By Tate Papworth
As many as 100 jobs will go by the end of the year when a Sunshine-based air-conditioner manufacturer shuts down.
Buffalo Trident, a branch of Bitzer Australia, is planning to close its operations in Sunshine West. The company confirmed the news to radio station 3AW.
“Buffalo Trident’s manufacturing operations at Sunshine Victoria will be shut down by the end of 2018,” the company told the station.
“Gunter and Bitzer are convinced that this co-operation will serve the market in a competitive and responsive way.”
According to the company’s website, the Sunshine West facility was built in 1996.
The company makes large air-conditioning units for industrial workplaces.
Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union organiser Alistair Thomas said it was a blow to the industry.
“It’s a sad day for Australian jobs – another international company closing down its Australian manufacturing operations while the federal government stands by without lifting a finger to help the Australian workers,” he said.
Mr Thomas said the union would work to help affected employees.
“The AMWU has been working closely with the company and state government to assist the workers throughout this difficult period,” Mr Thomas said.
“We’ve been trying to get the workers placed into other jobs, assisting them with things like resumes, making sure their skills have been recognised correctly, and ensuring they receive all of the correct redundancy entitlements when they finish up.”
Star Weekly attempted to contact Bizer Australia for comment.
