Mr Brumby visited OzPress, an automatic fastener and small car component manufacturer, which has secured a long-term deal to supply parts for Toyota's new Camry Hybrid and petrol cars.

The company plans to increase its workforce from 18 to 30 following an equipment upgrade.

Mr Brumby said the government had provided $330,000 towards the plant's $1 million upgrade.

He said manufacturing was a challenging industry and becoming increasingly competitive.

"We've got to be investing, we've got to have a great workforce culture and we've got to have government policies to help,'' he said.

Mr Brumby said the government received the first of 2000 new Toyota Hybrid Camrys earlier this week.

"Our government is taking action to create local jobs in local communities by supporting local industry in regional Victoria to grow and thrive,'' he said.

The upgraded OzPress plant includes a new robotics system, installation of a 200 tonne press, automatic bin changing machine and an automatic rotary projection welding machine.

OzPress managing director Mark Dwyer said OzPress could now demonstrate to Toyota that it was innovative and able to reduce costs.

"It allows us to quote at a cost level much lower than we currently charge, hence attracting new business, securing the jobs and growing the business in the future,'' he said.

"We're confident we'll need at least 10 more people here during 2011, late 2010."

Mr Dwyer said manufacturing was a tough business and the company had to be able to provide the best price globally.