Foton Mobility Distribution’s new manufacturing and assembly facility in South Nowra has reached its full structural height, marking a major milestone in the development of the company’s new manufacturing base.
The 6,000-square-metre facility on Oxford Street will become Foton Mobility Distribution’s flagship manufacturing and assembly operation, with capacity to produce up to 400 electric buses a year when operating at full production.
Construction began in April, and the building has now topped out, with work continuing towards completion of the first phase of the development.
Once the first phase is complete, the operation is expected to employ nearly 130 people, with Foton Mobility Distribution aiming to recruit its entire workforce from the Nowra region.
Foton Mobility Distribution CEO Neil Wang said seeing the building reach its full height was a significant moment for both the company and the South Coast.
“When we broke ground earlier this year, we spoke about what we wanted to build here. Now, you can stand on the site and see the scale of what is taking shape,” Mr Wang said.
“Reaching full height is another important step towards having buses move through this facility and creating the local jobs and skills we committed to when this project began.
“This is about establishing a long-term manufacturing capability in Nowra. We want to grow our workforce here, increase the amount of work we undertake locally and create opportunities for people on the South Coast to build careers in a growing
industry.”
The company has been selected to supply 126 battery-electric buses as part of the NSW Government’s Zero Emission Bus Program.
Mr Wang, who lived in the Illawarra region from 2006, said the project held particular personal significance.
“The Illawarra and South Coast had been home to me for two decades, so there is something especially satisfying about watching this building take shape,” Mr Wang said.
“What matters now is what happens inside it, local people learning new skills, building buses and contributing to the next generation of Australian transport.
“We still have work ahead of us, but topping out the building is a milestone worth recognising.”
