Manufacturing

Manufacturing is a key sector of the Gympie region economy. Our region is experiencing growth in major infrastructure projects, has a strong manufacturing business base and is home to some of Australia's market leaders in the manufacturing industry.

The manufacturing industry in the Gympie region achieved $820 million in output during 2021/2022 and is the largest exporter, view economic profile (Source: .id).

    • 2000 people or 9.5 per cent of employed people worked in manufacturing in the Gympie region in 2021/2022.
    • The total output of manufacturing in the Gympie region in 2021/2022 was $820 million.
    • International exports from the sector were $108m
    • There are 204 registered manufacturing businesses in the Gympie region. (Source.id)

  • Multinational companies, major exporters and locally owned manufacturers produce a diverse range of goods and services. These include engineering and heavy equipment, food processing, agriculture, as well as major timber processing and value- added products.

    Heavy manufacturing businesses are capitalising on opportunities to supply products and services in a region offering affordable land and availability of labour. Service based businesses are exploring new boundaries in innovation and creativity.

    Our strong economy, strategic location, supply chains, stable workforce and competitve industrial land provide the opportunity for expansion and diversification in a wide range of manufacturing sectors.

    Already one of the largest components of the regional economy, manufacturing is set for further growth due to:

    • Competitively priced industrial land and lower costs of production
    • Access to a skilled and experienced regional workforce with low housing costs
    • A strong transport network to provide goods to market - room to expand in the future
    • Sound infrastructure including reliable power and water supply
    • Access to raw materials, and established supply chains.
       

    • Carbon neutrality and sustainability targets will reshape the sector.
    • Emerging new business models using updated data and innovative pricing structures. Information technology and research and development are important investments in the manufacturing industry to achieve new growth.
    • Focus on advanced manufacturing and re-shaping manufacturing locally.

    • Investment in advanced manufacturing systems, including automation.
    • Supporting manufacturers to take advantages of large scale renewable projects in planning in the region.
    • Productivity gains through innovation.
    • Further development of manufacturing linked to natural resources in the region (for example primary production, mining and forestry).
    • Clustering with existing manufacturing organisations to drive growth.
    • Capitalising on a long history of successful manufacturing and engineering in the Gympie region.
    • Accessing land with lower acquisition and operating costs than equivalent industrial land in adjoining SEQ locations.
    • Opportunities for regional growth and development facilitated by the Gympie Regional Council Planning Scheme.
    • Capacity to plan for the future with room to grow for the next 20 to 50 years.
    • A sizeable business community with in excess of 4500 businesses (including major manufactures) and with an estimated gross regional product of around $2.4 billion (source.id)