT.

“In short, we will be removing the requirement to outsource work interstate or overseas, while creating more local jobs – it’s a win-win for the Territory.” 

Northern Territory Government