Livestock equipment maker expects to hire another six through automation

Leicht’s CIA, a Toowoomba-based manufacturer of livestock equipment, is investing in robotic welding and other technology with assistance from a Rural Economic Development Grant from the state government.

Managing Director Mark Leicht said the company was implementing laser cutting and an automated welding robot to increase efficiency. 

“Some of the equipment we will make with the robotic welder include drop-down doors, and those take about 35 minutes to make manually, and we’re hoping they’ll be made in 15 minutes with the robot,” said Leicht in a statement from the Queensland government on Monday.

“Labour can be hard to get these days, so we are trying to diversify and set ourselves up for the future.

“With the freeing up of time, our workers will be able to focus on doing more structural manufacturing like cattle crushes, and this project will create roles in boilermaking and welding.”

According to the statement, the new equipment will be up-and-running in 2024 and will help create as many as six new jobs.

The size of the grant was not given.

Leicht’s company is one of 24 awarded assistance in the fifth round of the RED grants program, which offers up to $200,000 covering up to half of project costs.

Leicht CIA (Country Industries Australia) was established in 1984 and manufactures products including cattle yard equipment and feeders.

Picture: Stockman Pro-Chute (credit Leight’s CIA)