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HeliMods receives second defence grant in less than a year

Manufacturing News




Sunshine Coast manufacturer HeliMods has received $150,000 under the Defence Global Competitiveness Grants programme, its second grant awarded in less than a year.

The Caloundra company has used its funding to purchase plant and equipment to manufacture large machined components used in the modification and upgrade of military and paramilitary helicopters, according to defence industry minister Melissa Price.

She said: “The grant will assist HeliMods in boosting its capacity to make components with shorter lead times, increasing export opportunities into North America and Europe.”

HeliMods, founded in 2002 by engineer and pilot Will Shrapnel, won a simi8lar $150,000 grant in December.

In that case it used the funds to buy a Vertical Machining Centre for their facility at Caloundra Aerodrome.

The company, which employs 40, produces aerospace products that enable customers to perform tasks such as emergency medical retrieval, search and rescue, aerial policing and special operations.

Shrapnel said: ““At HeliMods, we pride ourselves in our unrelenting pursuit to solve the most complex problems in completely novel ways.

“We do that by investing in world-leading technology, combined with an exceptionally talented, passionate and diverse team.”

Picture: Will Shrapnel

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