Linc signs Flender for Tonkin Highway estate

Global mechanical drive systems supplier Flender is establishing a manufacturing base in Western Australia, becoming the latest tenant at the Linc Property-led Tonkin Highway Industrial Estate.

Flender, which is a subsidiary of international manufacturing conglomerate Siemens, will occupy a 5,875 square metre property with a custom-built 3,500sqm facility, which is under construction and scheduled to be complete by September.

Linc Property’s Judd Dyer said the entrance of Flender took occupancy of the Tonkin Highway Estate to more than 80 per cent.

“Many of the tenants who are relocating to Tonkin Highway Industrial Estate are looking to upgrade their facilities and take advantage of the central location 8 kilometres from the CBD,” Mr Dyer said.

“An advantage we have as a brand new estate is that we can more easily accommodate the evolving needs of businesses.

“Flender will benefit from a custom-designed warehouse, superior connectivity, access to major arterial roads and proximity to the airport.”

National property advisory firm One Commercial managed the transaction on behalf of Flender, which has been supplying industrial drive systems to WA clients since the 1970s, with its installations largely in mine and port operations in regional areas.

Once complete, the facility will be the only factory in WA with a 1.5 megawatt test bench capable of testing drive systems up to a voltage of 6.6 kilovolts. 

It will also be designed to cater for growth in geared wind turbines over the coming decades.

Flender Australia managing director Kareem Emera said the deal came as customer demand for its systems continued to increase in WA.

“Regardless of where we are, being close to our customers is the cornerstone of our business model,” Mr Emera said.

“Western Australia has been an excellent market for us in recent years. It’s only natural for us to reinvest in this key market and be where our customers are to offer them the combined brains trust of more than 50 facilities worldwide through this new state-of-the-art centre.”

Mr Emera said while COVID-19 had presented specific challenges to the Australian economy, the company was taking a long-term view.