Adelaide most competitive place to do business

As pasted from northern messenger:

Drinks all round

MAYOR TOASTS BICKFORD’S PLANT EXPANSION
SALISBURY Mayor Gillian Aldridge has welcomed a plan by Bickford’s Australia to expand its northern operations – and she hopes it will be the beginning of a new wave of investment.

The family-owned business, which moved from Hindley St to Salisbury South 13 years ago, has received a $10 million grant to build an “ultra-clean” beverage production line. It was part of the Federal Government’s Next Generation Manufacturing Investment Program, allowing the company to produce, bottle and cap sterile drinks that are free from preservatives.

Ms Aldridge said the expansion was a sign the business was here to stay for the long term.

“I love Bickford’s because they believe in Salisbury,” Ms Aldridge said.

“They moved here 13 years ago and keep reinvesting in our city. I am so happy about that.” The news came after Coca-Cola announced it would close its SA operations in Thebarton, slashing 180 jobs.

It also comes as Holden gears up to close its Elizabeth plant on October 20.

But Ms Aldridge was confident businesses would continue to set up shop in the northern suburbs.

Other projects luring more companies to the north – through construction and leasing contracts – include the Northern Connector, Playford CBD development, Salisbury Community Hub, Parabanks Shopping Centre expansion, and ACH Group’s aged care centre at Elizabeth.

The Northern Adelaide Food Park at Parafield Airport, expansion of the SA Produce Market at Pooraka, Munno Para Shopping Centre upgrade and twin tower aged care apartments proposed at Mawson Lakes are also generating interest from businesses to set up in the northern suburbs.

About 5000 jobs collectively would be created through these projects.

“I sit down with my planning staff once a month and they show me all the new development applications – some worth more than $100 million,” Ms Aldridge said.

“So I know people are keen to invest in our city because they believe it is the best place to do business.”

Bickford’s marketing manager Chris Illman said the new technology – in operation from next year – would also create a need for more skilled workers.

He said Bickford’s was keen to continue investing in the north because it was the perfect place to do business.

About a quarter of the 400strong Bickford’s workforce are employed at Salisbury.

“Bickford’s is a legacy business and we plan to do this for a long, long time,” Mr Illman said.

“We have quite a bit of infrastructure already in place – two 10,000sq m buildings, one that is used for warehousing and the other for production – and we have a need to grow and invest in this area so we can be globally competitive. We operate on a big footprint here.

“Salisbury is also well positioned in terms of allowing us to have close access to shipping and freight (in Port Adelaide), as well as the space we need to produce our beverages.”

Bickford’s Group senior brand manager Hugh McIntosh said his business was interested in employing former Coca-Cola workers.

“The ultra-clean production line will require high-end professionals ... Coca-Cola workers will have those skill sets. We took on a person from Holden and we are always looking for people from our state.” – additional reporting Craig Cook JOBS SA is back!

After last year’s overwhelming response, Messenger’s Jobs SA campaign has returned to again help create jobs and highlight success in small business.

News Corp SA executive general manager Ish Davies said the campaign was a great opportunity for local businesses to get support as they look to expand.

“Feedback from businesses that participated in the Jobs SA campaign was hugely positive with people describing it as brilliant, encouraging, generous and confidence building,” he said.

“So we are embarking on another campaign in 2017, which once more will allow us to share with our readers the many uplifting stories of small business growth and success as we uncover innovators, risk takers and passionate entrepreneurs so vital to our economy.”

The SA Government, which supports the campaign, introduced the job accelerator grant scheme last July in a bid to boost job growth.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said it was important to support small and medium-sized businesses, which comprise 97 per cent of the state’s economy.

“(They) are the backbone of the South Australian economy and the best way we can create jobs is by supporting these businesses so they can invest and grow,” he said.

“That is what the State Government is doing through our $10,000 grants for businesses that take on additional staff.

“We are on track to help create about 14,000 jobs over two years and want as many businesses as possible to apply for the grants.”

One of the features of the campaign will be a free employment advertisement offer, from March 25 to May 6, open to companies employing 50 workers or less.

 

Intresting proposition from Elon Musk.

Elon Musk and SA Premier in 'positive talks' on power fix

 

SA govt just announced that the state will soon build the world's biggest battery, and a 250MW gas fired power plant. This will create at least 630 jobs and will hopefully keep me in a job a little longer too I wonder where they'll be built exactly..

 

It's great news for SA, Port Augusta for the gas station maybe?

 

I hear the tenants on the corner of Philip Hwy are moving out in October?

 

Good spot for the batteries maybe?

 

Jay Grills Josh over Federal governments treatment of SA:

Watch the SA Premier shirtfront Frydenberg over energy policy

 

With the SA energy problems in the past year or so, has there been much impact to local businesses? I have heard from some people that a few companies will be relocating to other states.

I work in the energy sector but I better keep my trap shut about Jay & Tom.

 

I don't think so. It affected some local businesses as they weren't able to trade, but near our office there's a Honda generator shop and they were flat out.

 

The biggest impact was on BHP at Olympic dam. They were without power for two weeks at a cost of 3 million a day in lost production.

