$1M grant to propel Mayo defence industries business

2 Sep 2020
Zenith grant 2020

Team Zenith, a defence industry business based in Mount Barker, has secured a $1 million grant under the Federal Government’s Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Program.

The company, which operates under the banner of Zenith Custom Creations, has been awarded the grant to expand its manufacturing capability to produce and repair deployable planning facilities for the Australian Defence Force.

“Melissa Price, the Minister for Defence Industry, informed me of the successful allocation during a meeting yesterday,” Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha said.

“The Minister said Team Zenith was doing good work and the Government wanted the company to develop the capacity to improve and expand.

“I agree. I visited Craig and Linda Vanderstelt at Zenith Custom Creations in October 2019, and their factory has doubled in size since my first visit back in 2017.

“The team at Zenith use cutting-edge technology, including wi-fi enabled aluminium welders, to deliver high-quality products for their customers.

“But what Craig and Linda stressed to me during my most recent visit was that, while investing in the latest equipment was a necessary business expense, which was crucial to their success was their staff. They value their staff and they want their staff to grow with the company.”

Zenith has been operating since 2001, and in conjunction with Daronmont Technologies, they manufacture the latest-generation, lightweight, air-transportable shelters for military applications.

These ‘shelters’ are adaptable and can be used for a range of purposes from office spaces to scientific laboratories even for morgues.

“Zenith continues to go from strength to strength. Just last month Kongsberg Defence Australia and Raytheon Australia announced the commencement of an in-country manufacturing activity for the fire distribution shelter system as part of its national advanced surface-to-air missile system capability for the Australian Army,” Rebekha said.

“In making the announcement, Kongsberg's general manager, Mr John Fry, said he was 'proud to partner with Australian businesses such as Zenith Custom Creations' and went on to note that Zenith has an excellent track record and have demonstrated their ability to manufacture to demanding specifications, which will be suitable for not only the Australian Defence Force but for Kongsberg's global supply chain.

“Zenith Custom Creations is an example of what can happen when we support our regional businesses, who in turn support our regional workers, who can then support our regional economies.”

You can read Rebekha's speech in Federal Parliament here.

Photo: Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie with Craig Vanderstelt from Zenith Custom Creations during a visit late in 2019. Zenith was recently awarded a $1M Federal Grant.

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