REDARC targeting international markets with major facility upgrade

South Australian-based advanced manufacturing company REDARC Electronics will almost double its workforce over the next four years as part of a significant expansion of its Lonsdale facility in Adelaide.

 

The expansion is being fuelled by a $2.5 million Federal Government Next Generation Manufacturing Investment Programme grant announced today by the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Hon Greg Hunt MP.

 

REDARC’s Managing Director, Mr Anthony Kittel, said the grant would be used to purchase additional state-of-the-art machinery and testing and validation equipment to enable the company to comply with international market regulations.

 

He said that to house the new equipment, REDARC would be undertaking a major redevelopment of its Lonsdale manufacturing facility.

 

As a result, the company expects to create around 100 new jobs during the next four years, mainly in the areas of innovation, advanced manufacturing, quality and business development.

 

“The new equipment will enable us to enhance our export capabilities and diversify into other markets, including defence and medical devices,” Mr Kittel said.

 

“The new equipment includes a much needed electronic component loading line for our Surface Mount Technology Room to allow us to capitalise on market opportunities.”

 

Mr Kittel said REDARC had recently undertaken a project with BAE Systems Australia and was exhibiting in the LandForces 2016 Show in Adelaide next month as part of its diversification plans.

 

He said the redevelopment of the Lonsdale facility would add an additional 2000 sq m of advanced manufacturing space.

 

“REDARC already had plans to undertake a significant expansion at Lonsdale, but the Federal grant will allow us to bring this redevelopment forward,” he said.

 

“We have been growing strongly in recent years and aim to target the North American automotive aftermarket with our dual battery chargers and our award winning Tow-Pro Elite brake controller.

 

“We are also targeting the European recreational vehicle market with our dual battery chargers and will be exhibiting at the Automechanika in Frankfurt and the Caravan Salon Show in Dusseldorf in the next few weeks.”

 

Mr Kittel said REDARC was continuing to buck the trend against the slowdown in manufacturing in Australia through its strategy of significant reinvestment into R&D and staff development and training.

 

This was supported by a program of continuous innovation, the production of high quality products, the provision of strong technical support and close community involvement.

 

“REDARC is a high growth, high qualify manufacturer and we are looking to expand as we continue to thrive,” he said.