August 11^th, 2003

NSW government backs Illawarra company

Illawarra company Herd Bars and Bodies has won a multi-million dollar NSW Government contract to supply high-tech vehicles for prisoner transport.

Announced today by the Minister for Regional Development and the Illawarra, David Campbell, the deal is worth up to $3 million over three years and will see Herd – which relocated to Kemblawarra from Sydney with NSW Government help last year – employ up to 50 more skilled tradesmen, and boost trainee numbers.

Herd’s contract, negotiated by the Department of Commerce on behalf of the Department of Corrective Services, means it will build about eight new vehicles, and refurbish about 50, over the next three years.

Mr Campbell said the contract was good news not just for Herd, but for the region.

“This underlines the fact that the Illawarra provides an excellent base for companies to expand and develop their businesses,” Mr Campbell said.

“Herd invested $5 million in its Kemblawarra plant and its investment is paying off. I am particularly delighted that this contract means Herd will increase its number of trainees from the current 22.”

Herd managing director Mark Fawcett said the move to the Illawarra had been positive.

“The Premier, assisted by Mr Campbell, was personally involved in our decision to relocate our head office and manufacturing base to Kemblawarra,” said Mr Fawcett.

“The decision has proven its value, bringing us to a new and highly motivated workforce with whom we can grow in the future.”

The Corrective Services contract comes after Herd signed new deals with the Australian Federal Police, and one of the world’s largest security organisations, for prisoner transport vehicles.

Herd’s high-security prisoner transport vans feature bulletproof glass, body panel reinforcement, camera monitoring with satellite tracking as well as vandalproof seatbelts reinforced with Kevlar – the material used in bulletproof vests.