 

Yeah aware of that and Arrium was impacted too. What about smaller industries and businesses? I'm just trying to get a feel for business and job sentiments.

 

I cant really speak for Adelaide in general, as I only own property in the north and as such really only follow the local business news. Sentiment is a bit mixed at the moment as were waiting for the dust to settle on the Holden closure. On the plus side there is a huge amount of investment coming on stream to fill the hole. (the most i have seen in the 40 odd years i have lived out this way) Check out the "look north" website it outlines all the upcoming investment and latest business news.

Projects - Look North

 

My cousins husband works for holden, says everyone's been drip fed out for years. He'll be one of the last to go, late this year when it closes. They don't live in the north, most there don't. I think the effect itll have is very overstated and exaggerated.

Nonetheless its contributing to the dips in consumer and business confidence levels. The clouds are covering a bright sun, though.

 

My personal concerns aren't really with Holden directly, but the larger majority that work in the supply chain feeding Holden. Those guys won't be receiving the same generous Payouts and access to retraining.

Having said that the closure has given the north a much needed wake up call to diversify the economy. With that and the investment capital in the pipeline I think there is definitely potential for the north to surprise to the upside. (I'm hopping so anyway as I have a few peoples noses id like to rub in it!)

 

$25m training facillity to be established at Techport.

A MARITIME technical school will be established in South Australia to train workers for its $90 billion shipbuilding program.
The Maritime Technical College will be based in the South Australian capital of Adelaide at Techport Australia, the biggest shipbuilding hub in Australia. It will be the centre of a program to deliver training across the country in areas such as steel fabrication, welding and naval engineering.
The college is expected to commence operations in early 2018 with a focus on increasing key entry-level trade qualifications through contracted Registered Training Organisations across Australia.
Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said the college would help ensure long-term, secure employment for future naval shipbuilding and sustainment workers which will avoid the peaks and troughs the industry had previously experienced.
The Australian Government will invest $25 million in the college at a time of transition for the South Australian economy as thousands of car and component manufacturers look for new careers following the closure of the state’s last auto manufacturer by the end of the year.
“By the late 2020s the naval shipbuilding industry will expand to more than 5200 employees in construction in South Australia, and more than double this in sustainment and through the supply chain across the country,” Pyne said
“The Maritime Technical College is an investment aimed at attracting, recruiting, training and retaining the workforce we need to successfully deliver a continuous naval shipbuilding program.
“We fully expect workers previously employed in mining and automotive industries to be retrained through this college, ready to start work on our next generation of naval vessels.”
Techport Australia is home to the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance, which is building three next-generation destroyers for the Australian Navy. The $8 billion collaboration between ASC, Raytheon Australia and the Australian Department of Defence is part of the most complex defence project in Australia's history.
The first of the three destroyers, Hobart, completed its Sea Acceptance Trials off the coast of South Australia this month.
Techport is also the home of the sustainment program for the Collins class submarine fleet and is expected to be where 12 Shortfin Barracuda submarines will be built by French shipbuilder DCNS for the Royal Australian Navy.
A request for tender for the maritime college will be released in coming months. The Department of Defence is making arrangements for industry information sessions on the Maritime Technical College and its phased implementation from 2018.

 

Tender to build battery pant at Holden's site.

HOLDEN’S Elizabeth factory could be transformed into a powerhouse as part of plan to build Australia’s largest battery.
Last week, Carnegie Clean Energy expressed its interest in taking over the 122 ha site on Philip Highway once Holden closes in mid-October.
Under the plans, it would be used to build a 100MW battery, financed by a new $150 million renewable technology fund.
The battery could then prop up the state’s failing power network.
It forms a part of the State Government’s $550 million power plan unveiled earlier this month. Carnegie managing director Mike Ottaviano said employing Holden workers made sense.
“They’re perfect. Think about what a car is – it’s a bunch of mechanical electrical systems,” Mr Ottaviano said.
“That’s what a battery is as well.”
He said between 100 and 150 former Holden workers could be employed to build the battery.
Carnegie, in a joint venture with Sydney-based Lendlease, is believed to be vying for the battery deal with Elon Musk’s Tesla and Australian firms Lyon Solar and ZEN Energy. Expressions of interest on the contract are open until the end of the month.
Mike Fitzpatrick – a Carlton premiership ruckman and former AFL chairman – is a major Carnegie shareholder and company director. The company is currently building a utility battery for the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, in WA, employing more than 100 people.

 

Lyon Group are now building a $1b battery and solar farm in Morgan (4.7 million panels, 330MW) in addition to their one in Roxby

 

When i was in Automotive, it was 6 workers in Tier 1 & 2 to support 1 GMH line worker,that was awhile ago, but the support base employment was huge.Those wages will be missed in the economy, i hope they they all get re employed.I was reading this today, i personally know a lot of these guys.

http://www.theleadsouthaustralia.co...rom-the-bleeding-heart-of-auto-manufacturing/

 

Just saw that Boeing are now setting up a base in Adelaide

Babcock, an engineering services Co, are also moving their HQ from Brisvegas to Adelaide

 

The businesses closing seem to make the news, but the businesses opening never seems to, even though they're greater in number. I've never really understood it.