REDARC to Expand Local Manufacturing

South Australian-based advanced manufacturing company REDARC Electronics will add around 100 more jobs over the next four years as part of a significant expansion of its Lonsdale facility in Adelaide.

 

To commemorate the expansion project, REDARC Electronics held a Turning of the Sod Ceremony on Friday the 2nd of June, officiated by the City of Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg.

 

REDARC’s Managing Director, Mr Kittel said the business has already made some noteworthy changes to the current facility but the Turning of the Sod represents the next major phase of the expansion plans.

 

“This is a momentous occasion for REDARC as we look towards expanding our manufacturing presence and capabilities.

 

“The redevelopment of the Lonsdale facility will add an additional 2000 sq. m of advanced manufacturing space.

 

“REDARC have grown significantly over the past few years and the expansion will enhance our export capabilities and enable us to diversify into other markets including defence and medical devices.”

 

REDARC would be looking for electronics engineers, computer systems engineers, project managers, sales and business development and marketing staff while also offering traineeship and apprentice opportunities.

 

The expansion is fuelled by a $2.5 million Federal Government Next Generation Manufacturing Investment Programme grant announced by the Minister for Industry Innovation and Science, the Hon Greg Hunt MP in late 2016.

 

To date, REDARC has already purchased new state of the art equipment and specialist testing devices.

 

These additions represent a significant leap forward in REDARC’s capability, providing the ability to meet the high-quality needs of international markets and medical and defence industries.

 

Johan Otto, SMT Supervisor who has played a key role in the decision making of this new machinery, stated it has taken almost a year of planning and evaluation to get this new equipment selected and installed into the production line.

 

“We sought the world’s best electrical equipment manufacturers to provide us with the best technology available in the business.”

 

“The end result was new machinery that will allow us to increase our capacity by 250% and provide product assembly 2 times faster than what we can achieve currently”, he stated.

 

Staff members have been selected to participate in training in various countries over the recent months and interstate to ensure in-house know-how so that full-scale production on the new machinery can commence in June. This included two-week training courses in Japan, Korea and Germany.

 

Other significant changes include a new server room and a new carpark.

 

“The additional capacity will give us more flexibility leading into the future as we enter export markets and defence industries, making us more agile to deal with our customers ever-changing needs”, Mr Kittel said.

 

Major building works will commence with the expansion of office and the production area and is scheduled for completion in mid to late 2018. The expansion will also allow REDARC to bring through more students, particularly in engineering, looking to undertake work experience.

 

REDARC are heavily involved and committed to the community by nurturing and developing the skills of young people as they enter the workforce, and provide many work experience opportunities in various areas of the business. 

 

“By investing in our people and creating a highly skilled workforce we become the innovators and leaders that we are known for”, commented Mr Kittel.

 

At the heart of REDARC’s company values, the business has always been involved in and passionate about community activities and events. This includes support for Junction Australia, the South Australian Football Club, the South Adelaide Basketball Club, RED25, CoastGuard SAF6, Variety SA, The World Solar Challenge and the CFS Foundation Trail. In addition, REDARC has enjoyed close partnerships with many local schools, including Reynella High School, the University of Flinders and the Marcelling Technical College.