Business confidence in the City of Logan continues to strengthen as major investment is secured for future industrial estates and manufacturers embark on multimillion dollar expansion plans and explore opportunities in new international markets.

Manufacturing has long been a significant contributor to Logan’s economy – valued at around $2.88 billion and creating 8,700 jobs, the sector is the top third highest revenue generator and is the city’s fifth largest employer.

While the industry has seen an overall decline nationally, many Logan businesses in both traditional and emerging manufacturing sectors have continued to grow and thrive.

Local vitamin supplement manufacturer ATP Science will soon consolidate their premises into a $15 million purpose-built 6000 sqm headquarters in Meadowbrook – a move that will allow the company to develop new lines, double their workforce and fast-track global expansion plans.

Managing Director Jeff Doidge said the time was now to invest in a new Logan headquarters as the business was experiencing massive growth and exploring opportunities offshore.

“About 80 per cent is sold in Australia and we are currently exporting to the UAE, US and UK and have some emerging markets in India and China,” he said.

“Being in Logan gives us access to the ports, the airport and the sea docks – as far as major infrastructure is concerned it’s fantastic.”

Accessibility is one of the city’s main draw cards for manufacturers – Logan is just a 30 minute drive to the Port of Brisbane, in close proximity to 3 international airports and conveniently located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Infrastructure investment in Logan is at historic levels – with the completion of the $500 million Logan Enhancement Project and more than $18 billion in the pipeline, investors are taking interest in the city’s industrial areas.

International property investors MapleTree Logistics Trust recently secured 36 hectares of land in Park Ridge for $95 million, which forms part of a future 157 hectare industrial estate.

The city is already home to several industry leaders including award-winning product commercialisation facility Evolve Group; and specialists in rocket and propulsion systems Black Sky Aerospace, who were the first to secure access to NASA’s Australian launch site.

Leading manufacturer in tanker solutions Holmwood Highgate has operated in Logan since 1994 and continues to expand their workforce to keep up with business growth.

Director Wade Mellish says that the city’s location and access to a skilled workforce has supported Holmwood Highgate explore opportunities in the global defence industry.

In 2018, Holmwood Highgate was awarded a contract as part of Rheinmetall’s Australian supply chain, a crucial step in furthering their expansion into new markets.

“The City of Logan allows us to deliver world-class products both domestically and internationally,” he said.

“We’ve got upwards of 200 staff now – blue and white collar – and increasing the workers every day because of the amount of work that we have on.”

Within a 40km radius, the city has access to a regional catchment of more than 2.6 million people and a large pool of talent for employers to choose from.

Furthermore, the presence of major transport and logistics companies and proximity to a diverse network of suppliers makes Logan an attractive location for businesses of all sizes.

The ease of doing business in Logan has driven an emergence of niche manufacturers in the food and beverage categories.

Food and beverage processing has continued to grow and is the city’s most productive sub-sector.

Small businesses including craft brewers, honey product manufacturers, coffee roasters and chocolate makers operate successfully from Logan.

Logan City Council has recently made it easier for craft brewers to establish themselves in Logan by implementing significant changes to the planning scheme.

The City of Logan is fast-becoming a destination of choice for manufacturers in the region and offers eligible businesses incentives to move into the city.

Source: www.loed.com.au/investinlogan/.