Carole Park Archives - Forest Lake News

Leading Trailer Manufacturer Secures New Headquarters in Carole Park

One of Australia’s leading trailer manufacturers, GLT (formerly Graham Lusty Trailers), has secured a major new headquarters facility in Carole Park.

Read: Multi-Warehouse Complex and Logistics Development to Boost Richlands Industrial Landscape

The company has signed an 11-year lease with on a 15,000sqm state-of-the-art office and warehouse facility at 2/39 Silica Street, Carole Park. The move to the purpose-built trailer manufacturing facility comes after GLT consolidated its operations from two warehouses in Crestmead, Logan.

According to GLT Chief Executive Shay Chalmers, the strategic relocation to Carole Park will allow the company to greatly expand its in-house manufacturing capabilities and have complete control over the entire production lifecycle.

Ms Chalmers explained that with the new Carole Park facility, the entire trailer production process from fabrication to repairs and painting will be conducted in-house to their high standards, with the site also featuring a wastewater treatment plant.

The new facility, previously occupied by trailer manufacturer MaxiTRANS, boasts state-of-the-art features tailored for trailer production. Industry sources estimate GLT’s lease is valued between $130 to $140 per square metre.

Whilst they had initially planned a move for 2025-26, Ms Chalmers revealed that the opportunity to acquire the custom-built Carole Park site prompted them to expedite their growth plans, executing a three-year strategy in just 12 months.

The expanded Carole Park headquarters will enable GLT to considerably increase its production capacity, staff count from the current 130, and triple its repairs operations. Ms Chalmers highlighted this as “one of the greatest milestones” in the company’s history, stating they plan to double their output in the next three years by tripling their staff and manufacturing capabilities to deliver better quality and innovation.

The fully self-contained manufacturing setup will provide GLT with enhanced quality control, increased production throughput, cost efficiencies to pass onto customers, and a dedicated research and development area to drive future trailer innovations, according to Chalmers.

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Ms Chalmers added that this was a historic first for GLT and the first facility of its kind in the national trailer industry in years. The enhanced research and development component will ensure the company remains at the forefront of trailer innovation in Australia.

Published 21-May-2024

Carole Park Battery Factory Ordered to Improve Safety After Worker Loses Finger

Century Yuasa, one of Australia’s most prominent and long-standing battery manufacturers, has been instructed to undertake a comprehensive safety review following a harrowing workplace accident in Carole Park.

In November 2020, a factory worker lost a finger and suffered a thumb “degloving” incident during the night shift. The unfortunate incident occurred when the worker’s hand became ensnared in a machine. The worker was injured while cleaning the rotary divider section of a battery plate production line. Subsequently, he was rushed to the hospital, where it was necessary to amputate one of his fingers due to the severity of the injury.

This has prompted Worksafe Queensland to issue an enforcement notice, highlighting concerns over the company’s compliance with health and safety regulations.

Worksafe Queensland’s Notice

Worksafe Queensland alleged that the company failed to meet its health and safety obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. As a result, Century Yuasa accepted an “enforceable undertaking” (EU) as an alternative to other enforcement measures. The EU includes several key requirements to enhance safety measures at the battery factory:

Hiring a consultant to identify the top five manual tasks with injury risks.
Implementing automation in production processes to reduce or eliminate manual handling in the battery assembly area.
Engaging a consultant to conduct an audit of the rotary extender and assembly lines.

Company Background and Expansion

Century Yuasa Batteries, Australia’s oldest battery manufacturer, has recently experienced significant growth in response to the heightened demand for batteries driven by the work-from-home trend during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company, which produces over 1.5 million batteries annually for cars, trucks, and other vehicles, expanded its operations by adding extra night shifts and hiring more than 20 new employees as part of a $21 million expansion initiative.

This expansion was made possible through substantial investments in new machinery for lead plates in batteries, increasing production by a remarkable 58 per cent.

Century Yuasa Carole Park — Photo Credit: Jess Pugh MP for Mount Ommaney/Facebook

The factory has also been a popular location for political figures, attracting the attention of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, ministers, and local MPs, who frequently visit for photo opportunities.

As Century Yuasa embarks on enhancing its safety measures, it seeks to ensure a safer working environment for its employees, preventing further accidents like the one in 2020 and maintaining its prominent position as a key player in Australia’s battery manufacturing industry.

Published 18-Oct-2023

Trailer Manufacturer MaxiTRANS Shuts Down Carole Park, Moves Ops to Victoria

MaxiTRANS, a leading Australian trailer manufacturer, has announced it will be closing its manufacturing facility in Carole Park and consolidating all trailer production in Ballarat, Victoria.

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The company opened the 14,300 square metre Carole Park site only in 2021, but is now shuttering operations due to post-pandemic pressures, continual changes in the labour market, and rising operating costs.

MaxiTRANS, which has over 75 years of experience in the industry building high-end truck trailers, intends to expand manufacturing capabilities at its original Ballarat site.

Photo credit: MaxiTRANS Carole Park Manufacturing/Google Maps

“Ahead of the announcement, MaxiTRANS has been gearing up to support the growth and expansion of its manufacturing capability at the Ballarat site, where it will now produce the full range of Lusty EMS, Hamelex White and AZMEB products alongside Freighter and Maxi-CUBE,” said Greg L’Estrange, Executive Chairman of MaxiTRANS, in a statement.

Mr L’Estrange expressed sadness over the Carole Park closure but excitement for the company’s future as it focuses on centralising production in Ballarat.

“While we are saddened by this decision, we are certainly excited for the long-term future of the business, as we forge ahead with our plans to expand the manufacturing capability at our Ballarat site and continue serving our customers and the transport industry,” he said.

