Vuly Play, by far the largest manufacturer of backyard play equipment in Australia, has publicly criticised the Minister of Regional Development and Manufacturing - Glenn Butcher, accusing him of failing to support Queensland companies wanting to bring back their factories to QLD. The company’s CEO Joe Andon claims that despite Vuly’s efforts to invest millions in state of the art technology and create up to 100 high tech manufacturing jobs in the state, the government has not provided any support.

Andon claims Vuly invested several million dollars to purchase mass production equipment and design new products that could be manufactured locally using new techniques developed by a team of engineers, designers and fabricators with a multi-million dollar state of the art research facility in Queensland. However, the company did not qualify for any support from the “Made in Queensland ”grant because it was not an “existing Queensland manufacturer.”

Andon argues that the lack of support from the government sends a clear message that Queensland does not encourage companies to bring their factories back to the state. He says, “It is the responsibility of the Industry Minister to encourage manufacturing in Queensland, but the current policies and attitude towards local manufacturers are discouraging.”

Vuly Play has decided to open its new high-tech manufacturing plant in Qingdao, China instead of Brisbane, removing the “Made in Queensland” wording from its mould designs. He also warns that other companies considering bringing their manufacturing to Queensland may also experience the lack of support from the government, which could harm the state’s economy.

In response, Vuly Play will be launching an aggressive marketing campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by local manufacturers and call for a change in policy and attitude towards manufacturing in Queensland. There will be a couple of billboards from Vuly in Gladstone at Tank Street & near Shell petrol station on the Dawson highway.

Minister Butcher has not yet commented on Vuly Play’s claims.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:

marketing@vulyplay.com
1300 667 514
95 Ingleston Rd, Wakerley, QLD 4154.