Bendigo's advanced manufacturing sector sees revival as supply chain reshoring gains momentum

Bendigo's advanced manufacturing sector is experiencing renewed growth as Australian companies across defence, agriculture, and infrastructure accelerate their efforts to reduce dependence on offshore supply chains — a structural shift that favours established regional manufacturers with available land, skilled workforces, and the capacity to invest in new production technology.

Thompson Longwall, which manufactures underground mining equipment in Bendigo, has expanded its workforce by 35 per cent over two years and commissioned a new automated fabrication facility to handle growing orders from Australian coal and copper mines seeking locally manufactured parts that previously came from China. The company's managing director Ben Donnelly said the supply chain disruptions of the COVID period had fundamentally changed procurement decisions at major mining companies, making local content a commercial priority rather than a trade-off. "Our customers learned a hard lesson about supply chain risk. We are the beneficiary," he said.

The Central Victorian Greenhouse, one of Australia's largest glasshouse horticulture operations near Bendigo, has invested $24 million in expansion to meet growing demand from supermarkets seeking Australian-grown produce for premium product lines where provenance is a marketing advantage. The investment created 80 new full-time equivalent positions in food production, packing, and cold chain logistics.

Bendigo's manufacturing base is supported by the Federation University's engineering and trades programs, which supply a pipeline of qualified fabricators, welders, and maintenance technicians to local employers. The university's TAFE division has expanded its manufacturing qualifications intake by 30 per cent in response to employer demand.

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