A NEW $60 million aluminium production development near Tomago was formally opened on Friday and will create up to 100 new jobs and inject about $150 million into the Hunter's economy.
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The Midal Cables plant will produce about 50,000 tonnes of aluminium rods and conductors each year.
Deputy Premier and minister for regional infrastructure and services Andrew Stoner and Port Stephens MP Craig Baumann both said the new plant was a vote of confidence in NSW and the Hunter's manufacturing capabilities.
"Manufacturing is an important and vital part of a diverse NSW economy," Mr Stoner said.
"In addition to the new direct jobs, the plant is expected to provide work for existing sub-contractors and suppliers in the Hunter and it has the potential to attract other downstream metal processing businesses to the region".
Mr Baumann said the Bahrain-based global manufacturer's new Tomago site was fantastic news for jobs and growth in the region.
"Midal Cables's investment in Port Stephens demonstrates the global strength and appeal of NSW manufacturing capabilities and of the business environment here in the Hunter," Mr Baumann said.
Midal Cables general manager Tony Temelkovski said the site would support the company's export plans.
"Geographically, Australia is close to Midal Cables's Asian and US-based customers, which allows us to export the end product faster," Mr Temelkovski said.
The project was approved in August 2012 and construction started in October 2013. April 2014 had been mooted for the site to be operational.
Midal Cables is contracted to supply molten metal to Tomago Aluminium.
