Metroll expansion reflects confidence in Sunshine Coast growth
One of Australia’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of steel building products has demonstrated its confidence in the Sunshine Coast by investing in a new $10 million facility.
Metroll Sunshine Coast moved into to a new 9000m2 purpose-built facility in the Sunshine Coast Industrial Park in August and is already kicking goals, increasing output by 25% in just a few months!
It’s one of a growing number of national manufacturers and other innovative companies choosing to make the Sunshine Coast home. The region has an attractive offering with a competitive business environment, easy market accessibility and a desirable lifestyle.
Metroll Sunshine Coast established its branch in the region 22 years ago and is now part of a large national network of 27 branches across Australia.
The company’s roofing, cladding, rainwater, structural and fencing products are manufactured from Australian Bluescope Steel and shipped to local, national and international markets.
A gateway for international success
Leveraging the local supply chain
Metroll Sunshine Coast Branch Manager Jason Hawthorne said that the growth-focused branch had its eyes on continuous expansion at the new site over the next 10-15 years.
“At our previous location we were beyond capacity so we couldn’t take on any more business. At our new site, we’ve already increased capacity by around 150-175% and now have the capacity to hold more stock to cater for busy periods,” he said.
“Combined with increased storage and new product lines, we’re in a great position to leverage the local supply chain and challenge our future vision to export from the Sunshine Coast.”
The company’s key business on the Sunshine Coast is roll forming, a process where steel coil is fed through a contoured roller die machine to form rolled steel shaped to a particular profile, such as the sheets used in roofing.
The new facility boasts manufacturing equipment that can produce 35-metre roof sheets, the longest that can be legally transported by road in Queensland. The local branch currently manufactures around 750 kilometres of roof sheeting every year.
“Metroll is the only manufacturer that can produce these products locally,” said Mr Hawthorne. “Construction companies across the region can order one day and have product delivered to site the next.”
Sustainability features
Metroll’s philosophy of ‘keeping it local’ meant the construction project was an all-local affair. Marcoola company Building Suncoast Green designed the building, with construction managed by Kunda Park-based Karloo Constructions.
The design incorporates sustainable features including natural ventilation that maintains comfortable working conditions year-round and effectively isolates the building in the event of a fire, emergency or evacuation.
The investment is timely, with average economic growth in the region reaching 4.4% between 2002 and 2020, $19.5 billion in infrastructure projects underway or completed and several purpose-built residential communities being constructed to meet growth projections.
Planned development will continue to increase demand
Mr Hawthorne said that growth projections and clear planning instilled confidence in businesses willing to invest in the region.
“Forward planning by Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland government means we know what’s coming, where the potential lies and expected future growth,” Mr Hawthorne explained.
“Current demand for Metroll products is soaring and we know that planned construction and development will continue to increase demand. As infrastructure grows, investment in roads and transport continues and more people move to the region, we have a level of confidence about the future and know we can plan in parallel to that.”
Since making the move to the Sunshine Coast Industrial Park at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, Metroll has expanded its workforce from 14 to 20 staff and aims to have 50 full-time employees by the end of 2024.
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