An aluminium products factory is set to take over part of the former Electrolux factory in a $30 million expansion for Orange.
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Sydney-based company A-Tech Australia has bought the entire Electrolux site with plans to occupy part for their own needs and lease the rest of the site to other companies.
A-Tech makes aluminium windows, doors and other items for the residential and business industries.
It is expected the aluminium factory would create 25 jobs when it is up and running.
The first development application, to install concrete footings for the factory's machinery, have been lodged with Orange City Council.
The first stage of the new facility in Orange will create aluminium products for the building industry.
- A-Tech Australia CEO Mr Charlie Ibrahim
A-Tech Australia CEO Mr Charlie Ibrahim said the $30 million expansion in Orange was part of the company's strategy to tackle imports from overseas.
"Currently around two-thirds of the local aluminium market [worth $832 million a year] is met by imports from China and Vietnam," he said.
"By boosting the local aluminium manufacturing industry, home-grown businesses can substitute a significant proportion of these imports with locally-made products.
"The first stage of the new facility in Orange will create aluminium products for the building industry, such as components for windows, doors, curtain walls, facades, pergolas and skylights."
Mr Ibrahim said it was unclear when construction of the new facility in Orange would start.
"Once the new footings are completed, we can then plan for the installation of the required production units," he said.
"Once completed, it's expected the A-Tech extrusion line will employ around 25 staff in Orange in production and administration. We plan to install the latest European production technology which we believe will give A-Tech a competitive advantage.
"As a company, we're planning a major growth phase in the coming years and Orange will be part of that.
This is a growing company that's poised to secure a key place supplying the Australian building industry and it's fantastic news that they see Orange as part of their future plans.
- Orange mayor Reg Kidd.
"We've already been working with the EPA on the site's historical contamination, getting as far submitting a Voluntary Management Proposal in August."
Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd said the council had been working with A-Tech for some time about their plans to move to Orange.
"This is a growing company that's poised to secure a key place supplying the Australian building industry and it's fantastic news that they see Orange as part of their future plans."
Council's Employment and Economic Development Committee Chair Cr Tony Mileto said he was looking forward to the proposal taking shape.
"This is expected to be the first of a number of DAs that A-Tech will lodge," he said.
"The re-development of any former heavy industrial site, such as this factory, has to be closely assessed to make sure any environmental issues are managed and handled well."
"Now as they get closer to making a start in Orange, I'm sure local residents will be welcoming the
news that a disused former factory will be a hive of activity and source of jobs once again."
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