Precinct 52 and Martin-Baker Australia applauds the NSW State Government in establishing the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct and the rezoning of further land at Williamtown.
Martin-Baker Australia is one example of many companies seeking to expand its operations at Williamtown to be part of the sovereign capability expansion and be one of many strings to the Hunter Region’s post coal economy diversification.
To support the super base structure of RAAF Base Williamtown all future development is to be controlled by a newly formed NSW Government Regional Government Development Corporation (RGDC).
Managing Director of Martin-Baker Australia, Andrew Eden commented, “We first moved into WAC facilities at Williamtown in 2017 that allowed us to grow and upgrade our facilities in an incremental way, working with a developer that understood our needs. We are now at the point that we need to prepare for the long-term future and the next stage of our growth. We have long term support contracts for the majority of our products in Australia and now have the capability to provide support and training to regional customers. The next stage for our company here in Australia is moving beyond final assembly of upgrade components to indigenous manufacture. To do this and maintain the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capability we have already established, we need to expand again beyond the facilities we currently occupy to accommodate the production line and the personnel we need to employ.”
Director of Business Development, Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, Andrew Martin says “We have been planning for this expansion since 2019 but until this point been unable to find available space or suitable development opportunities to support our aspirations without an enormous upheaval from our current operation. Precinct 52 and the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct represent an opportunity to establish a long term, permanent home for our family-owned company in Australia and the headquarters for our operations in the Asia Pacific Region for the life of the F-35 aircraft and beyond. This will allow us to fulfil our aspirations close to our customer base, commence manufacturing operations in Australia for the first time and expand into a purpose-built facility. We look forward to employing more Australians to support us in the business of saving lives.”
Managing Director, James Garvey commented, “We are excited to continue to work with the world’s leading ejection seat company, Martin-Baker. Since establishing their presence at Williamtown, the firm has continued to win work and contracts and hiring more people to work in their facilities. Martin-Baker Australia continues to support existing RAAF, Army and civilian operators with MRO, spare supply and training. Martin-Baker have most recently expanded to providing final assembly of upgrade kits for the seats in the RAAF Super Hornet and Growler aircraft.
About Precinct 52, the next stage of the Williamtown Aerospace Centre
Precinct 52 continues the success of the Williamtown Aerospace Centre (WAC). The Precinct 52 (P52) estate will continue to enable organisations to be part of Australia’s national and international Aerospace and Defence Technology capability.
Extending the success of the Technology Place development with an aesthetic balance of building form and functionality, Precinct 52 will offer a greater spectrum of facility solutions. Fourteen hectares of land will be developed with full scale B double truck industrial road access. Our experienced development partners include Drayton Group, the successful construction company that handled all of the Defence building requirements with the local aplomb the Hunter is known for.
Precinct 52 will be the platform for world class assembly, workshop, commercial and light industrial space, warehouse, logistics and distribution. The Williamtown Aerospace Centre is continuing to prove itself as the premier Australian destination for Aerospace and Defence Technology companies seeking to expand into Australia and as a gateway to the Asian markets.
Each facility will be custom designed to suit tenants’ requirements in fulfilment of ongoing Department of Defence contracts.
Precinct 52 is located off the gateway to Newcastle Airport and Williamtown Drive – which enables businesses to be located with other aerospace and air industry companies, and adjacent to Australia’s largest operating Air Force base, RAAF Williamtown and Newcastle Airport for ease of access all over Australia.