Australian personal care and cosmetics products company, BWX, has announced it will transition segments of its US manufacturing onshore to its Dandenong headquarters, creating 50 jobs over the next five years.
BWX’s decision to bring its manufacturing operations to Melbourne follows the company’s acquisition of businesses in the USA, namely Andalou Naturals and Mineral Fusion.
The company develops, manufactures, distributes and markets natural personal care brands including Sukin Natural, Andalou Naturals, Mineral Fusion cosmetics and USPA Natural Spa, and has sales in 31 international markets.
Victoria’s Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis said BWX’s new facility at Dandenong has received support from the Victorian government, without disclosing the amount. The expansion is expected to increase BWX’s exports by 90 per cent over five years.
The company also plans to partner with Victorian universities to triple its Victorian research and development activities and carry out more than 200 projects per year.
This week the Victorian Government launched a new investment attraction strategy – Investing in Victoria. The strategy targets precinct-based investment and identifies key sectors, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, that will drive future growth.
The medical technologies and pharmaceuticals industry in Victoria employs more than 23,000 people and generating over $12.7 billion in revenue per year.
It’s estimated the global skincare market will be worth $US180 billion ($275 billion) by 2024.
“In Victoria we have all the right ingredients for pharmaceutical manufacturers to grow and that’s evident by the amount of pharma companies that now call Victoria home,” Dalidakis said.
“Advanced manufacturing is crucial to the future of our state – it will bolster the exports that support our economy and create countless jobs,” he added.