$30 million contract for south-east Queensland business

Joint media release 

• The Hon Bert van Manen MP Member for Forde 

A Queensland-based bulk liquid storage manufacturer has signed a $30 million contract with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles to deliver fuel and water modules that will be fitted to Defence’s fleet of logistics trucks.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract with Loganholme-based company Holmwood Highgate would support ongoing jobs for the company’s 150 Queensland employees.

Minister Price said Holmwood Highgate had previously secured more than $108 million worth of work supporting Phase 3B of Defence’s Land 121 Program.

The new contract would support new modules for additional trucks being delivered under Land 121 Phase 5B.

“The acquisition of more trucks by Defence is creating many opportunities for Australian businesses,” Minister Price said.

“Critically, this new $30 million contract with Holmwood Highgate will mean ongoing work for the company’s 150 employees who are based in Queensland.

“These trucks have proven highly capable in their short service-life to date, and given Holmwood’s continued delivery of high-quality products, the company has been contracted to supply additional fuel and water modules for the tanker variant.

“Holmwood Highgate’s partnership with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia is an outstanding example of a small-to-medium business working with prime contractors to deliver top-class technology and Defence capability.

“Over the next decade, the Morrison Government will be investing $575 billion in Defence, including $270 billion in capability.

“Defence is a major partner of Australian industry, offering broad opportunities to be involved with the cutting-edge technology and innovative capability which support our national and strategic interests.”

Member for Forde Bert van Manen said Holmwood Highgate had grown from a simple operation on the outskirts of Brisbane in the 1950s to a globally recognised name in bulk liquid tankers.

“Holmwood Highgate employs a diverse range of highly skilled tradespeople, ranging from aluminium welders, boilermakers and fitter welders to spray painters, mechanics and auto electricians,” Mr van Manen said.

“I’m very proud to see Holmwood Highgate’s employees having such a positive impact on Forde and equally proud of the benefits the substantial investment by the Morrison Government in Australia’s defence capability is bringing to Australian industry.”  

Authorised by The Hon Melissa Price MP, Minister for Defence Industry, WA, Australia