The Queensland Government established an Essential Goods and Supply Chain Program to ensure Queensland manufacturers can reprioritise or pivot production and make essential goods such as personal protective equipment, health consumables and devices in the face of the pandemic.
The $50 million program has funded three local manufacturers to shore up the state’s ability to produce PPE.
The Queensland companies are Crystalaid, Belgotex Fabrics and Olitek.
Crystalaid, will gain the relevant certification needed to produce medical devices including ventilators, Belgotex Fabrics, Queensland’s only major textile manufacturer, will diversify into tight weave fabrics needed to make frontline health workers’ medical scrubs uniforms and Olitek will manufacture large volumes of high-quality, functional, TGA-accredited OzVader ventilators.
Acting Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles stated “the State is continuing to recognise the need to strengthen local PPE manufacturing capability”
“As part of the Queensland Government’s strategy to Unite and Recover for Queensland jobs, we’re continuing to support Queensland businesses and manufacturers to expand their production capacity, especially in the area of health PPE and medical devices.”
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer went on to say, “it’s a testament to the resilience and innovation of our small businesses, that they are able to reprioritise their production, and skill up when required.”
“We have seen over the past year how critical it is to be able to manufacture PPE and other essential goods in Queensland,” she said.
