Goldacres will manufacture all of its agricultural machinery in Ballarat, as it plans the closure of its St Arnaud facility.
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The Australian-owned company said 18 jobs will be lost at the plant, north of Avoca, but FarmOnline reported some may be relocated.
In a statement, the company said it made the decision to remain competitive, blaming imported models and reduced demand in the drought-affected northern states.
Staff were told the news last Wednesday, and the move is expected to be completed by March.
Core products and small trailers will be moved at the beginning of November, and larger trailers should be moved by February.
The move will reduce duplication between St Arnaud and Ballarat.
The Ballarat site, in Mitchell Park, produces the rest of the company’s products, which include self-propelled spraying units and booms, as well as handheld sprayers.
It is expected the existing factory will have enough room for the St Arnaud components.
Part of the St Arnaud site is leased to Goldacres dealer Agstrike, and the company expects it may expand the lease or use the site as a bulk storage warehouse.
“The 1 North Western Road site has seen many changes over the years, and while the loss of manufacturing is a blow for the community, we believe the benefit of service and the possibility other business franchises in the site will provide much-needed boost to the local economy,” the company said in a statement.
Goldacres began in St Arnaud in 1978, with the Ballarat factory built in 2005.
John Richards, who founded the company, took over the St Arnaud site originally established in 1938 by his family.
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