Official reopening of Albany Wollen Mills as Albany Spinning Mills

28/11/96

The former Albany Woollen Mills - long regarded as a symbol of the south coast town's prosperity - was today officially reopened as the Albany Spinning Mills.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan officially reopened the plant, which in its new form employs 95 people and last month produced 123 tonnes of yarn, with an expected output of 135 tonnes this month.

It is anticipated that the mill will provide jobs for up to 110 people in the near future.

Earlier this year, the State Government provided the mill's new owner, Nobel Investments Pty Ltd, with a $4.667 million industry incentive package to reopen Albany and set up integrated synthetic yarn and rug manufacturing facilities at Canning Vale.

Mr Cowan said he was delighted that the closure of the Albany Woollen Mills and the subsequent loss of jobs had been averted.

"The mill has traditionally been Albany's biggest employer. Its closure would have been a severe blow to the town's economy," he said.

"Nobel has set up a $20 million manufacturing industry - producing polypropylene yarn - which is new to Western Australia and aimed mainly at the export market.

"Through the involvement of the Nobel group and with the support of the Government, Albany Spinning Mills will continue to be a major employer. In addition there are a further 33 jobs at the Canning Vale plant."

Nobel Investments is part of an international group which has extensive South-East Asian operations.

The new Canning Vale facility will produce BCF (bulk container filament) yarn and rugs for the domestic and overseas market.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595