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Barossa company receives support

14 October 2010

A Barossa Valley wine services company has received a State Government grant of almost $50,000 to support business expansion plans.

Wine Engineering and Maintenance Services (WEMS) provides specialist products and services to the wine industry.

Regional Development Minister Michael O'Brien says the grant, from the Regional Development Infrastructure Fund (RDIF), would directly assist the company to more than double the electricity supply capacity at its Barossa Valley site.

"The expansion will enable WEMS to operate more than one shift and increase its workforce by up to 10 full-time employees over five years," Mr O'Brien says.

"The company plans to create an engineering services cluster with smaller local suppliers and move into more diverse markets beyond the wine industry, such as the food and mining sectors.'

Mr O'Brien says the grant would assist WEMS to install an 11KVA distribution transformer,
switchboard and consumer mains.

"The grant will have a wider impact, as an increased electricity supply to the site will also give two adjoining businesses the opportunity to expand," he says.

The RDIF plays an important role in helping to meet a number of South Australia's Strategic Plan targets for regional jobs, investment and export earnings.

In 2009-10, the RDIF provided about $2 million to 11 projects. The projects supported by RDIF in this period will generate an estimated 178 jobs, with a total investment of almost $60 million.