Global defence innovator Moog Australia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York-based manufacturer Moog Inc, has officially opened its expanded defence facility in Melbourne.
The $2.7 million expansion of its advanced manufacturing facility in Heatherton is set to bolster advanced manufacturing in Victoria and create up to 70 highly skilled local jobs over the next five years, with support from the Victorian Government.
The new facility, which has been built to develop local capabilities to design, build, and support through-life defence systems and solutions, can accommodate 40 additional engineering, technical and support employees.
Victorian Defence Advocate, John O’Callaghan, officially opened the expansion on Thursday, May 13.
In a statement, Moog Australia Managing Director, Bryan O’Connor, remarked on the benefits brought by the newly expanded facility.
“It is with excitement that we celebrate Moog’s continued growth and expansion in both Australia and the Indo-Pacific region,” O’Connor said.
“The facility is dedicated to the support of the defence and aerospace markets, further developing capabilities to design and manufacture mission critical defence solutions from Australia, focused on weaponisation and precision motion control,” he said.
“Today is a key milestone in our future growth strategy and we look forward to a bright future,” he concluded.
Moog Australia’s expanded operational capabilities in Melbourne will allow them to increase their global defence exports and strengthen their strategic partnerships with international defence manufacturers – providing a springboard into the emerging Asia-Pacific market.
“This new facility also enhances Moog Australia’s ability to scale within the Indo-Pacific region, supporting the Australian Government’s defence export strategy of increasing global export,” said Jim Riedel, Defence Sector Group Vice President at Moog Inc.
With the defence industry being a critical part of Victoria’s economy, contributing around $8.4 billion annually, the company’s investment will also build on the state’s reputation as a prime location for major defence companies seeking supply chain partners.
“This announcement stimulates investment within the Defence industry sector, creating jobs growth and offers businesses a chance to export overseas,” said Air Commodore Damien Keddie, Director General, Joint Strike Fighter Branch said.
Moog Australia has operated in Victoria for more than 40 years and serves a wide range of industries including defence, mining, security, marine, oil and gas exploration, and simulation.