Ampcontrol’s chief executive officer Geoff Lilliss said the investment in the new facility reflects its confidence in the industry despite the decline in some parts of the Australian manufacturing sector.

“We have increased our employee numbers by 40% to cater for our growth and have experienced increasing sales, particularly across our two innovative mining products – the IS LED Light and the IS Power Supply,” he said.

“Our longwall mine lighting system which combines these two products is now installed in almost every longwall mine across Australia. Our customers recognise the safety innovation and technical capability provided by these products.

“We have built a reputation for engineering and manufacturing world-first products. Burn Brite, as part of the Ampcontrol Group, is an Australian-owned business, designing and manufacturing a range of industrial lighting products in Australia for the global market.”

Attending to officially open the new facility, Ai Group’s chief executive Innes Willox said Ampcontrol’s Burn Brite business is representative of the new era of manufacturing in Australia where innovation and skill are behind the sustainability of the business.

“At a time when many manufacturers are doing it tough, it is a great to see businesses such as Ampcontrol’s Burn Brite who are adapting and indeed thriving due to their strong commitment to innovation in engineering and manufacturing processes,” he said.

“Looking around this new facility it’s evident where manufacturing in this country could take us with the right investment in skills and technology.”

Ampcontrol’s Burn Brite facility has been designed using lean manufacturing principles which focus on minimising waste in terms of efficient use of time and materials.