Here’s How We’re Backing High-Tech Manufacturing Jobs in Geelong

The Andrews Labor Government has agreed to provide a loan of up to $20 million to support Geelong manufacturer Carbon Revolution, to help it continue to grow and create local jobs.

Carbon Revolution produces high-tech carbon-fibre wheels for global customers including Ford and Ferrari.

The company is currently scaling up to meet the increasing demand for its products and has already generated more than 200 jobs at its advanced manufacturing facility at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus.

Carbon Revolution has received strong support from the Victorian Government, Federal Government and the private sector.  Its investors include Deakin University and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

The loan has been designed to support Carbon Revolution’s operations while it engages in a capital raising process over the coming months, subject to the company meeting a number of strict performance requirements.

It will provide the support the company needs now and capture the maximum value of its world-leading capabilities, developed in partnership with Deakin University, in Victoria.

The funding we have agreed to provide to the company is not a grant. The loan must either be repaid by Carbon Revolution, or the Government can convert its investment into equity in the company.

The loan will also see the Government appoint up to two board members – strengthening oversight of the company’s operations.

The Labor Government has also written to Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews asking the Commonwealth to provide additional support for the cutting-edge Geelong manufacturer.