Canberra craft brewers Bentspoke, Capital get funding for manufacturing upgrades

Bentspoke and Capital breweries and Australian Honeybee will share in around $2.2 million heading to the ACT from the second round of grants from the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund, which released $55 million to manufacturing businesses around Australia.

The upgrades to production capabilities are intended to enable the brewers and beehive manufacturer to dramatically increase their output and lower costs. The federal grants have been made to open up new export opportunities and support the creation of manufacturing jobs.

Capital Brewing in Mitchell will receive $946,959 to help fund a $3.78 million upgrade of its facilities, enabling it to increase production by 181 per cent to 4.5 million litres per annum. The company estimates the project will create 45 new jobs.

The brewery's co-founder Laurence Kain said the grand funding was massive for them.

"We have some great equipment on order that will enable us to keep up to demand this summer and grow the business infrastructure over the coming 24 months."

Bentspoke Brewing will receive $671,000 towards a $2.68 million upgrade of its facility in Mitchell. It will double production of its beer products from over 2 million litres per year to over 4 million.

The local brewery has been in the limelight after being its beer was spotted in the gift hamper Prime Minister Scott Morrison handed to Britain's Boris Johnson, following trade negotiations earlier this month, and celebrating its seventh year with the release of a new stout.

Additionally, Australian Honeybee will receive $600,863 towards a $2.4 million upgrade of its facilities in Fyshwick where it will produce its patented beekeeping systems.

There were no ACT businesses among the $50 million first round of manufacturing innovation grants last year.

The grants are open to businesses that demonstrate their products align with one of the manufacturing priorities of resources technology and critical minerals processing; food and beverage; medical products; recycling and clean energy; or defence and space.

Under the grant rules, businesses are required to supply at least three quarters of the total upgrade cost, with the government providing up to $1 million towards the projects.

Industry Minister Christian Porter said Australia's manufacturing sector was vitally important to the nation's economy, directly employing more than 900,000 Australian workers and contributing almost $120 billion to exports last year.

"That's why the Morrison government is backing manufacturing businesses like Bentspoke and Capital Brewing with significant financial support to help them to modernise, innovate and grow," he said.

"Investing in the latest manufacturing technology and equipment ensures they can remain internationally competitive by improving their productivity and increasing their capacity to target new export markets for their products.

"Just as importantly, these investments also help to grow well-paid and highly skilled jobs in the modern manufacturing sector for Australian workers.

"We know that for every manufacturing job we create, at least three additional jobs are created in other areas of our economy."

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Liberal ACT Senator Zed Seselja said the grants were allowing businesses to grow and supporting local jobs.

"I might be a little biased, but I think Canberra has some of the best beer in the country, and it's great that as a Government we're able to support these businesses grow and access larger markets," he said.

"Not only will these grants see Canberra manufacturers scale up their operations and access new export markets, these grants will support jobs here in the ACT.

"By backing local businesses, we're backing local jobs."

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