We were thrilled to officially launch our upgraded facilities, new developments and long-term investment plans to the South East community and industry partners on Thursday, 22 February 2024.
As part of a $7 million investment in the Bedford Mount Gambier site, there are now upgraded facilities in our timber processing mill and a purpose-built Learning and Experiences Hub.
Environmentally sustainable timber processing with greater efficiencies
New state-of-the-art equipment in the timber processing mill is set to double production capacity, drive greater efficiencies, and broaden timber processing services now and into the future. This upgrade includes a new filtration system, which delivers additional environmentally sustainable practices, demonstrating our commitment to an environmentally sustainable model of manufacturing, where nothing goes to waste.
Bedford’s investment in advanced manufacturing demonstrates our long-term commitment to being a sustainable supply chain partner in the local community, taking waste timber and adding value and finishing services across a range of products.
The new system collects timber extracts from the manufacturing process, which is utilised across other industry, such as materials for duck nests.
In the immediate term, the new system enables us to recycle more shaving waste from 500m3 per week up to 600m3 a week.
Bedford partner with local industry to manufacture products such as picket fencing and decking.
Learning and Experiences Hub Providing Choice and Building Capacity
Part of the investment in Mount Gambier is a new Learning and Experiences Hub, which is co-located with the timber processing mill.
In response to community need and demand, our purpose-built Learning and Experiences Hub opened in September 2023, providing local people with disability the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and have experiences that showcase all of the wonderful things that the local area has to offer. Its core purpose is to build learning and capacity across the region to support people with disability to live the life they choose.
With a custom-made teaching kitchen, an art space, IT suite and chill out room, the Hub delivers programs with a focus on skills-based learning to help clients gain increased independence and create job pathways. Learning themes include living, work and personal interests.
Our Experiences programs focus on community engagement relationship building and a whole lot of fun! This mixed model provides variety and lots of opportunities to learn new things and engage in the community.
Building for the future
The developments in Mount Gambier are all part of delivering on Bedford’s purpose of supporting people with disability to live the life they choose. Our bold, contemporary and responsive 5-year strategic plan will see investment of over $50 million in new enterprises, facilities, services and opportunities across South Australia. This strategy is about offering unprecedented choice, opportunity and support for people with disability, whether it be in supported employment, open employment or other employment pathways, and/or skill-building opportunities such as those in our Learning and Experiences Hub in Mount Gambier.
To find out more about Bedford’s services in Mount Gambier, please call (08) 8725 6088 or email bedford@bedfordgroup.com.au.
