Bedford’s $45 million advanced manufacturing disability employment hub

Social enterprise company Bedford is to build a $45 million advanced manufacturing hub in Adelaide’s northern suburbs in association with Leyton Property and Leyton Funds.

The joint venture partners have unveiled plans for what is believed will be Australia’s largest social enterprise site, offering employment opportunities in new manufacturing sectors to people of all abilities.

Bedford is the second-largest employer of people with disability in Australia, providing a broad range of services and supports for nearly 2,000 South Australians and 500 staff across 18 sites.

Located at Main North Road in Salisbury South, the facility will specialise in the advanced manufacture of furniture and the supply of components to the commercial joinery and construction industry.

Bedford COO Social Enterprises Sam Hunter: “The investment will significantly increase Bedford’s manufacturing capability to deliver a world class commercial product to the market.

“This will include an investment in the latest automation and robotics technology.”

Adjacent to the new advanced manufacturing facility will be a ‘first-class Food and Beverage hub’ with hospitality retail offerings including a commercial kitchen, beverage production facilities and a public entertainment area.

The hub will be home to Bedford’s social enterprise called Cultivate Food & Beverage, and has a unique offering, delivering a full supply chain solution to medium and large size food and beverage producers with a national footprint.

The centre will provide ongoing employment for more than 200 people when complete.

“This investment in our future will enable us to grow, innovate and manufacture at scale while remaining true to our purpose to provide choices in skill-building and career
pathways.

“As a social enterprise it will be a vibrant place to work, offering high-value roles and transferrable skills for employees of all abilities. Jobs will include joiners, machine operators, production workers, chefs, supervisors and apprentices, in a supportive and inclusive environment.

“The site has been strategically chosen for its freight route among other strategic reasons. It will support Bedford to maintain and grow our existing manufacturing contracts and provide opportunities for new partnerships, in particular food and beverage producers north of Adelaide and across the state.”

Bedford’s investment forms part of its five-year masterplan announced in November 2022.

Picture: Bedford