In our last ARENA project update, we announced Wainwright as our selected conveyor systems partner. Today, we wanted to share a little more about why they were chosen and the role they’ll play in helping us scale battery pack manufacturing in Australia.
As we evaluated suppliers for this project, one of our key objectives was to work with local Victorian manufacturers wherever possible. Having key partners located within Melbourne creates opportunities for closer collaboration, faster decision-making, and more responsive project delivery, while also supporting local manufacturing.
Wainwright stood out for several reasons. With more than 60 years of experience designing and manufacturing conveyor and materials handling solutions, they have built a strong reputation for delivering tailored systems across a diverse range of industries. Their focus on engineering excellence, quality, and customised solutions aligned closely with what we were looking for in a project partner.
For our Operations & Production Manager, Paul, the decision was also informed by first-hand experience. Having worked with Wainwright previously and seen their systems operating successfully in other manufacturing facilities, he already had confidence in their capability and the quality of their work.
From our very first discussions, the team at Wainwright demonstrated a clear understanding of both the project and the broader objectives behind it. They took the time to walk through their process, discuss how we would collaborate throughout the project, and understand the importance of delivering a successful outcome within the framework of an ARENA-supported initiative.
To further assess their capability, our team also visited a Wainwright project currently being delivered at Caterpillar. Seeing their work in progress and speaking directly with the team reinforced our confidence that they could deliver the conveyor systems required for this next stage of growth.
Their proximity to our facility was another significant advantage. Being located just around the corner allows for closer collaboration throughout the design and implementation process, helping us move quickly, solve challenges efficiently, and ensure the final solution is optimised for our manufacturing requirements.
The ARENA project is about more than scaling battery pack manufacturing. It’s also about strengthening Victoria’s manufacturing ecosystem, creating opportunities for local businesses, and building the industrial capability needed to support Australia’s energy transition.
We’re excited to be working alongside Wainwright as we move into the next phase of the project and look forward to sharing more progress in the months ahead.
