At a glance:
- Petroleum products and other chemicals
- Textiles, clothing and footwear
- Metals
- Food processing
- Timber processing
- Aerospace
Estimate annual industry value: $5,700m
Petroleum products and other chemicals
Shell Refining (Australia) Pty Ltd is located in Geelong's north. The shipment of petroleum products into and out of the Port comprises a large proportion of regional trade.
More recently, Geelong has developed as a centre for the manufacture and bulk shipment of fertilisers and organic compost. Industries have access to the raw materials they need from Melbourne's western suburbs, local manufacturers and other imported sources.
Textiles, clothing and footwear
The City's long association with the wool industry has resulted in the establishment of a number of wool scouring and wool top-making facilities, with companies such as Geelong Wool Combing calling Geelong home. Other textile manufacturers based in Geelong include Godfrey Hirst and Brintons known for their excellence in the manufacture of fine woollen carpets.
Geelong and the Surf Coast are home to some of Australia's best-known surfwear and leisure clothing manufacturers.
Metals
Alcoa of Australia first began the manufacture of aluminium ingot at its Point Henry plant in 1963. Other metals activities include KAAL Australia's aluminium coil and sheet products and BHP Billiton's tyre cord and wire products operations.
Automotive components
Ford Australia established its operations in the region in 1925, and since then many other companies have followed. Today, the region produces vehicle components, automotive glass, vehicle seating, and vehicle upholstery, and employs more than 3,500 people.
These companies have joined forces to form a strategic network of automotive excellence known as CARnet (Combined Automotive Regional Network for Excellence and Teamwork).
Through this network the companies are positioning themselves to take the lead in a globally competitive arena. Opportunities for new investment are being identified to facilitate further growth in the industry.
Food processing
Geelong is home to a large number of food processors, many of whom source their products locally and from Victoria's bountiful western district. A growing proportion of Geelong's workforce is employed in the processing of food products such as chicken, beef and seafood.
Steggles Ltd is one of the largest processors of chicken and chicken products in Australia. Likewise, Geelong based M.C. Herd is known throughout Victoria for its fine quality meat products. Seafood processing continues to grow to match domestic and international demand for a wide range of products, including scallops, abalone, mussels and manufactured seafood products. More recently, the City has become home to a number of aquaculture pursuits, including sea urchins, finfish and abalone, that will eventually be harvested for value-added products.
Timber processing
The shipment of bulk woodchip and softwood logs is among the region's major overseas exports. Radiata Exporters, Midway Wood Products and SPE (Management) Pty Ltd are among some of those who have chosen the City as their base.
Aerospace
A number of aircraft-related industries operate at Avalon Airport, north of the City, on the Princes Freeway.
