Marand to expand operations at Ford site

MILITARY manufacturing in Geelong has fired up with a $50 million extension to the partnership between local firm Marand Precision Engineering and international defence supplier Rheinmettal.

The existing partnership sees LANCE digital turrets, hull components and vehicle attachments built at the former Ford site for overseas users, but today’s (Friday, May 26) announcement will now add parts for the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) in use with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and for export orders.

The new deal includes Geelong manufacture of Boxer CRV subassemblies including Citadel machining, turret hatches, turret baskets, doors and dismount hatches.

The ADF has contracted Rheinmetall Defence Australia to deliver and support 211 of the Boxer CRV 8×8 armoured vehicles, which are expected to be in service for the next 30 years.

“This major production partnership is an exciting development for Marand and for the city of Geelong,” Marand chief executive officer Rohan Stocker said.

“Expanding on our current work already underway in Geelong to now include Boxer is a testament to the capability we have demonstrated to Rheinmetall and their trust in us to continue to deliver for these critical programs.”

“Marand’s decades of experience, our reach across multiple industries, our manufacturing expertise, local supply chain and business systems truly set us apart from our competitors.”

Marand has operations in Geelong and Melbourne and supplies engineering solutions to the defence, aerospace, rail, automotive and mining sectors, with its customers including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems, BHP and Rio Tinto.

The company will undertake design and development with manufacturing at the historic Ford Factory precinct in Geelong.

Since opening their Geelong manufacturing division on Ford’s site 10 years ago, Marand now employs more than 80 staff.

“We look forward to expanding our presence in Australia’s defence industry,” Mr Stocker said.

“We are particularly proud to be able to carry out this work in the former Ford Geelong facility.”