Big Plans For Platform

Family-owned farm machinery manufacturer Midwest Fabrication will expand its current workshop and painting facilities as it moves to increase production of its 18m (60ft) draper platforms. 

Company director Martin Schutt says the planned expansion will help the company manufacture larger numbers of the platforms safer and more efficiently, adding that the existing facilities were unable to accommodate growing orders from its Australian and international dealer network.

“Our premises were originally designed for the manufacturing of our smaller fronts, but when it comes to our largest 60ft platforms – we are restricted,” he says.

“We realised that as our product grew that our factory needed to also, but our plans for expansion had been put on hold with it being so dry.”

Happily, the company is one of 15 Queensland businesses to receive a $250,000 Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant from the state government to fund its expansion.

Midwest plans to employ local workers where possible, as well as using its existing staff and their steel fabrication skills.

On completion of the project, the Midwest team is set to expand with the capacity to increase production on the factory floor and paint facility.

The matched funding will enable the company to move forward with the expansion, “to ensure that our business growth now reflects the development of our product,” Martin says.

“Over the years we have enhanced and added products to our range – we are continually looking at ways to improve our products to meet the needs of our farmers and the tough Australian conditions.

“Whether it be a 36–60ft platform, comb trailer, an incident kit to have on hand or quick delivery of a Midwest part from one of our distribution centres – our aim is to meet your harvest needs with the reliability and high quality that Midwest is known for,” he says.

Want to know more? Contact Midwest Fabrication or chat to one of their team at an upcoming field day near you.