A Toowoomba cattle equipment manufacturer will invest in new ag tech to increase efficiency while creating up to six full-time jobs with a Rural Economic Development (RED) grant.
Leicht’s CIA is introducing specialised laser cutting equipment and an automated welding robot to help produce more equipment more efficiently.
Operational next year, the welding robot will also help the agricultural business overcome current labour shortages.
Leicht’s CIA managing director Mark Leicht said the equipment the robotic welder would make included drop-down doors that took about 35 minutes to make manually, 15 minutes with the robot.
“Labour can be hard to get these days so we are trying to diversify and set ourselves up for the future,“ Mr Leicht said.
“With the freeing up of time our workers will be able to focus on doing more structural manufacturing like cattle crushes and this project will create roles in boilermaking and welding.
“The Rural Economic Development grant has allowed us to go down the automation path and bring the project forward by a couple years.”
Fast Facts
* Toowoomba cattle equipment manufacturer Leicht’s CIA named one of 24 successful businesses to receive a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant under the State Government program.
* The Darling Downs enterprise will use the grant to develop robotic welding, creating up to six local jobs.
