Gentex Australia is making plans to grow its South Australian workforce after successfully acquiring military equipment distributor Aero Parts Australia.

Gentex Australia is making plans to grow its South Australian workforce after successfully acquiring military equipment distributor Aero Parts Australia.

Aero Parts Australia is a leading distributor for airline, military and life support equipment. The move is expected to expand Gentex Australia’s international growth, product offering, support, and services across Australia and New Zealand.

Gentex Australia, headquartered in Salisbury, develops and manufactures personal protection and situational awareness equipment for defence, emergency responders and industrial personnel and is currently a key innovation and manufacturing partner of the Joint Strike Fighter program.

Gentex Australia’s portfolio currently includes oxygen masks and testers, laser eye protection, chemical bio respirators and hearing protection apparatus.

Gentex Australia Managing Director Steve Madaras said the acquisition will enable the two companies to leverage Aero Parts Australia’s defence expertise and local connections while showcasing their extensive manufacturing capabilities.

“The acquisition further enhances South Australian capabilities within the defence, mining, and commercial industries creating growth and increased employment in assembly, support and engineering sectors in South Australia,” Mr Madaras said.

“We will be looking to local industry to support future growth within all sectors, with our products meeting the high standards that exist around the world.

“Being based in South Australia, we are able to ensure optimal levels of aftercare engineering support services, superior local maintenance and customisation capabilities are offered within an efficient and reliable structure that provides world class performance and sustainable outcomes.”

Mr Madaras believes the company’s location in South Australia will increase and enhance potential for local involvement and participation through partnership, collaboration and direct supply opportunities into global supply chain arrangements.

“Building on the long standing involvement of Aero Parts Australia with local stakeholders, we have made a commitment that will significantly improve the level of support and service available to the region by establishing a footprint and local capability,” he said.

Gentex Australia has a number of projects currently in development, including a Pilot Fit Facility (PFF) for the Joint Strike Fighter program and military and commercial off-the-shelf OEM respiratory solutions, as well as a number of projects soon to be announced.

Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price said the move was a positive one for a South Australia.

“Now more than ever, we can see why defence industry is so important to our state and the benefit advanced manufacturing, research and development capabilities bring,” he said.

“Even in such difficult times as these, it is heartening to see the defence sector continue to grow and expand its workforce. I congratulate Steve on supporting our defence force, creating jobs for our state and increasing South Australian capability.”

“The merging of these two established companies is not only a great move for our local defence industry, it proves once again that South Australia is the Defence State.”

Gentex Australia’s portfolio includes helmets, optical protection, respiratory, and situational awareness solutions. For more information, visit www.gentexcorp.com.