State-of-the-art $45m Bedford manufacturing hub coming to Adelaide

In a joint venture between Bedford, Leyton Property and Leyton Funds, Adelaide’s North will be home to a new and advanced manufacturing facility worth more than $45 million dollars. 

The manufacturing and social enterprise site is expected to bring new jobs to the city, along with an exciting new opportunity for Main North Road in Salisbury South to be a key hotspot for furniture-making and commercial joinery development.

Bedford employs over 250 people living with disability, equipping the Manufacturing team with the skills and training opportunities to reach their full potential, both in work and life.

Bedford is the second-largest employer for people living with a disability in Australia, providing a range of services for over 1300 clients across 18 sites in the state of South Australia.

“The investment will significantly increase Bedford’s manufacturing capability to deliver a world class commercial product to the market. This will include an investment in the latest automation and robotics technology,” says Bedford’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Social Enterprises Sam Hunter.

Right next to the manufacturing site, Bedford’s new Cultivate Food & Beverage, will open following the launch of the first site in Brooklyn Park.

The Cultivate Food & Beverage social enterprise is set to feature a commercial kitchen, beverage production facilities and a public entertainment area for South Australians to kick back and have fun.

The enterprise will be able to deliver a full supply chain solution for medium to massive companies producing food and drink with a national footprint. 

Bedford CEO Myron Mann said that the company is looking to continue its long and successful history of manufacturing in SA.

“This investment in our future will enable us to grow, innovate and manufacture at scale while remaining true to our purpose to provide choices in skill-building and career pathways,” says Mr Mann.

“As a social enterprise, it will be a vibrant place to work, offering high-value roles and transferrable skills for employees of all abilities. Jobs will include joiners, machine operators, production workers, chefs, supervisors and apprentices, in a supportive and inclusive environment.” 

So long as the council approves the decision, construction will begin in 2023 and finish in 2025, estimated to provide 100 jobs for construction and 200 upon completion.

“The site has been strategically chosen for its freight route among other strategic reasons. It will support Bedford to maintain and grow our existing manufacturing contracts and provide opportunities for new partnerships, in particular food and beverage producers north of Adelaide and across the state.”