Global automotive accessory manufacturer chooses to expand in Queensland

Up to 180 new jobs for Queenslanders are in the pipeline as automotive accessory manufacturer EGR Group expands its national automotive hub in Brisbane with support from the Palaszczuk Government’s $105 million Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today visited EGR’s Salisbury factory, welcoming the company’s decision to grow its national base to serve national and export markets for automotive accessory and building products.

“The EGR story is a major coup for our state and yet another example of our Government supporting companies to expand in Queensland and deliver more jobs for Queenslanders,” she said.

“EGR Group is a global company at the forefront of global technology with a renewed focus on export growth, and it’s a company with a strong commitment to innovation, with nearly 20 per cent of its Brisbane workforce directly working on the development of new products. 

“We promised to deliver an economic plan that invested in innovation to create jobs, and EGR Group’s decision to expand their operations in Queensland is further proof of the benefits that are flowing from our proactive approach.”

As part of the expansion plans, a forecast 178 new jobs are being created across EGR’s existing facilities in Brisbane, including engineers, product development staff and highly-skilled technicians. Positions are also being created for highly-qualified operations and maintenance managers and personnel, supply chain managers, project managers, product support managers and other staff.

The expansion comes in the wake of the company recently signing a global contract to manufacture accessories for the Mercedes-Benz X-class, including canopies and hard tonneau covers, in Brisbane.

CEO of EGR’s Automotive Division Simon McLellan said the contract was a substantial feather in EGR’s cap.

“While EGR couldn’t compete on price compared with some Asian and European suppliers, Mercedes-Benz chose to go with us for quality – and quality is obviously critical for one of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands.”

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said EGR Group’s latest commitment, supported by the Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund, was yet another corporate vote of confidence in the state’s economy and its future.

“Our Government is focused on building a new economy — one that is strong and diversified, expands upon the state’s competitive strengths and generates the knowledge-based jobs of the future,” he said.

“Global manufacturers like EGR Group are critical contributors to the growth of Queensland’s manufacturing sector, which currently provides around 165,000 direct jobs while indirectly supporting many more across our state.

“Its expansion will help boost Queensland’s manufacturing industry, which contributes $19.2 billion a year to the state economy.”

EGR currently employs more than 726 people in Queensland in a broad spectrum of specialties, from mechanical engineering to marketing, carpentry to robotics.

Founded in 1973 by brothers Greg and Rod Horwill, EGR is headquartered in Brisbane and has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, USA, UK, China and Thailand.

EGR Group is the 10th company to expand or move to Queensland under the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund. 

Media contact:

Premier's Office:  Susan McGrady 0488 996 667

Minister Dick's Office: Anika Hume 0447 320 039