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Riverland fund awarded to Berri company

24 June 2011

Berri manufacturing company JMA Engineering will upgrade its construction facility thanks to a $250,000 State Government grant.

Visiting the Riverland today, Regional Development Minister Gail Gago said the funding from the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund will contribute to upgrading the company’s grit blasting facilities which clean metal materials used in manufacturing.

“JMA Engineering specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of stainless steel for wine and brewery equipment and mild steel construction for industrial and retail buildings,” the Minister said.

“The business has evolved over 28 years from a local company to a national market-based group servicing the wine, food and paper industries.

“This funding will help JMA to improve its facilities and operations, enabling the company to widen its current client base and seek more work outside of the Riverland, particularly in the growing mining and exploration sectors.

“Importantly, this project encourages industry diversification beyond the region’s high profile horticulture sector.”

JMA Engineering Project Manager Tony Saville said that the money will contribute to the purchase and installation of a new grit blasting machine, construction of a building to house the new grit blaster and to convert the existing grit blasting booth into a spray painting booth.

“This upgrade will enable us to be much more competitive and successfully bid against the larger building companies in cities like Mildura, Adelaide and as far away as Melbourne,” Mr Saville said.

“We can now much more efficiently meet the higher demand of the specifications required on new building codes.

“We also anticipate that the improved facilities will generate five new jobs as a result of an increase in production.”

The project, worth a total of $500,000, is due for completion later this year.

Ms Gago said the Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund was established to assist with industry restructuring and to promote sustainable economic and social development in the Riverland.