Nicene — Sanctarian engineering firm Valence Industries has announced a S£420 million expansion of its manufacturing operations in Galvium, with plans to create more than 1,200 jobs over the next three years following a sharp increase in overseas orders. The company, which specialises in industrial machinery and electrical equipment, will construct a new production facility alongside its existing operations outside Nicene. The expansion will also include a research and development centre, with Valence Industries expecting to recruit engineers, technicians, and specialist manufacturing staff as it increases production capacity.
Valence Industries has enjoyed considerable success in international markets in recent years, particularly in the supply of equipment used in power generation, industrial automation, and large-scale infrastructure projects. The company says its existing facilities are operating close to capacity, with orders from overseas customers accounting for almost two-thirds of its business. The investment is a significant vote of confidence in Sanctarian manufacturing, which remains one of the country’s largest export industries. Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the first production lines scheduled to become operational in 2027. The company expects the new facility to increase its manufacturing capacity by approximately 40%, allowing it to compete for larger international contracts.
Valence has operated in Galvium for more than four decades, and the decision to expand its existing operations rather than establish production overseas will be particularly welcome locally, with Galvium Premier Brianna Priestly already acknowleging the expansion, her government having worked with the company on planning and infrastructure arrangements for the new facility. The state government is also expected to cooperate with local technical colleges on training programmes intended to provide some of the specialist workers Valence Industries will require.
However, the expansion will not be without its challenges. Manufacturing employers have increasingly raised concerns about shortages of experienced engineers and technical staff, while the scale of the project will place additional demands on transport, particularly public transport, and energy infrastructure around the site. Valence Industries says it intends to recruit domestically wherever possible, although some specialist positions may initially be filled from overseas.
ROBYN GRAY, Industry Affairs Correspondent
