A partnership between an innovative South Australian start-up business and a leading local manufacturer is expected to create up to 300 jobs within two years.
ScreenAway, the developer of a unique type of retractable flyscreen and block-out blind system, has joined with automotive supply chain company Adelaide Tooling to manufacture the ground-breaking product at its new Regency Park facility.
Today’s announcement is the first to stem from the establishment of the State Government’s investment attraction agency, Investment Attraction South Australia.
Premier Jay Weatherill said Investment Attraction South Australia worked closely with ScreenAway to understand its future business plans and connect them with the necessary contacts to develop the innovative product.
“This is a unique South Australian innovation not used anywhere else in the world with a limitless scope for application,” Mr Weatherill said.
“Investment Attraction South Australia, with the assistance of the Automotive Transformation Taskforce, helped identify a local supply chain company with the capacity and capabilities to manufacture the screens locally.
“The partnership with Adelaide Tooling has enabled ScreenAway to secure 100 per cent of fabrication work locally, for national supply, which will lead to the creation of up to 300 jobs within the next two years.
“This invention has created an opportunity for an existing automotive supply chain company to transition into a new, niche industry, helping secure existing jobs at the plant.
“It’s an example of how we are transforming our economy and creating jobs growth through innovation.”
About 30 workers from Adelaide Tooling will begin transitioning from the company’s automotive business to ScreenAway, with another 70 new workers to be employed to work on the product over the next two years.
A further 200 jobs are expected to be created during this period, either internally at ScreenAway or through other suppliers.
Investment and Trade Minister Martin-Hamilton Smith said while Investment Attraction South Australia has a strong focus on attracting foreign direct investment, it will also work with existing South Australian companies, like ScreenAway, to support further investment that will create jobs.
“This is a win for both ScreenAway and Adelaide Tooling, a win for local manufacturing and a win for jobs in South Australia,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“All of the products used to construct the screens are sourced from Australian companies.
“The aluminium extrusions come from Capral Aluminium at Angaston, the packaging from Custom Cartons at Brompton and the final product is 100 per cent South Australian assembled.”
The concept for the ScreenAway product was developed by John Riemelmoser in his garage three years ago.
The new screens are driven by a unique pulley system that is completely self-contained within the screen frame. The ScreenAway Flyscreen is simply put into the same spot where the normal screen would have been placed.
The product has the potential to become the new standard, replacing traditional flyscreens that are visually unappealing and difficult to remove to allow windows to be cleaned.
Mr Riemelmoser said the project has been incredibly well supported by several industry leaders.
“The market has been crying out for a truly attractive and economical solution to the fixed flyscreens seen on the windows of Aussie homes,” Mr Riemelmoser said.
“Orders coming in from our soft launch are showing a 60 per cent uptake by new home buyers during their selections process.
“With an average of 170,000 new dwellings built per year in Australia and more than eight million existing homes, the market is huge.
“We are also in talks with two major international players wanting to take the technology overseas to the United States, Europe and Asia.”