Grillex (formerly Unisite Group) design and produce commercial outdoor community infrastructure, including electric barbecues, street furniture and shelters.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomed the news, saying it’s “another example of confidence and positivity”.
“The Bundaberg Region is a fantastic place to live, work and invest,” he said.
“Council has engaged Grillex for projects including new barbecues at Boreham Park.
“It’s great to see a local business expanding and moving into new markets.”
Grillex has undertaken work in the Bundaberg Region including the Burnett Heads streetscape, Gin Gin park, Malvern Park Drive playground at Moore Park Beach and Christen Park at Bargara.
Minister for State Development and Manufacturing Cameron Dick said the investment will speed up the company’s growth plans and stimulate the regional economy.
“Grillex is a great local success story. It’s a family-owned business founded in 2006 that has grown to become one of Australia’s leading providers of outdoor community and leisure products,” Mr Dick said.
“The company has reached full capacity at its current locations, so to service an expected 25 per cent growth over the next five years Grillex will establish a new facility in Kensington industrial area near Bundaberg Airport.
“The 2680 square metre warehouse and office complex will feature the latest in manufacturing technologies on the assembly line, boosting Grillex’s global competitiveness.
“Fifteen new jobs will be supported through this expansion, including manufacturing and technical jobs on the production line, as well as roles in sales, management and administration.
“The new site build will commence shortly and is expected to support around 30 local construction jobs over a 12-month period.”
Grillex general manager Martin Rowland said the company was excited to be entering this new phase of growth after recent work to streamline and future-proof business operations through lean manufacturing principles.
“We started in the playground equipment industry, but after reaching a leadership position in that space we became proactive with research and development into new product lines, targeting our customer base of local governments, education providers, tourist parks and private enterprises,” Mr Rowland said.
“Our current team of 25 staff have worked hard to get us to this point, where in addition to supplying the domestic market we currently export to New Zealand, Fiji and Dubai, and are now looking to expand into European markets.”