TRUCK body manufacturer Gippsland Body Builders will double its workforce to 20 as part of a $655,000 expansion project.
Above: Gippsland Body Builders co-owners Brian Golding (front left) and Danny Worrall (front right) with staff. Photos by William PJ Kulich.
With the assistance of a $150,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Regional Growth Fund, the business relocated to a new site in Drouin and is investing in new equipment to improve productivity.
The company, which opened in Warragul in 1985, builds tipping trailer bodies, performs repairs and alters vehicles.
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Narracan MP Gary Blackwood officially announced the state government’s funding for the project at an event last Friday.
“To double the jobs in [the] organisation, I think it’s very very good value for the dollar spend in terms of our (the state government’s) contribution,” Mr Blackwood said.
“It’s a great outcome, it’s great to have you in… Drouin. In some ways it’s sad to see you leave Warragul, but it doesn’t matter, we’re all the same community.”
Brian Golding, who owns the business with Danny Worrall, said the grant would help install safer equipment.
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“Danny and I would just like to thank everyone who’s helped support us,” Mr Golding said.
“It will help our business a lot, just to get that little bit of a helping hand to get better equipment in the factory for the guys, and safer equipment as well.
“Up to date everything’s going real well, so we’re looking at a good year I think.”
The 10 new jobs will consist of seven boilermakers, two spray painters and a store person.
Above: the factory floor.
Above: Brian Golding (middle) shows Gary Blackwood (left) and Murray Cook (right) around the new building.
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