MaxiTRANS also thanked the Carole Park employees for their efforts to boost site capabilities.

“We take this opportunity to thank everyone within the Carole Park manufacturing facility for their total commitment and extensive efforts to try and boost the capability of the site, unfortunately this decision was needed so that our business remains here long into the future,” Mr L’Estrange said.

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The company said concentrating operations in Ballarat will ensure it will be well-positioned to continue delivering industry excellence and serving customers into the future.

Published 20-September-2023

Iconic Brand Reels Out After More Than a Century

Photo Credit: Alvey Reels Australia / Facebook

They have been in the business of selling fishing reels for more than a century, but all good things eventually come to an end and iconic brand Alvey Reels will close its Carole Park facility by the end of June 2022.

Alvey Reels marked its 100th anniversary in 2020 with bright prospects for the company’s future. The quality of their products is undeniably top-notch which made them an angler’s best friend.

Alvey Reels, however, ceases manufacturing for good as announced last May 2022.The company cited drastically rising costs and growing domestic and global supply chain issues as well as disruptive staff shortages due to COVD-19 restrictions as the reasons to close down the Carole Park manufacturing facility.

A “structure sell down” of all of their stock is also expected in the coming weeks.

“We anticipate running with Warehouse/Dispatch and Administration staff with current stock on hand, which will carry us through to January/February 2023, but we will not be able to remain open after this time. Effective immediately to assist our administration team, the Alvey phones will be diverted to an answering service and all calls will be monitored and returned during each day,” their announcement reads.

Customers may order Alvey products and parts online at www.alvey.com.au whilst all queries will be entertained via email at info@alvey.com.au.

All authorised retailers, on the other hand, may still order stocks whilst they last but spare parts can only be purchased through the Alvey website or preferably from the following merchants: Tackle Land, Charltons Fishing, Bayside Bait & Tackle or Gardiner Fisheries Rainbow Beach.

“We at Alvey Reels deeply regret this difficult decision, and whilst we commit to supplying as many of our products as we can for as long as we can, our immediate priorities are our loyal staff, our dedicated retailers and passionate supporters and customers.

“On behalf of the Alvey Team, we thank you all for your 102 years of support.”

They first announced that the company will close down back in 2017 amidst decreasing sales. The announcement stirred an outpouring of support and orders kept coming, giving them enough boost in revenue to keep the company alive.

Entering into its centenary, Alvey Reels’ expanded its product range which including a line of apparel | Photo Credit: Alvey Reels Australia / Facebook

Alvey also attracted investors that enabled them to expand its product range, including a line of apparel, as well as a venture into the US market.

Alvey Reels closes effective 30 June 2022.

How Mater Volunteers Like Kevin Kelly Make a Difference in Cancer Patients

Cancer patients too sick to drive for their medical appointments at Brisbane’s Mater Cancer Centre from their residences in Eagleby, Carole Park, and Goodna can rely on Mater volunteers like Kevin Kelly.

The former police officer signed up as a Mater volunteer driver less than six months ago and has already formed strong friendships with patients.

“I am a good listener and that’s important,” he said. “I really admire them sharing their stories with me and I enjoy seeing their health progress.”

Mr Kelly, 71, resides in Thornlands and has been “in and out” of hospitals with several cancer patients as he ensures they get to their treatments and check-ups safely. He is no stranger to the process as he lost his wife to cancer more than three years ago after a couple of years of fighting the disease. Being a Mater volunteer is his way of giving back to the community.

Mater Volunteer Senior Manager Judy Johnson said that Mr Kelly exemplifies the passion and dedication they need to make a difference.

“When you help others, you end up feeling really good,” Ms Johnson said.

“Kevin is a great driver, and not only does he drive patients, some who are chronically ill, to where they need to be, but he also helps reduce their stress and takes time to make a difference to their lives.”

Other volunteers provide a variety of roles depending on their skills and professional background. Student volunteers above 18 years old are also encouraged to sign up.

Learn About Volunteering

Century Yuasa Factory in Carole Park Plans Expansion, More Jobs

Century Yuasa, the oldest battery manufacturer in Australia, is planning a major expansion that will not only boost production but also increase job opportunities as demand for cars, boats, and motorbikes batteries ramp up.

After acquiring new machinery for manufacturing battery lead plates, Century Yuasa operations manager Matthieu Anquetil said that demands have been dictated by the COVID trends that saw more commuters ditching public transport to take private cars or to refurbished used cars that need new batteries.

With new machinery in place, estimated to produce 380,000 lead plates per day, the Carole Park factory is also going to have more staff to help with production. The plan is to increase the workforce from 20 to 160 within the year. The move comes after the factory added a night shift line in October 2020, and a second night shift line in February 2021.

Mr Anquetil said that Century Yuasa’s focus on building batteries made for the Australian setting has been rewarding despite stiff competition from cheap imports and foreign battery manufacturers. However, the quality of a battery made for Australians has given the company its edge.

“We design our products to be specially tailored to the Australian market, inclusive of Australian conditions and Australian consumers,” Mr Anquetil said.

“We go from a temperate climate in Melbourne to a more tropical one in Darwin. Usually, that’s a different environment for the battery; and whether it’s for a deep cycle application, marine application, your day-to-day metro run, or long-haul trucks around Australia, all these products require specific attention and a different mix of elements inside the batteries.”  

The Carole Park site produces about 1.2 million car batteries every year, including vehicles for marine and defence use.

Century Yuasa was established in Sydney in 1928. Across the country and New Zealand, the company employs more than 650 individuals who are into sales, distribution, and research or development, aside from manufacturing.