The international Bonfiglioli industrial motors and drives group is more than doubling the size of its Australia headquarters just seven years after establishing a full branch operation Down Under.
The Managing Director of Bonfiglioli Transmission (Australia) Pty Ltd, Mr Malcolm Lewis, says the new multi-million dollar facilities in Glendenning in Western Sydney reflect tremendous growth in Australia and New Zealand - with more to come as extensive new ranges are introduced over 2005-06.
“We're delighted to announce that customer confidence in us is being recognised with major investment in new facilities to serve our rapidly expanding share of the Australian and New Zealand markets. Bonfiglioli has purchased 10,000 square metres of land next to the new M7 orbital motorway on which we are currently building our new facilities in two stages, including:
- Additional production capabilities in Stage one, where more than 2300 square metres of factory space is being purpose-built this year to cater for existing and new ranges of technology being introduced by the company
- 700 square metres of office space that will be occupied simultaneously early next year, with expanded accommodation for technical and design staff as well as greater customer support facilities
- Plus a 5000 sq warehouse and assembly centre in Stage Two, which will follow to provide additional stocking and engineering capacity to respond to customer demands from a broad and expanding range of customers (see list below).
New products to be handled at the new HQ will include some of Europe's latest technology heavy duty parallel and bevel helical gear reducers, as launched by Bonfiglioli at the 2005 Hanover trade fair.
“In order to be able to assemble these exciting new products locally, Bonfiglioli will install a new 12.5 tonne overhead crane in the workshop assembly area,” says Mr Lewis. “Our expanded assembly and delivery capabilities will be further enhanced by new high-level racking in the warehouse area, where an extra three levels of storage will be introduced compared with the existing warehouse. This additional production and stocking capability will be accessed with a new high-reach forklift to help ensure our prompt and efficient response to customer needs.”
Establishment of the new headquarters to replace the existing HQ at Auburn follows expansion of Bonfiglioli's ranges across the board, as well as the introduction last year of new technologies catering for expanding interest in mechatronic drives throughout Australia and New Zealand. Headed in Victoria by Mr Sean Richardson, National Product Manager, Electronic Automated Drives (EAD), the expanding EAD division incorporates new ranges of Bonfiglioli products that integrate state-of-the-art mechanical and electronic process control.
Bonfiglioli is also rapidly expanding its facilities in New Zealand, which will be supported by both the new HQ facilities and by major investment being made by Saeco Bearings and Transmissions, a BEST (Bonfiglioli Excellent Service Team) partner of Bonfiglioli.
Mr Lewis says the outstanding facilities being introduced by Bonfiglioli will offer streamlined access to strong inventory Bonfiglioli possesses to cater for the technology and delivery needs of its Australian and New Zealand customers. “The new facilities are part of our ongoing commitment to service, delivery and assembly to client needs, which are our first priority and the focus of our planning,” he says.
Bonfiglioli Transmission (Australia) Pty Ltd is part of the international Bonfiglioli group, which has worldwide sales of more than $A500 million a year and which employs more than 1700 people.