New lengths create new jobs for Dalby platform manufacturer

Recognised for their innovative and high-class products, Midwest Fabrication is taking their business to new lengths as world first manufacturers of 60ft platforms.  

The family owned, and operated company was one of 15 businesses to receive a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant of up to $250,000 from the Palaszczuk Government to carry out a project that would create local job growth and economic development.  

The funding received from the grant will be used to extend the current manufacturing factory and implement necessary equipment to safely and effectively allow them to manufacture larger numbers of the 60ft harvest platforms. 

Director Martin Schutt said the project was expected to create up to nine direct jobs after the extension and infrastructure upgrades where complete. These positions will help carry out the operations of the business to meet the growing demands for the wider harvest platforms.”

“We will also be supporting local businesses by employing local trades to undertake the extension to the workshop including concreting, building and electricians and we will be sourcing materials from local businesses to boost the local economy,” he said. 

The workshop extension and equipment upgrades will enable Midwest to increase manufacturing numbers by 50% allowing the company to meet increasing order numbers in a timelier manner.  

In the last year, 60ft platforms made up 53% of Midwest Fabrications business, even though 2018 was considered a ’bad year’ due to the insufferable impacts of drought faced by grain growers across the region. 

With the huge shift towards larger capacity machinery to increase productivity the wider draper platforms allow producers to get their crops off quicker, harvest more crop for less time and money whilst boosting combine productivity and lowering overheads.  

“The 60ft platforms means farmers can cut back from five combines to three, saving money on maintenance servicing diesel and labour costs,” Mr Schutt said.  

Mr Schutt said the project was a part of the big picture for the operations of Midwest Fabrication as they plan to tap into export opportunities. 

“Exporting our products gives us an alternative source of income for the business when the local, regional and international sales are suffering from tough seasonal conditions,” he said. 

“We’ve already sold platforms internationally and there is a demand to supply the global market with regular enquiries.”  

Mr Schutt initially heard about the grant form his local accountant and said with out it the company wouldn’t have been able to improve the workshop space for a number of years.  

“We had a bandaid solution but when you’re running a profitable business you need a reliable workplace,” he said. 

“Without the funding received from the RED Grant we would’ve been years away from being able to extend our business and we wouldn’t be able to increase the number of 60ft platforms we manufacture weekly.” 

The RED Grant program offers emerging projects up to $250,000 in co-contributions to build industry and grow employment opportunities across the agricultural sector. The $10 million grants program provides for three funding rounds over a three-year period ending 2021. 

A total of 15 businesses have received $3.3 million under the first-round of funding for the RED Grant program. Overall these 15 projects are expected to create over 600 jobs across the agricultural sector in regional Queensland. 

QRIDA offers a range of assistance to primary producers, small business and non-profit organisations. To find out what’s available visit Programs and Services.

The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) administer the RED Grant scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.