Dandenong-based Advanced Polymer Technology Australasia (APTA) is in the running to give the Australian hockey teams ‘home turf’ advantage at the London 2012 Olympic Games by providing the synthetic turf for the hockey stadium, thanks to support from the Victorian Government.
Industry and Trade Minister Martin Pakula said APTA’s quest to play an important part in the delivery of the Olympic Games showed the strength and innovation of Victorian manufacturing would continue to secure and create jobs.
“The Brumby Labor Government is a key player in the Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat (AISES), a body created to target key international events and assist local companies, such as APTA, play a significant role in the delivery of major international events,” Mr Pakula said.
“APTA and other Victorian firms have benefited from projects to the value of $22 million for Beijing 2008 Olympics Games and Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games thanks to the work of the Brumby Labor Government and AISES.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to drive investment and secure jobs in communities across Victoria by helping our industry take advantage of the growth in the global sports industry and to capitalise on investment opportunities in sporting infrastructure across the globe.”
Mr Pakula said APTA is a Victorian success story, employing 35 people and laying artificial turf in stadiums around the world.
“As a recent inductee to the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame, we have already acknowledged the significant role APTA plays in Victoria’s manufacturing industry,” Mr Pakula said.
“Its success story is continuing to grow. APTA has already won a significant contract to provide the first Poligras turf to the UK in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics.
“The turf is being installed at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in London, which is included in the British Olympic Association’s official Training Camp Guide for the London 2012 Olympics.”
The technology used in the development of world-class competition sporting fields and tennis courts has also been used in the development of artificial lawn turf for Australia’s drought ravaged commercial and domestic markets.
“APTA’s Poligras Olympia synthetic turf requires 30-40 per cent less water than other comparable surfaces and is renowned for accuracy and speed. It has been consistently chosen for premium events such as the Asian, Commonwealth and Olympic Games,” Mr Pakula said.
“Its success shows Victorian innovation continuing to thrive and deliver results even during the global financial crisis.”