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Landmark legislation that originated in New Hampshire 43 years ago is being put to the test today as for-profit investors snap up manufactured home communities here and across the country.
Wilcox to open plant in Australia
It will be the firm’s first overseas plant
Portsmouth. N.H.-based defense contractor Wilcox Industries is opening up a factory in Australia that is expected to employ 100 people.
In a joint agreement with Aquaterro, a Melbourne-based distributor of Wilcox products, the two firms will set up the $10 million joint-owned factory.
It will be Wilcox’s first overseas plant. The company currently employs 200 people at its New Hampshire plant and was planning to create another 40 to 50 jobs there in coming months, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Wilcox manufactures tactical equipment for special operators and first responders in the defense and law enforcement sectors
Aquaterro CEO Graeme Bulte told the Morning Herald that Wilcox chose to build a new factory rather than to continue to export equipment from the U.S. because of the close relationship that was needed with customers.
Bulte said potential sites for the Australian plant are Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
