Jobs slashed at car parts maker
South Australia’s struggling manufacturing industry has been dealt another blow with 90 jobs to be slashed by a car parts maker in Adelaide’s south.
SMR Automotive makes car components like rear view mirrors and indicators at its Lonsdale plant, where it employs several hundred people.
Late last week, they were told 90 jobs would be going over the next 12 to 18 months.
The company says difficult market conditions have forced it to move some production lines to its plant in Thailand.
Stephen Myatt from the Australian Industry Group said “SMR’s situation is typical of a lot of manufacturers at the moment, that high dollar is the biggest issue.”
And with fears growing of job losses in the defence industry, ASC workers at Osbourne received a visit from the Premier and Defence Minister and this morning.
In its white paper released on Friday morning, the Federal Government announced the construction of 12 new submarines, and ASC is in prime position to benefit.
“Because this is a submarine design centre, and a key centre all of that work will essentially occur here,” Defence Minister Stephen Smith said.
But there is no guarantee the company will win the contract, and no timeframe on construction.
SA Premier Jay Weatherill said a steady stream of work is all but assured, at least until mid-2019, when the three air warfare destroyers are completed.
