AUSTRALIA’S biggest automotive re-manufacturing company, Walkinshaw Group, has opened a new, $114 million state-of-the-art facility at Dandenong South in Melbourne’s south-east. 

It was opened by Victorian minister for industry and advanced manufacturing, Colin Brooks, who said it would boost the capabilities and confidence in Victoria’s world-class automotive supply chain, along with creating 155 jobs.

The 100,000 square-metre site – the equivalent of five MCGs and one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the country – brings together operations from three existing sites and can accommodate up  to 1500 employees. Walkinshaw will manufacture more than 10,000 vehicles a year for the Australian market.

The new site includes Australia’s most advanced automotive engineering centre and more than four  production lines and features a renewable solar energy system to support future projects. 

Walkinshaw Group CEO Ryan Walkinshaw said that the opening “marks a new era in our history, one that will drive us forward.”

“Since 2018, our business has seen remarkable growth, and our capabilities have expanded significantly.

“It left us needing a bigger footprint, one that not only fit our unique requirements, but would continue our expansion into the future.

The facility has been created in partnership with privately-owned property group, Salta. Mr Walkinshaw said the group was “extremely grateful to Salta for joining us on this journey and bringing this to life.”

“Our state-of-the-art facility, especially of this scope and size, allows us to continue to be industry leaders in manufacturing and engineering, and continue to improve our efficiencies across all arms of the group,” Mr Walkinshaw said.

“We truly believe in the strength of Australian manufacturing and engineering, and this should show everyone how committed we are for the long term.”

Ryan Walkinshaw

The facility will accommodate a workforce of over 800 people across two shifts daily, working across four manufacturing lines, as well as the firm’s engineering centre.

It also includes Walkinshaw’s leading engineering centre, which provides engineering and design services to a broad range of industries, as well as warehousing, office space, hardstand, 700 staff carparks, and in excess of 500 storage spots for remanufactured vehicles.

The Walkinshaw Andretti United Supercars team will move into the mega factory next year, with a relocation from its current Clayton South workshop planned for April, timed while the team’s new Toyota Supra race cars are tackling a New Zealand double-header, minimising interruption on the squad.

Walkinshaw Group specialises in vehicle enhancements and left-hand-drive to right-hand-drive conversions for global brands including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and Isuzu.

The 155 new jobs created at the company’s new facility are across production, engineering and administration which have been promoted by the government as delivering a major boost to local employment and economic growth. 

Mr Brooks said Victoria was home to several renowned automotive manufacturers, including ARB, Premcar and APV, and  the state’s broader automotive industry, employing more than 50,000 Victorians. 

“Victoria is Australia’s leading advanced manufacturing state, and this state-of-the-art facility is a  testament to the strength and resilience of our automotive industry,” he said.