Transition Taskforce: Thailand Trade Mission

The next step in assisting Tasmania’s North-West Coast to transition following Caterpillar’s decision to close will be taken this Saturday when I join the industry-led trade mission to Thailand.

The mission is critical to ensuring that advanced manufacturing has a strong future and continues to support jobs and families on our North-West Coast.

It is also an important opportunity to showcase to businesses and investors why Tasmania is highly regarded for advanced manufacturing and a source of premium engineering components.

The delegation includes 11 companies that have delivered high quality products and components into Caterpillar for many years, including: Coastal Engineering, Delta Hydraulics, Direct Edge, GJ Engineering, Harbro Engineering, Haulmax, Jayben, Maltec, Penguin Composites, Southern Prospects and Tas Fab.

During the four day mission we will visit Caterpillar’s facility at Rayong and explore new ways for Tasmania’s advanced manufacturing sector to supply the company’s global network. The group will spend a full day with CAT personnel at Rayong, gaining first-hand experience of its new operation and the commercial drivers around that.

Australian companies such as Delta Hydraulics and Air Radiators are also on the itinerary. Visiting companies already established in an overseas market will give us invaluable insight into how to grow business domestically and internationally.

The group will also meet with the Australian Ambassador, which will enable the Australian Trade Commission to better understand the issues and needs of Tasmanian companies. Austrade will be able to act as champions for Tasmania after the trade mission, which will be invaluable support for our companies as they seek to progress new commercial relationships.

We will have the unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with the auto industry in Thailand, where Aussie icons like the Toyota Hilux are made.

Tasmania has a proud advanced manufacturing history, and with the help of this trade mission it will have a bright future too.

I would like to thank the members of the Caterpillar Transition Taskforce and the Department of State Growth who have worked hard to make this trade mission a reality since the Taskforce agreed to establish it in June.

The taskforce has a clear objective, and that’s jobs; retaining and creating as many as possible. The Government is committed to ensuring that advanced manufacturing has a strong future and continues to support jobs on the North-West Coast.
Jeremy Rockliff, Deputy Premier